Mission and Identity
- All Saints' Day - 1 November
- All Souls' Day - 2 November
- Youth Mass - this Sunday
- Launch of the 2024 Matthew 25:40 St Pius X Year 10 Immersion Program
All Saints' Day - 1 November
This Friday we will gather to celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. All Saints' Day invites us to pause and reflect on the lives of those who have walked the path of faith before us. It is a day steeped in tradition, honouring both the known saints and the countless anonymous souls who embody holiness in their everyday lives. This celebration reminds us of the interconnectedness of the Church, both in heaven and on earth, urging us to recognise the grace that flows through the communion of saints. In remembering their virtues and sacrifices, we are inspired to deepen our own commitment to love, justice, and compassion, striving to live out the call to holiness in our daily lives. Through All Saints Day, we find inspiration in the knowledge that we are never alone in our journey; we are surrounded by generations of holy witnesses, cheering us on as we seek to embody the light of Christ in a world that often feels dark.
On Tuesday morning, we dedicated our Chapel Mass to reflecting on All Saints' Day. It was a poignant mirroring of what the saints challenge us to contemplate when it comes to what we love and our identity.
‘What we love is who we are’, and what we love is identified from where we place our time and energy.
To have two schools take the time and invest the energy to come together every week and celebrate the Eucharist, is testament to our common ‘why’ and shared identity as faith communities.
Ever grateful to our sisters at Mercy College for walking the journey of faith with us at St Pius X, and taking the time to foster spiritual well-being. Our gratitude is also extended to Fr Joey, for shepherding us every week.
All Souls' Day - 2 November
All Souls' Day is a time synonymous with praying for our loved ones who have gone home to God. When reflecting on All Souls' Day through the lens of Fr Karl Rahner's theology, we are invited to consider the interconnectedness of life, death, and the divine mystery that encompasses both.
Rahner emphasises the concept of 'the anonymous Christian,' suggesting that God's grace is present and active in all people. This perspective invites us to view the souls of the departed not merely as lost or forgotten, but as part of a larger divine narrative where God's love transcends earthly boundaries. On All Souls' Day, we can remember that those who have passed are continually part of our community and that they exist within God's grace.
Additionally, Rahner speaks to the idea of eschatology—the study of the end times and what lies beyond death. He invites us to see death not as a final end, but as a transformative passage into a deeper union with God. All Souls' Day becomes a moment to reflect on our own mortality and the hope that death leads us into a fuller experience of divine presence.
In Rahner's understanding, we are called to acknowledge our interconnectedness with those who have died. We can pray for them, not just as an act of remembrance, but as an expression of our belief in the communion of saints. This communion reflects our shared journey toward God, suggesting that the love we have for one another continues even after death.
Ultimately, All Souls' Day, viewed through Rahner's theology, encourages us to embrace the mystery of life and death with hope. It challenges us to recognize that our loved ones are enveloped in God’s mercy, inviting us to deepen our own faith and understanding of divine love that binds us all together, both in life and beyond.
Youth Mass this Sunday
This Sunday 3 November at 5:30 pm, all are invited to share the celebration of the St Pius X and Mercy Youth Mass at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church Chatswood. Pizza will follow Mass to continue the opportunity to share faith, friendship and food. Please take up the opportunity to refill your inner cup!
Launch of the 2024 Matthew 25:40 St Pius X Year 10 Immersion Program
This week the College launched the Year 10 component of the Matthew 25:40 St Pius X Immersion Program, with particular focus on the Faith in Action Suite of opportunities available to Year 10 in Week 7 of this term.
The College is pleased to be offering four immersions with 72 places available; the largest number of placements offered thus far. This reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing the holistic development of our students through formation and the provision of social justice opportunities, in order that our future graduates are men of faith in action for a world hungry for justice and healing.
Please enjoy the launch video below providing the ‘what, when, where’ and most importantly the ‘why’ behind the Matthew 25:40 program.
A reminder for any Year 10 students wishing to submit their expression of interest application for the immersion program, need to complete the form linked to the QR code provided below. Interviews will commence on Friday and will progress throughout Week 4.
As we continue on our Term 4 pilgrimage, we wish you a blessed journey and pray that you find moments of healing and light. God is closer to us than our breath!
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity