Mission and Identity
- Lenten Appeal - we need your help!
- Year 8 Formation Day
- Youth Mass next Sunday
- Rosary Thursdays
- Chapel Mass next Tuesday
Lenten Appeal - we need your help!
This year we are seeking to raise funds and awareness to support the work of the Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi. If a young person is enrolled at the school, they are freed from circumstances that often result in being chained to a bed in the dark confines of their shelter in the slums to keep them safe while their parents search for work and meals. To assist more students to receive the opportunity to enrol at the school and benefit from its services, the College is seeking to raise $40,000. Such funds would create four new classrooms for additional students to enrol.
This equates to $5 per student each week during Lent or $30 per student.
Please access the website below to donate and to learn about the wonderful work of the Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi:
https://www.spxedmundriceappeal.com.au/
Donate direct:
https://www.trybooking.com/au/donate/edmundricenairobi
Year 8 Formation Day
‘Discovering my spiritual DNA’ - Witnessing students explore the implications of Imago Dei (made in the image of God) as part of the Year 8 Formation Day was a wonder to behold. Many ‘aha’ moments were followed by questions that started with ‘but wait, does that mean…..’.
Their hunger to seek meaning, to discover purpose and know their God lay in hibernation until we offer a spark to ignite their search. Days such as this are critical opportunities for students to fan the flames of that spark.
I am very grateful to our wonderful staff for assisting in the facilitation of the day.
Youth Mass next Sunday 23 March
St Pius X and Mercy College will celebrate the second Youth Mass next Sunday 23 March 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!
Rosary Thursdays at 8:10 am in the Chapel
It has been wonderful to be part of this new student-led initiative. This week we saw Junior School students join us along with their ‘big brothers’ from the senior school. A warm invitation for students as well as parents to join us on a Thursday to pray the Rosary in the Chapel.
You can bring your personal Rosary beads or a set will be provided for you. Join us for this beautiful Marian tradition.
Chapel Mass next Tuesday 18 March - St Patrick’s Day
Next Tuesday we will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day via our Chapel Mass at 8:00 am in the College Chapel. Parents are most welcome to join.
The celebration of this solemnity in Australia turns our prayerful focus to Ireland. This windswept island has been the cradle of many saints who, like Blessed Edmund Rice, shared their gift of faith abundantly with all who were in need. On 17 March we celebrate the solemnity of St Patrick. The man who brought Christianity to Ireland itself.
Born in Roman Britain, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish Pirates at the age of 14 and held captive as a shepherd until he escaped at age 20, and returned to Britain and his family. After experiencing a vision from God, he felt called to return to Ireland to alleviate the plight of the people. Known as the Apostle of Ireland, he spent 40 years preaching the Gospels and by his death, had brought the message of God’s love to the width and breadth of the island. He died on 17 March, 461 AD.
Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. So complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission, he feared nothing - not even death. The prayer below is known as the ‘Deer's Cry’ and forms part of the Breastplate of St Patrick:
I arise today through the strength of heaven
Light of sun, radiance of moon
Splendor of fire, speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind, depth of the sea
Stability of earth, firmness of rock
I arise today through God's strength to pilot me
God's eye to look before me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
From all who shall wish me ill
Afar and a-near
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel, merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul
Christ with me, Christ before me
Christ behind me, Christ in me
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ on my right, Christ on my left
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down
Christ when I arise, Christ to shield me
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me
I arise today
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity