From the Rector

Greetings!  

Welcome back for the commencement of Term 2 after an enjoyable long weekend to top off the holiday break. I am sure you all enjoyed the relief from the college routine. I hope your Easter break was faith-filled and relaxing with an opportunity to get away and enjoy some family time together?

Prayer for the New Term: O Lord, you promise to be with us always, be with our students, teachers, staff, and families as we begin this new term. We pray that you keep us in good health and free from harm. In all that we do and say, may we love you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and may we love our neighbour, so that we might fulfil your purposes and calling. St Eugene de Mazenod.  Pray for us.

Eastertide: It doesn’t take long for life at the College to resume its normal hectic pace. As we come back post-Easter celebrations, I have two questions for you.  Firstly, did you, like me, receive and enjoy some of the chocolate goodies that Easter offered? Secondly, do you still have some goodies left? I am not asking you to share in your abundance but reminding you that whether it is eating an Easter Egg, or some other enjoyable Easter treat, we should not be in a hurry to consume them because we are still celebrating the great celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus during this period called Eastertide. The season of Eastertide is the period of 50 days, spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday (June 5). As you can see there is plenty of time to enjoy the Easter goodies as we live the light of the Resurrection of Jesus. Don’t forget: Each Sunday is treated as a Sunday of Easter.

Keep Calm, Keep Eating and Keep Celebrating!

Mission Action Day: Friday, April 8, the last day of term, saw the college community enjoy our traditional Mission Action Day (MAD). The day commenced with an Easter Liturgy in the Provence Centre followed by a walkathon/run around the local streets. After these activities, it was down to some serious fun, food, friendship and fundraising in support of our Oblate Missions.

The day is not just about raising funds, though very much needed, more importantly, it is an opportunity for our young men, their families, our teachers, and staff, to grow in an awareness of the needs of their fellow 

human beings especially in our own Oblate Missions. 

The events for MAD raised a magnificent total of $46,000.00 (still counting). On behalf of the Oblates, and their people who will benefit from your generous giving, I want to express our grateful thanks to our students, teachers, staff, families, and sponsors for your ongoing support of your fellow brothers and sisters in our various Oblate missionary outreaches.   

Ukraine Oblates: Some readers have asked about the Oblate presence in Ukraine. I found this map on the Oblate site indicating the presence of 35 Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate in Ukraine. Presently all are okay. They are assisting their people during this crisis by opening Oblate houses and churches to those in need. 

Our annual Mother’s Day Dinner is quickly approaching. It would be sensational to have another sold-out evening like last year’s event which was thoroughly enjoyed by the mothers and friends of our college. Tickets are selling fast so book a table of friends or an individual ticket on our ‘Trybooking’ site to avoid disappointment. I am looking forward to meeting you all again this year.

Anzac Day- April 25: Sacrifice! This word has been at the forefront of our minds over the past few weeks as we celebrated the liturgies of Holy Week. Last Monday I attended the MCG, with over 84,000 supporters, where the ANZAC story was solemnly remembered. This is one of Australia's most important national occasions as it marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War 2. The underlying message was the sacrifice members of our armed forces made, and continue to make so that we can live in peace and freedom. Let us ensure that we will now accept our responsibility to live, in our daily interactions with each other, the values these servicemen and women fought for and in many cases payed the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Go Pies!!

Fortnightly Newsletter: Under the College's new communications policy this newsletter will now be produced on a fortnightly basis. You can look forward to the next issue on Friday, May 13.

Oblate Appointments: During the Easter break our Oblate Provincial, Fr Christian Fini OMI, announced new appointments to be effective from May 1. Fr Eric Alleaume OMI, Parish Priest of St John Vianney, Springvale North has been appointed to the Camberwell Community as the Oblate Province Bursar and MAMI Director.  Fr David Raj Francis OMI has been appointed Administrator of St John Vianney Parish, Springvale North till the end of 2022. We wish both Oblates well in their new appointments.

Have a good weekend!

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector