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<\/a>In one of the largest such ceremonies in history, Pope John Paul II canonised Padre Pio of Pietrelcina on June 16, 2002. It was the 45th canonisation ceremony in Pope John Paul\u2019s pontificate. More than 300,000 people braved blistering heat as they filled St. Peter\u2019s Square and nearby streets. They heard the Holy Father praise the new saint for his prayer and charity. \u201cThis is the most concrete synthesis of Padre Pio\u2019s teaching,\u201d said the Pope. He also stressed Padre Pio\u2019s witness to the power of suffering. If accepted with love, the Holy Father stressed, such suffering can lead to \u201ca privileged path of sanctity.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nBorn Francesco Forgione, Padre Pio grew up in a family of farmers in southern Italy. Twice his father worked in Jamaica, New York, to provide the family income. At the age of 15, Francesco joined the Capuchins and took the name of Pio. He was ordained in 1910 in 1917, he was assigned to the friary in San Giovanni Rotondo, 75 miles from the city of Bari on the Adriatic. On September 20, 1918, as he was making his thanksgiving after Mass, Padre Pio had a vision of Jesus. When the vision ended, he had the stigmata in his hands, feet, and side.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Life became more complicated after that. Medical doctors, Church authorities, and curiosity seekers came to see Padre Pio. In 1924, and again in 1931, the authenticity of the stigmata was questioned; Padre Pio was not permitted to celebrate Mass publicly or to hear confessions. He did not complain of these decisions, which were soon reversed. However, he wrote no letters after 1924. His only other writing, a pamphlet on the agony of Jesus, was done before 1924.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Padre Pio rarely left the friary after he received the stigmata, but busloads of people soon began coming to see him. Each morning after a 5 a.m. Mass in a crowded church, he heard confessions until noon. He took a mid-morning break to bless the sick and all who came to see him. Every afternoon he also heard confessions.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Padre Pio saw Jesus in all the sick and suffering. A number of people have reported cures they believe were received through the intercession of Padre Pio. Those who assisted at his Masses came away edified; several curiosity seekers were deeply moved. Like Saint Francis, Padre Pio sometimes had his habit torn or cut by souvenir hunters. <\/span><\/i>Adapted from: https:\/\/www.franciscanmedia.org\/saint-of-the-day\/saint-pio-of-pietrelcina<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Endowed with the gift of discernment, With reverence and intense devotion Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, The Gospel for our Graduation come from Matthew\u2019s Gospel:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.\u00a0No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.\u00a0 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Graduation is a time that we celebrate the achievements of all our Year 12 students, we acknowledge their many skills and talents, we reminisce on the six years they spent at the College and we look forward to what may lay ahead for each of our them. Fr. Steve Drum built on this theme when reflected on the Gospel passage in his Homily, \u201c<\/span>Jesus wants you to shine your light – not just to this College – but to an unsuspecting world! And your own world of friends and family has stopped and dropped everything to \u2018watch you shine\u2019. To shine, like the lamp of the Gospel. A \u2018lamp\u2019 that is meant to be placed on a lampstand, so that it will shine for the whole household\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n As our Year 12\u2019s leave our community we look forward to how they will bring their talents to the world to shine the hearts and minds of our world. How they will shine a light on the injustices and darkness in our world. We wish you all the best! Let your light shine! <\/span><\/p>\n On Wednesday afternoon, we had a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist for our Graduating Year 12, 2023. We acknowledged their significant contribution to our College and we prayed that they may continue to be Marist women of action; who are capable, committed and compassionate members of our society who will continue to live out the Marist Sisters\u2019 motto, \u201cGoodness Above All\u201d into the future.<\/span><\/p>\n Firstly, I would like to thank Fr. Steve Drum for celebrating mass with. I would like to thank the many staff members involved in the Graduation Mass, especially Ms. Emma Hughes and Ms Marissa Spiteri for leading the choir and music. To Ms Samantha Ison, the Assistant Religious Education Coordinator, for her support throughout the day. Finally, a huge thank you to the Leadership Team, the House Coordinators and all the staff who attended. Your presence demonstrated the great care we have for this special group of students and without a doubt a very special moment of the evening was the Staff Blessing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n Last Friday, we held our Year 8 Reflection Day centred on Jesus\u2019 question; \u201cDid I not choose you?\u201d. Our response focused the day on the value of LOVE. In particular, a type of love that each and everyone one of us deserve being chosen by God in His image and likeness. The day consisted of a variety of activities including Chat-A-Box discussion cards, reflective journaling and picture frame decorating with a focus on each students\u2019 image and likeness.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Year 8 students participated in their reflection day which taught us about the moral actions and different qualities of Christ that we demonstrate in our everyday lives and what we can aim to do in the future. This reflection day was very fun and led us to engage in various enjoyable activities in which we learnt about the year 8 value which is \u2018love\u2019. Some of the activities we did on the day were making a fruit basket, as a group, about certain gifts in which we think are our strongest. We also drew a dinner table displaying the people whom we love and who have had an impact on our lives.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n On Thursday 7th September, Year 9 students Sarah Mourani and Mia Morganti had the opportunity to accompany Stage 1 students from St. Therese\u2019s Primary School, Denistone on their Faith Retreat to Holy Name of Mary Parish in Hunters Hill. In collaboration with Marist College, Eastwood, our students helped to facilitate the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe were both honoured to participate in the St Therese Stage 1 Faith Retreat as it was a great experience. It enabled us to expand on our leadership qualities and confidence when presenting ourselves in front of large or small groups. When assisting Stage 1 through their Faith retreat, we reconsigned the loving and welcoming community St Therese obtains and provided for us both. Overall, it was an amazing experience with activities that were fulfilled with faith and fun!\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Sarah Mourani and Mia Morganti, Year 9 Students<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBoth students were very respectful and fully engaged in the student faith formation experience. They were great and confident in their role of supporting the younger students. Both girls co-led reverently with the Marist College, Eastwood secondary students in prayerful experiences.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Mr Justin Salar, Religious Education Coordinator, St. Therese\u2019s Catholic Primary School, Denistone<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Thank you Sarah and Mia!<\/span><\/p>\n\n During Term 3, every Year 8 class has completed their study of the Sacraments of Initiation based on Romans 5:5; \u201cand hope does not disappoint us, because God\u2019s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.\u201d In this topic, students have learnt to appreciate that the sacraments guide and enrich people\u2019s lives, to describe the nature and significance of the Sacraments of Initiation and to consider and attribute meaning to the signs, symbols and rituals associated with it.<\/span><\/p>\n Currently, Year 8 students are studying Alive in Christ based on Romans 5:6; \u201c<\/span>For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.\u201d In this topic, students \u201c<\/span>develop values, understanding and skills in relation to Catholic moral teaching, its relationship to moral character, the way it addresses moral issues and the call to work for justice in the world<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/i> In this topic, Year 8 developed their skills through learning activities such as analysing classical artworks, assessing the Gospel values in application to different scenarios and a project where students design an initiative proposal.<\/span><\/p>\n To demonstrate and apply their understanding, students completed an In Class Exam in Week 9 to apply their skills and understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you Year 8 for your continued efforts in Religious Education this year! Thank to the Year 8 Religious Education team for their ongoing commitment:<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Samantha Ison, Assistant Religious Education Coordinator<\/em><\/i><\/p>\n Students, parents and staff are invited to Mary’s House Walk on Sunday, 29 October.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The 10-km walk is a fundraising event to support Mary’s House in their mission to aid women and their children escaping domestic and family violence.<\/span><\/p>\n If you are interested, please refer to the <\/span>website<\/span><\/a> for more detail and registration.<\/span><\/p>\nPrayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina<\/i><\/strong><\/h5>\n
<\/a>Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,
\n<\/span><\/i>St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
\n<\/span><\/i>with the gifts of the Spirit.
\n<\/span><\/i>You marked his body with the five wounds
\n<\/span><\/i>of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness
\n<\/span><\/i>to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/i>St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional
\n<\/span><\/i>for the salvation of souls.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/i>in the celebration of Mass,
\n<\/span><\/i>he invited countless men and women
\n<\/span><\/i>to a greater union with Jesus Christ
\n<\/span><\/i>in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/i>I confidently beseech You to grant me
\n<\/span><\/i>the grace of (here state your petition).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\nSt Padre Pio\u2026pray for us.<\/span><\/i><\/h5>\n
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YEAR 12 GRADUATION MASS<\/b><\/h5>\n
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Graduation Mass\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
In our Community\u2026.<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n
Year 8 Reflection Day<\/b><\/h5>\n
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St. Therese Collaborative Network – Stage 2 Faith Retreat<\/b><\/h5>\n
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\nIn our Curriculum<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n
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\nMary\u2019s House Walk 2023<\/b><\/h5>\n