Mission and Identity
- Year 10 Parent and Student Information Night for Year 10 Immersions
- Mission and Identity Prefects
- Youth Mass this Sunday
- Prayer for Unity
- Holy Land Pilgrimage
Year 10 Parent and Student Information Night for Immersions
Next Monday 23 October at 7:00 pm, there will be a Year 10 Parent Information Evening in the College Gymnasium at the Chatswood Campus for parents and students to outline details on the Year 10 Immersions and to answer any questions relating to the Matthew 25:40 Immersion Program.
Mission and Identity Prefects
Harrison, Dominic and Lenox, our 2024 College Mission and Identity Prefects, have passionately begun their ministry this term, having already led a College Chapel Liturgy, College Assembly Prayer, and commencing a new initiative; volunteering at St Peter’s Nursing Home to offer companionship and support on Tuesday afternoons.
Below is a snapshot of their insights following their commencement of volunteering at St Peter’s Lane Cove:
'Over the course of the afternoon, we were able to connect with some of the residents from Catholic Health Care at St Peter's Green. We were reminded about the significance of human connection, leaving with a profound sense of respect for the wisdom and life experiences held by the residents. The visit opened our eyes to the realities of aging and the importance of providing compassion and care to the elderly.'
Youth Mass this Sunday
All students are invited for Pizza and Prayer this Sunday at 5:30 pm at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church at Chatswood, with a our first Youth Mass for Term 4.
This combined Mercy College and St Pius X College collaboration is an opportunity to socialise, pray and connect with Your God who loves you. You may have questions you are seeking answers to, burdens that are weighing you down or things that you are grateful for. Come and hand it over to God through the celebration of the Mass. A pizza dinner full of laughter will follow.
A Prayer for Unity
The prayer below is offered on behalf of our St Pius X community seeking peace, unity and healing in a world hungry for justice.
In this century and in any century,
Our deepest hope, our most tender prayer,
Is that we learn to listen.
May we listen to one another in openness and mercy,
May we listen to plants and animals in wonder and respect. May we listen to our own hearts in love and forgiveness,
May we listen to God in quietness and awe.
And in this listening,
Which is boundless in its beauty,
May we find the wisdom to cooperate
With a healing spirit, a divine spirit
Who beckons us into peace and community and creativity.
We do not ask for a perfect world,
But we do ask for a better world.
We ask for deep listening.
We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen
Blessed Edmund Rice, Pray for Us
St Pius X, Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever
Holy Land Pilgrimage – A Spiritual Renovation: A Reflection from the Holy Land
Mr Balboa, Fr Joey and several parishioners recently returned from their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Mr Balboa was asked to write a brief reflection on this life transformational experience to share with the St Pius X community.
Please enjoy his reflection below:
We are all no doubt familiar with the planning and execution of a renovation: the process of breathing new life to an existing area or structure. Floors are polished, cracks are evened out and walls are given a new coat of paint. Through careful consideration, reflection and time, a well-renovated house refreshes the familiar, bringing with it a renewed sense of rejuvenation and a purpose. A pilgrimage is, in essence, a spiritual renovation. Whether we realize it or not, there is a bit of the Apostle, Thomas, in each of us, sometimes skeptical and distant from the scriptures that we read. Where paint fades with constant exposure to the elements, so does our spiritual life, with exposure to our busy schedules – for me, this trip to the Holy Land was a chance to walk where Christ walked, trying to put myself in the position of a bystander witnessing to the actions of Christians in times gone by, with twenty-three other pilgrims from Our Lady of Dolours Parish, led by Fr Joey Frez. As I wandered the winding paths of the Holy Land, I found myself drawn to the significant places that are linked with the luminous mysteries of the Rosary, which we said as a group that particular day. These mysteries, which focus on the public life of Jesus Christ, take us from His baptism in the Jordan to the institution of the Eucharist.
1. The Baptism in the Jordan
Our journey begins at the Jordan River, which has carved its path through history and scripture. The waters of the Jordan witnessed Jesus' transition from private life to His public ministry when He was baptised by John the Baptist. Situated in what is now the Palestinian side of the West Bank, this site was teeming with pilgrims, all wishing to be touched by the same waters that once touched Christ. As I stood there, watching people immerse themselves or simply touch the water, I felt a connection – a tangible link between the faith of millennia ago and that of today.
2. The Wedding at Cana
A short drive from the Jordan takes us to Cana, the site of Jesus' first miracle. As the story goes, during a wedding feast, when wine ran short, Christ transformed water into wine. Today, couples often come to renew their wedding vows in Cana, evoking the divine intervention that saved a celebration and launched a ministry. Amidst the rustic charm of the village, one can't help but ponder on the nature of miracles, both grand and subtle, that fill our lives.
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Mount of Beatitudes is a serene spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Here, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, proclaiming the coming of God's kingdom and laying out the Beatitudes. It is a place of reflection, where the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant lapping of water allow for a contemplative silence. This is a spot to absorb the profound teachings that have shaped Christian ethos for centuries.
4. The Transfiguration
Mount Tabor, with its panoramic views, is believed to be the site where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. It was here that the divine nature of Jesus was revealed, as He conversed with Moses and Elijah. Climbing the steep path to the summit, I felt a sense of awe, envisioning the blinding light and the voice from the heavens affirming Jesus as the beloved Son.
5. The Institution of the Eucharist
Our journey culminates in Jerusalem, at the Cenacle or Upper Room. This is believed to be the place where Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, instituting the Eucharist. The room, though simple, radiates a profound sanctity. As I sat there, amidst the murmured prayers of other pilgrims, the weight of that night – the love, the betrayal, the hope – felt palpable.
One highlight during the trip was hearing mass with the Apostolic Nuncio (Papal Representative) to Jerusalem, in the Garden of Gethsemane, before being hosted in the Nunciature, where Pope Francis himself hosts diplomatic visits when in Jerusalem. Imagine sitting in a room where Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras discussed a Catholic-Orthodox declaration of Peace! I found myself reflecting on this at the airport, as the first tranche of HAMAS rockets hit the Iron Dome outside.
Each of these sites, connected by the luminous mysteries, offers a unique insight into the life of Christ. They act as spiritual touchstones, grounding our faith in tangible history. Just as a renovated house is given new life, so too is our faith rejuvenated by retracing the steps of Christ in the Holy Land. In this land, where every stone and path echoes with ancient prayers and chants, our spiritual renovation is not just metaphorical, but deeply felt. And as I left, just in time for the start of term, I took with me not just memories, but a heart renewed and fortified by the profound legacy of a land truly holy. Even now, I am wrangling with the irony that the peace and hospitality I experienced from the people of this land, a place of faith, hope and love, has faded in a matter of days. I feel truly blessed not only because of the sights I saw, or the places I went; but also, because I was a beneficiary of the kindness of its people and their humanity, in a way that transcended borders, ethnicities and boundaries. My spiritual renovation is far from complete, and I know this journey still has much to teach me. For now, sitting safely at my desk, I am thankful, humbled and truly blessed to be home. Just as a newly renovated house provides joy, laughter, and light, my pilgrimage has imbued my spirit with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and a deeper connection to my faith. Each day, as I step back into the routines of daily life, I find moments to pause, reflecting on the lessons learned during my pilgrimage. They serve as a constant reminder to be present, cherish each moment, and to continuously seek spiritual growth. The pilgrimage has also reminded me of the importance of continuous spiritual upkeep, much like how a home requires maintenance to remain in its best state.
Just as paint fades and structures wear down, our spirits can too, with the challenges and routine of everyday life. I believe that by actively seeking moments of renewal, whether through a pilgrimage or just admiring the sunrise, we can make sure that our spiritual house remains a beacon of hope, love, and peace.
Mr Ryan Balboa - Social Justice Coordinator
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity