Faith and Mission 

Holy Week

Holy Week is an extra special week in the Church’s year recalling significant and solemn events in the life of Jesus; his suffering and death. But the week is not only about memory or history; it is an invitation for us to shape the way we live our lives today and into the future influenced by the witness of Jesus.

The highpoint of Holy Week is Good Friday, a time to reflect on the Passion and Death of Jesus.  It is a story that we are familiar with, we hear it each year, we reflect on it each time we go to Mass, we might even think of it each time we look at a Cross or crucifix.   While it is important that we meditate upon the Passion and Death of Jesus we know that this story of suffering and sacrifice leads ultimately to a story of hope and optimism based on the Resurrection. 

The suffering of Jesus reveals his humanity and speaks to each of us who have experienced personal suffering or loss.  Drawing on his Jewish heritage, Jesus cried out from the cross the words of the psalmist: (Psalm 22)

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.

I am scorned by others, and despised by the people.

All who see me mock at me; they make mouths at me, they shake their heads.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

Do not be far away! O Lord, come quickly to my aid.

Reflection:

It is hard to know exactly what those people thought when they looked upon the cross and saw the dead body of Jesus. 

What we do know is that over the centuries, many have looked upon the Cross and have pondered what it meant for them. 

The Cross of Christ is the single most sacred symbol of the Christian faith.

For many of us it holds special personal significance.  For all of us as members of a Catholic school community we recognise and honour what it represents.

In all churches on Good Friday, the Cross will be venerated by millions of people worldwide, in this way we connect to the one universal church.

When we venerate the cross we are doing two things:

• Firstly, we acknowledge the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of humanity through his passion and death; so we pay the highest honour possible.
• Secondly, we can take to the Cross our own sufferings, burdens and disappointments and place them before Jesus, just like those who have come before us.

Ritual action

Next time you are in front of a cross, touch it lightly, bow before it, kiss it, or simply stand before it.  Then pray ….

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Mission Action Day

The students and staff of St Bede’s College participated in the annual Mission Action Day 10 kilometre walk on Friday 25th March to raise awareness of and raise funds for the De La Salle Mission schools in Balgo WA, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Thailand and India.

We know how important our financial and prayerful support is for our Lasallian brothers and sisters amidst the additional challenges of the global pandemic. The provision of education is vital in ensuring that our Lasallian schools are well resourced so these students will have a future filled with opportunities and possibilities.

“Let us not grow tired of doing good, and while we have the opportunity let us do good to all.”             Saint Paul to the Galatians 6:9-10

It is now time to get all sponsorship payments made - by Friday 1st April, preferably by EFT.  The banking details are:

Online Credit Card    https://www.bpoint.com.au/payments/stbedescollege

Account Code:     Student’s Surname, First Name, Homeroom/Tutor Group, Campus

Direct Credit             Bank – CBA: BSB - 063144                      ACC # - 10387289 

Payment Reference:      Student’s Surname, First Name, Homeroom/Tutor Group, Campus

Here are some student reflections of the day:

Mission Action Day for 2022 exceeded all of my expectations. The level of enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment we could read off the face of many on the day, both staff and students, affirmed that all of the efforts of those who organised the day were as enjoyed as they were recognised and appreciated. On behalf of the student leadership body, I would like to thank everyone for their involvement in maximising the day's potential. Never, in my 6 years of MAD experience, have I seen as many people hang around till the later hours of the afternoon as I did this year. It truly reflects the Beda family's advocacy for social justice and compassion.  

Leighton Miller, College Captain

Last Friday, the College celebrated its annual Mission Action Day, a day where we come together as a community to celebrate our Lasallian spirit, and raise funds for our Lasallian brothers and sisters. The day kicked off with a 10km walk along our beautiful Beach Road. We walked side by side, enjoying the views and the company of our mates. Upon our return we arrived at the College to enjoy amusement rides, activities and entertainment. After we collected lunch we were free to roam the College and enjoy seemingly endless stalls. Some of the standouts were the amusement rides on the front oval, Felix the Magician, the Minecraft tournament and the musicians who provided live music. The day was a smash hit, and I'm sure the College is looking forward to next year. 

Lewis Desmond, College Vice Captain

Our annual Mission Action Day was a great opportunity for both campuses to come together with a common purpose, to raise money for the Lasallian missions, while having fun away from the classroom. We all went on a 10km walk along the coast and were treated to a hotdog and drink on our return. There were rides and activities at the Mentone campus for the rest of the day. It’s fair to say we all had a great time and hopefully raised a substantial amount of money for the mission work in Balgo, Thailand, India and PNG.  

Tom Gregory TG 4

Live Jesus in our hearts!

Year 9 Retreats

Creating Pathways to New Horizons

As part of our Faith Development program, all students in Year 9 were given the opportunity to spend a day out of the normal classroom for Retreat; a day of prayer, reflection and activities. To highlight the importance of this endeavour, we took the students off-site for their Retreat to the Don Bosco Retreat Centre at Lysterfield. 

Our Faith Leadership Team and Lasallian Youth Ministers led the retreats, assisted by Lasallian Youth Leaders. We maximised the beautiful country and venue at Lysterfield; one of the highlights was a steady climb through the paddocks up to the granite boulders where a view to the city could be enjoyed.

The Retreat program was enjoyed by all students and staff, here are few reflections:

The day of the Retreat was a relaxing and mindful experience for us, we found that we were able to interact and socialise with people from both Bentleigh East and Mentone campuses. The activities were fun and enjoyable for us and our class, being able to have peace and look at the beautiful view of the valley gave us an inspiration as we recreated it ourselves. 

Excitement and thrill was a big factor of the games we played with Brother Lewis and the LYLs from Mentone. It was fun to introduce the trust aspect where you must have faith in your partner in the game. Speaking of ‘faith’, the 3 F’s we were told about at the beginning of the day, Faith, Friendship and Fun, these were the three keys that set our goals for the day, which was to experience all of them. 

The final activity and our personal favourite was the hike up to the top of the hill, and it was great, it was a bit of a challenge walking up due to the rough terrain from the cows but we‘d say it adds to the experience. It was a bit difficult, but the view from the top with the boulders was well worth our while, the beautiful landscape and the outline of the city behind the mountain, it was breathtaking, even the way down was rewarding as you past the cows and felt the breeze. Recess was fun too, we were given doughnuts and got to play intense basketball while socialising with the others from Mentone. At the end of the day we were called to the Chapel to reflect on the experience of the day, through prayers, readings and a moment of silence. To wrap the day up, we overall found this day a good chance to interact and have fun with others around us, we definately fulfilled the 3 F’s and found it excellent.  Noah Vargas and Benji Sok 9.2B

The Year 9 Retreat day was filled with many fun activities and was set at one of the nicest areas I have ever been to. I had lots of fun hanging out with my mates and reflecting everything good in life and how great it was to get out of school with the kids in my class. 

Firstly, we did a drawing activity which was really relaxing and just great for your mental health. We were asked to draw what we saw out in the landscape and how we can get close to God and be a better person. Personally, I drew the land and all of the cows; below me also I saw a bird flying by so I drew that as well.

The second activity we did was the walk up the big mountain it was one of the most relaxing things I have done in my life. This was easily my favourite part of the day walking up the hill with all of my mates and relaxing on the rock at the top. Another great thing about the walk was looking out at the amazing city that we live in and the view from the top of the mountain was breathtaking 

The third activity we did was a game called ‘Jockeys Up’ and a quiz on how well we knew our Lasallian heritage and it was a really fun activity.

Finally, we did the liturgy at the end of the day and we talked about everything that we did during the day and we also talked about the 3 F’s Faith, Fun and Friendship which helped us remember everything we had done throughout the day. George Dimopoulos 9.2B

Year 9.7 M

Playing basketball with lots of people at recess and lunch time

Drawing the landscape of the farm, was very relaxing after playing a lot of basketball

I appreciated the view up on the hill after finishing the walk

The time away from school and having the chance to ‘retreat’ with school mates was enjoyable

I learnt that we all need to have a break sometimes from normal school life and after doing this it is easier to be more enthusiastic about going back to school

I enjoyed going on the toll because I’ve never been on the M3.

I enjoyed hanging out with my friends during the breaks. We played some broken telephone game and it was super fun.

I enjoyed getting a doughnut

I appreciated the drawing activity because it was a quiet, to yourself activity.

I had a peaceful time taking in the magnificent scenery.

I learnt that prayer isn't the only way to connect with God

I enjoyed having a break from work, having some time in nature and having some non-work time with my friends.

I learned how nature and quiet can calm you down and I appreciated that I had an opportunity to experience it. I like just sitting in nature and drawing.

I like being in touch with nature and seeing the beautiful land from the mountain 

I like how we went together with the Bentleigh East campus 

I learnt that you don't always have to see God through status etc but you can just go and see beautiful nature