Rector's Report

Greetings to you all!

We are currently in the Season of Spring (September to November) and Google reminds us that it is a warming transition with blooming flowers, variable weather, and major cultural events like the Spring Racing Carnival (I hope you had the winner). As Victorians, we are aware of the variable weather, sometimes 4 seasons in a day! Upon reflection this also speaks to us of our life’s journey with moments of normal activity, achievement, joy and then our various struggles. One of these struggles during this month of November is that of remembering our deceased loves ones. For some in our community, and in their families, this is still a recent experience of separation. However, our faith tells to be people of hope. 

The German Theologian, Karl Rahner reminds us:  ‘The great and sad mistake of many people is to imagine that those whom death has taken, leave us. They do not leave us. They remain…. We do not see them, but they see us. Their eyes, radiant with glory, are fixed upon our eyes full of tears. Though invisible to us, our dead are not absent’.

On Saturday November 7, Oblates and students gathered at the Oblate Graves in Springvale Botanical Cemetery to remember and pray for our deceased Brother Oblates. 

We pray:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

All: Amen.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

All: Amen.

St Eugene de Mazenod

Pray for us. 

Fr Vincent McGillicuddy OMI

On Monday November 2, All Souls Day, our Australian Oblate Province was saddened to receive the news that Fr Vincent McGillicuddy OMI had passed into eternal life at the age of 95 years after a short illness. A dedicated member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (Province of Australia), Fr Vin was born in Kogarah, Sydney, NSW. He studied in South Africia and then completed his studies in Rome before being ordained to the priesthood on July 12, 1962. 

In July this year Fr Vin celebrated (pictured) 64 years of priesthood in the Moe (St Kieran’s) / Newborough (St Mary’s) Oblate Parish in the Sale Diocese.  Fr Vin ministered at Mazenod College, Victoria and was the first sports master who organized the inaugural Mazenod College House Athletics Carnival in 1969. The carnival was held on the college’s front oval which was used for the first time as a sporting venue. Students participated as members of four houses - Albini (yellow), Charlebois (blue), Gerard (green), and Grandin (red). The results were Gerard (first), followed by Grandin, Charlebois, and Albini.

Fr Vin had a keen interest in all sports and up until the last couple of years would go for a daily jog before resorting to walking. He supported the Richmond Tigers in the AFL and St George Illawarra in the NRL. Fr Vin ministered throughout the Australian Province in our colleges, teaching RE and mathematics. He served as Provincial Bursar putting his skills as a chartered accountant to good use and then ministered in various Oblate Parishes. Fr Vin had a natural ministry in caring for the sick and elderly who enjoyed his friendship and pastoral care during his visitations. Pastorally nothing was ever too much for Fr Vin as he lived St Eugene’s charism of being close to the people. He was a quiet achiever and a priest and Oblate dedicated to his prayer life with a devotion to Mary. RIP. 

The Vigil Liturgy will be held at St John Vianney’s Church, Springvale North, on Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 7 pm. The Requiem Mass for the Repose of the Soul of Fr Vincent will be celebrated at St Kieran’s Church, Moe, on Friday, 13 November 2026 at 11 am. Fr Vin will be buried in the Oblate grave site at Springvale Botanical Cemetery at 2.30 pm. 

Br Bernard Yeung OMI

Our college community congratulates Br Bernard Yeung OMI (Hong Kong) and Br Som Nguyen OMI (Veitnam) who received the approval of our Superior Genral in Rome, Fr. Luis Alonso OMI, and our Australian Provincial, Fr Andrew Chen OMI, to profess their Perpetual Vows on Friday November 27 at St John Vianney Parish, Springvale North at 7 pm.  All welcome to attend. 

Deceased Old Boys’ Memorial Mass 

A near capacity college chapel of students, staff, family and friends celebrated our November Mass for our deceased college students on Friday November 6. Following the Mass, we gathered in the staff room for a cuppa and social time together. Since the beginning of the college in 1967, 175 former students have passed into eternal life. It is a great reassurance to the families that their son/s are remembered and prayed for each day in our college chapel. 

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, was first observed on the 11th of November 1919 at 11 am. At the time Australia made a promise never to forget the service and sacrifice of 416,000 Australians who enlisted and over 60,000 who died. For over 100 years, we have kept this promise. We remember them still. Let us pray for all who suffer because of conflict and ask that God may give us peace. 

Let us pray: God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith and hope in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and forever. 

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Pray for us.

St Eugene de Mazenod

Pray for us. 

Time is Running Out For Your Christmas Giving That Keeps on Giving!

Christmas is not too far away now as we return for the final term of the year. Christmas in our Christian tradition is a time to celebrate God's love for the world through the birth of the Christ child: Jesus. It is also a time of giving to others. Most of our giving is to close family and friends. However, as Christians we are also called to care for our neighbour, the people we will never meet.

One different aspect of giving is through the Oblate Christmas Gift Card. The idea behind this giving is that you purchase a card or cards from various amounts to assist the Oblate Missions. The card you purchase explains to your family or friends that you have purchased this gift card on their behalf in place of a material gift and the money will be used to support a particular mission you have chosen. These cards can be purchased from the Front Office (via cash only) or on online through MAZCOM or mami@oblates.com.au 

Generous responses like yours make this world a better place for our unseen neighbour. This is a gift that keeps on giving. 

World Youth Day 2027

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Oblate Youth Australia World Youth Day 2027 Pilgrimage! Young people 18-35 years. Our journey will take us from Hong Kong, where we’ll encounter the local Church and Oblate mission, to Seoul for World Youth Day, before finishing in Osaka, Japan for a post-WYD retreat. This will be much more than a trip, it’s an opportunity for young people to experience pilgrimage, faith, mission and the wider Oblate family across Asia. 

National Oblate Youth Encounter

The annual National Oblate Youth Encounter will be held from January 4- 8, 2027. The gathering will take place at the new St Eugene’s Centre for Mission in Newborough, in the Latrobe Valley. This gathering brings together young people from around Australia who wish to share their Catholic faith in the spirit of the Charism of St Eugene de Mazenod. It is designed for young people (those entering Year 12 in 2026 through to age 30) to grow in and reflect on their faith, as well as to share plenty of fun and community time with one another.I invite parents to encourage their young people to consider attending this encounter. Further information can be found at: www.oblateyouth.com.au 

Till the next time

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI