Rector's Report
Greetings to you all!
This new month of September 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.
This Sunday's Gospel
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus turns to the people following him and speaks words that are both confronting and honest: discipleship comes with a cost. He uses the image of someone building a tower who must first sit down and calculate whether they have enough to finish the job. Jesus is reminding us that following him isn’t a casual decision – it’s a life-long commitment that calls for courage, perseverance, and love.Faith is not something we simply “add on” to busy lives; it is the foundation on which everything else stands. Let us not settle for a faith of convenience, but a faith of conviction by building lives of love, hope, and courage that shine Christ’s light into our world. Lord, give us the strength to follow you.
Oblate Yearly Retreat
This coming week, September 7 – 12 Fr Dominic, myself and our brother Oblates from around the Australian Province will gather at Panorama Retreat Centre near Kalorama in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges for our annual retreat. Please keep us in your prayers.
Mazenod Winter Appeal & Winter Sleepout
A huge thank you to all the families and staff who generously donated to our Vinnies Winter Appeal. Our Social Justice staff were amazed at the overwhelming response which will ensure that our local Vinnies Conferences will be able to continue to assist needy families in our area. A special thanks also to the 20 students and our supportive staff, led by Jen Vissenjoux, who gave generously gave of their time to participate in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout at Mazenod on Friday evening, August 29. Pictured above are just a small portion of the donations received. During our gifting time donations were placed in front of the altar in our college chapel to acknowledge our response to God’s generosity and goodness to us.
Year of Jubilee - Pilgrims of Hope - Holy Doors
Pope Francis called a Catholic Jubilee for 2025 to celebrate hope and invite Catholics worldwide to deepen their faith through prayer. The year 2025 will mark the 27th Holy Year, or Jubilee, to be celebrated in the Catholic Church. The theme “Pilgrims of Hope” emphasizes the journey of faith and the role of hope in navigating life’s challenges. As part of this theme, Catholics are encouraged to trust in God’s providence and extend that hope to others. The concept of a Holy Year has deep roots in the history of the Catholic Church and is centred around a pilgrimage to Rome for spiritual renewal.
For Catholics around the world, the Holy Doors represent the most visually significant symbol of the Rome Jubilee. The opening and closing ceremonies are a highlight in this year of forgiveness, and passing through these holy portals is a vital part of any pilgrimage. For Catholic pilgrims, passing through the Holy Doors is profoundly personal and enriching for a new spiritual beginning. The idea of a door or gate is a symbol of entry into the Lord's good graces and comes directly from the New Testament. The doors will close at the end of the Jubilee Year on December 28th, 2025.
During this time millions of pilgrims and visitors will descend on Rome to pay homage at the city’s churches, shrines and places of worship. 4 Holy Doors located in the city of Rome are major Papal Basilicas: St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City), the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Mary the Great (Santa Maria Maggiore), and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
One of our college families, the Velasquez Family (Lucas Year 9 – Coghlan) accepted Pope Francis’s invitation by travelling to Rome for their own personal pilgrimage to visit the four Holy Doors as mentioned above. They touched each Holy door with a piece of white cloth as a sign of blessing. This white cloth (pictured below) has continued its pilgrimage by journeying back to Mazenod and has been generously gifted to our college. The cloth is now placed on the wall on left hand side our college chapel. The touching of this blessed cloth can impart a blessing upon you for the Jubilee Year even though we cannot journey to Rome to touch the Holy Doors in person.
Mazenod Panthers All-Abilities Football Club Presentation Night
On Friday August 29, along with Dr Paul Shannon, I attended the Mazenod Panthers All – Abilities Football Club Presentation Evening at the Mulgrave Country Club. A capacity crowd of 200 filled the venue to recognise the efforts of all the players, coaches and volunteers who enabled this great club to function during the season of 2025. A special vote of thanks to the former students of Mazenod who continue to volunteer their time and talents to ensure that this activity continues to be available for all to enjoy. One of our college mottos, ‘Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve’ is certainly a lived reality through their efforts. Pictured are Dr Paul Shannon, College Principal, Nemesh Silva (Most Promising Player), Patrick Rampant (Most Courageous), Fr Harry Dyer OMI, College Rector.
Mazenod Old Collegians from the Class of 1988 were well represented: (Pictured: Fr Harry Dyer OMI, (College Rector), Rod Hubbard (MOC1988, Treasurer), Paul Proctor (MOC1988), John Raymond (MOC1988), Phil Ryan (MOC1988, President), Dr Paul Shannon (College Principal)
Absent on the evening: Matt Backhouse (Senior Coach). Also present was Old Collegian Steve Thompson (MOC1984).
A vote of gratitude to all the sponsors, coaches, supporters and families who enable these young people to enjoy the game of Aussie Rules they love.
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI