Greetings! Since the last edition of my newsletter, we have enjoyed many wonderful events in the life our college. These events have been highlighted on MazCom so there is no need to replicate the details here except to acknowledge what took place: Athletics Carnival, Ash Wednesday, Year 8 Time and Space, first college assembly that incorporated our Day of Excellence for our 90+ students from 2023and Fr Kevin Davine OMI farewell.

Inaugural Mass & Student Leadership Conference

As I write this edition of the newsletter, I am attending the 2024 Oblate Student Leadership Conference at the Don Bosco Retreat Centre, Lysterfield. Our four secondary colleges: Mazenod WA, St Eugene & Iona, Queensland, and Mazenod Victoria, are being represented by their student leaders and staff members as they explore the intricacies of being a leader and discerning the legacy they would like to leave after their 2024-year finishes. The other bonus is that the students and staff will join us for the celebration of our Inaugural Mass this Friday night February 23 at 7.30pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral. I look forward to seeing you there on this very special night on college calendar as we pray for God’s blessings on our academic year of 2024 and for all our families.

Oblate Diaconate

A highlight of the past few weeks for the Oblates was the Diaconate Ordination of Br Luan Ha OMI. The ordination was celebrated at St John Vianney parish, Springvale North on Friday February 16 with the ordaining Bishop being Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, Bishop of Wagga Wagga Diocese, and a former student of Mazenod College. Br Luan is from the Delegation of Vietnam and has been finishing his studies for the priesthood in the Australian Province over the past 4 years. This will be his final semester of studies before returning to Vietnam in the middle of the year. As members of the Australian De Mazenod Family, we extend our congratulations to Br Luan, his family and the Oblates and the people of the Vietnam Delegation. Br Luan will be the deacon for our Inaugural Mass on Friday evening.

De Mazenod Family Lenten Season

For our college community the beginning of the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday had a staggered start due to a severe storm on the afternoon of Tuesday 13th February causing damage to the college and surrounds forcing its closure on Ash Wednesday. Thankfully it was back to normal operations on Thursday 15 with the ashes being blessed and then distributed to all staff and students in their Pastoral Groups.

Lent is a time when Catholics around the world are invited to pray, fast, and give alms as we prepare ourselves spiritually to enter once again into the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. It is a time when we decide to giveup things such as desserts, junk food, alcohol, or social media to remember Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. Sometimes people also choose to add something to their spiritual practice to help them grow in faith. This can achieve through extra prayer, spiritual reading or through the various Lenten courses offered in your local parishes. As members of the De Mazenod Family, we have the option of participating in a Lenten course. This can be done by joining online with other people from around Australia or you can print the material and create a group of friends or with your own family members. Our focus this Lent will be exploring the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, a traditional prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Each week you are invited to reflect through story, prayer and sharing as we walk our individual journeys with Jesus, focussing on the events in the last twenty-four hours of Jesus’ life.

DATES: Thursday - 29th February and 7th, 14th & 21st March 2024.

Sessions for Victoria are held at 8:00 pm AEDT.

You can join these sessions via the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83793869667

Some extra thoughts about the season of Lent:

Why is it 40 days? In the Bible the number 40 would often indicate a time of trial, penance, renewal. In Luke we see this number being used to indicate the time Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert prior to him starting his ministry.

Why is the colour purple significant during Lent? Colours have always played an important part in the liturgical life of the church. The reason purple is used for Lent came from the significant event when Pontius Pilate asked that a purple cloak be put onto Jesus during his trial to mock his regal status. The use of purple vestments and hangings in Lent helps to evoke visually a mood of simplicity and austerity.

Why do we eat hot cross buns during Lent? Hot cross buns traditionally were not eaten during Lent. They were only eaten on Good Friday symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus. The popularity of the bun has meant that contemporary society has flipped that tradition on its head where the simple hot cross bun has now morphed into many flavours that are available in supermarkets well before Lent has even started.

Why are the Stations of the Cross a popular devotion during Lent? Being that Lent is a time of preparation to celebrate Easter, the fourteen Stations walk people through the journey of Jesus’ final 24 hours to the cross, whilst helping Christians to pray and meditate on Jesus’ suffering and death. In our college community we have also been taking this journey each day during Lent when we paused for our normal prayer time at 11am to reflect, pray, and act on a station.

50th Anniversary

On Saturay February 17 it was my pleasure to be invited to represent the Oblates at the 50th anniversary of the Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club (MOCCC) at the Junction Oval. The cricket Club was formed in 1974 by then Principal of the College, Fr Kevin Davine OMI. He foresaw that the friendships of school days could be further developed in Old Collegians’ Associations - with the College’s main oval becoming the Club’s home ground – and thankfully his vision laid the foundation for our club today. Fr Kevin sowed the seeds for a culture of success and camaraderie. History will testify to the fact that plenty has happened in the club’s history as it has continued to grow and strengthen. Most clubs have a similar history of starting from scratch to developing into a club that has enjoyed 10 premierships, turf wickets, new clubrooms. Their history states: “We are continually thankful to Mazenod College and the Oblate Priests for their ongoing support of the club and allowing us full use of the College facilities. It is a great place to play cricket and enjoy the fantastic social environment we have”. Congratulations to all who have contributed to the club in one way or another over the past 50years. I would like to encourage all our students to consider being part of our old collegians sporting groups when choosing a club to play for. The support and friendships experienced will last forever.

I know Valentines Day was a couple of weeks ago, but I thought this would give you a smile.

"I once dated a person who broke up with me because I only have 9 toes. Yes, they were lack-toes intolerant."

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

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