Mission and Identity
- The journey begins!
- The fleeting gift of memory
- Praise fest last Friday night
- Help needed - Christmas Appeal
The journey begins!
As previously advertised, we were delighted to welcome Uncle Morris Sullivan from Ngemba country this week, as an elder and Aboriginal artist in residence at the college for Week 6. Uncle Morris joined us to collaborate with our Red Dirt pilgrims on the creation of a mural that celebrates Aboriginal culture as a beacon to keep the fire burning.
After journeying to Brewarrina to learn from Uncle Morris on the Red Dirt Immersion, he journeyed back to us as we continue the adventure of diving deeper in our understanding and celebration of Aboriginal culture and wisdom.
Two of our students hold the shark as their totem. As a result the lagoon formed the first layer of the artwork. Each of the totems selected from the totems connected to the Cameraygal people were cut from timber to form the second layer.
The conversations that took place during the development of the artwork offered such a rich sharing of culture. It was a privilege to witness the students' appreciation and hunger for Aboriginal culture deepening as the project progressed. We are deeply appreciative of Uncle Morris’s gifts and time and look forward to unveiling the finished work in the near future.
The fleeting gift of memory
On Wednesday our students witnessed the fragility of the human experience by volunteering in the dementia ward at St Peter’s, Lane Cove.
To witness a number of priests and religious who gave their lives in service of God and His people, only to now suffer this cruel disease in their twilight years could have set the scene for bitterness and despair. Yet our students witnessed people of gratitude sharing stories of tigers entering a Jesuit jungle parish in India and how to operate a tiny remote rural school without resources in a drought.
These courageous men and women whose memories cling to sparks of past adventure revealed to our students the importance of answering God’s call and living a life of purpose and sacrificial love.
The St Pius X Ephesians 2:10 Program offers 120 volunteer shifts a year to our students. Such learnings are invaluable and core to who we are in Catholic Education.
Praise fest last Friday night
Nothing else to be said other than Amen! Last Friday evening 45 students from St Pius X as well as students from St Peter’s Catholic College Tuggerah, MacKillop Catholic College Warnervale and Mercy College Chatswood gathered for praise and worship at Our Lady of Dolours.
To witness so many young people gathered in faith, with hearts wide open seeking meaning, purpose and fulfilment on a Friday night is the stuff of dreams. A fantastic night of sacramentality, healing and joy. God is good.
Help needed - Christmas Appeal
The College is seeking your help with donations for the following organisations as we seek to be the hands and feet of Christ. Please send any donations with your son to the College foyer:
- Years 5 and 6 are supporting the St Vincent de Paul Society in Woy Woy, with donations of non-perishable snack items in zip lock bags containing three snack items and a can of tuna, soup sachet, or packet of noodles.
- Year 7 are supporting St Mary’s Primary School in Bowraville, with donations of new casual clothing items, sporting items, and primary-aged toys.
- Year 8 and 9 are supporting Mary Mac’s Place, Woy Woy, with donations of non-perishable snack and food items, and toiletries.
- Year 10 are supporting Centacare, with each homeroom creating Christmas present hampers based on specific hobbies for each Centacare employee.
- Year 11 are supporting St Michael’s Meals, with donations of non-perishable snack and food items and toiletries.
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity