From the Rector

Dear Mazenod Community,

Since the last College newsletter, there has been such a huge range of opportunities to see, hear and feel the many Moments of Grace here at the College.

Celebrating Mass is a genuine joy of my life and a responsibility I feel very blessed by. I have had the opportunity to serve the Boarders, Year 11, Year 7 and Year 8 with Mass as well as the entire school for Ash Wednesday.

I am very much aware that for many of our boys, it takes a genuine spiritual, physical and mental effort to remain reverent and participatory in these Masses.

To their credit, the overwhelming majority make a genuine effort to experience the fullness of Mass and I sincerely hope that it helps transform them towards their best selves.

At our recent Year 7 Camp, Mass was held at the end of a very hot and tiring day and we had a very beautiful moment that I would like to share with you all. The Gospel was about Jesus inviting his followers to pray the Our Father. It is the custom for 2000 years that the Priest reads the Gospel alone but on this occasion, the Year 7s spontaneously did what Jesus asked and they started reciting the Our Father along with me.

It seems a very small little moment but it was actually very profound. The tired and exhausted Year 7s still took part in a wonderful moment. Perhaps you might like to take up that invitation as well.

During the past week, we have also held the Year 9 Rite Journey Calling and Departure Ceremony at our beautiful and local Lesmurdie Falls. In spite of some challenging hot weather, we were able to experience the fullness of the love present in nature, each other and God.

The College commits many resources to this Year 9 Program of ritual and maturity and I thank Mr Matt Alexander, Form Room Teachers, Mrs Hughes, College Leadership Team and everyone who supported this event.

We had many families make a huge effort to be there from close by to some thousands of kms away and we also reserved a special prayer and thought for those family members unable to attend for any number of reasons.

It was a joy to be with them and offer a blessing and prayer.

The past couple of weekends have seen me in Tasmania for the Catholic School Parents’ Association Meeting as well as in Melbourne for our Provincial Council Meeting. While plane trips are never really enjoyable, what has been special is having the chance to positively contribute to these organizations and ensure a WA OMI voice is represented.

Those who know me well, know that I do love travelling, particularly visiting our vast State and over the course of the next week, I will be visiting Wagin, Paraburdoo and Tom Price. These visits are to try and ensure that every one of our families feels as connected as possible to our community. These towns will now become towns 278, 279 and 280 on my “Towns Visited” list. I still have a few to go!!!

On Wednesday, 18 March, the College will be hosting the Oblate Superior General visiting Australia from Rome. Fr Ignacio (Chicho) is originally from Spain and had been working in the Western Sahara prior to becoming the world-wide leader of the Oblates. On the 18th, our new College Principal will be commissioned in a very special ceremony as well as numerous art projects and opportunities for families, students and staff to engage.

On Thursday, 19 March, the Superior general will be travelling to New Norcia and Wongan Hills for a very special lunch with our Boarding families who can make it from that region. This ensures he gets an experience of both our day and boarding families.

Finally, it would be very important that we continue to pray for peace, especially for the Middle East, where significant conflict exists.

Take Care and God Bless

Fr Michael Twigg OMI

Rector