Faith and Mission
You are all warmly invited to our 2025 St Bede’s College Family Mass to celebrate the opening of the school year and to recognise and commission our College Captains.
The Mass will be held at our Mentone Campus Sports Centre, followed by a light supper.
Enhancing Catholic School Identity Surveys
ECSI surveys capture a snapshot of the attitudes among students, teachers, staff, leaders and families towards the foundations of Catholic school identity. At St Bede’s College, we rely on this critical data (feedback) so we can plan for our future with authenticity and intention.
Survey access
1. Access the surveys at www.ecsi.site/au/user/
2. Enter the case-sensitive password Ghj654 and click login. (enter this manually, do not cut and paste)
3. Displayed on the screen will be your unique User-ID and Password (case-sensitive).
Save this information (write, print, or email it) to access the website at a later time.
Your feedback is essential, so please take the time (around 55 minutes) to complete the surveys when the links are shared with you. Be assured that responses will be anonymous. The surveys will close on the 25 April 2025.
Further information available below.
Student Service and Cultural Immersion Programs
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 students to further develop their Lasallian identity, we are pleased to advise you of the St Bede’s College Service and Cultural Immersion Programs that will be offered to students in Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 in 2025.
| Year 10 | Balnarring, Vic | July 23 - 25 Bookings open | $450 |
| Year 11 | Thailand | Sept 14 - 27 Bookings open | $4200 |
| Year 12 | Fiji | November 22 - 30 Bookings open | $3900 |
The number of students that can be in each program is limited, so the College will has selection criteria for participants that includes:
- The student displays a capacity to make a positive contribution to a group
- The student is generous and community minded
- The student has a keen sense of justice
- The student displays a capacity for service to others
- The student responds positively to opportunities for prayer and reflection
- The student is a positive influence in the school.
For further information, please contact Ria Greene rgg@stbedes.catholic.edu.au
Ash Wednesday and LENT
Last Wednesday 5 March 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 guides 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.
The Liturgical Season of Lent:
During Lent, we are encouraged to pray, fast and give to others in need.
When we were children, we might think of fasting as giving up something that brings us pleasure like chocolate, fast food, soft drinks, or other treats. As we mature, we understand that we can take a different, more meaningful approach to fasting. Pope Francis encourages us to fast from certain personal behaviours and attitudes that will make a big difference in the lives of others.
Fast from hurting words and say kind words.
Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.
Fast from anger and be filled with patience.
Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.
Fast from unnecessary worry and have trust in God.
Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity.
Fast from pressures and be prayerful.
Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy.
Fast from selfishness and be compassionate.
Fast from grudges and be reconciled.
Fast from words; be silent and listen.
To know a little more about the practical actions of Lent, visit Word on Fire.
Domestic and Family Violence: What Can We Do?
The St Mary of the Cross Parish Justice Action Group (JAG) is committed to raising awareness and taking action to address the issue of Domestic and Family Violence.
The key activity will be a Parish Forum on Saturday 15 March, from 2 to 3:30pm, at St Brigid’s School hall.
We recognise that we all have a role to play in creating communities of respectful relationships that prevent domestic and family violence and we seek to answer the question “What can we do?”
We will provide information about how to recognise domestic and family violence, how to respond to it and measures we can take to prevent it. A panel of professionals working in the sector will respond prepared questions on the topic. Following this presentation, there will be opportunity to seek further information and support and to interact with the speakers and sector organisations over afternoon tea.
This will be an adults-only event and bookings are required. Further information is on the website here.
Ria Greene
Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission