Rector's Report
Greetings!What a month it has been for our students and our various departments as they showcased their various talents and received rightful recognition for their efforts and commitment especially in the areas of volleyball, languages, music, the interfaith program of ‘Building Bridges’ and Respectful Relations Forum. Congratulations to all our participants for representing Mazenod so proudly in the wider domain of intercollege activities and to all the support staff who enable our students to experience these wonderful opportunities. Please check our website for all the results and pictures that capture these great moments.
Feast of the Assumption
August 15, the College community will gather in the Provence Centre for the celebration of the Eucharist for the Feast of the Assumption. The Assumption of Mary is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church. We proclaim and define it to be a dogma revealed by God that the Immaculate Mother of God, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven. I extend a warm invitation to all, especially our mums, special female carers, and grandmothers, to this liturgy which will commence at 9.00am. Fr Eric Alleaume OMI, Provincial Bursar, will be our guest homilist for this occasion.
My sisters and brothers, let us remember that in times of trouble, we can always turn to Mary our Mother, just like St. Eugene did, and see in her an example of faith and trust.
Memorare Prayer
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
We fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother;
to you do we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful;
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer them.
St Eugene de Mazenod
Pray for us.
Morning Mass & Rosary
Each weekday we celebrate the Eucharist and recite the rosary in the College chapel. The rosary usually commences at 7.50am followed immediately by the celebration of the Eucharist. Families are encouraged to join us in these celebrations particularly when your sons home room is rostered on.
The roster is as follows:
- Monday - Year 7
- Tuesday - Year 8
- Wednesday - Year 9
- Thursday - Year 10
- Friday - Year 11 & 12
Blessing Visual Arts Wing
On Friday 4th August staff gathered in the Visual Arts Wing for the official dedication and blessing of the newly renovated art rooms and the Year 12 studio spaces. Thanks must go to the staff for their vision for this space and to our maintenance team who ensured that the renovations would be of a first-class standard enabling our students to exercise and display their creativity.
Brother Emmanuel
During the month of July our Mulgrave Oblate Community was pleased to welcome Br Emmanuel. Br Emmanuel is from Nigeria and is currently in Australia to complete his studies for the priesthood. He has made his Final Profession as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate meaning that with God’s help he will remain an Oblate for life. At the end of July, Fr Andrew Chen OMI, who oversees Oblate Formation, asked our communities to allow Br Emmanuel to continue to reside at the Mazenod residence whilst he undertakes his studies at Catholic Theological College. Br Emmanuel will also continue to gain pastoral experience in the local Oblate parish of St John Vianney and within our College.
50 Years
On Monday 7th August, I was pleased to accept an invitation to attend the Member for Life High Tea function at Collingwood’s Glass House Function Centre to recognise the 50 years plus members. There were about 80 people in attendance. I also had the opportunity to be presented with a certificate by Peter McKenna who played for the pies in the 60s and 70s. He averaged 4.5 goals a match over his career and in 1970 kicked 143 for the season. The pies could do with him now.
World Youth Day
An estimated 1.5 million young people gathered in a field in the Portuguese capital Lisbon for Pope Francis' World Youth Day vigil and final Mass. At the conclusion of the Mass Pope Francis announced the host country for the next international gathering will be in South Korea in 2027. It may be time for our younger students to start saving if they are interested in attending this once in a lifetime experience.
Our Australian Oblate Youth and participants from Mazenod College (pictured above) concluded their pilgrimage to the Holy Land and World Youth Day with a visit to Aix-en-Provence and then to the tomb of St Eugene de Mazenod in Marseilles.
Character Strength
A reminder that our character strength for this week is ‘Fairness'.
Fairness is treating people justly, not letting your personal feelings bias your decisions about others. You want to give everyone a fair chance, and believe there should be equal opportunity for all, though you also realise that what is fair for one person might not be fair for another.
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI