Faith and Mission
College Theme - Creating Pathways to New Horizons
Our recent past has brought into focus what is important in life, while clarifying what is of true and enduring value. The COVID-19 Pandemic effected all aspects of our lives and we will live with adjustments and new insights well into the future. The pandemic was essentially a health crisis; yet it revealed many other human crises across the world including limited access to health services and medicines, social isolation, increased mental health needs, economic vulnerability, diminished access to education, and even spiritual poverty.
What do you think is most important in your life?
What do you think should be important in the lives of others?
Our College motto “Per Vias Rectas” translates to ‘by right paths’. By definition, a path takes you from one place to another; it may be straight, it may meander, it may become narrow or filled with obstacles, there may even be choices to make when forks emerge. Using this rich image, the College year of 2022 may also be viewed as a path with a beginning and an end – but part of the longer and greater path of life.
The Book of Psalms has several references to choosing right paths or right ways. The very first verses of Psalm 1 commences by describing “The Two Ways” – the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. The way of the righteous is blessed, creative, and lasting, while the way of the wicked is unproductive and will not endure:
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread / or sit in the seat of scoffers / but their delight is in the law of the Lord.
Further, in Psalm 25, the Psalmist appeals:
Make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.
The Psalmist urges believers to righteous living, provides warnings to avoid evil, and exalts the beauty of right relationships. Our choices, decisions, actions and attitudes indicate which path we are travelling on. But how do we know if it is the path of the righteous? These questions may help you to decide:
Do I contribute to the well-being and happiness of my family, my friendship group, my community?
Have I hurt others by lying or speaking badly about them, by judging them rashly, or by holding grudges?
Have I stolen or damaged the property of others?
Do I care for the environment?
Am I selfish or proud?
Am I generous in giving my money, talent and time to help others, especially those who are in need?
How well have I dealt with the sorrows, disappointments and difficulties of my life?
The extended periods of lockdown in 2020 and 2021, taught us much about drawing upon our own resources and responding positively as we cared for others and ourselves. Even when routines and habits stopped or changed, we seemed to find new, creative and innovative ways to address our needs – socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically.
When reflecting on the COVID experience, Pope Francis wrote that this is a time to dream a new path to a better future. He said that God asks us to dare to create something new; this is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities – what we value, what we want, what we seek, and what we have dreamed of. “This is the time to see, a time to choose, a time to act!”
What do you dream of that would make the future better for you and for others?
Which ‘new horizons’ interest you or are worth exploring?
In 2022, may we grow in our understanding of and trust in Jesus,
may we follow in his footsteps with security and assurance,
and may we create pathways of righteousness that will take us to new, joy-filled and life-giving horizons.
The word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
NB: The College theme has been derived from a combined reflection on the Book of Psalms, recent writings of Pope Francis, and the Lasallian Institute theme for 2022: “To Dream is Our Way Forward”.
Community Service Program
RATIONALE: 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.
Using Jesus as a role model, the Community Service Program will promote an attitude of service that will help students discover a deeper meaning of life, formed in solidarity with others. Students will develop social and leadership skills, within a Christian paradigm, that will be formative for life.
The graduated, compulsory community service program is for all students at St Bede’s College, Mentone and Bentleigh East. This program will be in addition to the variety of
‘opt-in’ opportunities that already exist. The program will be phased in, commencing this year for Years 7 and Year 8 students, then extended in subsequent years.
Year 7 and Year 8 Students are required to keep a log of hours of simple and practical service activities that they complete, authorised by their parents or other supervising adult. Homeroom Teachers will monitor and record the hours that students complete.
Required hours of service:
- Years 7 – 8 = 10 hours
Service hours will need to be completed by Week 2, Term 4 of each school year.
Types of community service activities should be age appropriate and accessible to all.
- Years 7- 8 = Home based and school-based.
To get the program started, Br Lewis Harwood has been appointed as the Community Service Coordinator (to work across both campuses) and log pages have been included in the annual student planner
A repository of age appropriate activities will be compiled that students can undertake that will meet the criteria of community service. (benefits others, is unpaid, etc)
Lasallian District Chapter 2022 - Forging New Horizons
The Rule describes a District Chapter as an assembly of a pastoral and administrative nature…It evaluates all aspects of the life of the District. It takes into account the local situation and it establishes a schedule of precise programs for renewal, adaptation, or growth to be implemented in the near future. Evaluation and the establishment of new programs are carried out in accordance with the directives and guidelines of the Church and of the Institute (Rule 137).
The District Chapter will begin with its first phase on 19 March 2022 and will end with the last phase in the month of November 2022. The format will be online.
The time of the chapter is a significant moment in the life of the District as we discern the ways we are asked to respond to God’s calls during this time of fragility in our history. This may be one of the most important Chapters in the history of the District as we experience the challenges of our fragility. It is a journey in faith. In the preparation, during the Chapter itself, and in the living of its orientations, it is a paschal process, a renewing event for the Institute. It is a time to celebrate the grace of God among us, and a time to embrace the calls of the present and the future.
