Centenary Mass

The Centenary Mass for the De La Salle Brothers was held at St Peter’s East Bentleigh in August. The procession of the Brothers was a moving and appropriate beginning. Aside from Fr Michael Sierakowski, who did a wonderful job of leading the celebration, there were another 15 concelebrants, including Bishop Ron Mulkearns (DLS 1938-48), most of whom were Lasallian Old Collegians. The sight of that number of priests on the sanctuary was a powerful statement of the ministry and influence of the Brothers. The singing and music was strong, moving and truly uplifting — a group effort from staff and student musicians and singers from the three Colleges, co-ordinated by Mr Nicholas Cowall from St Bede’s. The music made one staff member comment that they “felt as though they were in a cathedral in Rome”. Br Ambrose’s homily was just right, typically. There was an excellent attendance and the Mass was also marked by the distribution of awards to Brothers and lay staff that had made significant contributions. The bottom line is that what was done was done for love, for the Founder, for the Brothers, who are the heroes to whom Br Ambrose referred, and for the ministry to youth and the poor. All in all, it was an appropriate celebration of an historic moment. Mr Patrick Jurd