Mission & Identity

• A Week of Preparation and Planning
• Social Justice Forum – Brigidine St Ives
• Founder's Day - Performers Wanted!
• Last Sunday's Youth Mass
• Next Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass - 27 October 2019

A Week of Preparation and Planning

To ensure that our Year 12 Students receive a fitting and reverent end to their secondary schooling here at St Pius X College, time has been spent to coordinate the liturgical elements of the Year 12 Graduation.

On Thursday during the internal graduation will see the symbolic transition of student leadership to the Class of 2020. The College Captain and Vice Captains will hand over the Bible, Candle and Banner that represent all we hold sacred here at St Pius X College.

As a faith community, we look forward to the Eucharist celebration led by Fr Jim Mckeon at Our Lady of Dolours Parish on Friday as the Year 12 students join their parents in worship. Our young men will be commissioned, just as Jesus commissioned the disciples, before they journeyed to live out the message of the Gospels.

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Social Justice Forum – Brigidine St Ives

By James Baldock and Alec Ramsbottom - Year 10

Last Thursday evening, boys from the Edmund Rice Society, along with members from the 2020 leadership team, travelled to Brigidine College St Ives for a Social Justice Forum.

The night’s keynote speaker was Susan Moylan-Coombs, a former director of NITV, and current director of the Gamerai-gal group, an organisation focused on engaging the public and raising awareness in relation to the welfare of, and issues surrounding Indigenous people. Coming from an Indigenous background, she gave us all an insight into the struggles and triumphs of the Indigenous population in Australia and how this has affected her perspectives on a personal level.

It was a great experience to network with other students with a passion for social justice, and learn about what is being done in our wider community about a variety of issues at hand.

The group discussions we had that focused on specific organisations such as the Black Dog Institute and The Smith Family allowed us to share our thoughts and inform our mindset about many societal problems we may not have been aware of before. The information provided to us but by volunteers from a number of non-profit organisations, we were able to learn about the ways our school at St Pius can further improve our approach to social justice and fundraising initiatives.

Overall, the night provided us with lots of opportunities to get involved with like-minded students and learn, engage, and reflect on our goal to be more proactive and educated social justice leaders, not just at a school level, but as ambassadors of the Edmund Rice tradition that the College embodies.

Founder's Day - Performers Wanted!

That time of year is here again.  Calling all students from Year 5-11.  The stage is calling you!

Whether you sing, act, or play an instrument, we want you to share your talent as part of our Founder’s Day celebrations on 22 November this year.  Solo and Group acts are both accepted.

Auditions start in Week 3 of Term 4 so make sure you plan, practice and get your act together!

Please see Mr Balboa to register your interest and book an audition time.

Mr Ryan Balboa - Social Justice Coordinator

Last Sunday's Youth Mass

Fr Jim celebrated another beautiful student Mass for our community on Sunday evening, with many Pius families in attendance. Our accompanying musicians and singers led by Ms Waters provided an inspiring musical backdrop to a special Mass which included the First Holy Communion of five young parishioners. Fr Jim noted for these young ones, their families and for all the parishioners that he had celebrated the First Holy Communion of our College Captain Oliver Tysoe some years ago.

Oliver proclaimed the word, and Vice-Captain Nick McLachlan led the prayers of the faithful during which Fr Jim led the congregation in petitioning a special blessing of the HSC students, gathering those students and staff present on the sanctuary. Our Chatswood Parish family also committed to praying for the students' “clear heads and calm hearts” in the lead up to and throughout the HSC. It was a very special moment within a very special Mass, after which our seniors fulfilled the ministry of Communion for the congregation.

At the conclusion of Mass Oliver gave the congregation a report on what it is like to be three days from the end of his schooling and spoke in special terms of his journey through St Pius X College. This whole Mass was a powerful and meaningful celebration of faith, and a rousing rendition of Ancient Words saw the recessional send the congregation to Go Forth, initially to the parish sponsored BBQ where a the real essence of fellowship and community was alive and well.

All students and families are welcome to join the many families now attending the Chatswood Parish Youth Masses at 5:30pm on Sunday nights. The next student Mass is on 27 October - details can be found below.

Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass

Sunday 27 October

The next Student Mass is on Sunday 27 October at 5.30pm, followed by a BBQ and Social Activities from 6:30 – 8:00pm.

If you would like to be involved see Mr Adrian Brannan - the Parish would love to welcome you and help you participate in and celebrate your faith with your mates.

Mr Adrian Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator

Phone:  0414 826 326 or email: abrannan@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au