From the Principal

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of Mazenod College,

"I have no time for smoldering wicks. I want you to burn bright, to give light". 

(St Eugene de Mazenod).

Last Tuesday was indeed an important day on the Catholic Church Liturgical calendar namely; the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady, a celebration of our Holy Mother Mary’s assumption from her earthly presence into heaven. It was also our much-anticipated Mazenod Mission Day – a day, which most appropriately commenced with a Eucharistic celebration of Mass for the special Feast of the Assumption. Mass was celebrated by Fr Michael McMahon OMI and concelebrated by Fr Joe Antony OMI and Fr Giancarlo Lollo OMI.

I would like to make special acknowledgement of the engagement of our students at our College Masses. Following Mass, we gathered as a school community to launch the Mazenod Mission Day activities and commenced with a group sharing of the “Hail Mary” prayer. Our boys are always alert to the respectful and reverent manner in which liturgical celebrations like Masses and prayer gatherings quite rightly are to be approached. The sharing of the “Hail Mary” together, done so with reverent gusto in collective voice, was indicative of the respect that our young men and our College promote as essential elements of our faith and identity.

The rest of the MMD activities were also highlighted by the engagement of our students. Whilst the weather tried to dampen our enthusiasm, or as St Eugene would refer, turn us into “smoldering wicks” the focus to consider others and to share with those less fortunate, was a constant theme throughout the day.

We are acutely aware of the economic pressures facing society in the present day, but this didn’t seem to inhibit the spirit of generosity and giving of our families. We thank our students, staff, our parents, families and friends for this generosity and consideration of the poor and less fortunate. We definitely did “burn bright to give light”.

And light of a different variety came earlier this week in the form of the Year 7 Astronomy Night as part of Science Week. A healthy gathering of students and family members joined College staff and members from the Perth Observatory on Wednesday evening on the Fr Mackintosh Oval to engage in a night of star gazing. In the words of Mr Andrew Rasano (Head of Science);

“An opportunity to use the College telescopes, along with telescopes provided by volunteers from the Perth Observatory to witness some of the most captivating celestial wonders in the Southern Hemisphere, including nebulas, dying stars, enormous star clusters, and the Moon and planets when visible”.

Gladly, beautiful weather prevailed, visibility was high and it was a truly breath-taking night. Thank you to Mr Rasano and his team for organising such an incredible opportunity. 

We are truly blessed to be able to engage with, immerse ourselves in, learn from, embrace and draw upon such a wide variety of formational experiences and as such, I challenge all of our students to maintain a healthy focus on the constant task of developing their whole self and availing themselves of the many wonderful and varied opportunities at our College. Student engagement brings benefit to all.

God bless.

Simon Harvey

Principal

"Thank God for all the good you are accomplishing by His grace".

(St Eugene de Mazenod).