Faith and Mission

Gathering in Faith: Assumption Day Mass

On Friday 14 August, our St Bede’s College community gathered as one in the Sports Stadium to celebrate our whole school Assumption Day Mass. The atmosphere was defined by a deep sense of stillness and reverent respect from all students and staff assembled. The Feast of the Assumption holds profound significance in the Catholic Church, commemorating Mary being taken body and soul into heaven and offering a powerful symbol of hope and eternal promise for our own life journeys. 

The Liturgy of the Word invited us to reflect deeply on Christ's resurrection and Mary’s place in God’s divine plan. Will (Year 12) proclaimed the First Reading from Corinthians, underscoring the triumph of life over death, while Vinnie (Year 11) guided the congregation through the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation with great devotion. 

In his homily, Fr Peter Matheson spoke about the tradition of Mary's Assumption, reminding us that her pathway to heaven was paved by her courageous, trusting "yes" to God. He connected Mary’s selfless act of faith to the heroically compassionate sacrifice of St Maximilian Kolbe - whose feast day is also celebrated on 14 August - challenging us to consider how faith demands real courage in service of others. 

Connecting Mary's example to modern school life, Principal Deb Frizza offered a compelling reflection asking students to consider what they choose to say "yes" to each day. She encouraged the boys to draw inspiration from Mary’s bravery by saying "yes" to integrity, backing a friend in need, working hard in their studies, and striving to be the best men they can be. 

The liturgy concluded with a special blessing and commissioning of the Year 10 students and staff preparing to travel to Broome and Derby for the upcoming immersion. As these volunteers prepare to build meaningful connections with Indigenous communities and undertake service work, our College community sent them forth with prayers for a safe, transformative, and purposeful journey.

Finding Purpose and Embracing the Journey: Sagalee Omer Inspires Year 12 Students 

On August 10, Year 12 students welcomed award-winning social entrepreneur and public speaker Sagalee Omer during their weekly Senior Religious Education (House RE) class. As the founder of Shooters Shoot, a youth organisation that uses sport and culture to build belonging and improve youth wellbeing, Sagalee has successfully supported thousands of young people through community events, school programs, and mental health initiatives. Deeply passionate about leadership, representation, and empowering youth to create meaningful change, he returned to the College this year after delivering a highly praised presentation to last year's cohort.  

His presentation centred on navigating the fast-approaching transition to post-school life, discovering identity and purpose, and making a positive contribution to society. Sagalee shared a powerful core message: if you truly get to know yourself, nothing will phase you. He encouraged students to use practical techniques like journaling to build self-awareness and to always trust in the journey. Acknowledging that life brings challenges, he reminded the boys that through both success and failure, we learn and better ourselves. When it comes to ambitious dreams and projects, he urged students not to chase perfection, but to simply take the first step and give it a go.

The session resonated deeply with the students. Reflecting on his visit, Sagalee shared his enthusiasm: "I really enjoyed speaking with the Year 12 students and thought the session went really well," specifically thanking the teachers for welcoming him and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Global Lasallian Connections: Welcoming Br Francis Eells 

We recently had the pleasure of hosting Br Francis Eells from La Salle College High School in Philadelphia. During his stay, Br Francis delivered a series of inspiring presentations to our Year 11 students on the theme of Style versus Substance. Utilising thought-provoking visual examples - ranging from shifts in historical leadership and modern pop culture, to core Lasallian heritage - he challenged the cohort to look beyond superficial appearances and ground themselves in genuine character and purpose.

Beyond these presentations, Br Francis fully immersed himself in the day-to-day life of the College across both campuses. He visited a broad variety of Religious Education, History, and English classes spanning Years 7 through to 12, and even accompanied students on excursion to the Holocaust Museum. His warm, welcoming, and highly engaging approach instantly resonated with the boys, sparking lively classroom discussions and authentic connections. 

Br Francis spoke very warmly of the hospitality and vibrant community spirit he experienced throughout his visit. He departed with fond memories and a wealth of positive insights regarding Australian school life to take back to his own students and colleagues in Philadelphia. We extend our sincere thanks to Br Francis for his generous presence and inspiration, which beautifully reinforced the strength of our shared global Lasallian family.

Journeying Towards Seoul: World Youth Day 2027 Launch

Students Ryder, Luca, Owen, Daniel, Joshua, William and Finn accompanied by Br Tony Cummins and Ms Helen Kelly, attended the World Youth Day 2027 Launch Student Formation Event at the Catholic Leadership Centre.

Marking the one-year countdown until WYD 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, the day brought together students from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Facilitated by Wavemakers Australia, the interactive sessions challenged participants through three dynamic themes: You Are Part of Something Bigger, Faith that Changes the World, and Mission Starts Now.

Our students thoroughly enjoyed the engaging workshops and appreciated the opportunity to connect and socialise with peers from other Catholic schools, building a rich sense of shared community and purpose, as highlighted in the reflection from Joshua:

The formation day was a welcoming and enjoyable experience, with presenters and schools across Melbourne who were very friendly and talkative. By partaking in dancing, singing and small-group discussions about faith, community and the future of our generation, I felt included and part of something bigger than myself.