Faith and Mission

Christmas Giving Tree

An intrinsic hallmark of being Lasallian is to identify a need in the community and then take action to address that need. Each year at De La Salle College, we ask staff, students and families to think of those less fortunate in our community and how we may be able to make a small difference and bring a smile to the face of a young person at Christmas time who might otherwise go without. 

Recently, all families will have received a letter outlining the details about our annual Christmas Giving Tree. With Christmas fast approaching, bringing joy and love to families is something that so many of us are fortunate to experience. For some, however, Christmas is a time of hardship and sorrow. 

Once again, the College Christmas Giving Tree will support St Joseph’s Outreach Services and we invite each student to place a gift on behalf of their family under the tree. Students may donate a gift (or more), for either a boy or girl of open age. We ask that you consider the need for gifts for teenagers as a priority.

As we all know, the joy that a gift will bring to a child on Christmas morning is immeasurable, the smile on such a face is priceless.

Christmas Giving Trees will be placed at each of our three campuses of Tiverton, Kinnoull and Holy Eucharist, in the reception areas from Wednesday 13 November. It is anticipated that gifts will be delivered to St Joseph’s Outreach Services in South Yarra, after Monday 2 December.

Families are reminded to please ensure that gifts are not wrapped, rather placed in a gift bag under the giving tree. Please note that aerosols/razors (gift packs) or pretend play weapons cannot be accepted.

I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the families at De La Salle College for their constant generosity and support of this most deserving project and many others throughout the year.

Church announces national drought prayer campaign

The Catholic Church in Australia is dedicating the month of November as a time to pray for those affected by crippling drought conditions and to pray for the gift of rain.

Parishes, schools, families and other Catholic communities across the country are being encouraged to participate in the National Prayer Campaign for Drought, which also invites people to provide assistance to those most in need. The Bureau of Meteorology says that, on some measures, the current drought is the worst in 100 years or more, with most parts of Australia’s eastern states declared to be in drought.

Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green OSPPE from Wilcannia-Forbes oversees a diocese that covers about half of New South Wales, including some of the most drought-affected areas in the country.

He said the month of prayer is an additional response to the local work being done in affected communities.

Some of our Catholic ministries, along with other faith-based, charitable and government organisations, are doing remarkable work, supporting people with material needs, offering financial support and responding to people’s psychological and spiritual needs,” Bishop Columba said.

In some dioceses, practical responses like school fee relief or support with rising utility bills can ease an increasing burden for families.

But in a Catholic context, prayer must be a part of our response.”

Bishop Columba said the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments, has stories of rain being “God’s gift” to people who are suffering, “In times of drought like we are experiencing now, we should pray for God’s gift of rain, which will have the power to quench our arid lands and also lift many people’s fallen spirits,” he said.

Bishop Columba said the National Prayer Campaign must be truly national, noting that the whole country suffers when there is a drought – especially one of this magnitude. The Church needs to be an example of recognising that reality.

That people living where there is plentiful, or at least enough, water don’t seem aware of how much suffering the drought is causing only adds to the hardship of those in drought-affected communities,” he said.

The Church across Australia – lay people, religious, priests and bishops alike – needs to stand in solidarity with those suffering most acutely, offering prayers and practical support to those in most need.”

Article from:                                                                                                     https://mediablog.catholic.org.au/church-announces-national-drought-prayer-campaign/

Remembrance Day Service 

Jesus said;

A person has no greater love than to lay down his life for his friend”. 

John 15:13

On Monday 11 November, students at De La Salle College gathered to commemorate and remember the fallen. As we gathered as a College community to remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we paused to pray to our loving God for those who laid down their lives for peace and freedom.

On Remembrance Day, we remember all Australians who have given their lives in war. We stop and reflect that the tradition is one of celebration of peace not war, because on November 11, 1918 the end of the war was signed for the beginning of peace. This reminds us, that as Christians, as Lasallians, that we have a responsibility to work for peace in our world; and to build God’s kingdom on earth.

Mrs Rana Brogan
Deputy Principal – Faith and Mission 

Back to The Duce Issue 2019 16 - 14 November 2019