Rector's Report
Greetings and welcome to this final issue of the Rector’s Newsletter for Term 1. Enjoy the holiday break whatever that might look like for your family. Whatever activities you undertake please drive carefully on your journeys.
A Holiday Prayer for Travel
I know, O God, that wherever we travel,
You will be with us.
There is nowhere we can go, no situation we can face,
that is outside Your love and strength;
and so I place my family and friends into Your care and love whatever journeys we undertake these holidays, knowing that at all times we are held safe in your hands.
St Eugene de Mazenod
Pray for us.
Mazenod Exam Time
A sense of relief fell over the student cohort with the completion of their first semester exams and GAT. Our students, and your sons, gave a great witness as they persevered in achieving their personal best in their various subjects.
Year 7 & 8 Chess House Championship
Although Friday June 9 was a student free day, about 40 students from Year 7 & 8 held their annual House Chess Championship at the college. An enjoyable day was had by all who attended with a special treat of pizza for lunch. Congratulations to: Nikhil Ariyathilaka (7 Ryan), Rahul De Silva (8 Cagney), Abel Joshy (8 Lombard) who achieved a three-way joint first with 10.5 wins from 13 rounds.
Mazenod Sport
Congratulations to all our students who participated in teams in the ACC sports program this term. Several of our teams managed to reach the grand final in their respective sports. We congratulate the premiers: Year 10 ACC Australian Rules, Intermediate ACC Badminton & Open ACC Badminton. A vote of thanks to our sports department and all our coaches and support people who enable our students the opportunity to enjoy these various sporting activities. I happened to be present when the badminton team won their grand final, so I was able to share in their celebrations with a photo.
Oblate Visitor
On Wednesday June 14, the college had the opportunity to welcome Fr Peter Stoll OMI. Fr Peter is an Australian Oblate who has ministered in the Indonesian Mission since 1983. Fr Peter has just completed 6 years as our Asia Oceania Regional Councillor for the Superior General in Rome. He has been visiting family and Oblates in Australia before his return to the Indonesian Mission at the end of this month.
Confirmation
On Friday June 16 I attended the Confirmation of a family friend from St Michael’s Parish, Berwick which was celebrated by Bishop Gregory Bennet (Bishop of Sale Diocese), at St Francis Xavier College Campus, Beaconsfield. After the confirmation some young men, who will be joining us in the Year 7 cohort in 2024, came forward to introduce themselves. Pictured left to right: Patrick Rampant (family friend), Lucas Siriwardene, Max Salopek.
St John Vianney Parish Priest
On the weekend of June 17/18 St John Vianney parish welcomed Bishop Tony Ireland for his pastoral visitation. At the 10.00am Mass on Sunday Bishop Tony formally installed Fr David Raj Francis OMI as the parish priest of St John Vianney community. Fr Christian Fini OMI, Provincial, read the official letter of appointment from the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, to the congregation. Fr David is also the Canonical Representative on the Mazenod College Advisory Board.
Pictured: Fr Christian Fini OMI (Oblate Provincial), Fr David Francis (PP), Bishop Tony Ireland, Fr Casmir Arul OMI (assistant PP), Fr Harry Dyer OMI (Mazenod Rector).
Year 10 Work Experience
During the week of June 19 – 23 our Year 10 students were away from the college on work experience. Work experience gives our students valuable discernment experience whilst working in what maybe their preferred future vocational work. These experiences are wide ranging from maintenance around the college, electrician, construction, pastry, plumbing, school, pharmacy, Peter’s Ice-cream etc. I thank our teachers who have assisted our boys in this area
and all those workplaces that have generously accommodated the needs of our students.
Picture: (above L) Luca Stamatelos (Maintenance – Mazenod College), (above R) Thomas Atkins (Peter’s Ice-cream) (R) Anh-Tai Mai (U Pharmacy, Springvale)
Holiday Thoughts & Reminders!
Child: "Can we go to McDonalds?"
Parent: "We can if you can spell it?"
Child: "Okay! Let's go to KFC instead!"
Enjoy your holiday break.
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI