Mission and Identity
St Pius X College Chatswood
- ANZAC Day Liturgy
- Mother's Day Mass and Biggest Morning Tea
- Our Lady of Dolours Praise and Worship
ANZAC Day Liturgy
Last Friday morning we joined together as a College community to celebrate ANZAC Day. A day of remembrance where we not only remember the first group of Australian and New Zealand forces joined together in our first major military action during World War I at Gallipoli in 1915, but also those who have fought in any conflict since that date.
Our sacred space was in an arrangement called a catafalque. Made from drums, this is a specific, solemn arrangement often utilised in military funeral traditions, where snare drums are placed in a circle to serve as a symbolic raised platform. We adorned this space with both Australian and College flags as a visual reminder to us of alumnae who served and lost their lives in wars overseas.
Xavier Lines shared a moving reflection where he shared stories of soldiers as young as 14 who fought at war. A humbling reminder to us all of the youth and innocence that was tied up in these battles. Tom Selby read The Ode and Harry Moran’s trumpet playing cut through the morning air and the school stood in silent reflection between The Last Post and The Rouse.
The entire morning was one of respect, gratitude and heart felt thanks. The students were a credit to their families as they participated, sang and respected the silence appropriately.
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On Friday afternoon, a small group of students attended St Peter’s Green Nursing Home where we participated in their ANZAC Day Liturgy. This was another moving celebration which was attended by one of their residents who turned 100 on Friday - what a lifetime of memories he shared!
Jonah Greer played the Last Post beautifully and received commendations from many of the residents who loved having the students as a visible presence, sharing such a moving experience with them. The highlight would have been the personal memories of residents that were shared, and a reflection of the idea of war which was, 'they fought not because they hated the ones in front of them but because they loved the ones behind them.' A sobering thought for all present.
Thank you to the Mission and Identity Leaders and all other students who helped bring our liturgies to life on Friday. Thank you to Mr Ryan Balboa for coordinating the students to visit St Peter’s Green, Mrs Annabel Westhoff for the music at both events, Mr Pat Rodgers for assisting Xavier to edit his speech, and all other staff who worked behind the scenes. The wonderful activities we do at Pius can only happen because of the ongoing support and dedication of our staff.
Mother's Day Mass and Biggest Morning Tea
We are looking forward to welcoming our mothers and women with special places in our students' lives to our Mother's Day Mass at Oxford Falls on Wednesday 6 May.
The Mass commences at 9:00 am in the Christian Bros Centre at Oxford Falls. This will be followed by a morning tea after the mass.
To assist with catering, please would you RSVP (link below). This link also contains an opportunity for you to upload an image for the presentation during the Mass.
Please note that there is NO option for students to be transported to Oxford Falls from Chatswood on the morning (except those involved in music or liturgical ministers for the Mass who do not have a parent attending the event). Students attending the Mass should be taken straight to Oxford Falls by a parent/carer attending the Mass.
There will be buses to return students to Chatswood after the morning's event.
The bus taking musicians and liturgical ministers only to the Mass will leave the college at 7:15 am.
The link to RSVP to attend the Mother's Day Mass and Morning Tea is below:
You can also make a donation to the Biggest Morning Tea via the link below:
Our Lady of Dolours Praise and Worship
Mrs Gabrielle Scanlon - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity