Rector's Report

Greetings! As you can appreciate, I am still basking in the euphoria of the Collingwood premiership. I suppose this is a glow that will last till the beginning of the 2024 season. Thank you to the many people who have expressed their happiness for me witnessing my first live grand final win but their unhappiness that it was the magpies who won. 

Since our last newsletter, we have enjoyed many wonderful occasions in 

the life of the college especially with our graduating 2023 Year 12 cohort. On Thursday evening October 12, we gathered for the annual Night of Excellence at Robert Blackwood Hall Monash University where we recognised many of our students who have fulfilled this year’s motto of ‘Excellence Every Day by Everybody’. The evening concluded with our Year 12 students being presented on stage. On Friday morning October 13, we gathered in the college chapel with our Year 12 cohort to celebrate their final Mass together. We then adjourned to the canteen for an enjoyable breakfast before heading to the Provence Centre for their final assembly in front of the college community. The students were introduced and paraded into the Provence Centre receiving an enthusiastic reception.  Hopefully, these celebrations will create a greater sense of community and inspire all our students to reach their personal potential. 

On Sunday afternoon October 15, we gathered at St Simon’s, Rowville for their Valedictory Mass where we prayed in thanksgiving for the time our students and their families have spent at Mazenod. I finished my homily by emphasising three words that they will continually have to navigate during their life’s journey by saying: Dare to Dream. Dare to Discern. Dare to Do. After the celebration of the Eucharist, we adjourned for an enjoyable community meal at Cathie’s Lane where the students were presented with their graduation certificates and prayer stoles. All these events have been a wonderful way to acknowledge and finalise the 6 years of their secondary education. Congratulations to all! 

Sacramental Program

For many of our families the main reason for choosing Mazenod College as your preferred college for the education of your son/s, is our focus on our Catholic faith and traditions within the charism of St Eugene de Mazenod. There is no doubt that our Catholic faith is the heartbeat of our college, and we are continually working to create opportunities for our young men to deepen their faith life.

Some of young men have expressed their interest in completing their initiation process into the Catholic faith through the reception of the sacraments, especially, reconciliation, eucharist, and confirmation that they may have missed due to various circumstances like COVID.

After recent correspondence with Bishop Tony Ireland, we have been given permission to offer a sacramental program at the College to complete this void in the spiritual life of our young men.  This will give our students who have not had the opportunity to receive some of the sacraments to do just that. We encourage parents and sons to have a conversation regarding this opportunity. This program will be offered in Term 1 2024. An expression of interest for your son to be involved in the program can be made by completing the form via this attachment. 

Steven Tynan Memorial Cricket Match

On a sunny afternoon on Wednesday, October 11 the college hosted the annual Constable Steve Tynan Memorial cricket match. Mazenod students played against members of the Victoria Police whose team included some former students of the college. Unfortunately, the Mazenod team was beaten, however, a great day was enjoyed by all. 

Constable Steven Tynan graduated from Mazenod in 1983. Steven joined Victoria Police and was ambushed and killed in the line of duty on October 12, 1988. Let us continue to pray in thanksgiving for our community members who go out and confront the danger rather than turn away from it.

Pictured with Dr Paul Shannon (Principal) are Sue Fitzgerald (Steven’s sister), Brydie Fitzgerald, and Jim Fitzgerald.

Month of November Intentions

This is a final reminder about our invitation to have your deceased loved ones prayed for during the month of November at our college Masses. The month will begin with the Solemnity of All Saints on 1 November and November 2 is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died. If you would like to accept this invitation, then I ask you to send an email to Tina Giacco at ngiacco@mazenod.vic.edu.au. The names will then be added to a folder which will be placed at the front of the college chapel altar and prayed for during November.

On Thursday November 2, there will be two celebrations of the Eucharist for All Souls Day. The first will be our regular college Eucharist at 8.10am and the second at 12.40pm (Lunch break). I warmly invite you to come and pray with us at one of these celebrations of the Eucharist on this important feast day as we pause, pray, and remember our loved ones who have gone before us to their eternal reward.  

St John Vianney Fete

Our local Oblate parish of St John Vianney, Springvale North will be holding its annual fete on Sunday, October 21 from 10am till 4pm. It would be great if you could come along and support our local Oblate parish on this day. There are some great raffle prizes to be won. Tickets can be purchased on the day or through the parish office (95463831). 

Presentation Night @ Mazenod Football Club (Soccer)

On Saturday October 7, the Mazenod Football Club held their annual presentation evening.

Many of our current students, old boys, and families are active participants in the soccer club. Pictured are some of our Year 12 students who are current players for the club, it was great to catch up with them and enjoy their successes. Congratulations to all on a successful year!

An Evening at St Marys

On Friday October 6, I was accompanied by 8 students from Year 12 who accepted the invitation to have a social evening at St Marys Oblate Seminary in Camberwell. The evening commenced with a tour of the facilities, followed by Mass and then an enjoyable meal of gourmet pizzas including a question-and-answer time with our Oblate students and priests. Thanks to these young men for accepting the invitation and to Tina Giaco who organised the evening. 

Visual Arts & Design Technology Exhibition

On Friday 6th October it was pleasing to witness a large crowd of students, staff, families, and friends who gathered in the Founders complex at 4.00pm for the official opening of the 2023 Visual Arts and Design Technology Exhibition. The exhibition showcased the creative works of our students from Years 7-12. 

Some more for the lovers of puns...

*If you’re bad at haggling, you’ll end up paying the price.

*Scientists got together to study the effects of alcohol on a person’s walk, and the result was staggering.

*I got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.

I won’t lie, it was a rocky road.

*What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing their own incision? Suture self.

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI