Mission and Identity
- Father's Day Mass
- Grandparent's Day Liturgy
- The Masks We Wear - A Year 11 Retreat Experience
- Saints in Focus
- Year 12 Retreats
- Formation of the Hands and Feet
Father's Day Mass
We look forward with anticipation to celebrating our Father's Day Mass at 7:30 am at Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church on Friday 1 September.
Photographs Requested
In preparation for this important celebration, could I please ask for a favourite photograph that celebrates fatherhood to be sent through to the link below, from each family. Fathers and father figures alike are encouraged to send through a photograph with your son. These will be used as part of our celebration on the day.
Link to upload your photographs for the Senior School.
Grandparent's Day Liturgy
This Thursday we look forward to celebrating the light that Grandparents provide in the lives of our students. Our Junior School Liturgy will take place at Oxford Falls this Thursday from 10:45 am.
A Grandparent Psalm
“Few can bring the warmth
we can find in their embrace,
and little more is needed to bring love,
than the smile on their face.
They've a supply of precious stories,
yet they've time to wipe a tear,
or give us reasons to make us laugh,
they grow more precious through the years.
I believe that God sent us Grandparents
as our legacy from above,
to share the moments of our life,
as extra measures of His love”
The Masks We Wear - A Year 11 Retreat Experience
Year 11 are to be commended on their exemplary engagement with their retreat day. Year 11 explored the masks we wear, the choices we make as a result, and explored individually who God destined us to be. In particular, their courageous sharing and willingness to be vulnerable in a safe discussion space is to be applauded.
Guest speaker, Tony Hoang, was a highlight for many students. Tony has been engaging young people for the past two decades and spends his time both mentoring men from disadvantaged backgrounds and speaking in schools across the nation.
Today, Tony has devoted his life to helping people break free from the same destructive cycle that he was once trapped in, and now seeks to make a lasting impact on this present generation who experience complex needs..
Now a husband and a father to 6 children (2 adopted), Tony continues to share his story and how God has been the spark that brought light into the darkness. Fully ‘unmasked’ - Tony embraces God’s love for him, transforming one life at a time.
Saints in Focus
On 8 August, we celebrate as a nation the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop. St Mary of the Cross and her legacy are as unique as the Kangaroo. Both hold their origin in Australia, both transversed the rugged outback where few dare to follow. Both can only move forwards – not backwards. Mary MacKillop’s vision to establish a teaching religious order to suit the specific needs of the poor across this vast continent, was unheard of at the time and demonstrated both innovation and daring evangelisation. The ‘Kangaroo’ is a mirrored symbol of the Catholic vision that enabled Mary MacKillop to dream beyond borders, blaze a trail where none had gone before her and an ability to endure the heat and drought of periods of persecution and excommunication. These are the threads that formed the tapestry of her vocation led to her Sainthood.
Along with Rev Julian Tenison-Woods, Mary MacKillop began the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart to bring her vision to life; namely establishing Catholic schools that would offer education to all in the ‘community’ no matter their race, creed or socio economic status. The schools were beacons of ‘handing on the faith’ in a society that often persecuted or discriminated against Catholics. Mary continued her ministry by opening shelters for the homeless, the sick and those without employment. Her vision stretched across Australia and spread to New Zealand. The ‘Brown Joeys’ established the foundations of the largest system of Catholic schools in the world. Her vision for ‘community’ in Australia was one that ‘never saw a need without doing something about it’
A Prayer to celebrate her Feast Day
Ever generous God, You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
to live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and through the intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop,
we ask that You bless our community.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit
so that we too, like Mary MacKillop,
may live with courage, trust and openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Year 12 Retreats:
Please keep in your prayers our Year 12 students as they embark on their retreats, commencing Monday 14 August. This is an important milestone in their faith journey, as they draw ever closer to the conclusion of their time as a high school student. Students have selected to engage in one of three retreats.
Retreat 1: Located at Mulgoa, the Edmund Rice Retreat Centre ‘Winbourne’ will host a retreat titled ‘Journey Retreat’.
Retreat 2: Located at Terrigal, the Workul Koo Retreat Centre will host a retreat titled ‘Reflections Retreat’.
Retreat 3: Located at Tallows Beach, this location will host a retreat titled ‘The Wilderness Retreat’.
My sincere gratitude is extended to our dedicated staff who generously give up time away from their families to support our Year 12 students and their faith formation journey.
Formation of the Hands and Feet
Award for BeConnected Young Mentors Program
Chatswood Library’s BeConnected Young Mentors Program, established last year in consultation with the College, has been awarded a “Highly Commended” Award at the RH Dougherty Local Government Awards. This is a reflection of the quality of service our young men have provided over the last two years, who play a significant part in the execution of the program. Well done to all who have been involved!
Edmund Rice Hours
We continue our weekly visits to Matthew Talbot Hostel and Chatswood Library for our Volunteering Programs. If any student is interested in a possible placement for these two initiatives, please email Mr Balboa on RBalboa@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.
Mr Daniel Petrie - Assistant Principal, Mission and Identity