As the final weeks of the HSC approach, we continue to pray for all Year 12 students and congratulate those who have already completed their exams.
The weekend before the HSC commenced, Catholic Youth Parramatta (CYP) coordinated its Annual HSC Masses across the Diocese. A long-standing initiative of CYP, the aim is to bring parish and school communities together and to offer prayers and support to Year 12 students during their final exams.
Administrator Fr Chadi Ibrahim SDB (third left) with Year 12 students following Mass at Holy Name of Mary Parish, Rydalmere. Image: Supplied
Primarily held over the weekend of 7 – 8 October, more than 20 parishes across the Diocese invited students to receive a blessing and ‘care pack’ which included prayer cards and stress balls provided by the CYP team.
“Our parishes locked in specific Masses for our HSC Students, to offer blessings and gifts as gestures of support and accompaniment to remind them that they aren’t alone – the whole Diocese is praying for them and supporting them as they go through this huge milestone,” said Qwayne Guevara, Manager CYP.
Administrator Fr Christopher del Rosario speaks with Year 12 students during a blessing during Mass at St Thomas Aquinas Parish, Springwood. Image: Supplied
Parishioner of St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill, Jasmine Chang attended a Mass with her daughter Alexis. She found the Mass an “important coming-of-age milestone”.
“The Mass represented a formal recognition signifying an end of [Alexis’] time in high school and as an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication through the years.
Parish Priest Fr Fernando Montano blesses Year 12 students during Mass at St Bernadette’s Parish, Castle Hill. Image: Supplied
“It was also a moment for her to appreciate the spiritual significance of gathering with members of the community as her support network and in a sacred setting to offer prayers as she embarks on her HSC exams to complete her journey as a high school student. She felt blessed to be present and it served as a reminder for her that God will always be there as one phase ends and another starts, preparing her for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” she said.
The HSC commenced on 11 October with English Paper 1, and the final exam is Food Technology on Friday 3 November.
Over 75,000 Students in NSW are undertaking their HSC, including the more than 3,000 within Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese. Please continue to pray for all students.
