Faith and Mission
An Audience with Pope Francis
As part of World Youth Day 2023, the Archdiocese of Melbourne has sent a pilgrim delegation of over 500 people made up of youth, emerging leaders, clergy, religious and staff to Portugal.
Among this group is our very own Mr Kirk Thomson, who is attending as one of the emerging leaders. It was with great delight that we heard of his, and the group’s, audience with Pope Francis in Rome in the lead up to World Youth Day.
Pope Francis addressed the group in a 40-minute audience. When asked what he wanted to share with today's youth, the Holy Father said simply,
"The main message I want to get across is that the Lord is always by your side—always. Even in the most difficult moments, he is always with us. He never tires of walking with us!"
Kirk has shared this photograph of the Pope himself during this audience.
Young people from across the world have posed the following questions to Pope Francis in the lead up to WYD23, which he has addressed in his latest video.
"When I go to the church in my neighbourhood, I see only old people. Is the Church only for old people?"
"The Church is not an old people’s club any more than it is a youth club. If it becomes something for old people, it will die. Saint John Paul II used to say that if you live with young people you become young yourself. The Church needs young people so it doesn’t grow old."
"Why did you choose the theme “Mary arose and went with haste” for this WYD?"
"Because as soon as Mary knew she was going to be the mother of God, she didn’t stay there taking a selfie or showing off. The first thing she did was to set out on a journey, in haste, to serve, to help. You too have to learn from her to set out on a journey to help others."
"What is your hope for WYD in Lisbon?"
"In Lisbon, I would like to see a seed for the world’s future. A world where love is at the centre, where we can sense that we are sisters and brothers. We are at war; we need something else. A world that is not afraid of witnessing to the Gospel. A joyful world – because if we Christians have no joy, we are not credible, no one will believe us."
Let us pray that the World Youth Day in Lisbon will help young people to set out on the journey, witnessing to the Gospel with our own lives.
Young Lasallians Gathering
St Bede’s College student delegation, along with our Youth Ministers Kyle and Liam and Lasallian Volunteer William Both, made their way to St John’s College with Brother Tony, Miss Greene and Mr Pooley to meet with other Melbourne-based Lasallians.
It was a great opportunity to gather over a shared meal to build friendships and reflect on what it means to be young people of Faith, Service and Community. Students Flynn and Dylan share their experience below.
"The Young Lasallians Evening was an excellent opportunity for us to connect and engage with our fellow Lasallian brothers and sisters about what it means to be a part of the wider Lasallian community. The evening included various activities that encouraged us that allowed us to meet and converse with the representatives of St. John’s Regional College, as well as talks and stories from Lasallian Youth Ministers about how being part of this community has allowed them to seek the core values of Faith, Service and Community. I learned what it means to be a part of the Lasallian community and how it can not only help yourself but others as well, and I heavily encourage anyone given a similar opportunity to take it." Dylan Myers TG 16
"On Tuesday the 5th of July, myself, Rueben, and a few other senior boys represented St Bede’s by attending a Lasallian Youth gathering at St John's Regional College in Dandenong. The gathering was set up where we shared a meal with our fellow Lasallian students and involved ourselves in deep conversations and interactive activities. It was hosted by the Lasallian Youth Leaders, Liam, Kyle and others. We met with Year 10, 11 and 12 students from St Johns, such as Gabe, Camille, Hannah, Deniel and Fili who shared stories with us and chatted about Lasallian values and retreat opportunities." Flynn Sichlau TG20
Ria Greene
Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission