Rector's Report
Greetings! Thursday 7th February was an exciting day as Dr Paul Shannon (Principal), Joshua Wilton (College Captain) and I welcomed everyone back to the college, especially our Year 7 Cohort, for the 2023 Academic year during a full college assembly. Since the beginning of the college year, we have enjoyed the daily celebration of the Eucharist, parent evenings, camps and the usual variety of activities and academic learning. Our Year 8 students gathered with their father/male mentors for a special evening entitled ‘Time and Space’ which was an opportunity to sit, share, talk and interact with each through activities that don’t often happen due to the business of life. These evenings will be held for different year levels and parental relationships throughout the year.
Parent feedback: "I just wanted to thank you for this evening. It was one of the most brilliant initiatives I have experienced throughout, not only my own and also all my children’s schooling careers thus far. So glad we were able to attend, very much appreciated."
House Athletics Carnival
Inclement weather on Friday 3rd February didn’t deter our college community from holding its annual House Athletics Carnival at Burwood Reserve. Although the weather conditions weren’t ideal there was a great college spirit amongst all who attended and participated. I was pleased to pip the Principal in the Rector/Principal 50 metre dash. I was lucky that he ended up running the wrong way. Fun was enjoyed by all!
Rosies Hot Chocolate
Congratulations to Chiby and Diyen who donated their time during lunch recess on Monday 6th February for our first MazChef Monday to sell hot chocolate drinks to raise money for our Oblate Rosies Street Mission. Thank you to all for your support which saw 23 hot chocolates sold and $19 raised.
De Mazenod Family Education Network
The 2023 Student Leadership Conference witnessed the leaders of our 4 colleges, Iona – Brisbane, St Eugene’s – Burpengary Qld, Mazenod – Victoria, coming together in Mazenod - Western Australia from February 12 – 15. This is a unique opportunity for our College leaders to share the distinct Oblate charism of St Eugene de Mazenod. The students shared the uniqueness, yet the common elements, of belonging to this aspect of our De Mazenod family through our Colleges. On Tuesday 14th February we were all privileged to join the Mazenod WA College community for their Opening College Mass. This date was also significant as it was the 57th anniversary, to the day, of the official opening of the College on February 14, 1966.
February 17 - Oblate Rule Approval
February 17 is known throughout the Oblate World as “Oblate Day.” It commemorates the day in 1826 when Pope Leo XII officially validated the work of Fr Eugene de Mazenod and his new Missionaries of Provence by officially approving their rule for life under the new title, The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. During the Friday morning College Mass, Fr Kevin, and I, along with Oblates around the world, renewed our vows and consecrated ourselves to Mary Immaculate, the patroness of our Congregation. Thank you for all your support of the Oblates who have served and continue to serve in this college.
Ash Wednesday - February 22
A reminder that Ash Wednesday will be celebrated on February 22. Ash Wednesday is important because it marks the start of the Lenten Season leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. We receive the blessed ashes symbolizing our preparedness to undertake some form of repentance and a renewed focus on Jesus’ message. The ashes also symbolize our human mortality, we have a limited time allotted to us on this earth.
Inaugural Mass
Next Friday 24th February at 7.30 pm you are all invited to attend the Mazenod College Inaugural Celebration of the Eucharist at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Please check MazCom for details about transport etc.
In our life of faith, this is the high point of the college year as we take this rare opportunity to gather as an entire faith community in support of one another to ask God’s blessings on our students, teachers, staff, families, and friends for the year of 2023. This is also a wonderful opportunity to experience the grandeur of our cathedral which we don’t often take advantage of. The settlement of Melbourne in the Port Phillip District of the Colony of NSW came to life in 1835. Not long after settlement construction of St Patrick’s Cathedral started in 1858 and was officially completed in 1939. St Patrick’s is dedicated to St Patrick, the pioneering Irish bishop who faithfully and courageously led the Church in Ireland.
Volunteer Police Chaplaincy
During my 6 years as parish priest of Moe/Newborough I undertook the role of a volunteer Police Chaplain for the Latrobe Police Area which entailed pastorally caring for around 300 Police personnel in various Police agencies. Since moving to Mazenod college I have been invited to re-join the volunteer chaplaincy unit. On Thursday February 9, I was introduced to the Police members of my two new Police Stations at Clayton and Mt Waverley. These two stations are smaller stations in the area so they will not impact too much on my Mazenod commitment. This pastoral support is to police officers who can experience a difficult and stressful public service in their line of duty. This is an opportunity, in one small way, to offer support and appreciation for all they do to keep our communities safe.
Diary Reminder: World Youth Day
World Youth Day will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 1-3 August 2023. The theme of Lisbon’s World Youth Day is “Mary arose and went with haste.” In his message for the event, Pope Francis urged young people to “not postpone all the good that the Holy Spirit can accomplish in you.”
An opportunity exists for interested young people to be involved in the Oblate Youth Australia group going to World Youth Day in 2023 (20th July – 10th August). We will be joining Bishop Mark Edwards and the Wagga Diocese on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Lisbon, for WYD and finishing our trip in Aix-En-Provence. Mazenod College may not be able to send a group but expressions of interest to join this group are invited.
For more information on both events, please visit the website: www.oblateyouth.com
Please note that final bookings for World Youth Day 2023 will close at the end of February.
Enjoy your weekend
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI