Rector's Report

Greetings! Our final term is well underway with the main activity being the farewelling of our 2024 Year 12 cohort. We thank them for their contributions to the life of Mazenod College through the many and varied ways that they have used their gifts and talents. We pray that their endeavours over the past 6 years will be richly rewarded, and their dreams will come to fruition.

In this edition of the newsletter, I would like to make special mention of the Rosies Oblate Street Mission. 2024 is the year that the Rosies Oblate Street Mission in Victoria celebrates its 50th anniversary of friendship and service to the vulnerable people on the streets of Melbourne. Fr Thomas Shortall OMI wanted to continue the legacy of Fr Eugene de Mazenod of reaching out to the vulnerable and the youth of society. In 1974/75 he established a summer missionary outreach to the youth holidaying at Rosebud on the Victorian Peninsula. A simple idea of an evening drop-in centre in an old house next to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Rosebud was to offer, firstly to Oblate students, then to other young people associated with the Oblates, an opportunity to live in community the mission of Fr Eugene de Mazenod. The mission was to offer young people a break from their parents, and parents a break from their teens with the added benefit of meeting fellow young people on holidays. This gave birth to the Rosies Oblate Mission.

Although Rosies Victoria commenced in Rosebud in 1974/75 purely as a summer outreach it has not remained stagnant but has continued to evolve to meet the various needs of the people they seek to serve. In 1987 Rosies was transported to the Gold Coast to offer friendship, support and a haven for the youth who attended Schoolies Week. A Christmas Eve Barbeque was established. In 1990 Rosies Victoria moved to Flinders Street as a weekly outreach and became a permanent mission in Surfers Paradies with a full-time team. Another initiative was a program at the Collingwood Housing Estate to interact with the young people living in confined spaces. A Summer Rosies during January on the banks of the Yarra River offered a little sanctuary from the bustle of the city. Today the mission continues to offer friendship, service and a welcome to the ‘Streeties’ at Federation Square on Wednesday and Friday evenings. 

On this 50th anniversary I am positive St Eugene de Mazenod would be justifiably proud knowing that his vision of care for the dignity of all God’s people, especially the vulnerable and the youth, is still a lived reality in 2024 in a distant land called The Australian Oblate Province. 

Rosies Prayer

O Jesus,

Make our hearts so human,

That others may feel at home with us,

So like yours,

That others may feel at home with you

So forgetful of self

That we might simply become the place where you and they meet

In the power of your love and the joy of your friendship. 

St Eugene de Mazenod

Pray for us.

ROSIES 50th CELEBRATION: Eucharist at 10.00am on Sunday, 24th November 2024 at St John Vianney Parish, Springvale North.

Mazenod Parents and Friends

Mazenod Parents and Friends held an enjoyable BBQ and social gathering on Wednesday October 9 at the college. I would like to encourage more parents of boys at the college to come along and join in the activities of this group.

Old Collegian Socceroo

While Mazenod Sport kicks goals in many ways every day, rarely is there one as exciting as this. On Thursday October 10 at the Adelaide Oval, Nishan Velupillay, a Mazenod Old Collegian, scored the sealing goal for the Socceroos on his international debut in the 3-1 win over China in Australia’s Cup campaign. 

Congratulations to Nishan of who we are very proud as a college. The coaches over his time at Mazenod must also be very proud. This should be a great encouragement for our current group of potential soccer stars. 

Oblate Ordination

On Saturday morning October 13 in the Delegation of Vietnam, Br Luan HA OMI was ordained to the priesthood. Fr Christian Fini OM, Provincial represented the Australian Province and China Delegation at the ordination. Br Luan has been on his vocational journey for 17 years and is a great witness to perseverance. Fr Luan is well known in the Australian Province as he lived at St Mary’s Scholasticate in Camberwell and studied at Catholic Theological College where he obtained his Bachelor of Theology. He was also a regular in assisting the Rosies Street Mission. On behalf of our Mazenod community I congratulate Fr Luan Ha OMI and offer our prayers for his future ministry for the kingdom of God.  

Missionary Car Wash 

Students from Mr Ray Ellwood and Ms Lydia St Ange Year 11 Vocational Education Class volunteered to hold a car wash to raise funds for the Oblate Missions. On behalf of the Oblates and the people who will benefit from this fundraiser I thank our students and staff for their generosity. 

Community Service

On Saturday October 19 some of our musicians generously attended the annual fete at our Oblate parish of St John Vianney, Springvale North. They played a couple of classical pieces of music to entertain the gathered crowds. Thanks to these young men for the giving of their time and sharing their talents and to our teachers Solveig Jankouski and Stuart Cook for their guidance. 

Thanks also to Marc Gleadhill (left) and Jackson Lewis (right) who showcased their talents on the day. 

Year 7 & 8 Voluntary Retreat

On October 22 & 23 students from 7 & 8 joined together for a voluntary retreat at Pallotti College Millgrove. Thanks to these students and the teachers who accompanied them on these two days. 

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI