Faith and Mission

 College Theme 2021

“UNITED BY:  OUR VISION, OUR PASSION, OUR FUTURE”

This year marks a significant time in the history of St Bede’s College as we become one school with two campuses (Mentone and Bentleigh East). 

The College theme, United by Our Vision, Our Passion, Our Future, invites us to be united with optimism and zeal in all aspects of school life each and every day. As we journey through this year, and the new era in our College story, may we look for God’s presence in our school and seek opportunities to be people of faith, service and community – united for God’s mission.

The College theme is derived from the Lasallian International theme and its foundational scriptural story is the Feeding of the Multitudes in Matthew’s Gospel. The narrative shows Jesus’ desire to look after people when they are in need and his power to meet their needs. With a small amount of provisions (five loaves and two fish) Jesus was able to feed over 5000 people with twelve baskets of left-overs!

For us, the miracle story teaches that God can do extraordinary things with ordinary things. So, we need to place our ordinary lives at the service of God’s mission – then extraordinary things will happen, and in abundance! 

When Jesus went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:14-21)

When reflecting on this passage of scripture, Pope Francis said: 

This Gospel account is a lesson in compassion. “Jesus does not react with irritation, he doesn’t say, ‘these people bother me,'” because he knows they seek him because they are in need. Jesus teaches us to put the needs of others, especially the poor, before our own. Our needs, while legitimate, will never be as urgent as those of the poor who do not have what they need to live.”

The Gospel is also a lesson in sharing, the Pope said. The miracle Jesus performs “is not magic, it is a sign, a sign that invites people to have faith in God, the provident father, who will not fail to give us our daily bread if we know how to share it as brothers and sisters.”

Finally, Pope Francis said, “how often we turn away so we do not have to look at our needy brothers and sisters.” In effect, he said, it amounts to telling the poor to find a way to help themselves. “But this is not Jesus’ way, this is selfishness.”

Pope Francis, Angelus Message, St Peter’s Square – 3rd August 2014

So, as members of St Bede’s College, a Catholic school in the Lasallian tradition:

• May we ‘open our eyes’ and look for signs and wonders of God’s presence and power in everyday life, trusting that God cares deeply for us and our needs;
• May we seek opportunities to show compassion and bring ‘abundance’ to the lives of others through our availability, generosity, inclusion and cheerful giving; and
• May we promote peace, through our words, actions and prayer…

Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday we begin 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 the Prophets, 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.

However, this year, to be COVID safe, we won’t use ashes.  Instead, we will use hand sanitiser as a symbol of our need to cleanse ourselves – for our own benefit and as a sign that we need to care for others.

A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew 6: 1-6,16-21

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.”

Reflection

Take some time to prepare yourself for the season of Lent: 

• What actions or thoughts stop you from living in right relationship with God and with others?
• How will you make this season of Lent a time to grow closer to God and others?
  • Will you take more time for prayer?
  • Will you give more to those in need?
  • Will you fast by focusing on your needs, rather than your wants?

Prayer

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

Family Mass

St Bede's College Opening School Year Family Mass 2021

Wednesday 24 February, 6pm followed by a light supper.

St Bede's College Sports Centre

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Bookings - https://www.trybooking.com/BOTCI

Create a pure heart for me

                                  psalm 50

Ria Greene

Deputy Principal

Faith and Mission