Mission & Identity

• Easter Liturgy
• Centacare Experience for Years 10 and 11 Students
• College ANZAC Ceremony
• Red Shield Appeal
• Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass Saturday 26 May

Easter Liturgy

To acknowledge the Easter Triduum as well as our Lenten observance, Term 1 concluded with the school gathering in the parish of Our Lady of Dolours for a liturgy. The liturgy was a re-creation of the Passion of Christ, based upon the Gospel of John. Students from Mercy and St. Pius worked together to recount the events that led to the crucifixion. This solemn occasion was also complemented by the reverent background music and singing of the St. Pius staff and students. As students exited the church they placed a sprig of rosemary, a symbol of remembrance, at the foot of the cross as a sign of their personal Lenten preparation and as a sign of their renewal of faith. Many thanks to the efforts of Mr A. Brannan, Mrs Waters and Mr Cummins for working together with our students to mark this most significant event in the Catholic Church’s calendar. Thankyou also to the entire St. Pius community for their support of our Lenten collection for Caritas. Through our generous donations, St. Pius was able to make a significant contribution to Project Compassion for 2019.

Centacare

During the recent holidays a number of Year 10 and 11 students completed hours for their CIP (Community Involvement Program) commitment by working at Centacare in Belmore. Centacare is conducted by Catholic Care and is an establishment that provides meaningful employment for adults living with an intellectual disability. Students from St Pius were buddied up with a supported employee and completed the required work with their buddy. The duties that were completed ranged from packing nuts and bolts in packets to removing staples from documents for shredding. Students also took part in life skills classes where employees learnt skills such as cooking and conversation so as to be able to live more independent lives.

As a follow up all of the boys who took part will be raising funds for Centacare through participation in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival on Sunday 15 September. Please keep an eye on Woodchatta as the date approaches to assist us raise funds so that Centacare can continue their great work in the community.

Centacare Reflection - James Baldock Year 10

During the time of Easter, it is very easy for to get caught up in ourselves. We tend to forget that there is more to life than our inner circle and henceforth turn a blind eye to the marginalised.

During the holidays, St Pius was given the opportunity to send 30 students to Centacare Industries as part of the CIP program (Community Involvement Program) to allow us to extend arms to our disadvantaged neighbours. Centacare is a set of factories across Australia that provide meaningful employment to adults living with an intellectual disability. The organisation's agenda of ‘a fair go’ not only reflected the values taught at school but also provided us with an experience that is irreplaceable.

The day itself consisted of various jobs and interactions with the employees. Whether these were putting screws into plastic pages or shredding paper, the main goal wasn’t to complete the task within a record time, it was to make the people who worked there feel important and valued members of society by listening to what they had to say.

Speaking on behalf of everyone who attended I can say that leaving at the end of the day knowing that we had made someone feel special, is a feeling that could not be traded for anything. 

College ANZAC Ceremony

Term 2 commenced by acknowledging all those who have fought and especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy a peaceful existence. As a whole school community St Pius paused in the morning to pray as a community, a community united in the belief that there is no greater sacrifice than to lay down your life for others. The prayers that were read focused upon us remembering the efforts of those who served:

“God of love and liberty, we thank you for the peace and security that we enjoy.

It was won for us through the courage and devotion of those who gave their lives in times of war.”

Our prayers also called upon us to have the courage to work for peace in our time, as we may be able to work for others, especially, “those who have been dispossessed through war”.

Our ceremony was not only a time for reflection, but a time of learning. Students heard about the meaning and origins of The Ode, The Last Post and The Rouse. We were fortunate to have Year 12 students not only lead our prayers, but also lead us with readings (Sam Schyvens), through playing the Last Post and Rouse, (Oliver Osbourne) and in singing the National Anthem (Lachlan Donlevy).

Lest we Forget.

Mr N Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Red Shield Appeal

Forms are now due back.  If you still require a form please collect one from the Student Administration Office.

Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass

As Father Jim mentioned at our Opening College Mass, students from St Pius X College and Mercy College have been invited by Fr Jim to attend the Youth Mass on Sunday Evening 26 May at OLD Church.  The details are:

• Date:   Sunday 26 May
• Mass:  Youth Mass
• Time:   5:30pm
• BBQ and Social Activities: 6:30 – 8:00pm

If you would like to be involved in the ministries for the Mass such as reader, music, offertory procession, Eucharistic Minister etc. you will need to arrive between 4:30pm and 5pm.  Further details can be found in the flyer below.  Please email Mr Adrian Brannan if you will be attending or have any questions.

Mr Adrian Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator

Phone:  0414 826 326 or email: abrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au