Mission and Identity

Youth Ministry

• Shrove Tuesday
• Ash Wednesday
• Alpha Youth Series for Students in Years 9 and 10
• Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass Saturday 24 March

Shrove Tuesday and Caritas Lenten Collection

The day before Lent commences has been known as Shove Tuesday or to many, Pancake Tuesday. In preparation for Easter, Catholics around the world abstain from meat or reduce the amount of food they consume during Lent. This tradition has very much been to replicate the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. Therefore, before this time of reduced intake, all the items such as cooking fat and flour, that would be considered “off limits” during Lent, would be consumed the day before. Hence the pancakes.

Yesterday the Year 11 Eucharistic Ministers and members of the Edmund Rice Society kept this tradition alive and well by cooking pancakes before school and students were able to enjoy pancakes for breakfast. In doing so, as a community we commenced our fundraising for the Caritas Lenten Collection. Our Lenten Collection will continue in homeroom throughout the remainder of the term. It is hoped that if we give up a luxury for ourselves, and then donate this money, we can provide the opportunity for others either here in Australia or overseas to live life to the full.

Photos below:  Shrove Tuesday at St Pius X College

Ash Wednesday

The commencement of Lent was marked by the College with Ash Wednesday liturgies occurring at both Our Lady of Dolours and the Year 8 camp. Students received ashes as a sign of repentance, that is, a desire to turn away from sin and to live lives faithful to the message of the Gospel.

During our preparation students heard a reflection that Lent may not be only about giving up something, it could be a time to take up a new initiative or action that brings us closer to God. Whatever our action may be, it is a time to more fully develop our relationship with God so that Easter is a true celebration and the culmination of our Lenten preparation.

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Alpha for Youth Series on Wednesday Afternoons

Throughout Term 2 our St Pius X College students in Year 9 and 10 will be given the opportunity to attend an ‘Alpha for Youth’ series on a Wednesday afternoon throughout the term from 3:30pm until 5pm each week in the Parish meeting room area on Kirk Street. The series will begin on Wednesday 1 May and will conclude on 26 June.  It will be run through our Chatswood Parish and in partnership with Mercy College, with the Mercy College students in Years 9 and 10 also invited to attend.

Alpha is a fun and social opportunity for students of this age to engage with their faith, to ask questions and to share ideas and experiences with their peers.  When we last ran the program in 2017 it was an extremely positive and engaging experience for students from both Colleges.

Each session will begin with an afternoon tea and a chance for our students to mingle and come to know each other in fellowship and community. During each session students will watch short inspirational and educational videos on faith (which can be sampled here; http://alpha.org/alpha-youth-series/) and will be given a chance to discuss these videos with their peers, raising questions and seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic Faith through relationship amongst themselves.

If you would like more information please consider the information and permission forms below.  Please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Adrian Brannan via phone or email as below if you have any queries.

Alpha Letter to Parents and Carers

Alpha Medical Information and Permission Form

Alpha Youth Series Poster

Mr Adrian Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator

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

Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass

As Father Jim mentioned at our Opening College Mass, students from St Pius X College and Mercy College have been invited by Fr Jim to attend the Youth Mass on Sunday Evening 24 March at OLD Church.  The details are:

• Date:   Sunday 24 March
• Mass:  Youth Mass
• Time:   5:30pm
• BBQ and Social Activities: 6:30 – 8:00pm

If you would like to be involved in the ministries for the Mass such as reader, music, offertory procession, Eucharistic Minister etc. you will need to arrive between 4:30pm and 5pm.  Further details can be found in the flyer below.  Please email Mr Adrian Brannan if you will be attending or have any questions.

Mr Adrian Brannan - Youth Ministry Coordinator