Mission and Identity

• National Refugee Week
• Winter Appeal
• Hub of Hope
• Staff Formation Day
• Youth Mass this Sunday
• Canonisation Youth Orchestra

National Refugee Week

Next week is National Refugee Week. It coincides with the confronting images we are seeing in news coverage across LA and theatres of war around the world. 

The image below is one of many artistic expressions of the Holy Family. The Holy Family are the most famous of refugee families. This particular element of the Nativity is often missed as we celebrate with tinsel and glitter-covered stables.

Mary is exhausted after giving birth and is asleep with Jesus. Joseph, ever protective, closes his eyes for some brief respite. In his dream, the Archangel Gabriel comes to him and urges them to leave urgently as Herod’s men are en route to kill a generation of Bethlehem baby boys, in the hope of squashing any chance of the prophecy of a King to unite Israel coming to pass from Bethlehem.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee their homeland to escape persecution and cross the border into Egypt. For years they remain there as a refugee family, unfamiliar with the language, originating from a foreign culture, faith and customs; a family on the periphery - in constant vulnerability.

The prayer below was prayed at assembly and calls us to witness the faces of the Holy Family in every weary traveller seeking safety and opportunity in a new homeland:

A prayer for all migrants and refugees

Merciful and loving God, You walked with the Holy Family 

as they fled the wrath of a tyrant, seeking safety in a foreign land.

You knew the fear of the night,

the uncertainty of border crossings,

and the longing for a home where peace could grow.

Today, we remember Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child as refugees in Egypt - 

heralds of hope for all who are forced to leave their homes

because of violence, persecution, or poverty.

Lord, we lift up to You all refugees, migrants, and displaced persons.

Wrap them in Your sheltering arms,

give them strength for the journey,

and open paths to safe harbours where dignity is honoured.

May they find welcome instead of walls,

compassion instead of rejection,

solidarity instead of suspicion.

Stir our hearts, O God,

to see Your image in the faces of the weary traveller,

the frightened child,

the mother clinging to hope.

Let not fear or comfort dull our conscience.

Make us prophets in our time - 

bold to speak against systems that exploit and exclude,

brave to stand beside the vulnerable and weak.

May Your justice roll down like waters,

Your righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

And may Your Church be a refuge of mercy,

a beacon of hospitality,

a witness to Your Kingdom

where all are known, valued, and loved.

We pray in the name of Jesus,

a child refugee who became the Saviour of the world.

Amen.

SPX Winter Appeal: Supporting St Vincent de Paul and Jesuit Refugee Services

A warm reminder that we are seeking the following items as donations towards our St Pius X Winter Appeal. Collections are taking place during homeroom each day. Please note that any second hand / near new used blankets and clothing are being accepted.

 We are in need of the following items:

   Thank you in anticipation for your generosity.

Hub of Hope

100 Moments of Dignity: Last week students from the Hub of Hope delivered 100 hygiene packs to the Matthew Talbot Hostel. Each one was hand-signed by a student with care and compassion, from St Pius X College, Mercy Catholic College and Brigidine College. Our young people sent a clear message: You are seen. You are valued.

Small acts, Big impact. Serving as the light of Christ to those who need it most.

Thank you to Mr Balboa for leading both initiatives. 

Staff Formation Day

‘From Galilee to Waterford to Chatswood - The unfolding story continues’. Our staff formation days over the last two years have explored Christ’s question in Mark’s Gospel ‘Who do you say that I am?’ 

Last Friday, our staff formation day explored Blessed Edmund Rice’s answer to this question. With one eye on yesterday and one eye on tomorrow, we explored how the call that sparked in Galilee, ignited in Waterford and now flames brightly in Chatswood, can grow stronger in the years to come.

Staff were challenged to consider how, irrespective of their role, ways in which they can foster deep encounters of Christ with all whom they work and serve.

We are sincerely grateful to Jo Hart, Adam Whitefield, Gillian Daley from the EREA Formation Team and Sam Di Sano from the St Pius X Mission team for facilitating the day, and leading us deeper into presence, compassion and liberation.

Youth Mass this Sunday

This Sunday St Pius X and Mercy College will celebrate the second Term 2 Youth Mass for 2025 at 5:30 pm at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church Chatswood. A pizza dinner will follow the Mass and is a wonderful opportunity to share faith, friendship and food. Please take up the opportunity to refill your inner cup! 

The College is delighted to be presenting the Philippine Immersion and the Red Dirt Immersion Pilgrims to the parish, so that they can be held in their prayers as the begin their pre-immersion formation journey.

Canonisation Youth Orchestra

Rehearsals recommence this Friday 13 June for the Blessed Carlo Acutis Canonisation Youth Orchestra. Students are to meet at RE1 before moving to Mercy College for the rehearsal. 

Every Blessing,

Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission & Identity