From the Rector

Greetings!

Welcome Deacon Joshua Nash OMI: 

On Tuesday, February 15, Deacon Joshua Nash OMI, was welcomed by some of our students as he joined our Mulgrave Oblate Community. Deacon Joshua will be living in the Oblate residence here at the College. During his time with us, Deacon Joshua will complete his studies towards his ordination to the priesthood sometime in the middle of the year. His main ministry as Deacon will be at St John Vianney Parish, Springvale North with the Parish Priest Fr Eric Alleaume OMI. Deacon Joshua will be present around the College as his time permits. Within the Catholic Church, the role of the Deacon is to proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, distribute the Eucharist, and assist at the altar during Mass. The Deacon can also baptize, witness, and bless marriages and preside at funeral liturgies among many other duties. I am sure you will all make Deacon Joshua feel welcomed amongst us. 

February 15 – ‘Moments of Grace’: Within the Australian Oblate Province, the 15th of each month is being celebrated by the De Mazenod Family as a time to be open to “Moments of Grace “as we journey to the 200th 

anniversary of the Immaculate Conception on August 15, 2022. At the 

Tuesday morning Mass, to mark the 15th of this month, I blessed a new statue which is a replica of the original Oblate Madonna statue that was blessed by Fr Eugene de Mazenod on August 15, 1822, and can be found in our General House in Rome (above). After the blessing, the statue was placed in the glass cabinet in our college chapel by some of our students (right). 

A description of the original statue states: “Her head, crowned with twelve stars, is lifted toward heaven in an attitude of prayer. She wears a golden veil, the same colour as her long robe and her mantle. She is portrayed as the Immaculate Conception with one foot standing on the crescent moon and the other upon a serpent she is crushing. Her right hand is resting on her heart while her other hand is open, spreading graces on her children who are praying to her.” Fr Eugene blessed the original statue on August 15, 1822. During the blessing, it is said that Fr Eugene experienced a ‘smile’ from the Madonna. He believed this was a God-given assurance that he was on the right track and that he needed to persevere despite all the external storms raging around him that seemed to threaten the existence of the new Missionaries. Let us continue to pray that Mary, our Heavenly Mother, and Patron of the Oblates will continually bless and guide our community of faith here at Mazenod College.

Feb 17 - Oblate Approval: February 17 is known throughout the Oblate World as “Oblate Day.” It commemorates the day in 1826 when Pope Leo XII officially validated the work of Fr Eugene de Mazenod and his new Missionaries of Provence by officially approving their rule for life under the new title, The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. During the Thursday morning College Mass, the Mulgrave Oblate community, along with Oblates around the world, renewed their vows and consecrated themselves to Mary Immaculate, the patroness of our Congregation.

The Spirit of Mazenod College Continues: On Wednesday evening February 9, I attended St Michael’s, Berwick for the Confirmation of a family friend. After the confirmation, I met Louis Salopek, a Year 7 student at Mazenod who has also received the Sacrament. I was then introduced to his grandfather, Paul Rodriquez, who was a student of the first year of Mazenod College in 1967 which commenced in St Joseph’s, Springvale. It is great getting out and about and realizing that the spirit of Mazenod College is still alive and well from one generation to another generation. Don’t forget to come up and say hello and introduce me to your family if you see me in your Parish. Remember there is only one of me and thousands of you, so I don’t always recognize faces.

Gospel Reflection: This weekend we celebrate the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time with a message of compassion. Compassion is when we can walk in another’s shoes, and like our Visible Wellbeing, try to see, hear, and feel the world of another.  Compassion flows from mercy, which is the biggest quality of Jesus’ ministry. Compassion also includes our gratitude for others and the earth. We can look deeply into the people we are close to, especially our family members, and thank God for what we like in them and value. We are to value, respect, and care for each other to bring out the best in each other. Now that our travel restrictions are lifted, we can once again venture out and experience the beauty of creation which can be found in the power and yet, the stillness of the ocean, the grandeur of the mountains or simply in the beauty of our home gardens that we have helped to nurture along with God’s rain and sun, recognising that all is a gift of God. The more we care for our loved ones, the more we care for our earth that produces our food, drink, and refreshment, the more we realize that we are very blessed indeed. 

A different thought for last Monday.

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector