Rector's Report

Greetings! Whilst writing this newsletter I am aware that this is the final edition for the term. The celebration of Palm Sunday this weekend marks the final week of Lent. Next week, as a Christian community, we will commence the great three days of Easter (The Sacred Triduum) with Holy Thursday. Our Holy Week liturgies are a powerful way of retelling our Christian story over and over to remind us of the importance of our faith and trust in Jesus and of our traditions. I would like to encourage you to attend your local faith community for one or all of these liturgies because it is through these liturgies that we become immersed in the Jesus mystery which will witness us: walking with Jesus on his final journey to Jerusalem, sitting with Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus’ death by crucifixion and finally the power of Jesus to overcome the darkness of death in the tomb through his resurrection. It is easy these days to ‘google’ your local parish to find the times and places (as some parishes have more than one church these days) when these liturgies will be celebrated.

MAUNDY/HOLY THURSDAY (March 28): The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is referred to as The Mass of the Lord's Supper. This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist, as well as the institution of the priesthood. The "washing of the feet" signifies our role of service—just as Jesus did with his disciples.

GOOD FRIDAY (March 29): Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. This is the day of the crucifixion, the day Jesus died for all of us. It is called ‘Good Friday’ because it opens the possibility that we will live forever.

EASTER VIGIL/EASTER SUNDAY (March 30/31): A Vigil Mass is held on the Saturday after nightfall in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. This is called the Easter Vigil: the most glorious and dramatic liturgy for the Church and it is what we've all been waiting for after our forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent. This is the ‘Night of Nights’ when our hearts and souls can joyfully celebrate the culmination of the Paschal mystery: The Resurrection of Jesus.

Easter Eggs

Easter Eggs on Easter Sunday are not just about the chocolate, although very enjoyable. During Lent, when Christians fasted to mark Jesus' time in the wilderness, eggs were one of the foods that people weren't allowed to eat. Early Christians, recognizing the power of the egg as a symbol for new life, connected eggs to the new life found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. Easter eggs are a perfect Easter symbol of new life in Christ and represent Jesus' emergence from the tomb. Eggs also remind Christians of the end of the Lenten fast, and the joyful conclusion of that discipline on Easter.

Next Thursday (March 28) the college will finish the term by holding its annual Mission Action Day commonly known as MAD. Although a fun day of activities for students and staff, the main purpose is to raise awareness and much needed financial support for the various Oblate Missions around the world and locally. The day will commence with an Easter Liturgy followed by a walkathon and then it is back to the college to participate in all the food and fun activities. The day will end with our community gathering in the Provence Centre for the drawing of raffles etc and then an early finish around 2.00pm. On behalf of the Oblates, I take this opportunity to thank all the staff, senior students, students, families, friends and donors for your generosity in organizing and supporting all the events for Mission Action Day.

In addition to MAD, we also enjoyed March Madness Month where several different fun events were organized by our senior students. One of these enjoyable events was a version of the TV show ‘Family Feud’ which saw a team of staff versus a team of students. I am happy to report that the staff clinched a close contest with the final answer.

MAD Concert

On Wednesday evening March 20 our music department entertained a large crowd by generously displaying their musical talents to raise awareness and funds for the Oblate Missions. On behalf of the Oblates, and the people they serve in their various missions, I extend my gratitude and thanks to all who organised, participated, sponsored, and attended this most enjoyable annual event.

Year 12 Retreat

From Monday March 18 till Tuesday 19 our Year 12 students participated in their annual overnight retreat which were held over three different locations. A retreat is an opportunity for our young men to recognise areas for growth especially in their relationships with God and their families by taking this precious time away from the normal demands of life to reflect, to share and to wonder. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was celebrated on the Monday evening. I thank the priests who gave of their time to provide this opportunity for our young men. I also thank the staff who were present on the retreats for their generosity of time and their willingness to share their faith story.

Oblates & Missions

As we create an awareness of Oblate Missions, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the Oblates who are involved in extraordinary missions that support the disadvantaged in various parts of our Oblate world.

Fr Vincenzo Bordo OMI.

Fr Bordo is an Italian Oblate who is to be honoured as an “everyday hero” by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. He will receive the Order of Merit for his enduring commitment to South Korea’s marginalized and impoverished for over 30 years. In 1990 he established “House of Anna” as a beacon of hope, offering vital support and sustenance to those on societies periphery by providing shelter, food, and general care services.

Fr John Wotherspoon OMI.

Fr John was one of the first students to attend the Oblate College of Iona, Brisbane. The Oblates from the Philippine Province opened a school in Hong Kong in 1966. Due to changing circumstances, the Superior General of the Oblates asked the Australian Province to take responsibility for the China Mission from March 1990. The focus of the Oblate mission in China has been working with the young and disadvantaged people. Since arriving in Hong Kong in 1985, Fr John Wotherspoon OMI has spent his time helping the city’s disadvantaged. Fr John has earned the nickname “Temple Street Father” for his work with the local homeless, ex-convicts and prisoners.

Fr Gerry Conlon OMI.

Fr Gerry is a former student of Mazenod College, Western Australia. After graduating he became an engineer in the mines of WA. After this experience he joined the Oblates and after ordination requested an appointment to the Oblate mission in Kenya. In Kenya he uses his engineering skills and his passion for the people of God to support them in their various needs.

Fr Sholto Douglas OMI.

Fr Sholto (pictured right in photo) is an Oblate whose mission in Australia was in parish life and as a teacher at Iona College, Brisbane. Fr Sholto had a deep desire to work in overseas Oblate missions. Initially he was in Kenya and then moved to Zimbabwe where he currently assists the local people to create various forms of sustainable food.

I know it is a little early, but this will be my last opportunity, prior to Easter, to express on behalf of our Mazenod Oblate Community, Fr David Francis, Fr Casmir, Fr Anthony, and myself, our joyous Easter greetings and blessings to you and your families. I pray that you and your families will experience the peace, joy, and hope of this Holy Season. I hope you will receive and enjoy some of these chocolate goodies as you celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection? Just remember, not all at once!