Greetings! It is great to write to you again as we begin our journey together through Term 3. I hope you all enjoyed the break even though the weather was not all that ideal for outdoor activities, however, it may have forced you to have a more restful time.

Unfortunately, I took my turn with COVID at the start of the holidays. One of my side effects was a bout of vertigo with one smart teacher remarking that Fr Harry was in fact suffering from the ‘Colliwobbles’! I thought it was a clever jibe!

Gospel Reflection

This Sunday we celebrate the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Gospel of Luke pays more attention to Jesus' teachings on prayer than any other Gospel writer. In this passage the disciples notice Jesus is praying. They ask him to teach them to pray. Jesus teaches them the most famous Christian prayer, the Our Father, or the Lord's Prayer. Luke's version is simple and direct. We pray that God's name will be recognized as holy and that his rule over all will be established. This is followed by petitions for our needs for bread, for forgiveness and for salvation. Having taught his disciples a simple, daily prayer, Jesus goes on to reassure them that God answers prayers. This teaching concludes with the reminder that if we seek, we will get a response. Jesus teaches that prayer consists in recognizing God's holiness and his rule over all things, not leading us to think that prayer is only a time to make requests of God to solve all our needs and answer our wants.

Anniversary of Ordination

On Wednesday July 13, I celebrated the 32nd (1990) anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, in our college chapel. I was ordained in my home parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Newborough. When you look at the picture taken on the night you wonder at how quickly the years do pass. I thank my family, friends and all whom I have encountered in my various ministries for their love and support. I thank my brother Oblates for their continued support and the trust they have shown in me through my various appointments within our Province. It is also a great joy for me to share in your lives that have been entrusted to me within our Mazenod Community. Thank you for your faith, support, friendship and trust.

As my ordination card stated:

‘I thank my God whenever I think of you; and every time I pray for all of you, I pray with joy’. (Phil 1:3-4)

Priestly Ordination - Joshua Nash OMI

Whilst on the topic of ordination I ask you to keep Deacon Joshua Nash OMI in your prayers as he prepares for his ordination to the priesthood this Friday, July 22. After ordination Deacon Joshua will receive his First Obedience (appointment) from our Provincial, Fr Christian Fini OMI, to a ministry within the Australian Province. I will be travelling with a couple of teachers and students from Mazenod to Adelaide to attend the ordination.

Annual Mazenod Chess Open

On Monday July 11, whilst other students were still enjoying their holidays, around 50 Mazenod chess enthusiasts gathered in the Peter Le Grand Room for the 18th Annual Mazenod Chess Open. Chess is the only activity held in the college that allows students to compete against each other across the entire spectrum of ages from Year 7 to Year 12. I was pleased to be invited to present the trophies to the 2022 Open Chess Winners - Open: Duleesha Gunaratne. Year 9-10: Jackie Li. Year 7-8: Rahul De Silva and Abel Joshy. Congratulations to all our students who participated and to Mr Noel Jenkinson for his commitment to the students who enjoy this activity.

College Renovations

The early stages of the renovations at Mazenod are finally starting to take visible shape with all the hidden work of foundations and interior cabling etc completed. During the holidays the new walkway structure was lowered into place. This walkway will give students and staff covered access to the two buildings on opposite sides of the quadrangle.

Interesting Facts about Australia

90% of Australians live on the coast.
The Indian Pacific train has the longest straight section of train track in the world.
The Great Ocean Road is the world’s largest war memorial.
80% of Australian animals are unique to Australia.
Aboriginal culture is the oldest on Earth – it is estimated that the continent’s original inhabitants, the aboriginal people, have been in Australia for between 40,000-60,000 years.

Mazenod/Avila Production - 'Shrek'

The musical production of Shrek was a wonderful success for the Mazenod/Avila College communities. After a two-year absence it was great to see all our students using their God given talents for the enjoyment of all of us. I also enjoyed the opportunity to meet many of you on the various nights I attended the production. The amount of work that goes on in preparation for such a spectacular, regarding choreography, sets, costumes, music etc takes an amazing amount of commitment and time on behalf of all involved. This involvement can be overlooked when we sit back and enjoy the finished product on stage. Congratulations to all involved and to all who supported this College activity.

The picture (right) was taken at the end of the musical on Friday evening with Paul Rahilly, myself, Kieran Rahilly (Pinocchio) and Kate Sanford (FoodTech).

During the first week of holidays, it was great to witness some of our students (pictured below) lending a hand with preparing the various sets for the production.

Winter smiles!!

Have an enjoyable weekend!

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector

Careers and Pathways