Greetings to you all and welcome back to Term 4!

I hope you all enjoyed a well-earned break form the normal college run routine. It is great to have the college buzzing with life again

During our holiday period Pope Leo journeyed to France for a 3-day pastoral visit. There was a lovely surprise for us as Oblates to hear our founder, Saint Eugene de Mazenod, being mentioned by the Holy Father Pope Leo in his address to 80,000 young people at a prayer service at the Stade de France on 26 September in Saint-Denis, a working-class suburb of Paris. The "Army of Saints" pageant saw hundreds of actors portray saints from France's history of Catholicism.

“What a remarkable gallery of witnesses France has given the Church including St Eugene de Mazenod,”, Pope Leo stressed.

This is a powerful reminder to us that the saints were not born as statues. They were real human beings who lived in moments of history, faced difficult choices, listened for what God was asking of them, and responded.

Saints like:

St. Geneviève, the young woman who became the spiritual protector of Paris and encouraged its frightened inhabitants not to abandon their city when it was threatened by invasion.St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the great Cistercian monk and theologian who became one of the most influential spiritual voices of medieval Europe.

St. Joan of Arc—Jeanne d’Arc—the teenage peasant girl who believed God had entrusted her with a mission for France and helped turn the course of the Hundred Years’ War, and was burned at the stake at only nineteen. Centuries later she would be canonized and remembered as one of France’s most extraordinary saints.In more recent times: St. Vincent de Paul, apostle of organized charity and service to the poor. St. John Vianney, the humble Curé of Ars who spent countless hours reconciling people with God.

St Eugene de Mazenod who helped revitalize the post revolution French Church by caring for and preaching to the poor and vulnerable.

Maximilian Kolbe who volunteered to die in place of a family man in Auschwitz.

Mother Teresa discovered God’s calling to care for the dying in the apparent hopelessness of Calcutta.

What is God asking of us in our own time?

Never a Dull Moment

One day during the holidays Fr Dominic and I came over to join the admin staff for a morning cuppa and ended up working on the Year 12 graduation folders. Work never stops even on holidays.

Introducing Br Bernard

My name is Bernard Yeung and I am an Oblate brother training to be an Oblate priest. I was born in Hong Kong and had joined the congregation seven years ago. Prior to religious life, I studied art and had worked in art publishing. My journey of religious formation initially brought me to the Philippines where I experienced novitiate and some studies. In 2023, I arrived in Australia to continue my formation. Other than academic and pastoral knowledge, following sports is most certainly my biggest enjoyment in Australia!

Our congratulations to Br Bernard who has just receivved the news that our Superior General, Fr Luis Alonso OMI, together with our Australian Provincial Fr Andrew Chen OMI, have approved Br Bernard to profess is Perpertual Vows with the Missioanry Oblates of Mary Immaculate and receive the Order of Diaconate. These cermonies will take place later in November.

Grand Final Winner

Wow! What a finish to the 2026 AFL Grand Final. Never saw that coming with four minutes to play. Congratulations to all the Brisbane Lions supporters on winning the 2026 AFL Grand Final on 26 September.

Another three peat for the club. Making other supporters very jealous indeed.

In other footy news closer to home we extend our congratulations to Alicia Basham who won the Best and Fairest medal for Mazenod in the VAFA Womens Division 4.

Matt Fewings (former student) claimed his second VAFA League B & F in three seasons in the Premier C Men’s.

Blue Ribbon Steven Tynan Cricket Match

The 4th annual instalment of the Mazenod Oblate Cricket Team VS The Victoria Police was played on Wednesday 7th October. For the first time in history, the game was a tie!! Everyone was deemed a winner, and the Shield will be shared!! Congratulations to Isath Kalumuni (71 retired & 3/27) who was announced Man of the Match by the Victoria Police. Thanks to all our Mazenod students and staff for supporting this yearly event.

Christmas Planning – Why not be Different with your Giving?

Sadly, Christmas is not too far away now as we return for the final term of the year. Christmas in our Christian tradition is a time to celebrate God's love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. It is also a time of giving to others. Most of our giving is to close family and friends. However, as Christians we are also called to care for our neighbour, the people we will never meet.

One different aspect of giving is through the Oblate Christmas Gift Card. The idea behind this giving is that you purchase a card or cards from various amounts to assist the Oblate Missions. The card you purchase explains to your family or friends that you have purchased this gift card on their behalf in place of a material gift and the money will be used to support a particular mission you have chosen. These cards can be purchased from the Front Office (via cash only) or on online through MAZCOM or mami@oblates.com.au

Generous responses like yours make this world a better place for our unseen neighbour. This is a gift that keeps on giving.

Oblate Mission Immersion Experience

The Oblate Mission Immersion Experience is a new initiative by the Oblates. It will include India and sri Lanka from 26 June – 10 July 2027. This immersion experince is open to current and former parents, teachers, Old Boys of our Oblate Colleges and parishioners in our Oblate parishes. This will involve spending time in Oblate missions, experiecing the Oblate commitment to education, pastoral ministry and nservice especially to those who are most vulnerable. This will be an opportunity to experience and parictpate in the wider Oblate story of mission. Further information and a copy of the itinerary can be found at: tcoghlan@omi.com.au

2026 De Mazenod Family Gathering

Theme: One Heart, One Family, One Charism

For more information or to register, visit: https://omi.com.au/dmf-gathering

When: 22-25 October 2026

Where: St Eugene's Retreat Centre, Newborough, Victoria

Registration: from $100

**Answers to the mind teasers from the last newsletter of Term 3. Hope you were able to get some of the answers.

I disappear when you name me? Silence.

I am always behind you but can never be caught? The Past.

I can be spent but never earned back? Time.

I live in a busy place in the city. I’ll let you stay with me for a while. If you don’ t feed me, I can get you in trouble. What am I? Parking Meter.

What gets old but never ages? A Photograph.

What runs but never walks and has a mouth but cannot speak? River.

What gets bigger the more you take away? Hole.

What has a lock but no key? Hair.

What kind of wave can’t you surf? Microwave or sound wave.

Till the next time

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Parents & Friends Association