A very warm welcome back to our final term of the 2023 school year. I would like to thank you for the way the children have presented themselves in their uniforms, this certainly demonstrates the outward respect they have for the school. It is pleasing to see our classes are settled, with a sense of calm and a focus on excellence in learning across Kindergarten to Year Six. I look forward to reading the Semester Two reports and seeing the growth that the children have made and the effort they are displaying towards their learning. 

Our Parents and Friends Executive hosted a barbecue on Saturday, as our Parish Hall was used as part of the Referendum voting. I thank the many parents that assisted on the day and baked scrumptious goodies for the stall. All funds will support the students at our school.

I warmly invite our community to our Volunteers "Thank You" at WESTS next Wednesday 25th October. This evening is to acknowledge the many parents that have assisted throughout the school year, including, but not limited too, Mothers/Fathers Day stalls, book covering, disco assistance, BBQ's, P&F and canteen. Following light refreshments we will host our Annual General Meeting. 

Tomorrow, Principals and Clergy from within the Diocese will meet  to explore the document “Bearer’s of Christ’s love". This document is the Bishop’s vision for our diocese and ensures our schools are places of high quality learning where faith is experienced and lived. Below is an excerpt from the document that is certainly reflective of our school Vision at St Pius X Unanderra. Father Duane and I are looking forward to joining together on this day to acknowledge and celebrate our wonderful Parish-School connection. 

“Catholic Schools the Diocese of Wollonogng are committed to creating communities of respect for each other, the wider society, the diversity of religion tradition and the earth, consistent with the long tradition of Church teaching. They are places where those seeking a Catholic education are welcomed” Bearer;s of Christ’s Love -Most Rev Brian g mascord Bishop of Wollongong (March 2023)

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION RETREAT DAY

A reminder to all parents and carers of students who are registered to make their First Holy Communion this year, of the compulsory Retreat Day THIS SATURDAY at either 11 am Immaculate Conception Parish, Unanderra OR 2pm at St Therese Parish, West Wollongong. It is expected that ONE parent or carer attend their chosen retreat session with their child and stay for the duration of the session (1 hour).

If you are UNABLE to make the retreat day you MUST inform the parish office via unanderra@dow.org.au to organise an alternative meeting time with Fr Duane. Failure to attend the retreat day may result in your child not being able to make their sacrament. 

CRAZY SOCK DAY 2023

MISSION SUNDAY - 22nd October

Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for World Mission Day 2023

Hearts on fire, feet on the move (cf. Lk 24:13-35)

Dear brothers and sisters!

For this year’s World Mission Sunday, I have chosen a theme inspired by the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, in the Gospel of Luke (cf. 24:13-35): “Hearts on fire, feet on the move”. Those two disciples were confused and dismayed, but their encounter with Christ in the word and in the breaking of the bread sparked in them the enthusiastic desire to set out again towards Jerusalem and proclaim that the Lord had truly risen. In the Gospel account, we perceive this change in the disciples through a few revealing images: their hearts burned within them as they heard the Scriptures explained by Jesus, their eyes were opened as they recognized him and, ultimately, their feet set out on the way. By meditating on these three images, which reflect the journey of all missionary disciples, we can renew our zeal for evangelization in today’s world.