Youth Building For A Better Tomorrow: Outreach & Social Justice

(This is first in a series of articles on our school communities’ outreach to others in our world, action which teaches Lasallian service based on the Gospel’s call to social justice.)

At the end of a day, outside school gates, and in shopping malls, it is a normal event : youth glued to their mobiles, and slurping slushies or Maccas. Some youth – Year 10’s from La Salle Bankstown – are heading instead into town to regularly serve on the Vinnies (St Vincent de Paul) Van, as it finds its spot in the city streets. It gives a nourishing evening meal to people living on the streets. As student Jana Momiroski says:

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with Vinnies again. Each experience fills me with fulfilment and purpose, as I help those less fortunate in our community. This time, seeing an increase in the number of people we were able to feed, made (it)… even more meaningful. There is nothing quite like witnessing the smiles on people’s faces and hearing heartfelt “thank you’s.” It is a powerful reminder of the difference we can make in someone’s day. Volunteering inspires gratitude but also encourages us to always extend a helping hand.

Being involved in social justice activities is even seen by some as a privilege:

I had the privilege of participating in the night patrol for the third time this year, and each experience has been incredibly rewarding. I always look forward to the chance to interact with new people, and engage in meaningful conversations with those I’ve met before. I believe it’s important for everyone to actively engage with their community as often as they can. There’s something truly special about connecting with others, hearing their stories, and reflecting on shared experiences. Audrey Lim

La Salle, like several other Lasallian schools, has been involved, together with teachers as co-participants, over many years. For a Catholic school it is a standard way of extending Religious Education in knowledge of living as a Christian today.

Up in the New England region, O'Connor Catholic College has Lasallian Youth Leaders (LYL) who are integral to the College’s Stage Three Enrichment Program (STEP), which provides Year 5 and 6 students, from Armidale and the local area, experiences in a high school environment. The transitional day aims to showcase the ‘older-sibling’- centred Lasallian spirit. Bridie Giles, the LS Youth Minister mentors the LYL’s.

The LYL’s also lead and support charity appeals, including the Vinnies’ Winter and Christmas Appeals, and Catholic Mission, as well as help run the school’s junior retreat program. The College’s motto is The Fruit of the Spirit is Love, and Andrew May (REC) sees these and events like ‘Mission Month’ fund-raising as helping “to enrich (students’)… lives, and teach them the selfless joy of helping and lifting up others on their journey, preparing to become responsible and compassionate leaders of the future”.

There is also “serving and learning through teaching” How does this work? Andrew explains:

“The Assistant Catechist program for selected Year 10 students …engages them in the local community. They give Scripture lessons to students in  a number of public primary schools across Armidale. This program is an example of both catechesis and evangelisation, as many of the students involved are not Catholic, but through this program learn more about the faith of the Church, as they work alongside Catechists and younger students”.              

Across the Tasman, Francis Douglas Memorial College relates how a provincial city makes a focus on its Christian and local community outreach. One example was caring for one of its own, a new boarding student transferred to a hospital in Auckland:

“One of our Year 9's (was) diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and he spent many months with his parents at Starship Hospital in Auckland. This put a lot of stress on the family back home as well as their finances. Nate had just entered our Boarding Hostel. The Head Boarders with their Boarding Master developed a 24-hour runathon and set up a Give A Little Page. The school leaders also got involved and over a very wet 24 hours, there was a constant stream of walkers and runners, including boarding students, day students, staff and Old Boys on our field. When the rain became torrential from 2am to 9am the walk moved inside our three-storey classroom building and continued. The runathon for Nate began at 12 midday Thursday 11th April and completed at 12 midday Friday 12th April. The Give-a-Little page raised over $28,000-00.”

 Other service to the wider world this year were "Shave for a Cure” raising $10,000 for cancer research in Aotearoa. There was helping the New Plymouth parish setting up its Alpha program, as well as the annual Mission Action day for La Salle Malkhanwala, their twinned school in Pakistan. They have been supporting the small and poor boys’ school there for at least five years now.

“In 2023, the College’s Special Character Leader initiated "Charcon" which is a fundraising event where our bands perform in a Charity Concert. Each year the leaders decide where their funds will go. Last year they supported our local branch of St Vincent De Paul. In 2024 the funds went to Caritas, specifically to support the Holy Land. We asked that they be directed to Bethlehem University as we have a strong connection with Br Peter Bray and Br Mark McKeon”. 

It’s the College motto in action: "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve."

Source: Br Gary Wilson