From the Rector
Greetings! I enjoy getting out for a walk and fresh air when I can after college. However, these days it is not so inviting as it is dark and cold. A couple of weeks ago I walked to Central Reserve to watch a couple of quarters of the Mazenod Old Collegians game. It is great to catch up with all those who still associate with the college through this forum. As I entered the reserve, I noticed this plaque on the footpath (pictured) and thought it may be of interest to readers. It is amazing what you discover when you are prepared to stop and have a look.
‘May 15 - Moments of Grace’: Within the Australian Oblate Province, the 15th of each month is celebrated by the De Mazenod Family as a time to be open to “Moments of Grace “as we journey towards the 200th anniversary of the Immaculate Conception on August 15, 2022. This month we will relate this ‘Moment of Grace’ to our Catholic tradition of the month of May being dedicated to Our Blessed Lady. Mary has a significant role in the De Mazenod Family, to which our college belongs, as she was designated the Patron of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate by Pope Leo XII when he officially recognized the Oblates as a Religious Congregation on February 17, 1826: “We wish the Congregation to be known by the name of the “Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate”. In recognition of this acknowledgement of the Oblates Fr Eugene de Mazenod introduced the daily reciting of the Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) each evening for Pope Leo’s intentions. After the Pope’s death, the custom ceased but was reinstated after the death of Bishop Eugene de Mazenod. Throughout his life, Bishop de Mazenod had a deep devotion to Mary Immaculate and he died hearing his Oblate sons chanting the hymn Salve Regina. This Marian hymn is now sung at the end of Oblates celebrations and is usually sung in Latin. This hymn to Mary also became a tradition and part of the blessing said for ships about to head out to sea, making it a favourite of sailors. The hymn is a common prayer: the Hail Holy Queen.
Salve, Regina, mater misericordia
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad te clamamus, exsules, filii Hevae.
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
in hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, Advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes oculos
ad nos converte.
Et Iesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
nobis, post hoc exsilium ostende.
O clemens: O pia: O dulcis
Virgo Maria.
Translation:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, the children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this land of exile.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
lead us home at last
and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
During this month of May let us continue to pray that Mary, our Heavenly Mother, and Patron of the Oblates will continually bless and guide our families and our community here at Mazenod College.
Following the theme of Mother, it is great to report that our annual Mother’s Day Dinner on Friday, May 6 at the Mulgrave Country Club was again a ‘Sell-Out’ and a tremendous success. Unfortunately, I came down with a heavy head cold which prevented me from attending one of my favourite college functions. Hopefully, I can make amends next year!
However, I did manage to lead the Eucharist and join in the Mother’s Day morning tea on Thursday, May 5 in the Provence Centre. It was great to join a large crowd of mums and their son/s on this special day. This event was a prayerful time followed by a time to meet and greet each other. A special vote of thanks to all who contributed to ensuring that these events remain among our much-anticipated functions on our college calendar.
Mothers receiving a blessing from their sons and then enjoying morning tea.
Food Tech: Exciting times down in the Food Tech area with the launch of the maz chef coffee café. Two espresso coffee machines have been purchased and are ready to pump out freshly made lattes and cappuccinos for our Mazenod staff. Year 10 Food Tech students are learning how to operate the machines and then run a café business during lunchtime. Looks like some happy customers are already enjoying it and a great experience for our students.
St Eugene de Mazenod Feast Day: Next Friday, May 20, our entire college community will gather in the Provence Centre for a celebration of the Eucharist to celebrate the Feast of St Eugene de Mazenod. The official date of St Eugene de Mazenod’s Feast Day is 21st May. It was on this day in 1861 that Bishop Eugene de Mazenod left this earthly life. On his death bed, surrounded by his fellow brother Oblates, Bishop Eugene said to them, “Among yourselves practice charity, charity, charity; and outside, zeal for the salvation of souls.” These parting words can also be addressed to us as we strive to be of service to one another and to live a life in response to God’s love for us.
Morning Tea: This time around we enjoyed the hospitality of Year 7 Ryan. The theme, for a most enjoyable morning tea, was ‘homemade.’ The cakes, biscuits, sausage rolls etc were amazing. Thanks to all who contributed. By the end of the year, I might have to visit Jenny Craig???
Used Stamps: Thanks to all who are supporting this initiative by forwarding their used stamps to our collection box in the Heritage Corridor outside the Student Services area. This supports the Mary MacKillop Today Project to help fight poverty. Keep them coming!
All the best,
Fr Harry Dyer OMI
Rector