Rector's Report
Greetings to you all! On Wednesday March 5, in conjunction with the whole Church, Mazenod College commenced the season of Lent with the blessing and distribution of Ashes. Lent is a time when Catholics around the world are invited to pray, fast, and do works of charity as we prepare ourselves spiritually to enter the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. You might be wondering why we get ashes on our foreheads for Ash Wednesday. Throughout history, ashes have been a powerful outward symbol of interior repentance and spiritual awareness. The Early Christians used ashes to show repentance as well, but not just on Ash Wednesday! After going to confession, it was common for the priest to give the person ashes on their forehead. Catholics have been receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday since the time of St. Gregory the Great. In 1091, Pope Urban II encouraged the entire Church to use ashes on Ash Wednesday.
Lent is a time when we usually ponder over what we might give up. We might consider things such as desserts, junk food, alcohol, or social media usage to focus on and remember Jesus’ 40 days in the desert. An alternative could be to take up something to assist our growth in faith. This can be achieved through extra prayer, attending a weekday Mass (morning Mass is celebrated at 8.10am each weekday in the college chapel), spiritual reading, assisting others or through the various Lenten courses offered in your local parishes. As members of the De Mazenod Family, you have the opportunity of participating in our annual Lenten course. This can be achieved with other people from around Australia by joining online or you can print the material and create a group of friends or with your own family members. Our focus this Lent will be ‘Hope Inspires’ as we reflect on Luke’s Gospel.
‘Take Up’ Suggestions: Make more time for your family: It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Try to make quality time for family and friends.
Read a book: Spiritual reading – parishes have free libraries on various topics or lives of saints to inspire.
Reconnect with your faith: Recommit to praying daily or celebrating the Eucharist on Sundays.
Be more selfish: This one might sound strange at first, but sometimes we don’t take enough ‘me-time’. If you’re a ‘yes’ person, you might focus on more self-care.
Being grateful: It's easy to think about everything we don't have rather than everything we are blessed with. Start each day by reminding yourself of three things you are grateful for and ending every day the same way.
Give Something Away: Go through your possessions and find used but still good quality items, then pray about how you can bless others with those items.
Encourage One Another: Gather for a meal and then go around each person at the table and take turns saying something encouraging or what you achieved that day.
Reach out to someone: Whether by text, email, or handwritten card, choose a person and send them a line or two of encouragement. “I’m thinking of you” or “we’re praying for you” can mean more than you think.
Screen Time/Social Media: Try and restrict this exposure so you can give extra time for something from the list above.
Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday marks the start of Lent, a time of reflection and preparation in the Christian calendar for the great celebration of Easter. To prepare for this time of penance our Year 12 Vocational Major students, used rich ingredients before the Lenten season begins to cook pancakes for Year 7s at lunchtime. All proceeds from the $2 pancakes went to the Oblate Missions. The picture shows Fr Dominic, college chaplain, with some Year 7 students and seems to indicate that Fr Dominic might have started his time of penance early as there doesn’t seem to be any pancakes in his hands. Maybe it was just a good image for the picture!! Thanks to everyone involved.
Inaugural College Mass
Friday February 21 witnessed a full house at St Patrick’s Cathedral as our college community gathered to celebrate our 2025 Inaugural College Mass. Students, staff, families, and friends prayed with and for each other that the gifts of the Holy Spirit would descend upon our college community whilst expressing our commitment to the Oblate Charism and our Catholic faith. This was also an opportunity to acknowledge our new college leaders and present them with their respective leadership badges from our Principal, Dr Paul Shannon after making their pledge to serve the community in their given roles.
Our community was pleased to welcome Fr Andrew Chen OMI, newly elected Oblate Provincial of the Australian Oblate Province and China Delegation who presided at the Eucharist. Fr Harry Dyer OMI (Rector) preached the homily. Concelebrants were: Fr Dominic Rozario OMI (Chaplain, Mazenod College), Fr David Francis OMI (St John Vianney), Fr David Antonysamy OMI (St John Vianney), Fr Angelo Wijewickrama OMI (Sorrento), Fr Bill Ousley OMI (Sorrento), Fr Dilan Perera OMI (St Mary’s Scholasticate) with Oblate Deacons – Rev Benjamin Kombo OMI & Rev Emmanuel Ejike OMI.I extend a huge vote of thanks and gratitude to all who made the effort to attend and especially to our staff and students who used their various gifts and talents to ensure that this celebration was prayerful, and spirit filled.
Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club
On Sunday February 23 I joined the Mazenod Old Collegians Cricket Club including our Women’s team for their annual fundraiser. It was great to witness the Mazenod Women’s program in action which saw them win and secure a place in the grand final. Our veterans’ team have also made the grand final. Thanks to all involved for a great family afternoon and for the support the club continues to offer to past and present students.
OMI Visitor
On Thursday March 6 Fr Alberto Gnemmi OMI, General Councillor for Europe, accompanied by Fr Andrew Chen OMI, Australian Provincial, were welcome visitors to Mazenod College. The Australian Oblate Province belongs to the Asia Oceania Region and Fr Alberto is undertaking a familiarisation visit of the region on behalf of our Superior General and as part of his duties on the General Council in Rome. Fr Alberto took the opportunity to visit our Year 10 Italian class.
Volleyball Competition
On Wednesday March 5, during the college Open Day, the sports department held its inaugural Senior House Volleyball Championship in the Provence Centre. There was a great House spirit on full display as the eight houses competed in a round robin format, followed by a final series. Congratulations to Chisholm who defeated MacKillop in the Grand Final to take out the trophy. Thanks to Sport, Physical Education, external sport staff and who came down to support and watch in between their Open Day roles. As Rector I was pleased to present the trophy to Chisholm as the winning team.
Some things to think about!!
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI