Rector's Report
Greetings to the final newsletter for Term 1. I am sure you are looking forward to the Easter break from the daily college routine.
Blessing & Opening of St Eugene Retreat and Conference Centre & Visit to Mazenod College by Oblate Superior General
The Superior General of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has been visiting the Australian Provence to meet the Oblates and their people in our various missionary activities. On September 29, 2022, Fr. Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso, OMI, was the first Spanish Oblate to be elected as Superior General and the 14th successor to our Founder Fr Eugene de Mazenod since 1816.
Fr Alonso brings with him the special gift of carrying the missionary cross of St Eugene de Mazenod on his various pastoral visitations. On Saturday March 21 at 10.00am Fr Alonso OMI blessed and officially opened our new St Eugene Retreat and Conference Centre in Newborough with 200 people representing our various ministries in Australia represented. The Oblates were pleased to also welcome Bishop Gregory Bennet, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sale who blessed the Mary Immaculate Chapel at the centre. The Oblates we grateful to Tina Giacco and John Tighe who brought 6 students Braeden Farrugia, Liam Lewis, Jonathan Mendis, Joshua Morin, Zane Muscat, Lucas Pham to the celebration.
At 6.00pm that evening Fr Alonso OMI blessed the new Rosies Street Outreach van and celebrated the Eucharist at St John Vianney Parish, Springvale North. The Rosies community is grateful to the generous donor whose cash donation enabled the purchase of this new van for our street outreach.
On Monday October 23 Fr Alonso OMI continued his visit by celebrating the 8.10am Eucharist in the Mazenod College chapel. This was followed by a meeting with our Principal Dr Paul Shannon who took the opportunity to receive St Eugene’s cross. Fr Alonso OMI was then welcomed to the year 7 area by our students and staff with music provided by our brass ensemble. He prayed with those gathered and then blessed each of the newly renovated Year 7 classrooms and Food Tech area. He then joined the staff for morning tea and an official welcome from Dr Paul Shannon in the staffroom. Following morning tea, he spent time touring the college and popping into different classrooms and finally having a meeting with the Oblates.
Opening of the Food Technology Complex
On March 20th we celebrated the opening of the renonvated Food Tech area with George Calombaris being the special guest. It was great to welcome these Mazenod mums who were among the guests.
Oblate Retreat and Congress - April 12-19
Fr Dominic and I will be attending our annual Oblate Retreat and Congress from April 12 till 19 which is being held for the first time at our new St Eugene Retreat and Conference Centre, Newborough. This is a privileged time for a priest, a time many people don’t get, to step aside from the normal daily responsibilities and immerse ourselves in prayer, contemplation, and spiritual growth. I am taking this time of reflection to further understand how God is calling me to be a better priest, rector and Christian to God’s people The retreat preacher this year is former Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge DD.
Easter Celebrations
We are now coming to close of the Lenten Season with our focus moving to the great feast of Easter. I would like to encourage you to attend your local faith community for one or all of the Holy Week liturgies because it is through these liturgies that we immerse ourselves spiritually in the Jesus mystery which will witness us: walking with Jesus on his final journey to Jerusalem, sitting with Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus’ death by crucifixion and finally the power of Jesus to overcome the darkness of death in the tomb through his resurrection. It is easy these days to ‘google’ your local parish to find the times and places (as some parishes have more than one church these days) when these liturgies will be celebrated.
PALM/PASSION SUNDAY (March 29): Palm Sunday takes place one week before Easter and commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Catholics carry blessed palm branches into church, symbolizing the crowd's welcoming gesture as Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. The Gospel readings recount the story of Jesus' death and Passion, inviting us to reflect on his sacrificial love and the profound significance of Holy Week.
MAUNDY/HOLY THURSDAY (April 2): The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is referred to as The Mass of the Lord's Supper. This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist, as well as the institution of the priesthood. The "washing of the feet" signifies our role of service—just as Jesus did with his disciples.
GOOD FRIDAY (April 3): Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. This is the day of the crucifixion; the day Jesus died for all of us. It is called ‘Good Friday’ because it opens the possibility that we will live forever.
EASTER VIGIL/EASTER SUNDAY (April 4/5): A Vigil Mass is held on the Saturday after nightfall in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. This is called the Easter Vigil: the most glorious and dramatic liturgy for the Church and it is what we've all been waiting for after our forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent. This is the ‘Night of Nights’ when our hearts and souls can joyfully celebrate the culmination of the Paschal mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus.
I know it is a little early, but this will be my last opportunity, prior to Easter, to express on behalf of our Mazenod Oblate Community, Fr David Francis, Fr Dominic, and myself, our joyous Easter greetings and blessings to you and your families. I pray that you and your families will experience the peace, joy, and hope of this Holy Season. I hope you will receive and enjoy some of these chocolate goodies as you celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection? Just remember, not all at once!
复活节快乐 (Chinese), Buona Pasqua (Italian),Felices Pascuas (Spanish), L-Ghid it-tajjeb (Maltese),Masaya at banal na pasko (Filippino),lễ phục sinh hạnh phúc và thánh thiện (Vietnamese), Wesolych Swiat Wielkanocnych (Polish), Joyeuse et Sainte Pâques (French), Feliz y Santa Pascua (Spanish), Gelukkig en Heilig Pasen (Dutch), Blagsolovlien I Sretan Uskrs! (Croatian), Srečno in sveto veliko noč (Slovenian).
Praying for a Holy, Joyful, Peaceful, and Safe Easter holiday for you all.
Till the next edition in Term 2.
Fr Harry Dyer OMI
Rector