From the Rector

Reflection: My strength is gone; I can no longer bear the cross alone. The soldiers make Simon help me to carry my Cross. 

Greetings!

Our focus this week is on Simon of Cyrene who was asked to help Jesus carry his Cross. Simon is like you and me. We can be bystanders, just watching the events of our world pass us by. This station helps us to reflect on how we are prepared to step out and assist others on their journey of life. We know our sisters and brothers can feel the burden of life and need the strength of a family member or a friend to help them through a rough patch. Our willingness to assist can be a simple act of kindness.  Why not give preference to a mum with her children lining up in the supermarket who appears to be flustered? Why not take time to have a coffee and chat? Why not be patient and give way to someone in traffic who seems to be in a real hurry for a reason we are unaware of? When we lend a hand in any way, we are called Simon because we are lifting a cross from another’s back.

I need to rectify a mistake in my message last week when I said I was being inducted as the 8th Rector of Mazenod. However, I failed to recognise that Fr Kevin Davine OMI (1973 & 1989), and Fr Patrick Moroney OMI (1984 & 2002) both returned as Rectors on two separate occasions. This means I am the 10th Rector of Mazenod College.

On Monday we celebrated the life of Fr Ian Mackintosh OMI, the 3rd Rector of the College with a Requiem Mass in our Provence Center. Fr Christian Fini OMI, Oblate Provincial, presided and preached the homily. Many of Fr Ian’s brother Oblates, family, friends, former parishioners and College staff and students were present to pray for him. Thank you to the Year 7 and 12 students and staff who provided a fitting and memorable guard of honour along Kernot Avenue as Fr Ian was taken to his final resting place in Little River cemetery alongside his parents. On behalf of the Oblates I thank you all for your support and prayers during our time of sadness. Rest in Peace Fr Ian.

Thank you to all who assisted in any way to ensure that last Friday’s Inaugural Mass was a fitting and prayerful celebration of the commencement of our academic year. The simple blessing and installation ceremony as Mazenod College Rector was a moving experience for me. It was a pity that family and friends could not be present on such an important occasion. However, in this technological age, it is worth noting that the celebration attracted nearly one thousand views/hits during the live stream.

On Monday & Tuesday evenings our Oblate community assisted with the 1st Reconciliations of St John Vianney primary students. This is one example of how, through this new way of community living, we can assist each other in our various ministries.

I really enjoyed meeting our potential 2023 Year 7 students and their families as they arrived for their college tour on our open day on Tuesday afternoon. The excitement of some of the boys was refreshing. As one young man expressed, ’This place is massive, I can’t wait”!

Take care and enjoy the approaching long weekend.

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector