From the Rector

Greetings! 

During this week, 37 classes of students have experienced the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for the Feast of Easter. We gathered as class groups in the college chapel for a Liturgy of the Word and an examination of conscience followed by the opportunity for individual reconciliation with the priests of the college, visiting Oblates and Diocesan priests.

Our Lady of Kyiv: By coincidence, we realized that an icon of the Virgin Mary hanging in our Oblate House Chapel is a copy of the “Virgin of Vladimir’ and was originally a gift to the Grand Duke of Kyiv and his people. We have now placed this icon in our college chapel to remind us to pray to our Mother Mary to protect and restore peace to the people of Kyiv.

Let us join in prayer together:

Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world!

You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. 

We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Ukraine.

Please protect and send aid to those in Ukraine and all who are at risk.

We pray for peace - we pray for all who are working towards it and for all who are in danger from this conflict. 

We pray for an end to violence and war - we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this.

Lord God, please help those in most need of your mercy.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Saint Joseph, Protector of Mary, Jesus and the Church, pray for us!

Saint Michael the Archangel, Patron of Kyiv, pray for us!

Season of Lent: Lent is a six-week period that leads up to Easter. The Lenten season is the most significant time of the year for Christians around the world as we prepare to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Lent has been a customary time for prayer, fasting, giving something up, taking up something or abstinence. There are 40 days of Lent from its start date on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday. Sundays in Lent are not counted as days of fasting and penance as every Sunday always celebrates the Resurrection of the Lord. This period of Lent allows us to reflect and open our hearts more to Jesus’ message in our lives.

Gospel Reflection: On this second Sunday of Lent, we move from Jesus' retreat to the desert to the glory shown in Jesus' Transfiguration. The report of Jesus' Transfiguration is found in each of the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In his Transfiguration, we see an anticipation of the glory of Jesus' Resurrection. In each of the reports of the Transfiguration, the disciples keep secret what they have seen. It is not until they witness his Passion, death, and resurrection that they will understand Jesus' Transfiguration. We need to remember that Jesus fully entered our human experience. Like us, he experienced joy and good times with his family and friends. But he also suffered greatly by experiencing rejection and betrayal. During these times Jesus didn’t run away or avoid any of this. This is a witness to the reality that Jesus shared our human struggles, and all this involves the very end. How did he survive? How did he get through all these trials? Though he was in the world, he was not of the world because he knew many of the values of the world would not lead to lasting peace and joy. Jesus remained faithful to his Father by disengaging himself from the noise of the world to be alone in prayer with Him. The disciples came to realise the importance of prayer for Jesus because of this witness. During Lent can we find some extra time to pray so we can come to know Jesus more closely and deepen our relationship with Him?

Oblate Youth Groups: On Wednesday, March 2, many students turned up for the inaugural meeting of our newly formed Oblate Youth Groups. The first meeting was a combined gathering of our junior and senior students. In the future, there will be two groups: juniors on Wednesday 

and seniors on Tuesday afternoons. The aim of our groups is to develop the students' sense of community within the college, to grow in an awareness of the Oblate Charism, to come to know Jesus more in their life and to enjoy fun activities along the way. Thanks to our three College Youth Ministers for their coordination.  

Food Tech: A visit to Year 9 Food Tech was worth the effort with fresh hot scones straight from the oven with cream and jam. Yum! 

Thanks, Cardin and Alex for sharing.

Morning Tea: Our second Year 7 morning tea was through the hospitality of 7 Coghlan on Thursday, March 3. Probably not in line with my Lenten fast but a special dispensation was in order on the grounds of building community amongst our students and staff.

Tree Planting: On Thursday March 3rd, our new Principal, Dr Paul Shannon, planted a tree to recognize the commencement of his term as Principal at Mazenod. The tree will also add to the beauty of God’s creation and the ascetics of the college surroundings. It also coincides with Ember Day which marks the beginning of the Season of Autumn when we pray in gratitude for the blessings of God’s creation in nature. 

De Mazenod Family: Our De Mazenod Family, of which you are all part, is offering a Lenten Reflection program every Thursday evening during Lent. This is conveniently done from the comfort of your home via a Zoom link. It is only 45 minutes and a great way to share our faith journey and to meet other people who belong to Oblate communities around Australia. Why not Zoom in? The link to join us via Zoom is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83793869667

Enjoy your weekend!

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector