Rector's Report
Greetings to you all!
We have entered this new month of September which launches us into Spring the season between winter and summer. Spring is characterized by warmer weather, new plant growth, and increasing daytime hours. For the footy enthusiasts (those who are still interested), Spring is also associated with footy finals. The remaining teams are battling it out for a place in the grand Final on the last Saturday in September.
Jonathan (Jonny) Salerno
Sadly, on Thursday September 3 at 1.00pm we farewelled our Year 9 student Jonathan (Jonny) Salerno. A packed church at St Simon’s, Rowville prayed, remembered, and celebrated the short life of Jonny with his parents Christian, Teresa and sister Alex who were supported by many family, friends and students as they experince this time of sadness and loss. As a community we continue to pray that Jonny will rest in peace with his loving creator.
Eternal rest grant unto Jonny, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
St Eugene de Mazenod pray for Jonny.
AFL Footy Finals
As we go to print, the Wild Card round is over, and the AFL now begins the 2026 AFL Finals Series. After a long season this is an exciting time for the remaining teams and their thousands of supporters who are hoping to achieve the ultimate success on the last Saturday of September.
Unfortunately, the 2026 season is over for the mighty magpies. Never mind there is always next year when we will come back better and stronger.
Mazenod Panthers All-Abilities Presentation Night
On Friday August 28 I was pleased to join a capacity crowd of players, parents, friends, supporters and sponsors who gathered in the Mulgrave Country Club function room to celebrate the achievements of all involved in the Mazenod Panthers All – Abilities Football Club.
Two members of our college community, Patrick Rampant and Nimesh Silva were recognized for a great 2026 season by their coach. A former student, Matt Backhouse, from the class of 1998, was recognized as the club person of the year for his generosity in coaching and his contribution around the club. This is a great example and witness to us of former students continuing to live the Mazenod and college charism post college days by volunteering and using their gifts and talents in support of others. Several former Mazenod students are heavily involved in the Panthers Club to give young people a chance to participate in their favourite game of Aussie Rules.
For further information on the Panthers contact: panthers.president@mazenodfc.com.au
Mazenod Music Gala
On Wednesday September 2, staff, families, students, friends and our Oblate Provincial, Fr Andrew Chen OMI, gathered in the Provence Centre, to be entertained by our exceptionally talented music students as we celebrated our annual Music Gala. We are very proud of our students for their commitment to before and after college sessions which enable them to enhance their various instrumental and singing talents. Our gratitude to the staff of our music department for their continual encouragement and for sharing their expertise with our young men. We also enjoyed the recent Winter Recital evenings. The recitals are a wonderful opportunity for our music students to perform in front of an audience. A special thanks to you, their parents, for your continued commitment to our music program.
Oblate Recognition
Indonesia has honoured Fr Charlie Burrows OMI with the Special Achievement Award of the Svarna Bhumi Award 2026 for food security. This award is an annual appreciation program in Indonesia that honours inspiring figures, innovators, and communities dedicated to strengthening national food security and agricultural regeneration. This event is a platform for appreciation for food movers who present innovation and real impact, as well as inspire more parties to contribute. The stronger the ecosystem and its regeneration, the stronger the foundation for Indonesia's food security.
We also take this opportunity to congratulate Fr John Sherman OMI who celebrated his 90th birthday on August 31. Fr John was Rector of Mazenod College, Victoria from 1996 – 2001. Fr John is currently a chaplain at Iona College in Brisbane.
Reflection - Season of Creation
Creation Day, also known as the World Day of Prayer for Creation or the Feast of Creation, takes place on September 1, until October 4, 2026This year’s theme, “Living Water”, explores Ezekiel 47:9 and 12 as a powerful biblical vision of hope and ecological healing. Set amid exile and loss, the image of living water flowing from God’s sanctuary reveals divine healing that renews land, water, biodiversity, and human responsibility towards the whole creation.
The symbol depicts water flowing from the Temple of God – at first a tiny stream that grows deeper, and deeper and as it does so, it brings life to dead areas and restores fertility to damaged or barren ecosystems. Through living water comes healing; but in order to receive new life, we too must step into the water and also become part of God’s river of life, taking part in the healing of creation.
Let us pray
Holy God, whose Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning, we gather as partof your community of all creation, thirsty for your grace. We give thanks for the giftof water, the veins of our common home, that sustains the cedar and the whale, thepasture and the city. We are grateful for the local waters that nourish ourhomelands and our fellow creatures. We give thanks that in your well-wateredgarden, every drop is a sacred testament to your love.
St Eugene de Mazenod
Pray for us.
Till the next time
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI