Mission & Identity

Year 12 Graduation Mass

The Edmund Rice Foundation – Mirror of Hope

Chapel Mass

• Social Justice:  
• -  Auditions for Founder's Day - Week 3
• -  Daffodil Day
• -  EREA India Leadership Immersion 2019
• Next Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass - 27 October 2019

Year 12 Graduation Mass

The last week of Term 3 saw Our Lady of Dolours Church filled with parents, friends, relatives and staff all ready to celebrate Mass for the last time with the Year 12 class of 2019. The graduating class were commissioned to go and make disciples among the nations, just as the disciples were first asked to by Christ. Our Mass, celebrated by Fr Jim McKeon, focused on Paul’s letter to the Colossians where the early Christians were asked to clothe themselves with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”. These values are the hallmarks of Christian life and are values that the young men would have developed in their time at the College. Jesus also commissioned his disciples to go out and to make a difference, in the Gospel of Matthew.

While Fr Jim acknowledged that there would be some feeling of trepidation leaving a community that has been their constant for so many years, he was quick to add the reference that Jesus said to his disciples – that he would be with them always, to the end of the age. Following a special blessing, the Year 12 students processed from the church singing the school song for the last time as a year group.

Thankyou to Fr Jim who gave up his day off to celebrate this day with our Year 12s and their families, ensuring that the occasion was reverent, solemn and memorable.

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

The Edmund Rice Foundation – Mirror of Hope

On our first day back the College hosted a visit from the founder of the Mirror of Hope Organisation, Tommy Nyawir. The Edmund Rice Foundation supports over thirty organisations world wide, attempting to make a more just world, with one of these organisations being The Mirror of Hope. Here at St Pius X College Chatswood our support for the Edmund Rice Foundation is linked mostly with Callen Services in PNG. Tommy’s visit was a great way for the students to hear of other areas the foundation supports.

Tommy’s own story was fascinating to hear. Born into abject poverty in Nairobi, Kenya he was destined to a life locked in the poverty cycle. Secondary education was far out of reach due to the restrictive cost, that was until one day when an Irish benefactor promised the funds for his education. Tommy was able to complete not only his secondary education, but has been able to obtain university qualifications. He has now dedicated his working life to assist those children and women from the slums of Nairobi. His mantra is that the Mirror of Hope organisation is about providing a hand up – not a hand out. He aims to assist children and women from the slums of Kibera to be liberated from poverty so that they can support themselves and live lives of dignity.

Two classes had the opportunity to listen to Tommy speak first hand of the difficulties that come with living in the slums. All too often with the meagre amount of money they earn, people have to make the choice of where their money goes: food, water, education or even the chance to use a toilet. Hence the poverty become inter-generational with many often turning to crime, drugs or prostitution to etch out an existence. This has led to generations living with HIV-AIDS and the spread of this incurable disease. The Mirror of Hope attempts to provide just that – hope - that even someone from the slums of Kibera, Nairobi can eventually become a self sustaining and productive member of society.

More details can be found at their site: https://mirrorofhopecbo.org/

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Chapel Mass

Our first Chapel Mass for the term was led by Mr McBrearty’s Year 8 Religion class and celebrated by Fr Jim. This special occasion provided opportunity for our community to pray especially for the Year 12 students who start their HSC examinations this week. We were joined by a number of the parents of Year 12 students who added to the inclusiveness of our Eucharistic celebration. As always we thank Fr Jim for his continued support.

Our next Chapel Mass will be held in the school chapel on Tuesday 29 October.  All are welcome.

Social Justice

Auditions for Founder's Day - Week 3:  We are calling for groups interested in performing during our Founder’s Day Celebrations! Own the stage in front of your peers – whether a solo act, as part of a band or a group drama performance, here’s your chance to shine!

Please see Mr Balboa or Ms Waters for more details.

Daffodil Day – Year 8:  Congratulations to Mr Ticli’s Year 8 Religious Education Class, who raised a staggering $6,822 for the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day Appeal. Students had a fun day out practicing their spruiking skills, selling fresh Daffodils and Cancer Council merchandise.

EREA India Leadership Immersion 2019

During the holidays I was honoured to be able to participate in this year’s EREA India Immersion, which spanned the cities of Delhi, Agra, Puri and Kolkata. The trip allowed the group to see the work of EREA partner organisations on a first-hand basis, operating in areas such as equal rights advocacy for women and children, self-help and microfinancing, and the provision of employment for those who are on the fringes of society.

We were lucky to be able to interact with teachers and students of different EREA-affiliated schools, finding common ground in education, amongst obvious cultural and demographic differences – a reminder of the powerful, positive influence that the Christian Brother charism bestows upon the communities that it influences.  The trip also had a multi-faith dimension, allowing me to experience the traditions of different faiths, and, equally importantly, their peaceful and productive interaction with one another. Particularly noteworthy was a visit to India’s biggest Mosque, its busiest Sikh Temple, as well as revelling in one of Kolkata’s biggest Hindu festivals, the Durga Puja.

One particular experience that impacted me was spending 3 days residing in the SVD Spirituality Centre. Run by the Missionaries of the Divine Word, we had the privilege to visit and interact with the members of a leper colony. This was contrasted with a visit to the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa (now St Teresa of Kolkata). Encounters such as this not only deepens one’s spirituality, but greatly spurs one to action. This was only one of many excursions to different schools and non-government organisations, each equally passionate about their own area of Social Justice. Such an immersion leaves a profound impact – one which I intend to share generously with the St Pius X Community.

Mr Ryan Balboa - Social Justice Coordinator

Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass

Sunday 27 October

The next Student Mass is on Sunday 27 October at 5.30pm, followed by a BBQ and Social Activities from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

If you would like to be involved see Mr Adrian Brannan - the Parish would love to welcome you and help you participate in and celebrate your faith with your mates.

Mr Adrian Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator

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