The theme chosen for the 2022 District Chapter is: Forging New Horizons. Each Lasallian (Brother and Lasallian Partner), each community, and each Sector of the District is called to reflect with others on the movement of the Spirit in the life that is unfolding among us, around us and beyond us to discern the ways God is calling us now to “dream new horizons” and to live our mission for the emerging future.
Guiding Theme & Primary Topics:
The theme, “Forging New Horizons,” and the three primary topics of the 46th General Chapter will underpin what may become more specific agenda items at the District Chapter. These three topics are:
a. Leadership and Governance
A renewed mission requires a renewed governance guided by discernment, collaboration, solidarity in the management of human and economic resources, networking, and collaborative structures that are truly shared among Brothers and Partners.
b. Life of the Brothers
As Christians ‘we are always missionary disciples’ (Evangelii Gaudium 120). In the light of this conviction, there is a need to take important decisions about formation, mobility, and priorities for the presence and ministry of the Brothers.
c. Sustainability
There is a need to develop appropriate structures to respond to current realities, unafraid of replacing what is obsolete or non-functional to make the Lasallian mission in the District sustainable in the future.
Social Justice & Action-Vinnies Christmas Appeal and the Les Twentyman Foundation
In Term 4 2021, our focus for Social Justice Action was the annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal and the Les Twentyman Foundation – the latter was a new initiative for us.
The Vinnies Christmas Appeal sought donations of gift cards, celebratory and staple food items, and small gifts for children. Students and staff responded with exceptional generosity. The Conferences of Chelsea, Mordialloc, Bentleigh and Parkdale East were extremely grateful for the quality and quantity of donations. We received the following from the Parkdale East Conference:
“On behalf of the East Parkdale Conference of St Vincent De Paul at St John Vianney please accept our sincere thanks for your generous donations.
The past two years have been hard on us all but particularly for those in need. We have several families we support through our conference and it will be with great pleasure, this year, we can present them with essentials cards and gift cards to help make their Christmas period a little more enjoyable. The essentials cards will provide them with enough to buy food and other essentials with some left over for a few luxuries. The gift cards, from several different stores, will give them the opportunity to buy some gifts for themselves and their families.
The St Vincent de Paul Society is a lay catholic organisation that aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society. As we rush around preparing ourselves for the Christmas period it is lovely to be able to take a moment to remember others and to be part of the real spirit of the season.”
For the first time, St Bede’s College supported the Les Twentyman Foundation Back to School Program by collecting a variety of resources that will be given to students in need. The Foundation assists almost 500 students each year by setting them up with all that is needed to start the school year.
In December, we collected over 25 large boxes filled with the following donations:
- Year 7-12 textbooks and study guides published since 2018
- English novels and literature texts (i.e. novels / plays / poetry /DVD’s)
- Atlases, dictionaries (English and foreign language), and thesauruses
- Calculators
- Laptops
- Stationery (either physical donations in good condition or via the purchasing of vouchers from companies like Officeworks)
It is hoped that some of our decommissioned laptops will soon make their way to the Foundation too.
Thank you to all who supported the Vinnies Christmas Appeal and The Les Twentyman Foundation. Your generosity and practical expression of care is appreciated.
Ria Greene
Deputy Principal
Faith and Mission
Welcome all to 2022
It is great to be back face to face even in a restricted capacity.
The new year has commenced in its usual busy manner and we look forward to Creating Pathways to New Horizons.
We particularly welcome to our Lasallian Family our new Year 7 Students, our new staff and a special welcome to our Principal Deborah Frizza.
It has been great to see Deb at Bentleigh East. Deb has been busy visiting the students and meeting staff. We hold you all in our thoughts and prayers as you commence your time with us.
We also welcome Br Tony and Br Lewis who will be a regular presence with us at Bentleigh East. Joining us also is Kyle Goodwin who takes up his role as Youth Minister on this campus. Kyle has been busy visiting classes and getting to know the students at recess and lunch time. Some of the Year 9 students have already invited him to join them in their ferocious Down Ball Game. We wish Kyle luck as he begins his time with us. He will be busy preparing for our year level retreats in coming weeks.
A big thank you goes to Campus Captain Aaron Taylor and House Leaders: Mac Griffin, Blake Johnson, Aaron Fitzgerald and axel Hannan who assisted with St Miguel Day celebrations for the students in McCristal House. The day commenced with St Miguel prayers in the homerooms and a celebratory treat for morning recess. These fine young men have a wonderful sense of Lasallian Spirit and are dedicated to serving our College Community.
We ask God’s Blessing on us all and remember in our prayers all members of our community.
Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever!
Dee O’Neill
Faith and Mission Coordinator (Bentleigh East Campus)
Religious Education Learning Area Leader (Bentleigh East Campus)