Faith and Mission 

You're Invited To Family Mass

Tuesday 19 March from 6pm 

St Bede's College Sports Centre - Mentone Campus 

We warmly invite all students and families to our 2024 St Bede’s College Family Mass and light supper. This evening is a lovely celebration that marks the opening of the school year and also recognises and commissions our College Captains. 

For this occasion, we're honoured to have Bishop Anthony Ireland, Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, as the Principal Celebrant. He will be accompanied by many of our Chaplains. 

Bookings are essential for catering purposes, so please secure your family's place here.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family.

Mission Action Day 2024 

Friday 22 March 

St Bede's College - Mentone Campus 

Our highly anticipated event, Mission Action Day (MAD)  is about to begin! Over the next four weeks, students and staff will unite in activities that truly put the fun into fundraising for people and communities in need across the world. 

This year, our College Captains have set the fundraising target for $90,000! Funds will go to essential projects that improve the lives of our Lasallian brothers and sisters in developing communities and countries via the Lasallian Foundation. 

With the ongoing challenges of life in these areas, MAD funds contribute to the provision of vital education and other essentials, in ensuring that these students will have a future filled with opportunities and possibilities.

The majority of funds raised are via sponsorship of the 10km walk that all students complete on March 22. The goal is for each student to reach $50 in donations each via their online donation page via MyCause. Each student will receive their own page in the next few days. 

We know the strength and support of our St Bede's College Community of family and friends is undeniable - and we only need to look at the recent achievement in support of Felix Burgess to see what we can do when we all work together! 

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Last Wednesday 14 February, was Ash Wednesday; the beginning of our forty-day season of Lent that leads to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, we remind ourselves that we don’t always follow God’s ways and that we need to ask God for mercy and forgiveness. 

Like God’s people in the time of ancient Israel, we want to express our sorrow for our sins and faults so we wear ashes to show that we want to turn away from whatever keeps us from God, and to have a change of heart, so that we can live in right relationship with God and each other.

A prayer service to administer ashes was led by student ‘ministers’ in Homerooms and Tutor Groups on the morning of Ash Wednesday.

Take some time to read this gospel story that may guide your thoughts and actions this Lent. 

A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus said to his disciples: “When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. 

If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven.

When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. 

That’s what show-offs do in the meeting places and on the street corners, 

because they are always looking for praise. 

I can assure you that they already have their reward. 

When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. 

Then your gift will be given in secret.

Your Father knows what is done in secret, and he will reward you.

You are invited to prepare yourself for the season of Lent by reflecting on these questions: 

• How will I make this season of Lent a time to grow closer to God and others?
  • Will I take more time for prayer?
  • Will I give more to those in need?
  • Will I fast by focusing on your needs, rather than your wants? 

Let us pray …

Merciful God, tenderly guide us through this Lenten season. 

Help us to admit and recognise our wrongdoings and to seek forgiveness.

Give us the strength to change our behaviour so that we will follow you more faithfully.  Amen.

St John Baptist de la Salle.  Pray for us.                   

Live Jesus in our hearts.  Forever.

Service and Cultural Immersion Programs

Years 10 to 12  

Lasallian identity is based on the three characteristics of Faith, Service, and Community. It is a Lasallian value to respond to the needs of others through acts of service. 

Such tangible opportunities of putting faith into action forms students to be empathetic, helpful in practical ways, and grow in global awareness of the world beyond themselves and their family. To support our students to further develop their Lasallian identity, we are pleased to share the 2024 St Bede’s College Service and Cultural Immersion Programs. 

*Exact costs and dates to be confirmed

More precise details of each program and the application process will be shared with year levels in due course. The number of students that can be in each program is limited, so selection criteria for participants include:

• Displays a capacity to make a positive contribution to a group
• Is generous and community minded
• Has a keen sense of justice
• Displays a capacity for service to others
• Responds positively to opportunities for prayer and reflection
• Is a positive influence within the College

In preparation, we encourage you to have a conversation with your son to see if this is the ‘right fit’ for him and to plan for the possibility of participation. 

Students who have participated have enjoyed thoroughly rewarding and unforgettable experiences that shape them and their perspectives. You can read some of their accounts here on  Balnarring  plus Broome and Balgo during our 2023 trips. 

Ria Greene

Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission