Mission and Identity
- Matthew 25:40 Philippines Immersion
- Matthew 25:40 Year 10 Immersion Program
Matthew 25:40 Philippines Immersion
Throughout the duration of the holidays, fourteen students along with Mr Balboa, Mr Di Sano and myself set out on the Matthew 25:40 Philippine Immersion. This enterprise set out to provide opportunities for our students to live out Matthew 25:40 in giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, care for the sick and visitation to those in prison.
On Day 3 our pilgrims of hope reached Caloocan to begin their house building for families who have no home. Their love of basketball and laughter proved to be an international language as they connected with children from the squatters compound.
It was a blessing to witness the sense of the sacred that the students exhibited as they encountered their new friends. Excitement at being there, joy at interacting with the children and a sense of being overwhelmed at the new found appreciation for life at home.
Please enjoy a recap of the first chapter of the immersion: Gawad Kalinga.mov
The student pilgrims completed the second stage of the journey at St Francis Learning Centre in the Zambales jungle. The school is led by the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. These amazing women of faith fill one’s heart with the warmth of their vocation. Their infectious joy and energy animates the St Francis Learning Centre that serves the Aeta people - the local indigenous people of the region. Every meal, every lesson and their accommodation is provided free due to the self emptying of the sisters.
Several of our pilgrims have shared they have felt the call to become a teacher as a result of their experiences on immersion - it was a privilege to witness that spark ignited in our students. Once they had their first taste of teaching at St Francis, we couldn’t get them out of the classroom!
Today we witnessed as they celebrated the life of St Francis through the Transitus. This hauntingly beautiful ritual was enacted by the entire community as monsoonal rain poured outside.
Please enjoy a recap of the second chapter of the immersion: St Francis Learning Centre.mov
Our final chapter on the Matthew 25:40 Philippines Immersion involved our students staying at the St Martin in the Fields Orphanage and school. They immersed themselves at the Bethlehem House of Bread Orphanage and school, the Emmaus House for the sick and elderly, and the Tanglaw Juvenile Detention Centre. Through prayer, sport, distributing food and volunteering, they remained fully present to the reality of poverty in all its forms. They fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, cared for the sick and visited those in prison. We are so proud of the way they embodied Matthew 25:40.
Deepest gratitude to Mr Sam Di Sano and Mr Ryan Balboa for this transformational immersion.
Please enjoy a recap of the third chapter of the immersion: St Martin in the Fields .mov
Matthew 25:40 Year 10 Immersion program:
Here at St Pius X College we are dedicated to the development of the whole person. We seek to challenge and inspire not just the mind, but also the heart and hands of our students.
By creating a synergy between the head, heart and hands, we enable our students to become instruments of change in a world hungry for justice, peace and healing.
As a Catholic School in the tradition of Edmund Rice, we are deeply committed to providing opportunities for our students and staff to seek out the marginalised and commit to endeavours motivated by sacrificial love.
As a sign of commitment to supporting a generation of pilgrims of hope in this year of Jubilee, we are delighted that our Matthew 25:40 St Pius X Immersion Program will be sending all of Year 10 on immersion in Week 7 of Term 4. These immersions are designed in service of those experiencing poverty, destitution, mental illness, addiction, homelessness and disability.
Below is the launch video and information package that aims to explain the why, when, how and what for each immersion:
Snapshot 2025 Immersions Program Matthew 25 40.pdf
A brief summary of each immersion opportunity is below:
The Greater Sydney Immersion is a 3-day, non residential immersion working with agencies such as Catholic Care, Hope Street Baptist Mission, St Vincent de Paul and the Station Outreach Centre. Students on this immersion will be supporting people living with physical and intellectual disabilities, in aged care and homelessness.
The Central Coast Immersion is a 3-day residential immersion working with agencies such as the Glen, the Coast Shelter, Mary Mac’s Place and Landcare. Students on this immersion will be supporting those recovering from substance abuse, those fleeing domestic violence and those experiencing homelessness. Students will also be engaged in rainforest regeneration.
The following two immersions are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping the fire burning, as we seek to deepen our understanding and celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island culture and wisdom.
The Bowraville Immersion is a 5-day residential immersion working with the community of St Mary’s Primary School Bowraville in Northern NSW. Students will be engaged in volunteering through a school buddy program, school based meal preparation, indigenous language classes and art projects as well as on country cultural learning with local elders.
The Kamilaroi Immersion is a 5-day residential immersion in partnership with Armidale Catholic Schools, working with Kamilaroi elders through on country learning experiences that include the Myall Creek Massacre site, Boundary rock and Cranky Rock. Students will also engage with the Walaaybaa Junior Ranger Program and participate in firestick, weapons, language and dance workshops in addition to volunteering through a school buddy program at four schools across this mountain top diocese.
Saint Carlo Acutis Exhibition
Our Lady of Dolours is holding an exhibition of Saint Carlo Acutis, entitled The Eucharistic Miracles of the World.
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity