Mission Action Day

In solidarity with many Catholic schools in the Lasallian tradition, St Bede’s College strives to uphold the Catholic Social Teaching principle of ‘preferential option for the poor’ by holding our annual Mission Action Day (MAD); a major event on the College Calendar.

MAD was held on Friday 24 March at St Bede’s College Mentone Campus to raise awareness of, and funds for, the Lasallian Missions in Australian Indigenous Communities, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, and other areas of need.

Students completed a 10 kilometre walk to raise funds in support of their Lasallian brothers and sisters, so they will have a future filled with opportunities and possibilities.

To mark the 85th anniversary of St Bede’s College, we set a fundraising target of $85,000. Pleasingly, we achieved and exceeded this amount and raised almost $88,000!

Funds sent in the past have made a significant difference to these communities and have enabled such things as the building of houses, classrooms, sanitation amenities, health facilities and IT infrastructure. Specific projects in which St Bede’s have been involved include:

La Salle Technical College in Hohola, Papua New Guinea – contributed funds to offer academic opportunities and technical and vocational training to students who are not able to gain entry into a government secondary school.
La Salle High School, Khushpur, Pakistan – water safety and shelter project.
St Solomon’s WASH project, Pakistan – construction of new washrooms for female students and new drinking water and filtration system.

MAD commenced with performances by the College Band, followed by a whole College prayer service that spiritually prepared us for the day ahead. Following our time of prayer, waves of keen walkers were released to start their 10 kilometre MAD walk along the beach trail. Then, returning a little weary but satisfied, students received a hot dog lunch (over 2,000 were cooked and served!), then enthusiastically enjoyed the post-walk program of carnival rides, performances and other activities planned by the College Student Leadership Team.

To gain an insight into how students experienced the day, let’s read a selection of reflections:

"Mission Action Day was a huge success. Heading into it, we simply wanted everyone to stick around and enjoy the activities on offer. While the day emphasises such an important message surrounding the idea of service to others, it also provides the chance for the community to build connections with others, which will carry on to brighten up everyday life at school. To me, the day is so valuable as it reminds everyone that those who we interact with on a day to day basis at school, are all unique people before they are just our classmates or teachers. Myself and some mates ran staff versus students dodgeball on the day, and the participation and competition exceeded all of our expectations. We had staff who hung around to play for over 2 hours, all of which I assume had sore shoulders the next day. The opportunity to play dodgeball with people from all around the college, or sumo wrestle your friends on the front oval is one that only comes on MAD, and I'm glad that everyone made the most of it this year. The leaders are all super proud of our own effort, but also very grateful for the support we received from our peers and teachers in the lead up which enabled the day to be as successful as it was. It's definitely something we will all miss!"

Dylan Collins, College Captain 2023

"MAD Day is undoubtedly the most exciting day of the year for our school. We all come together as a community, not all only to raise money, but also to have fun and be kind to one another. This is a tradition that I hope stays for many years to come, simply because of the amount of joy it brings to this school."

Christian Ballarin, College Vice Captain 2023

"To start off the day we had a full school assembly which means both campuses were together. After the assembly we set off for the 10k walk to Aspendale and back. It was really cool because people were walking with all their friends. After the walk people had the option to stay at the school to experience the rides and many different activities. Overall I believe that MAD day (Mission Action Day) was extremely fun to participate in and helped many different countries because the college raised over $85,000. "

Toby Bartleman

"I really enjoyed Mission Action Day a walk with mates and time to have fun all for a great cause to help and support the other La Salle Schools all around the world that are less fortunate than us also the online system to donate encouraged everyone to donate and made it a lot easy for all my family and friends to donate. All the rides and games after the walk where terrific it was excellent fun for everyone and very enjoyable it was also a great way to raise money for the cause. At the start we had a full school assembly to help us with the walk and also this assembly gave a chance to pray for us our family our friends our peers and other La Salle Schools which is terrific. All these events led to us raising $85,000 dollars to help support our other La Salle Schools around the world and give them a awesome education."

Alex Kristan 9.2B

"Mission Action Day was a fantastic day, and we can’t wait to participate next year! It was great raising money for less fortunate school and people around the world, and overall we raised 85,000 dollars for a great cause. On top of that the walk was fun and when we reached the halfway mark, they rewarded us with a free lunch ticket and an opportunity to buy, water bottles, lollies, and Zooper Doopers. When we arrived back at Mentone, we collected our lunch and drink, and started to explore the activities that were available, including numerous rides, a magician performing, sumo wrestling, Basketball tournaments, and many other fun events. Our highlight of the day was the roller coasters. Overall, it was a great day and was very rewarding raising money for the less fortunate. Thank you for the experience, St Bede’s!"

Patrick Dolgov and Michael Pereira 7.4 B

Pastoral visit from Superior General, General Council and Provincial

On the final day of Term 1, we were honoured to receive three Lasallian Leaders at St Bede’s College for a Pastoral visit. The pastoral visit was made by:

Br Armin Luistro, the newly elected 28th Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers and the Lasallian Institute,
Br Chris Patino, newly elected General Councillor of the De La Salle Brothers and the Lasallian Institute, and
Br Tim Peter, Provincial of the De La Salle Brothers of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.

During the visit, the Brothers visited classrooms, met with student delegations for Q&A, shared morning tea with staff, and participated in the simulcast of the Holy Week Liturgy from the Mentone College Chapel. At the beginning of the liturgy, Br Armin took the opportunity to address all students and staff across both campuses, encouraging us all to continue to be people of faith, service and community.

Brother Armin, Br Chris and Br Tim were delighted to meet our students and to see the diverse learning experiences they participate in at St Bede’s College.

Holy Week Reflection

Holy Week is an extra special week in the Church’s year recalling significant and solemn events in the life of Jesus; his suffering and death. But the week is not only about memory or history; it is an invitation for us to shape the way we live our lives today and into the future influenced by the witness of Jesus.

The highpoint of Holy Week is Good Friday, a time to reflect on the Passion and Death of Jesus. It is a story that we are familiar with; we hear it each year, we reflect on it each time we go to Mass, we might even think of it each time we look at a Cross or crucifix. While it is important that we meditate upon the Passion and Death of Jesus, we know that this story of suffering and sacrifice leads ultimately to a story of hope and optimism based on the Resurrection.

This year, for Holy Week, we focused on one character that teaches us about ‘stepping up’ and helping others in need: Simon of Cyrene.

As Jesus journeys to his crucifixion, he stumbles and falls under the weight of the cross. Scripture tells us that:

“as they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled him to carry his cross” (Matthew 27:32)

We might wonder what sort of man Simon was. Did he know Jesus or was he a bystander who watched on?

Was he dragged into the action by the Roman soldiers, or did he simply see a need and respond with compassion?

Simon’s first reaction might have been, “that’s not my problem”.

Or, “what will others think of me?"

And, we may be tempted to react in the same way.

Maybe Simon wasn’t given a choice, but we usually have a choice to care for and serve others.

Our streets are crowded with people struggling under the weight that they carry: desperation, hunger, homelessness, abuse.

Do we have the courage to stop and get involved? Maybe we would rather keep our distance.

Strangers, refugees? Are they our concern?

Who is my neighbour?

Who is my brother?

Let us pray … Lord, as we continue our life’s journey, help us to see those who stagger along the path of the cross:

the refugees, the homeless, the lonely.

We ask for strong shoulders and hearts of compassion to ease the load of others.

As you call us to love one another, may we be inspired by the example of Simon of Cyrene.

St John Baptist de La Salle … pray for us

Live Jesus in our hearts … forever

SAVE THE DATE - Year 10, 11 & 12 Students

World Youth Day – The Local Experience

@ St Bede’s College, Mentone Campus

Saturday 5th August, 2023 - 9:30am to 9:00pm

GO WITH HASTE TO SERVE!

Join us for a day of friendship, formation, fun and faith as we mark WYD23.

COST: $35 for all catering and activities

Program and Booking details to follow.

Ria Greene

Deputy Principal

Faith and Mission

Congratulations