A memorial mass will be held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on Friday, May 11 for Wollongong’s longest serving Christian Brother.
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Brother Cyril Victor Bell passed away recently at the age of 100.
When Br Bell turned 100 on July 11 in 2017, he achieved the milestone of being the oldest living Christian Brother in the world.
Cyril Alphonsus Bell was born in Warwick, Queensland in 1917. He became known as Br Victor Bell when he commenced his teaching years in Melbourne (1937-1942) at Clifton Hill and Moonee Ponds.
Br Bell moved to Wollongong in 1963 and “quickly fell in love” with the coastal steel city.
Student and colleague Russell Bates, said the friendliness of the Wollongong boys struck Br Bell...”When I first came to Wollongong, I came with mixed feelings, but these soon changed. The boys at Edmund Rice College are more friendly and enthusiastic than those in any other place I have taught.”
At his 90th birthday celebration in Wollongong, Br Bell spoke impressively and reverently about the boys saying….”every day I pray for all the boys I ever taught!”
In 1974, Bell’s Academy from Crown Lane, as it was affectionately known, transferred to the current site of Edmund Rice College. Br Bell was a pastoral coordinator and continued in this position until the late 1980s. He retired from teaching in 1988.
A humble and compassionate authentic man.
- Russell Bates
That same year Br Bell received a papal award, Benemerenti, from Pope John Paul II recognising his many years of service in the Catholic Church.
In 1986 Edmund Rice College named its administration building after Br Bell.
Br Bell was respected and admired by his students for his thorough teaching style, knowledge of Mathematics and Latin and approachable manner.
Read more: NSW government’s $1.2m spend at Edmund Rice
He was also known for his daily walks across the Illawarra, chatting and dropping in for a cuppa on his many long walks each weekend.
Mr Bates said teachers and parents regarded Br Bell as a highly knowledgeable and supportive educator.
“He always put his students first and warmly gave his time to listen and encourage all,” he said.
“He was a devoted man who had no difficulty expressing his faith and witness to God. He regularly walked from room to room, quietly and reservedly, saying the rosary and offering prayers for his students and families.
“This is why he had so many followers ...a humble and compassionate authentic man.”
The memorial mass starts at 4pm. Refreshments will follow in the Xavier Centre.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
