Rector's Report

Greetings! Welcome back to Term 4 to our students, families, and teaching staff. I hope you were able to enjoy some family time together during the holiday period. Thank you to all our staff who kept Mazenod open and functioning during the holiday period. I must say, it is with a real sense of excitement that I write this first newsletter after the great win by the magpies last Saturday afternoon in the AFL Grand Final. As was the case throughout the year, the ‘pies’ left us guessing until the final seconds of the game to realize that we were going to be the victorious premiers.  It was the first grand final win I have witnessed live, so I was thrilled to be there with so many like-minded brothers and sisters as we stood ‘side by side’ singing ‘COLLLLLLLLINGGGGWOOOOOOOOD’ to celebrate a great year which resulted in our 16th premiership. “Go Pies!”

As we commence Term 4 this is an opportune time to extend our thoughts and best wishes to all our Year 12 cohort as they begin to move into their final exam period which will culminate in their graduation from Mazenod College after 6 years. I also thank you, their parents, and carers, for entrusting your son’s holistic education and development to all at Mazenod over this time. We continue to strive to improve the quality of our education program to allow our young men to achieve their future dreams. As our motto for 2023 encourages: ‘Excellence, Every day, by Everybody’. Over the holidays I bumped into some of our new Year 7 cohort who are feeling the excitement of finishing Grade 6 and their move into secondary education in Year 7 at Mazenod in 2024. 

Ignite Conference

During the recent term holidays 10 students and three staff from Mazenod joined other young people from around Australia for the Ignite National Catholic Conference which was held in Brisbane between September 19-24. We thank our Oblate College of Iona for assisting with a college bus for transport during their stay in Brisbane. The staff members met the Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, a great friend of the Oblates.

October - Rosary

October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is celebrated tomorrow on October 7. According to Catholic tradition, the rosary was instituted by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself. In the 13th century, she is said to have appeared to St. Dominic (founder of the Dominicans), giving him a rosary. The main function of the rosary beads is to count prayers, the prayers that are counted on rosary beads are collectively known as the rosary. The feast was introduced by Pope St. Pius V (1504-1572) in the year 1571 to commemorate the miraculous victory of the Christian forces in the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. The Rosary is primarily a scriptural prayer which draws its mysteries from the New Testament and is centred on the great events of the Incarnation and Redemption. The rosary is recited every morning at 7.50am in our college chapel. We encourage our students and all members of our extended Mazenod community to join us as we pray for our various needs whilst reflecting on the key moments in Jesus’ ministry on earth. 

November Intentions

The approaching month of November is traditionally known as a time of remembrance of our departed loved family and friends. The month will begin with the Solemnity of All Saints on 1 November and November 2 is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of our loves ones who have died. We are encouraged to continually pray for the faithful departed, especially our family and friends. During the month of November our college will give you the opportunity to have your loved ones included in our daily Mass intentions. If you would like to accept this invitation, then I ask you to clearly print your family members names and place in an envelope with a donation. The envelope can be dropped off at reception or the student counter by your son. The names will then be added to a folder which will be placed at the front of the college chapel altar and prayed for during November. 

Mazenod Football Club (Soccer)

Following is a short summary of the report of President Daniel Paone on their 2023 football season.The Senior Men's team demonstrated an inspiring turnaround from the challenges of 2022. They dominated their league, securing the top position and clinching the 2023 State League 2 Championship. This triumphant victory earned them a well-deserved promotion to State League 1. Our youth programs across the board, including the Young Men (17s, 18s, and 20s), had a remarkable year, demonstrating promising talent and dedication. Our Under 18s and Under 20s made the semi-final, whilst the 18s bowed out last weekend after a gallant effort, our U20s were victorious in their semi and will battle it out this weekend against local rivals Glen Waverley in the Grand Final. Their progress has been outstanding and augurs well for the future of the club. Thank you, Mazenod College, for your years of unwavering support. We take immense pride in being part of your esteemed community and look forward to continuing this strong partnership.

I have accepted the kind invitation of the club to join them at their annual Junior and Senior Presentation Night at the Freccia Azzurra Club on October 7.

For lovers of puns...

*Just so everyone’s clear, I’m going to put my glasses on.

*I lost my job as a stage designer. I left without making a scene.

*Prison is just one word to you, but for some people, it’s a whole sentence.

*I’m trying to organize a hide and seek tournament, but good players are hard to find.

Who said Collingwood supporters are missing teeth!!!

Now:

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI