From the Rector

Dear Mazenod Community,

We give thanks to God because during the past week, a very important new ministry of care and service began at the College. In 2024 a new tradition has now begun.

Through a generous heart, hard work, and creative nature of our Old Boys Association, the Oblates and the College, a housing initiative to support Boarding Families has begun.

This new House is named after the Zinelli Family who cared for a young St Eugene de Mazenod when he had to flee the turmoil of the French Revolution in the 1790s.

The Zinelli family name is a special one in the life of St Eugene de Mazenod and also the Oblates. When St Eugene and his family had to flee for their lives from the French Revolution in 1791, it was Fr Don Bartolo and the Zinelli family in Venice who welcomed him and helped him grow in his faith and life. The Zinelli Family cared for St Eugene when he was between 12-14 years old. They gave him direction, food, companionship, faith learning and most importantly love.

The name Zinelli provides a wonderful name for our new outreach to Boarding families. In choosing this Zinelli Family name we call to mind their great care of the young St Eugene and we entrust this home and everyone who stays here to God’s love. The Mazenod Old Boys Association, Mazenod College and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate care deeply about our College and Boarding families and we hope this partnership makes you feel very welcome.

It is anticipated that when Boarding families need to come to Perth for a wide range of functions that Zinelli House would provide a very affordable option for them to consider.

It is hoped that all Mazenod families can rejoice that this new service exists and there will be opportunities for all families to get involved in the future.

Farewell and Thanks to Fr Bill Ousley OMI

The life of a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate sees us respond generously to the call of the Provincial in our ministry of service. After three years of pastoral care at Mazenod, Fr Bill Ousley OMI has been missioned to assist in St Eugene’s Parish, Burpengary Queensland. A joint message has been sent by Mr Harvey, Mrs Retel and myself announcing this move, but I wanted to thank Fr Bill on behalf of the Oblate community here at Mazenod. He is faithful to prayer, he assists generously in the House and community and he genuinely cares about his brother Oblates. These character traits mean that we will miss him but wish him well in his new ministry.

We encourage everyone in the community to continue to pray for vocations to the Oblates because, without the next generation of people joining the Oblates, it will become impossible to continue to provide service. Please continue to pray that people answer the call to be an Oblate Missionary.

Kalamunda Garden Show

During a morning of Parish Mass and Mazenod Football finals, I was very happy to support and see our presence at the Kalamunda Garden Show where we were promoting sustainable practices as well as offering gifts to the community. These generous Mazenodians represented us with distinction and promoted a valuable message within our community. Well done!

A Happy Fathers’ Day to all our Dads and significant mentors

I sincerely hope that Father’s Day went well for our Dads. It can be a day of mixed emotions for those missing people or relationships and it can also be a day of great joy.

On Friday, we celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Chapel and I sincerely thank those who were able to attend and we also prayed for those who were unable to for a vast number of reasons. We prayed for all.

Best of the Fest

Last Friday night presented an opportunity to support the Arts at the College through the Best of the Fest. The talent, generosity and dedication of those students and staff in the Arts Department was a joy to behold. My sincere thanks to everyone involved.

Dowerin Field Days

It was a trip down memory lane for me to attend the Dowerin Field Days last week. I was last at them in 2001 and while the machinery and displays have obviously progressed, the important nature of gathering for our rural communities remained intact. Mazenod and St Brigids had a joint display, further highlighting our Better Together approach. I am glad that we were there.

Visit of Fr Christian Fini OMI

Next week we will be formally welcoming Fr Christian Fini OMI for a pastoral visitation to the Oblate Community. Fr Christian is well known to the College but his focus will be on supporting our Oblate community as we try and provide a positive witness here. Please keep his visit in your prayers.

Take Care and God Bless

Fr Michael Twigg OMI