BROTHER PAUL LAVELLE

Morell Lavelle was born in Invercargill in 1940 and entered the Congregation at an early age, being professed in 1959 at nineteen. After brief stays at Tuakau and St Paul's College, and a longer stint at St Bernard's, Lower Hutt, the superiors, knowing and valuing his farming background, put him in charge of the large Juniorate property at Tuakau for 3 years (1967-69). However, he preferred the classroom and returned to it at Sacred Heart College, before being sent to Fiji in 1974 to join the High School community for seven years. Apart from one term at Napuka in 1981, he remained on the staff of the High School 1982-85, while running the Postulancy program from Desvoeux Rd, Gorrie St, Vatuwaqa and Carew St. Probably his best seven years were spent as Principal of St Bede's College (1986-92), where the rural environment appealed to him.

His talents were not limited to his favourite subjects, Religious education and Accounting, he also became an effective counselor for the students and staff. He was fortunate to attend the East Asian Pastoral Institute in 1981, and used his acquired learning to rejuvenate the Religious Education programs at the High School, and later the new RE syllabus and books for the Archdiocese.

Paul's wide interests included sports, and at the High School he soon caught the Red Fire spirit introduced by Brother Majella Sherry. He also became involved in coaching and refereeing rugby regularly over a long period. He was more than fortunate than the visiting Brother John Koorey, who was flattened by an irate player who had disagreed with his call.
He also became involved in the parish as a Eucharistic minister, not only assisting during Mass, but taking Communion to the shut-ins. This service was extended during 2000, when he joined a group visiting the prisoners in Parliamentary complex, taking Communion to the Catholics, including the President's daughter, Adi Koila Mara.

His contribution to St Bede's and to education in general were recognized by the Government of Fiji when he was awarded the Order of Fiji in 2003.