✝️Faith and Mission

Teresa of Avila, Mystic and Nun

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Student Leadership

The Year 12 leaders have been very busy with their leadership planning day on Monday 12 February and their commissioning as the student leadership group for 2024.

The leadership planning day was held at the Zig Zag Cultural Centre in Kalamunda. The students underwent training in servant leadership and began to plan events for the year around the House system and the student portfolios. Overall, the day was well received by the group and the students are hoping to release to the College community, in the foreseeable future, a range of activities and events to help enhance College spirit and life.

On Wednesday in the Chapel, the student leadership group was commissioned by our Principal Mr Harvey. They also received a special blessing from our College Chaplain Fr Joe Antony OMI. It was wonderful to have so many proud parents and grandparents in attendance, to see their sons receive their leadership badges and commissioning.

Morning Mass 

Weekday Masses begin at 8:10am in the College Chapel. Daily Masses are open to all members of the College community and local parishioners. Wednesday morning Masses are assigned to a different group of students each week and focus on a particular theme or feast day. Below is a table outlining this term’s Wednesday Masses. Everyone from the Mazenod community is extended a warm invitation to attend these Masses. 

Term 1: Wednesday Masses

First Week of Lent

(Week beginning Monday 19 February)

This year, Project Compassion brings you the stories of three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges, but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations. Throughout Project Compassion, you will get to know the stories of Ronita, Leaia and Memory. Journey with them as they forge a path to a brighter future for all generations.

Meet Ronita from the Philippines. Ronita lives with her husband and two children in a barangay (local district) in Quezon City, which is situated in Metro Manila in the Philippines. She went back to school to finish her education so that she could earn income to support her children.

Meet Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But, with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions.

Meet Memory from Malawi. Memory, the eldest daughter from a rural Malawian family, trained to become a carpenter and is now a trailblazer for future generations of women in her village.

Introduction to Project Compassion

 Introduction to Project Compassion

Please donate to Project Compassion.

You can donate through the Project Compassion donation box in your Form Room.

THE AGONY IN THE GARDEN: WEEK TWO OF LENT

SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:32-42

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

41 Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. If you were in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus on that night, how do you think you would have responded to his request to stay with Him?

2. When faced with difficult decisions, what mechanisms do you use to reach a decision? Does it always work out for you and if so, in what way? Who do you turn to for help with these decisions?

Ash Wednesday – God’s Grace and Mercy

"Today with ashes on our foreheads we enter the holy season of Lent.” 

Fr Joe Anthony OMI led our Ash Wednesday observances by concelebrating Mass, with Fr McMahon OMI and Fr Ousley OMI, in our College Chapel dedicated to ‘Our Lady’. This Mass was followed by six Ash Wednesday services across the College for our students and staff in Years 7 to 12.

Fr Joe reminded us that this is the season to experience the immensity of God’s love, grace and mercy, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

With fasting, Fr Joe challenged us, that it “is not just forgoing food, rather from bad habits, bad company and bad culture. Pope Francis says how we should undertake fasting. It is as follows: 

Fast from hurting words and say kind words. 

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. 

Fast from anger and be filled with patience. 

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. 

Fast from worries and trust in God. 

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. 

Fast from pressures and be prayerful. 

Fast from bitterness and fill your heart with joy. 

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. 

Fast from grudges and be reconciled. 

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

“As we begin this season of Lent, let us open our hearts and minds to God's grace and mercy. Let us confess our sins and turn away from them. Let us strive to live our lives in a way that honours God and brings glory to his name.”

Reflection

How do you strive to live your life in a way that honours God and brings glory to his name?

Damian Wallis

Director of Faith and Mission