Mission and Identity
- What is Christian Leadership?
- Graduation gift to the College
- Ignite Catholic Youth Festival
- Social Justice Opportunities
What is Christian Leadership?
Christian leadership is a calling from God. One is anointed, not appointed. Christian leadership begins with an anointing with holy oil as one is commissioned into a ministry of service.
Anointing leaders with holy oil has been part of our tradition for 2000 years and reminds those in Christian leadership that as Servant leaders, they are to use power as Jesus did, in the service of others. They are to empower and develop their community, attend to the needs of their community and seek the thriving of all its members.
Yesterday at the College Farewell for the Graduating Class of 2023, the present Captain and Vice Captain engaged in a ritual to transition their leadership to the incumbent 2024 Captain and Vice Captain.
The new 2024 leaders were called to be a living, breathing tabernacle that seek to be the transforming influence within the College, while using the gifts God gave them to be the tools they use to serve, to love and to build a world of justice, welcome and faith.
Above all, they were reminded that In their vocation of leadership, they were now called to be the hands, feet and heart of Christ.
The 2023 Leaders were invited to anoint the head and hands of their 2024 counterpart with the cross in holy oil, as an outward sign of their inner call to servant leadership, and as an outward sign of the leaders of 2023 handing on the torch of leadership to you, the College leaders of 2024.
The following prayer and blessing was offered to support the College leaders of 2024. Please use this blessing in your own prayer time to support our new leaders:
Blessed are you who think prayerfully of your fellow students,
for you possess the mind of Christ
Blessed are you who see the hurts of your fellow students,
for you possess the eyes of Christ
Blessed are you who listen to your fellow students,
for you possess the ears of Christ
Blessed are you who speak kindly to your fellow students,
for you possess the mouth of Christ
Blessed are you who help your fellow students to carry their burdens,
for you possess the shoulders of Christ
Blessed are you who show love to your fellow students,
for you possess the heart of Christ
Blessed are you who walk the ‘extra mile’ for your fellow students,
for you possess the feet of Christ
Blessed are you who persevere in your vocation of servant leadership with compassion and love for all people,
for you possess the healing presence of Christ and yours is the kingdom of Heaven.
Amen
College blessed with Graduation gift from Year 12
The graduating class of 2023 proudly gifted the college a new Chalice, Paten and Altar Candles in honour of St Pius X who was the Pope of the Eucharist and the Young. These vessels will continue to serve and nourish our community of faith for generations to come, while holding close the memory of the graduating Class of 2023. These vessels will be inaugurated at the Graduation Mass.
Ignite Catholic Youth Festival
The Ignite Catholic Youth Conference will be held at The Light of Christ Centre in Wahroonga from 28 September - 1 October (the middle weekend of school holidays). The College will sponsor the cost of interested students to attend this amazing opportunity.
The Ignite Conference is a gathering of young Catholics for four days of celebration, renewal of faith, great people and powerful worship. Below is a short clip from last year's Ignite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJBP9VGQeEg.
It will bring together hundreds of young people from around Australia with inspiring music, uplifting rallies, inspirational speakers, engaging and practical workshops as well as the opportunity for prayer and reflection. Please access the website for more details:
https://igniteconference.com.au
Students who would like to attend this conference, please email Mr Petrie: dpetrie@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity
Social Justice Opportunities
There are a few Edmund Rice Hour Opportunities for Week 1 of Term 4.
If you are in Years 10 - 12, and are interested in helping out, please email Mr Balboa at RBalboa@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au:
BUNNINGS BBQ – Chatswood Bunnings – 14 October
We are continuing our support of the Parish and StreetWork through our Bunnings BBQs! We are looking for volunteers from Year 10 - 11, to fill the following shift times (3 students per shift):
8:00 am - 10:00 am
10:00 am - 12 noon
12 noon - 2:00 pm and
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Students will be allocated on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis, so be quick!
Party for People with Disabilities – 14 October – 2:00 pm
We are also looking for volunteers to spend time with teenagers and children living with disabilities from St Edmund’s Wahroonga. Students will be asked to help set up one of the Parish Meeting Rooms on Kirk St (blowing balloons, carrying tables, etc), and are given the opportunity to network with these students over afternoon tea.
Mr Ryan Balboa - Social Justice Coordinator