✝️Faith and Mission

Farewell to Fr Joe Antony OMI

Fr Joe Antony OMI leaves us after 14 months as College Chaplain, in that time he has become an important part of the Mazenod College community. Fr Joe will take up the position of Rector at Iona College in Brisbane at the start of Semester Two. He will be missed for his gentle and caring nature, always making time for the staff and students. 

Among his achievements while he has been at Mazenod, has been to work with a team of Mazenod and Iona staff to reestablish the overseas immersion program. Hopefully, his efforts will bear fruit next year when we recommence immersions to the sub-continent for Year 11 students. While it is sad to farewell Fr Joe, like all Oblate priests he will continue to be a member of our community in spirit. We wish him well and every success in his new ministry as Rector of Iona College in Brisbane.

Fr Joe's Farewell Speech

Dear Teachers, Staff and Beloved Students,

First and foremost, to Almighty God who makes all things possible in His own time, I give thanks and praise to him with sincere hearts. I take this time and opportunity to appreciate and extend my gratefulness and thankfulness to all of you for having been a part of the past fourteen months of this beautiful journey of my life here at Mazenod. I stand here today, one among you, of course not so sad, but I am sure that I am going to miss you all. I am only going to be a flight away, and I am sure that this is not a final goodbye. I will continue to visit from time to time and remain a part of this wonderful community in many ways. Being a college chaplain has been a great privilege, a means to be with you as a companion, friend, and pastoral leader. Particularly, a huge thanks to all of you for having accepted me for who I am and what I am.

With gratitude, I therefore like to thank our Oblate Fathers in the community of Mazenod, Fr McMahon, Fr Bill, and Fr Mathew whose support, guidance, care, commitment, and dedication, inspired me always in many admirable ways.

To the respectable teachers and staff, your dependable support and loyalty have been the backbone of our college. Your pursuit of excellence and the inbuilt nature of nurturing every student’s mind and heart shape their understanding of themselves and their place in society as good human beings. Thank you for the excellent spirit of cooperation, companionship and love I have experienced; it has been engraved in my heart, enriching the love from above. 

To the students, your hunger and thirst for knowledge and wisdom and your willingness to learn more have inspired me. You are the foundation of the society. As many people say, you are not the future of society, but you are the society; your future is built here and now. I said this yesterday in my reflection during the Grandin House Mass. Just wanted to repeat this again, so imagine the scene where Jesus was sending his disciples out in pairs. He sent them on a mission two by two. This scene emphasizes the importance of companionship and support. In your school life, you are not alone. You have friends, classmates, teachers, and family who are part of your journey. Keep on leaning on them for support and always remember to be there for them in return. That brings you joy, peace, and success in all you do.

When I now look back, it gives me immense joy and satisfaction. The sweet memories of having spent every moment qualitatively with all of you will never fade from my memory. I will always carry this beautiful part into the journey of my life ahead.

If I do not acknowledge particularly some of the individual person’s contributions to my personal life, I am dead sure that Jesus would say to me, woe to you Joe.

Firstly, Mr. Damian Wallis. I just want to bow my head and say a big Thanks to you for everything that you have been to me. Despite your personal commitments, busy schedules, and rough times you were there for me whenever I needed you. The spiritual bond that we have created and developed between us will remain forever with me. 

Secondly, to everyone at the admin building; starting with Simon, Lyn, Nicole, Eric, Kelly, Monica, Lil, Teresa, Chris, Michael Anderson, previously Jeff, now of course, Beau and Michael King, Liana and Tamara. I never needed an appointment to walk into your space. You were always available for a chat despite your busy schedules and hectic commitments.

Thirdly, to all the staff and students in the boarding house. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives, for sharing your joys and beautiful life stories, and for allowing me to walk this path with you. Every Sunday Mass with you all has taught me much about faith, hope, and the power of community. From you all, I take with me the beautiful message that is hidden in the name of Cebula: community, excellence, brotherhood, understanding, loyalty and action. Each of these values means a lot to me.

Last but not least, I feel graced and bountifully blessed to have met all of you my dear wonderful teachers, staff, and students. You all have made my life very significant, happy, and memorable. No matter how busy you were or how disturbed you were with your responsibilities, your unlimited smile and a simple ‘hello’ enabled me to enjoy each of your friendships. From the biblical perspective, I am reminded of the inspiring words from St Paul who says, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of us must do as he has made up his own mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER." In light of what St Paul says, I have been very fortunate enough to witness this from all of you, giving your precious time and energy - bountifully, generously, and cheerfully in whatever role you play.

When St Eugene said to his brother Oblates, “To Leave nothing Undared”.  He expected his Oblates not to be smoldering wicks, but the wicks that give bright light. He wanted his Oblates to be dynamic, energetic, and hardworking. As a Missionary Oblate, following the footsteps of our founder and father, St Eugene, I have always been open to answering the needs of the congregation. It is, therefore, with a sense of hope and commitment that I have again answered the call to a new appointment at Iona College.

Please pray for me, as I will for you, and know that I will always be grateful for the life you have inspired in me. Thank you all!

Fr Joe Antony OMI

College Chaplain

Term 2 Chapel Flower Roster

Good Works In Action!

Mazenod Vinnies has been very busy! 

The Mazenod Vinnies Conference has been very busy this term with their Winter Appeal and Quiz Night being successful. Thank you!

On Friday 7 June the St Brigid’s and Mazenod Vinnies Conferences delivered all the donations together that had been collected by both Colleges. These donations were delivered to The Shopfront in Bentley and The St Pat’s Community Centre in Fremantle. Both organisations do fantastic work with the poor and homeless of our wider community. Thank you to the amazing and supportive community of St Brigid’s and Mazenod for your generosity. Our Vinnies students would not be successful in their work to give people in need assistance, without your patronage.

On Friday 14 June, the Mazenod Vinnies ran their quiz night in the College Gym. This event was well patronised with over 200 people in attendance. The evening was made possible by the generous support of many local businesses and friends of Mazenod. Thank you to the work of the staff Helen, Claire and Glenn and the many students in organising and running the evening. A special mention to the Vinnies committee members; Beau, President, Jeremy, Vice President and Julian,Treasurer, for your tireless efforts in working with the staff to make the evening a great success. While the final figure is yet to be finalised, it looks like the Quiz Night raised $5500. These funds will go to support the various charities that the Conference donates to at the end of each year. These include the St Vincent de Paul Society, The Shopfront and St Patrick’s Community Centre.

Damian Wallis

Director of Faith and Mission