Mission and Identity
- Commencement Mass
- Year 7 Formation Day
- Reflection for the Week from Br Frederick-James
- Youth Mass - Sunday next week
Commencement Mass
Pilgrims of Hope, United to Ignite Hearts - We gathered as a family of faith to celebrate our Commencement Mass today. The Jubilee coupled with our 2025 theme of 'Unite to Ignite' highlighted that we are united by a common mission to be:
'Signs of hope for others and instruments of healing'
Seeking to ignite:
'The hearts of one another with the message of God’s
unconditional love to every part of the world'
Once our Jubilee Door was opened, lantern bearer pilgrims carrying the light of faith, love, hope and unity passed through on our behalf and laid them before the altar. Each piece of the puzzle that forms the door represents each of the relationships called to renewal during this holy year - our relationship with God, each other and Creation.
A true jubilee commitment calls for each to click into the next, forming a synergy of renewal, balance and a reflection of the Kingdom of God. How we treat each other and how we treat Creation is how we treat God, as each are reflections of His image.
Blessed once again to have Fr David Ranson as celebrant; he broke open the marrow of our College theme through the lens of what it means to be a pilgrim of hope:
'This year the College theme is Unite to Ignite. In fact, we can only truly ignite when we unite. Yes, as individuals we can have brilliant ideas, we can shine with a lot of personal talent and competence. But our real opportunity is in the strength that comes from our shared solidarity with one another. And our leadership will truly be known not by our own accomplishments but rather how we gave of ourselves to create communities of solidarity and care which become the true beacons of hope in a fragmented and ever fragmenting world.
So, this year as we take the College theme to heart, let’s consider:
How do I create space for someone else, especially someone who is different to myself, to share their story?
Do I welcome that story with reverence and respect?
Do my actions work to create the experience of community, or do they send and keep others isolated?
What are the elements that might give our College community a genuine sense of belonging for everyone? What are the things that inhibit a sense of belonging for everyone?
Every one of us has a part to play in this. Let us be the community we can be, so that together we might ignite a flame of hope in our world.'
At the conclusion of Mass our 32 Eucharistic Ministers were badged as custodians of our faith and traditions for the next two years. It was a moving demonstration of what a spark of faith and hope can ignite in a Year 11 heart.
Deepest gratitude to Mr Di Sano, Mr Balboa, and Mr Callow (College Mission Team), Mark Rogers (VLA Productions - lighting) and Anthony Costa (Ministry Digital Media).
Year 7 Formation Day - 'Through the window Mr Rice'
Year 7 commenced their Senior School formation journey on Tuesday with their Formation Day, focusing on deepening their knowledge and engagement with the Charism of Blessed Edmund and their faith.
Session One Titled 'Through the window Mr Rice,' involved connecting with the story of Edmund Rice and exploring the ‘why’ behind his vision. Students developed an appreciation of the Gospel seeds that grew into a global canopy of Catholic Education.
Session Two involved students exploring Edmund’s passion for justice and why we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ - Seeds of faith that grew into social action.
The third and final session involved students exploring the ‘Touchstones and Me’. Students contemplated how the touchstones might grow within them and come to fruition by the time they graduate.
We are most grateful to the Mission Team for the delivery of the day and to the Year 7 Pastoral Team for the collaboration and accompaniment of their homerooms during the tactile activities and small group sharing.
Reflection for the Week from Br Frederick-James:
'Be Patient with all things, but first of all with yourself', St Francis de Sales.
Too often, our impatience begins in the restless striving of our hearts to fix, to perform, and to perfect. Learning to say yes to patience this year means surrendering the need to control and choosing, instead, to rest in God's sufficiency.
What we forget though is that patience isn't just something we extend to others. It should include, and perhaps even start with, ourselves. It is the grace to accept our imperfections and lean into the truth that God's love is not earned by effort.
It is received in surrender.
The same is true for others: patience teaches us to see people not as projects to fix but as souls to love. Saying yes to patience asks us to trust that God's hand is at work in the lives of others, just as it is in ours.
This does not mean we all just stay the same. Rather we patiently listen to and work with God who, every day, leads us further into transformation; becoming everything we were created to be. In doing so, we release the timelines we impose and make space for the Spirit to work in ways we cannot see or predict.
So in this year of Yes, may you be patient with your own journey, knowing that you are a work of grace.
May you hold others with the tenderness of God's mercy.
And may you rest in the assurance that God's plans are always better than ours.
Youth Mass - Sunday Next Week
Twice a term, St Pius X and Mercy College collaborate to offer a Youth Mass at Our Lady of Dolours at 5:30 pm on a Sunday. A pizza dinner follows the Mass and is a wonderful opportunity to share faith, friendship and food. Please take up the opportunity to refill your inner cup! Please find below the dates for this year:
Term 1: Sun 23/2, Sun 23/ 3
Term 2: Sun 18/5, Sun 15/6
Term 3: Sun 10/8, Sun 7/9
Term 4: Sun 7/11, Sun 30/11
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Princpal, Mission and Identity