Alongside the sticky notes, highlighters and textbooks, Year 12 students across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains are receiving a special aid to prepare them for their upcoming HSC examinations – prayer.
Last weekend and this coming weekend, students have been invited to attend Masses in the Diocese of Parramatta and receive a special blessing and prayers from their local parish communities.
The Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) team, who have journeyed and supported the Year 12 HSC students through a variety of activities this year, have led this annual initiative as an opportunity for the students to thank God for His guidance during their 13 years of education. It’s also an opportunity to ask God for strength, clarity and persistence over the next four weeks – a significant time in their lives.
The Masses also show the students that they are not alone during their exams, but they have the support of their family, friends and the wider faith community.
Year 12 student leaders from across the Diocese of Parramatta during the 2025 LIFTED Leaders, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Gene Ramirez/CSPF
“We know you have worked hard, spent endless hours studying, and held hope for what’s ahead,” the CYP team said.
“Know that we are praying with and for you – may God bless you with focus, peace, and confidence as you trust in Him throughout every exam.
“Trust yourself and give it your best!”
Come celebrate with us
We invite everyone to join us for our upcoming HSC Masses this weekend (11–12 October 2025).
During these special celebrations, Year 12 students are invited to pray and receive a blessing as they prepare for their exams.
Masses will be held at the following parishes:
- Mary, Queen of the Family Parish, Blacktown (at St Patrick’s Church, Blacktown).
- Holy Cross Parish Granville (at Holy Trinity Church, Granville).
- Sacred Heart Parish, Luddenham-Warragamba (at Holy Family Church, Luddenham).
Some parishes will offer students care packages as they enter their final exams, while others will be invited for a shared meal and activities.
In a message to the HSC students, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) Chief Executive Officer, Jack de Groot, honoured the strengths and talents each student has nurtured during their education.
“I wish our students all the best as they prepare to undertake the HSC and pray that they continue to be inspired by their Catholic schooling, their teachers who have accompanied them throughout their education journey, and their families who have supported them every step of the way,” Jack said.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, with Year 12 student leaders from Nagle College, Blacktown, during the 2025 LIFTED Leaders, co-hosted by Catholic Youth Parramatta and Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Image: Gene Ramirez/CSPF
Vicar for Education, Fr Robert Riedling, offered this prayer to the students:
Loving God,
We pray for all those students across our diocese who are shortly to commence their HSC exams.
May their hard work and endeavours bear fruit for them as they, and those they love, look towards the future.
Help them to be calm at this challenging time and bless their families and supporters who have helped bring them to this point and will assist them over the next few weeks.
Help these students to appreciate these exams in a balanced way, to see them and the results they achieve as just one part of the total picture of who they are as dignified young men and women, made in God’s image and likeness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Diocese of Parramatta also extends its well-wishes and prayers to our Year 12 students and asks God to journey with them over the next four weeks and beyond.
To view exact times of the HSC Masses, visit Find a Mass on our website.
This initiative aligns with the Diocesan Pastoral Plan priorities of Prayer, Listening, and the objective to be a Church that walks together. Visit Synodality to learn more.
