From the Principal
- Reflection
- Vocations Awareness Week
- Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
- What does it mean to be an 'Inclusive Community'?
- Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations conclude
- Year 12 Retreats
- 2024 Student Leadership Team elect
- Grand Final week for Football
Reflection
Prayer for the Assumption of Mary
Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
The second significant day we celebrate in August - Feast of the Assumption
Each year on 15 August, the Catholic community around the world celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast day commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven before her body could begin to decay - a foretaste of our own bodily resurrection at the end of time. Because it signifies the Blessed Virgin's passing into eternal life, it is the most important of all Marian feasts and a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics.
The Gospel for this holy day recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the Angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. Mary responds to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favour upon the people of Israel.
Therefore, the Gospel on this day highlights Mary's faith. A faith that enabled her to recognise the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to all. Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan of salvation.
Around the world, this is a very significant day with many celebrations planned. Having visited my parents’ hometown in Italy several years ago, I was fortunate enough to be present during these wonderful celebrations. The whole town was filled with joy and happiness as people from all over the world came together to celebrate the feast of our most Blessed Mary. As a college, we were able to celebrate this feast day as the community of St Pius X sharing in the love for Mary. May we also continue to devote ourselves to Mary in our lives so that we are open to God’s plans for us. Thank you to Mr Daniel Petrie for the organisation of the Masses. A very special thanks to Fr David and Fr Joey for celebrating these beautiful eucharist celebrations. Thank you also to Mr Ianni (Principal of Our Lady of Dolours) Mrs Timp (Principal of Mercy Catholic College) for celebrating this day of obligation with the St Pius X College community.
Over the centuries, many artists have attempted to depict this significant feast day. The depiction by artist Lisa Andrews is one I affiliate with as it provides all of us hope that we too can experience the fullness of God’s love.
Vocations Awareness Week
During National Vocations Awareness Week recently, we were reminded to pray for vocations of all those who are baptised. We, the laity, (those baptized Christians who do not profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in a religious community or who are not ordained deacons, priests or bishops), hold an important role in the life of the Church. We, the laity, are encouraged to use the unique gifts God has given us to bring Christ to those we encounter and share in the mission of the Church. This is more relevant today than ever before as we support each other through the many challenges that life throws at us. Let us continue to acknowledge the unique call or vocation that God has for each of us through our baptism.
Vocation Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Following you is a bit like jumping in at the deep end.
Help me as I discern how I can best be me.
Be close to me as I search out which way of life is best for me.
Give me your grace to trust in God, your Abba, and to walk the path that draws me closer to you.
You know my deepest desires.
Give me the courage to follow with a ready will and open heart.
Amen
Blessed Edmund Rice Icon
The Icon provides all Edmund Rice communities an insight into the person who was Blessed Edmund Rice.
Men of Holiness and Wisdom
Across the bottom, images recall men of holiness and wisdom
Here is the wheeled shape of the Celtic High Cross-a cross which is unique in Christendom, with the circular sun symbol of the older religion now dominated by the cross of Christ.
Significantly the whole internal movement of the icon flows downward to find its root in the Celtic Cross, or, perhaps, there is an upward movement of inspiration from the Cross to and through the figure of Edmund Rice.
Blessed Edmund Rice saying:
‘Give to the poor in handfuls’
Blessed Edmund Rice - Pray for Us
St Pius X - Pray for Us
Live Jesus in our Hearts - Forever!
What does it mean being an ‘Inclusive Community’?
One of the Touchstones of a Catholic education in the Edmund Rice Tradition is ‘Inclusive Community’. Inclusivity demands an openness and acceptance of those who are on the edges of our society. It requires a going out to those on the margins. For Pope Francis this is the 'culture of encounter' and 'neighbourliness'. Br Philip Pinto, the former Christian Brothers Congregational Leader, called upon all Edmund Rice schools at a Congress in 2013 to ensure that “everyone eats at the same table.” An Edmund Rice community guards against any form of exclusion, sharing life with all in solidarity and growing together for liberation.
Inclusive communities are built upon right relationships: relationships with people and organisations through which we call them to be all that they can be through deep respect, mutuality, and compassion.
Br Pinto also stated, 'We are so scared of the outsider. We are so scared of people who are different from us. And I think, this is where our schools need to come in and say, this is what we stand for - tolerance, inclusion. Everyone is part of the family. Everyone eats at the same table.'
Our challenge as a school community is to develop right relationships of celebration, mutuality, and respect with those who have been a part of our tradition as well as those who are new to our communities; to ensure that our communities do not become exclusive even in our attempts to be inclusive.
We ask ourselves, what do we contribute to Catholic education beyond the Edmund Rice community? What do we contribute to our local Church community? An inclusive community offers love and compassion: welcoming young people and their families and supporting them to thrive through a liberating education; enriching our communities through dialogue across cultures, across faiths, across genders. If St Pius X College is to be truly an ‘Inclusive Community’ then we must be the voice for the voiceless and allow everyone to eat at the table.
Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations conclude – focus on the feedback
The Trial HSC Examinations have concluded for 2023. Though the marks are important for each student’s rank, it is the feedback they receive that will be crucial as they consider how to continually improve in their preparation for the HSC Examinations commencing in October. I strongly encourage all our Year 12 students to focus on the feedback as this will bring significant learning gains.
Year 12 Retreats – important formation opportunity
The Year 12 Retreats provide an opportunity for our senior students to reflect on their own formation and prepare for what comes after St Pius X. The three retreat experiences, though different, provide each student the similar opportunity to reflect and contemplate their growth at St Pius X College. Having visited the three retreats during the first part of the week, it was obvious that the students truly valued the opportunity to contemplate and reflect on their connection with self and with their God.
I would like to thank all the staff who have provide this amazing opportunity as part of their rite of passage.
Mulgoa Winbourne: Mr D Petrie, Mr P Ticli, Mr R Balboa, Mrs V Bamber and Mr A Listo.
Tallow Beach: Mr P de Silva, Mr M Stearn, Mr W Wheatley and Mr D Reay.
Workul Koo: Mr S Di Sano, Mr M Casey, Ms L Guerrera, Mr J Olson, Mr D Lee, Mr P Rodger and Ms L Proc.
Special thanks and appreciation to Mr D Petrie, Mr R Balboa, Mr P de Silva, Mr M Stearn and Mr S Di Sano for facilitating the retreats for the entire week.
2024 Student Leadership Team elect to be announced on Thursday 17 August
At a special assembly tomorrow, the College will announce the 2024 Student Leadership Team. This is an exciting time for the College and the elected students as it signifies the start of the new leadership journey for so many young men. It is pleasing to note that over 50 students applied for 19 positions. I know that many students will be disappointed, but they should be congratulated for their courageous nature in promoting themselves and their willingness to showcase their leadership potential. I look forward to working with our new College Prefects and all Year 12 in the student leadership of the College in 2023/24.
Grand Final week for Football
Congratulations to all Football teams who have reached Saturday's Grand Final.
3rd XI (coached by Mr Damo)
4th XI (coached by Mr Simpson)
16A’s (coached by Mr Quilty)
14A’s (coached by Conor Lo)
14C’s (coached by Mr Stollery)
May all our players play to the best of the ability and with great sportsmanship.
The last round of the Rugby season is also upon us with all teams playing St Gregory’s, Gregory Hills. Best wishes to all teams and thank you for your support of Rugby throughout 2024.
Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever
Mr Michael Ronchetti - Principal