Faith and Mission
Farewell From Ria Greene
As I come to the end of eleven years of service as Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission at St Bede’s College, I do so with gratitude and a deeper understanding of what community truly means. It has been a profound privilege to walk alongside our students, colleagues, families, the De La Salle Brothers, and the wider Lasallian community in a mission that has continually inspired, nurtured and encouraged me.
“I have come that you may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10) is a message from Jesus that has often echoed in my heart, as both motivation and affirmation, during these years of shared mission. Throughout these years, I have witnessed countless moments of generosity, courage, compassion, creativity and faith. Whether in classrooms, liturgies, retreats, social justice initiatives, immersion programs, or in the quiet, everyday encounters that shape the character and culture of our College, I have been reminded again and again of the enduring truth of our Catholic and Lasallian heritage: that God’s presence is deeply woven into the ordinariness of our shared journey, and that every student entrusted to our care is a beloved child of God.
I am deeply thankful for the trust placed in me by Principals, colleagues, students, parents, the De La Salle Brothers and our Chaplains. Together, we have sought to animate a living Catholic tradition and to make real the spirit of St John Baptist de La Salle: “Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God.” It has been a joy and a blessing to watch our young people grow not only academically, but as people of faith, service, empathy and community.
As a pilgrim of hope, I have cherished my role at St Bede’s as a custodian of the essential and precious portfolio of Faith and Mission. As I move into a similar role at St John’s Regional College, Dandenong, I do so with great confidence in the vibrant mission that continues here at St Bede’s. The work of forming young people for lives of meaning, hope and Gospel-inspired action is never finished, and I know it remains in very good hands. With confidence, I acknowledge the continuing commitment of the Leadership Team, the Faith Leadership Team and the Religious Education Learning Area who uphold the priority of faith and religious formation of our students.
I leave with a profound faith in our young people, whose energy, humour, generosity and joy convince me daily that they will become courageous, compassionate leaders for our future. I will carry with me the relationships, life-giving memories and abundant blessings of these past eleven years, and I remain ever grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to a community that has shaped me as much as I have served it. Thank you for the privilege of being part of the unfolding story of St Bede’s College.
Please pray for me, as I will continue to pray for you.
I leave you with a blessing I have often shared in class.
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.
Ria Greene AFSC
Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission
Australian Catholic Youth Festival
The Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) festival was attended by 6,000 young people from across Oceania to journey together under the empowering theme: Pilgrims of Hope. St Bede’s College was represented by: Owen R, Cohen W, Ryder D, Luca R, Ethan T and Ben H.
Established by the Australian Catholic Bishops, this event provides a crucial opportunity for participants to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, celebrate the ritual of the Eucharist, and be commissioned as disciples in the world today. The program included dynamic musical plenaries, Mass, confession, and more than one hundred elective workshops, talks, and interactive exhibitions at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
A highlight was the presence of the internationally recognised World Youth Day Cross and Icon, which was a focal point of a powerful Pilgrimage Walk on the opening Sunday. This procession, winding through the city from St Patrick’s Cathedral to the MCEC, symbolised the collective journey of faith and hope. Pope Leo sent an urgent message to all the participants: to glory in being their authentic selves. On the final day, Tuesday, the festival ended with a Commissioning Mass where all were gathered and over 100 priests concelebrated. The Trinity College Choir and The Melbourne Youth Orchestra added to the reverent tone and ritual of the event. 6,000 voices sang, prayed and knelt together to create a sense of joy and urgency to live out this ‘hope’ for the world.
Ethan Thredgold, 2026 Lasallian Captain shares his highlights.
"I really enjoyed the pilgrimage walking through the CBD with 6,000 young people of faith. Hearing from Cardinal Bychok was inspiring, and he delivered a powerful message about our faith as young people and that “No government can ban it, no bully can break it, no social pressure can erase it. Your prayer is your strength. Your prayer is your freedom. Your prayer is your hope.”
It was also a very special day as Pope Leo XIV sent a video message stating that we young people need to stay close to go and be ourselves. He reminds us young people “to pray and build strong friendships” as well as taking what we have "learned at the youth festival and incorporate it into our daily discipleship”.
Day two was full of workshops to strengthen our faith and a mass ran every couple of hours, which was really special as I was able to attend a mass with so many bishops and priests. I also made so many new friends from all across Australia. The last day was an action-packed day with exhibits such as Caritas Australia, Ignite Youth, St Carlo Acutis’ Eucharistic Miracles, and many more exhibits.
The closing Mass was really enjoyable and extra special with Archbishop Peter Comensoli leading the mass and all the other bishops with him, as well as Cardinal Bychok. ACYF was an event that I really enjoyed, and I now know that I have lifelong friends with whom I can attend faith youth events in the future."
Advent and Christmas in the Jubilee Year
On the horizon before us is the drawing to a close of the Jubilee Year which will occur on the Feast of the Epiphany, 6th January. On that feast day, Pope Leo will seal the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, marking the formal end of the Jubilee Year (Pope Francis opened these doors at beginning of Advent 2024). This Jubilee Advent invites us to look back on the year that has gone with gratitude and humility. We rejoice in the present with joy. And we look to the future with hearts full of hope in God’s love and mercy.
The season of Advent is about waiting. Waiting takes up a large part of our lives, often we see waiting as non-productive, as a waste of time and we are frustrated. But the season of Advent reminds us that waiting is more productive, we are called to be people of action and service as we wait for the most mysterious and wonderful coming of all – the coming of Jesus Christ.
So, with the people of faith who have gone before us, and the people of faith who are with us … we wait, and we hope, and love what we wait for; God’s second coming, and God’s peace.
A Reading from the Gospel of St Matthew
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened. He secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising,until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped,they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Reflection: Just like the wise men presented gifts to the Holy Family, we too offer gifts this Christmas. Over the past few weeks, we have all been asked to contribute to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Many have responded to the call to help our neighbours in need with generosity. By doing this we have made God’s presence a reality in the lives of others.
Soon we will present these Christmas Hampers and Gift vouchers to the various Vinnies Conferences in our area. Vinnies members work tirelessly to ensure that people experiencing disadvantage have someone to turn to for help. We thank them for their work and commitment in helping others. Through their good works we are restoring hope to many people who are finding it difficult to celebrate during the Christmas season.
Many donations of text books and study materials have also been made to the Les Twentyman Foundation's Back to School Program, whichredistributes used educational resources to students who would otherwise be unable to afford them. In 2024, the Foundation was able to assist over 600 students to access the supplies required to attend school.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Wise men travelled for miles to bring you the first Christmas presents. So, may we, too, remember with thankful hearts the love that comes with each present we open. We also thank you for the amazing love you have for each of us, and we thank you for the many gifts that you give us. We ask your particular care for those who do not experience the love and presence of dear ones. Amen.
Blessing: As we prepare for the great holy day of Christmas, may each of us help to make our home a place of joy, love, peace and safety.
May we be generous and considerate, helping others to enjoy the blessings of Christmas.
May we, and all our family and friends, find relaxation, refreshment and enjoyment in the coming summer holidays.
St John Baptist de la Salle. Pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!