The Class of 2005

Faith Development

Social Justice Mass

Each year in mid-August the young men are encouraged to bring food items to donate to those in need. The response is always very generous. The food items collected on the Kinnoull campus go to the Malvern Emergency Food Bank, while those from the Tiverton campus go to the Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda. The vast amount of goods donated is due to the hard work of Mr David Hale and his volunteers on Tiverton campus and Mr Graeme Lawler and the St Vincent de Paul group on the Kinnoull campus. The Mass was a success, due in no small part to the celebrant, Fr Tiernan Doherty CP, who gave an excellent homily and has a wonderfully pastoral manner. Thanks to all the staff and students who helped as readers or as Special Ministers. It was also good to hear of the work done by students in St Vincent de Paul by Sam Williams (12D), Camp La Salle by Alastair Moroney (10H) and Coolies Month by Gerard Nolan (12R). The Mass and the collection are a good opportunity to remember what Jesus said and put it into practice: “Whenever you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40).

Lasallian Youth Leaders

The development of Lasallian Youth Leaders is one of the most exciting movements in Lasallian Youth Ministry this year. At De La Salle, and 5 other Lasallian schools in Australia, a volunteer group of student Leaders has been established to help continue the Lasallian tradition of faith, service and community. LYLs volunteer their time to service projects and work to build community through regular meetings and activities. De La’s 2006 group was lead by Carey Watkins, LYL’s President, supported by Faith Coordinator Pat Suhodobnik, Service Coordinator Shane Ah-Kan, and Community Coordinator Ben Dwyer. LYL projects have included Year Seven classes on Lasallian History and prayer, fundraising for the Lasallian Missions in Papua New Guinea and supporting the work of Camp La Salle and Lasallian Friday Night Games. 2007 promises to be an even bigger year for Lasallian Youth Leaders.

Retreats

Our lives are very hectic these days. It is increasingly so for young people as well – juggling commitments and responsibilities. This is where retreats are invaluable. Leaving on Thursday morning and returning on Friday afternoon, they can be a small window of sanity amidst the hurly-burly of life. This is not to say that they are universally embraced! However, if we are to allow ourselves the opportunity to hear the “still small voice” of God, then we need to listen. We can only listen if we stop doing and allow ourselves to be. Aside from a range of activities such as discussions, games and prayer, the retreats are a marvellous opportunity for homerooms to mix in informal surroundings. In so doing, they strengthen the relationships that will help them through their VCE years. If they are attentive, these relationships are another way that God speaks to them, calling them by name.