Mission & Identity
Social Justice
Year 10 supported the Legacy Badge Appeal
Mission & Identity
I cannot believe that it is 17 years ago since September 11. This was a defining moment in world history but also a day that changed our world. On that morning, the media presented the frantic scene of emergency personal generously helping victims, people running for their lives and unfortunately people jumping to their death. There was a certain unbelief of the situation that was unravelling before our eyes. Never before had such terror entered the lounge rooms of so many people across the world.
In the days that followed news broke of the Islamic group that were responsible for the terror inflicted on so many people. Sadly, Muslims across the world no matter what their affiliation were all identified as belonging to this extremist group.
By chance, I came across an Australian news program that had invited a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, a Buddhist and a Hindu to discuss what had happened in America. In the context of the large media coverage at this time, this program was able to identify two important aspects of this event. Firstly, the consensus by the other religions represented on this program, that Islam is a religion of peace and any form of terror is extremist and against the teachings of the Quran. Secondly, that there was a continued need for tolerance and understanding amongst all religions in Australia and across the world, as efforts in developing inter-faith dialogue was very successful in connecting religions.
Whilst we will never forget this day, I hope that it has allowed us to go in a direction that promotes respect and acceptance for difference. May God bless and comfort all those who still live with the terror of this day.
Christian Prayer for September 11
God of love we place in your loving arms the thousands of innocent lives that were lost on that unforgettable morning of September 11, 2001. We also remember the courage of the countless men and women who put their lives at risk in order to rescue, alleviate and bring solace to the afflicted. Help us to continue to work for a world free from every form of hatred, violence and ignorance. May terrorism -- in all its forms -- disappear from the face of the earth. Amen.
Fr. Alberto Cutie
Muslim Prayer for September 11
God of wisdom and compassion, You create eventual blessings out of every kind of evil. Make us instruments and agents of such creation as we strive to turn the post-9/11 challenges into opportunities and blessings for others and ourselves. God of mercy and grace, we bring up the immediate victims and their loved ones of these heinous acts into your attention. Be their light in these moments of darkness and difficulty. God of hope and glory, do not let our hopes be overcome by our fears. Do not let our souls be crippled by despair. Be our source of hope and guidance in these times of sorrow and mourning. Oh God, if we forget You, do not forget us. In your most Holy and Beautiful names we pray. Amen.
Imam Abdullah Antepli
The next College Mass will be on Tuesday 18th September at 8am. It will be dedicated to Year 12.
Ms D Dempsey - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity
Legacy Badge Appeal
“They Gave their today, for our tomorrow”
Our Year 10 students represented the College superbly on Wednesday and Friday mornings. Approximately 15 students arrived early to school to support the annual Legacy Badge Appeal and from 7-9am greeted the commuters, selling badges and merchandise at the Chatswood Interchange.
It is an honour for our students to support Legacy as a charity which cares for the families of servicemen and women who pay the ultimate sacrifice in service of our nation, or those whom return to Australia incapacitated. The support has often involved funding the education of the children of these servicemen equipping them with an education to the standard that our own students receive.
We regularly receive glowing praise and compliments from our charity partners throughout the year for the generous support and exemplary behaviour of our students, this is always the case with Legacy. Our regional Legacy coordinator, Mr Greg Wrate, is glowing in his praise of the students, their attitudes and their commitment to Legacy.
Thank you to all involved in this service.
Mr A Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator
Social Justice
Treat the Land – SPX Drought Gift Basket Collection. Items for our Treat the Land gift baskets continue to be collected in homerooms. Year 9 students visit homerooms each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and any donations can also be put in the foyer collection point.
The Drought Relief Bower Haus Jewellery raffle tickets need to be returned sold or unsold, with the money or credit card slip, to the Silver Box outside the Finance Office by no later than Friday 21st September. The draw will take place on Tuesday 25th September and winners will be announced in Woodchatta on Wednesday 26th September.
100 Letters - Student letter for the Gift Baskets.
Inside the 100 Treat the Land Gift Baskets there will be treats and local vouchers for local businesses in Coonabarabran to the approximate value of $100. In addition to this we really want to tell the Coonabarabran people that we feel for their drought troubles and as Australians we are in it together. We're asking students to please consider writing a letter addressed to ‘A Drought Affected Family’ and tell them how you have been contributing to this collection and that you and our St Pius community continue to pray for rain to fall where it is most needed. So please start writing and place your printed and signed letter with Maxine at student reception.
The Edmund Rice Society Junior Chocolate Stall continues their Friday lunchtime sales until the end of this term. All welcome to buy a variety of $2 Cadbury 50g chocolates and support the Society’s social justice initiatives.
Year 10 and 11 students carry out the following Community Service Programs weekly:
- Mondays: Willowood Nursing Home Chatswood from 3.30 – 4.45pm
- Monday-Friday: Salvation Army Store Chatswood from 3.30-4.30pm
- Wednesday: Matthew Talbot Men’s Hostel Wooloomooloo from 3.45-6pm
Thank you.
Mr David Blake – Social Justice Coordinator