From the Rector

Dear Fellow Mazenodians,

It is with genuine joy that I share this newsletter with you as I have seen, heard and felt many Moments of Grace that I am very keen to share with you.

Last week we began the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday service. The boys and the whole community were extremely reverent and respectful in the involvement of the Mass. I could not have been more pleased with their participation in Mass. I used the analogy of a speedway and the need for the cars to slow down as they approach a corner to bring to mind the characteristics of Lent. Lent offers us the chance to slow down and re-assess our journey and relationship with God and to work on areas of growth as we “turn a corner” in behaviors and attitudes. Lent is a wonderful season to invest into that self-work that is so often needed. I wish all members of our community a happy and holy Lent.

I was blessed to be able to head to the Wagin Woolorama last Saturday to see the vibrancy of a country town alive with exhibits, displays, rides, competitions, family, friends and sheep. Mazenod had a presence at the Education Pavilion alongside St Brigid’s College and there were quite a number of very interested families looking at Boarding. There are so many great options for Boarding and Mazenod stands proudly among them. Our Boarding community led by Mrs Annamaria Cream has helped the College build a very strong reputation in the wider community. The pastoral care, weekend programs and reputation of the boys has reached wide and far and I was very proud to hear the stories and also help Mazenod be a viable option for families in rural Western Australia. There were Moments of Grace everywhere.

It was great to meet many families at the Sundowner last Friday and I give thanks for the great partnership of engagement that exists with the families.

I will be attending the ordination of a new Bishop in Bunbury. Fr George Kolodziej SDS will become Bishop George on Wednesday next week. I will be there representing Mazenod and the Oblates as well as our 12 Boarding families from the Bunbury Diocese. I feel very honored to be able to express our community’s best wishes to Bishop George and the Bunbury Diocese. The role of Bishop is one of service and care for the 26 Parishes and 56,000 Catholics in Bunbury Diocese. We will be welcoming Bishop Mark Edwards OMI to the College next week as he travels over for the ordination. Bishop Mark is a fellow Oblate who attended Mazenod College in Victoria. He is the current Bishop of Wagga Wagga Diocese. It will be great to welcome him to our community.

In conclusion, I have been pleased to visit the following communities to build upon Mazenod’s positive relationships with our neighbours: St Brigid’s College, Notre Dame Cloverdale, St Emilies Canning Vale and Wagin, with trips planned in the next couple of weeks to Carmel College, Kalamunda Christian School, St Munchin’s Gosnells and Good Shepherd Primary School in Kelmscott. I am so very happy that Mazenod has a great relationship with our neighbours and look forward to keep building on that.

Take Care and God Bless

Fr Michael Twigg OMI