Rector's Report
Greetings and welcome back for Term 4. I am sure you enjoyed the break from the regular routine; however, this doesn’t last long as we are now back in full swing. This will, as usual, be a busy term as we prepare to celebrate many great events: Year 12 Valedictory Mass and Dinner on Monday October 12. Mazenod’s Night of Excellence on Thursday October 17. Year 12 Final Mass, Breakfast and Assembly on Friday October 18. The annual visitation to the primary schools of our 2025 Year 7 cohort and the normal exam schedule, music recitals and the Junior Music Gala on Tuesday December 3. So, hold on here we go again. I am looking forward to catching up with many of you during these events.
New Oblate Provincial Appointed
On September 24, 2024, in Rome, the Oblate Superior General, Fr Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso OMI in Council appointed Fr Andrew Chen OMI as the new Provincial Superior for the Australian Oblate Province and China Delegation for a first term of three years commencing February 2025. Fr Andrew is well known to us here at the college having served as college chaplain (2010 – 2012) and continues to be a supporter of the college by his attendance at many of our community celebrations of the Eucharist for important Oblate Feasts and Feast Days of the Church. On behalf of our Mazenod community I congratulate Fr Andrew on his appointment, and I am sure we will have an opportunity to officially welcome him in his new ministry during 2025. The other good news is that he also an enthusiastic Pies supporter!
We thank Fr Christian Fini OMI for his generosity and leadership over the past six years as our Provincial. Fr Christian will have a sabbatical for a period next year before receiving his new appointment within the Australian Province. Fr Christian was a former Principal/Rector (2015 – 2020) of the college and a former student of which he is very proud.
Congratulations
It was my pleasure to congratulate and present Dante Iazzolino with a gift in recognition of his artwork being selected for the cover of the 2024 Mazenodian.
Grand Final & Premiers
Gloating as reiging premiers is now over for me and the mighty magpie team and army. Congrtaualtions to the Sydeny Swans and the Brisbane Lions for reaching the 2024 AFL Grand Final. On Saturday September 28 it was the Brisbane Lions who were triumphant and now takeover the mantle as reigning premiers. Congratualtions to all the Lions supporters and enjoy the next 12 months of bragging rights. For the rest of us there is always next year!
Staff Retreat
On the final day of Term 3, our college staff ventured to Yarra Valley Estate for a retreat day and community time. The day commenced with the celebration of the Eucharist. Following the Eucharist I was pleased to welcome two fellow Oblates as keynote speakers. Fr Joshua Nash OMI (on the right) presented on ‘Our Mission as Missionaries in Oblate Education’ and Fr Leo Mifsud OMI (on the left) guided us through ‘Spirituality through Symbols and Art’. During the day other electives were offered for staff to choose from including meditation, adoration, a peace walk or quiet time which enabled each person to find their own space for peaceful reflection after a busy term. An enjoyable lunch was shared by all and was a wonderful opportunity to build community. Thanks to all who organised all the various aspects that made for an enjoyable final day of term. I hope you do not recognize the scenery behind the above picture as it means that you have also detoured on your journey and popped into the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery. If you haven’t done so then I recommend a visit! By the way I was kidnapped to go there!!
Ignite Youth Conference
During the recent term holidays 10 students and four staff from Mazenod joined other young people from across Australia for the Ignite National Catholic Conference which was held in Brisbane between September 19-22. Thank you to our staff who accompanied our students during the holiday period enabling them to have this experience by being encouraged by other likeminded young people who are all seeking to deepen and live their faith.
Police Remembrance Day
On Friday September 27, as a voluntary Police Chaplain, I attended the annual National Police Remembrance Service at the Police Memorial in Springvale Botanical Cemetery. This is an important day when we take time to reflect and remember the 175 Polices Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since the foundation of Victoria Police in 1853. Our community especially remembers Constable Steven Tynan who was ambushed and killed in 1988. Steven was a former student of Mazenod College having graduated in 1983.
Some random thoughts from holidaying googling.
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI