Rector's Report

Greetings! This month we have launched into Spring when hopefully the weather takes on a sunnier and warmer feel with new life sprouting all around us with a splash of colour after the dreariness of the winter months. Spring is also associated with the footy finals if your team is fortunate enough to still be in the hunt. Good luck to all remaining teams and supporters. As a Pies supporter we have only a couple of weeks left to gloat about being the current premiers. 

As I mentioned in the previous newsletter I attended our annual Australian Oblate Province retreat near Kalorama in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. These pictures and associated celebration came after the last newsletter was published, however, I thought would like to share then with you. On the Wednesday evening the Australian Oblate Province gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and a dinner to acknowledge three great anniversaries of ordination for Fr Kevin Davine OMI (65 years), Fr Pat Moroney OMI (60 years) and Fr Lewy Keelty OMI (60 years).  This is a combined total of 185 years of service to the people of God in Australia and to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Let us continue to pray that many more young people will hear and answer God’s call to follow in their footsteps as priests or religious to serve and brings the Good News of the Gospel to God’s people.

Oblate Mission Thanks

During our wonderful musical, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Carolyn Clements decided to bake four chocolate houses to raffle for the Oblates Missions. The result was $472.00 was raised over the four nights. Thank you to Carolyn for her initiative and generosity and to all who sold and purchased tickets. 

Father's Day Mass & Breakfast

On Friday August 30 the college celebrated their annual Father’s Day mass and breakfast. Due to the high demand to attend this year the Mass was transferred to the Provence Centre to cater for the approximately 400 in attendance. After the celebration of the Eucharist all the Fathers, Father figures and sons shared an enjoyable breakfast together in the college canteen. Thanks to all who accepted our invitation and to all worked to ensured that a great morning was had by all.

Vinnies Winter Sleepout

A huge thank you to all the families and staff who generously donated to our Vinnies Winter Appeal. The response was overwhelming and will ensure that our local Vinnies Conferences will be able to continue to assist needy families in our area. A special thanks also goes to our students and staff who gave generously of their time to participate in the sleepout at Mazenod on Friday evening, August 23.

Winter Recitals

During the past month I have enjoyed joining our students and their families for our evening Winter Recitals in our Founders Complex. I am always impressed with the commitment of our students have as they pursue their musical talents. The students also display great courage being prepared to stand before their peers and family members as they entertain us with a variety of musical instruments and vocal renditions. A vote of thanks to all our parents for their encouragement of their sons and to our talented musical department staff for sharing their expertise with our students. 

Rosies Experience

Each Friday night the Rosies Oblate Street Mission hits the streets of Melbourne in support of some of our more vulnerable citizens. Rosies also offers our students and staff members the opportunity to volunteer their time to join the outreach and to interact with the various people who find themselves on the streets of Melbourne. On Friday evening August 30, I popped in to visit two staff members Kate and Alison and our four Year 11 students: Jamie, Sebastain, Matthew and Oscar. Well done to these people and all who make the effort to volunteer over the course of the year. Also, a big thank you to the staff members who organised and supported a lunch time hot roast beef roll fundraiser for the Rosies Mission on the same day in the staff room with $703.70 being raised. 

Through all our efforts, whether they be the chocolate house raffle, the fund raising for the missions, the Friday sausage sizzle, or MAD all these efforts are not just about raising funds, although that is certainly very helpful, but we are, in Jesus’; name, extending our hands and hearts to our sisters and brothers around the world who have various needs. Thank you. 

How life changes!

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI