Faith and Mission

2025 Southern Region Youth Gathering - Pilgrims of Hope

On Friday 29 August, 245 students from across the region came together at St Bede’s College, Mentone Campus for the 2025 Southern Region Youth Gathering – Pilgrims of Hope, a joyful celebration in this Jubilee Year. 

Inspired by the theme of pilgrimage, students reflected on their journeys of faith, renewal, and hope, while exploring the deeper meaning of the Jubilee—a sacred time of reconciliation, forgiveness, and transformation. The day was enriched by the energy and guidance of Gen Bryant and her team of musicians, singers, and facilitators, who led the community in song, prayer, and dialogue. 

Students mixed with peers from other schools, sang and danced, shared stories of faith, voiced their hopes for the future and for the Church, and enjoyed the warm hospitality that made the gathering both memorable and uplifting. We are grateful to Fr Andrew Jekot for celebrating the Mass at the end of the day at St Brigid’s Church Mordialloc.

"The Southern Region Jubilee Youth Gathering was a great experience all around. St Bede's hosted several fellow Catholic Colleges, allowing us to meet like-minded and similar people from all across the state. The introduction ceremony hosted by the Gen Bryant band got everyone involved and energised, allowing the students to easily join in on group activities after. The pilgrimage walk on the beach provided everyone with a chance to reflect before a beautiful mass." Zack S, Year 11 

"The Southern Region Jubilee Youth Gathering was, to put it simply, a wonderful and amazing experience. I’m so grateful to be part of a handful of students that were able to meet students from other schools and talk about their faith and beliefs, while also talking about what they enjoyed outside of school. Gen Bryant and team were impeccable in raising the energy - it was great how they got everyone involved. The walk to St Brigid’s Parish was so calming, giving everyone a chance to take a moment and reflect on the past, present and future. It was an incredible experience that gave me a new sense of beliefs and a message to share with the world." Frank Imperatori, Year 11 

 

"It was a great experience to be able to network and get to know students of the same faith from different schools. My favourite part of the day was working in different small groups where we explored different aspects of life centrered around faith, learning more about what other schools and students do. The event was great and to finish it off with a Mass at St Brigid's was a nice way to conclude." Alexander T, Year 12

 

The Jubilee Youth Gathering was a great initiative to meet other like minded people from the Catholic schools in our area. After first meeting other schools in small groups with the amazing band, Gen Byrant's crew, the walk to St Brigid's along the beach was a great way to get some fresh air and appreciate the environment around us. Personally, I loved meeting new people from schools around us and collaborating together." Nicholas S, Year 11 

 

"The Jubilee Youth Gathering was such a special day I will cherish forever. Being a host and guide was such a great experience, getting to know everyone from the other schools but also making new friends and helping everyone find their way. A special moment from that day would be Gen Bryant, she is a talented and such an amazing person who does the best work and all the schools coming together and forming friendships. This special experience will be something I will always look back at when I think about St Bede’s in the future." Cooper M, Lasallian Captain 

Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) Student Workshop

Zaine B, Frank I, Basil R

"We were lucky to be chosen to represent St Bede’s College at the ACYF Student Workshop Day. When we arrived, we met students from other schools and joined in a variety of activities. We had the chance to socialise and experience friendship through our shared faith. 

 

Our first session, out of three, gave us the opportunity to mix with others and talk about what’s important in our lives, including our faith. This was a really enlightening experience that helped us to share our own faith, while also understanding others.

The journey to and from the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne was just as meaningful, as we had conversations about our faith and what we loved most about the experience. It was a real honour to speak with Ms Greene and Br Tony about their personal views on faith, which gave us new perspectives and helped us to see the world through others’ eyes.

 

One key message we all took away is that leadership isn’t about having a title—it’s about actions and what’s in your heart."

Inviting ACYF Student Delegation Opportunity

This festival offers an opportunity to encounter Jesus and to encounter one another. Taking place from 30 November to 2 December, the festival will open with a special pilgrimage walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral through Melbourne’s CBD and along the banks of the Yarra River enroute to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

ACYF will offer an experience of the sacred through liturgy, prayer and worship, music, and workshops.  

There will also be keynote addresses and an expo/justice space that will feature the various ways that the life and mission of the Church is at work in the world.

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 can submit expressions of interest to be part of this year's St Bede’s College Student Delegation.

Please contact Ria Greene rgg@stbedes.catholic.edu.au 

Thailand Service Program

Working for justice is a human call. Over the centuries, many people of faith have journeyed forth, leaving the comforts of home, to shine God’s love in places of disadvantage. Such a place is Sangkhlaburi, Thailand, where the La Salle Learning School and the Bamboo School help support impoverished and displaced children. 

It is here that our St Bede's College student and staff volunteers have travelled to to participate in a host of outreach activities, including tutoring, teaching English and organising recreational activities and events for schoolchildren, along with a building a perimeter wall.

All the materials and expert labour required to make the project possible will be financed by the generous funds raised for Mission Action Day. We send our prayers, thoughts and blessings with the students and staff of the 2025 group.

Ria Greene

Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission