Mission & Identity

• MISSION & IDENTITY
•   -  CentaCare Fun Run
•   -  An extraordinary invitation to minister intimately in our Chatswood community
•    -  Visit by Br Steve Rocha
• YOUTH MINSISTRYNext Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass at OLD Church - Sunday 25 August

•   -  

CentaCare Fun Run

Noted in last week’s Woodchatta was an article highlighting the great work of students from Years 10 and 11 in the holidays who volunteered to work at Centacare, an employer who provides meaningful employment for adults living with an intellectual disability. Last Thursday these boys heard from a guest presenter about their commitment to participate in the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival as a way to raise funds for Centacare. Each boy received an email that included the following prompts: 

During registration please remember to:

• Choose the Family Fun Run (3.5km) - Child Early Bird Ticket $26.50
• Join Team 'CatholicCare Sydney'
• Choose Start Group - Family Fun Run C Group - to walk alongisde the employees on the day

All students are asked to complete this registration process promptly as the early bird discount expires very soon. Details of the day and photos will appear in Woodchatta following the event.

An extraordinary invitation to minister intimately in our Chatswood Community

Fr Jim, our Parish Priest, is preparing to launch a most remarkable initiative to support the needy in our Chatswood community. He is leading preparations that will ultimately support a weekly meal each Saturday evening for people in need of ‘relationship’, ‘community’ and a nutritious meal.  

These dinners will be for everyone, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. Apart from praying grace before the meal there will be no explicitly religious presentation other than that it is we as disciples of Jesus who are hosting and serving the meal. The dinners will be free and subsidised by the parish and any grants we can obtain.

Other parishes (Narraweena, Waitara, Kincumber) have had great success doing this. It has become a hub of community for the parish itself, and a substantial outreach to the local community, meeting the needs of people who are both physically hungry and those who are socially isolated. For many people it becomes the only meal which they eat at a table, off a plate, and with others. Relationships form, barriers are broken down, and the Church is enriched and enlivened by giving to others. Parishioners and whole families who are not 'in need' also come along to build relationships so that the dinner feels like a big family meal rather than a soup kitchen.

Following preliminary meetings, groups of parishioners and supporters have been formed and rostered on for upcoming dates.  St Pius students will be asked to assist with roles including letter box drops to advertise the event, as well as work on those evenings that we are rostered on. Those who are interested are asked to keep track of announcements so as not to miss out on the opportunity to help.

Visit by Br Steve Rocha

St Pius hosted a visit by Br Steve Rocha on Monday 29 July. He is a Christian Brother from India whose work is focused very much on the advocacy for children’s rights in India. Br Steve founded the organisation NineisMine, who attempt to hold the Indian Government to account in relation to child poverty, malnutrition, health care and education. NineisMine is driven by student voices to ensure that, as promised, 9% of the Indian GDP is spent improving the lives of children in India.

We were made aware that every seven seconds, a child in India dies from malnutrition. But rather than fix the problem of hunger, the children of India wish for the government to fix the problem of malnutrition. Through his work in advocacy, Br Steve has led Australian school students to pressure the Indian High Commission to change their laws, ensuring that the 11 million children living in India with a disability are entitled by law to receive an education.

Br Steve visited classes after the assembly and was able to share his experiences, working for Edmund Rice International, an organisation that has a permanent seat at the UN Human Rights Tribunal. His presence not only reiterated to the students how fortunate they are, but in his words, “disturbed” us enough to wish to join his efforts at creating change at policy level so that others may enjoy the same privileges that the students of St Pius do.

Mr Nathan Mulheron - Assistant Principal Mission & Identity

Mercy College & St Pius X College Youth Mass

Next Mass:  Sunday 25 August

We had an excellent representation of students and families at our Monthly Student Mass last weekend for the Our Lady of Dolours' Sunday 5:30pm Youth Mass.

Students from SPX and Mercy Colleges fulfill all the roles in this Mass from Warden, Reader, Offertory, Communion Ministers and Altar Serving. St Pius X College made a strong contribution this month in leading the music for the Mass - thanks to Ms Waters and the Performing Arts students and families. Our students also provide hospitality for the parishioners through a sausage sandwich BBQ which is enjoyed by all. Fr Jim is glowing in his praises of the contribution of our students to these Masses.

The monthly student Mass have become very special occasions for our community and we encourage any students and families to join us.

The next Student Mass is on Sunday 25 August 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