From the Rector

Dear Mazenod Community,

Each and every day has presented more and more opportunities for Moments of Grace to be recognized, celebrated and shared. Our theme for 2025 and also beyond is to try and recognize as many of these moments as possible. Some of them are very small and could be missed and some of them are very significant and they can also be missed in the busyness of life.

Over the past two weeks, I have joined with Mr Damian Wallis and the Faith and Mission Team on pilgrimages with Year 9 and Year 7.

Year 9 students began their pilgrimage at St Joseph’s Subiaco and followed the journey of the Catholic faith into St Mary’s Cathedral and beyond to Burswood Park. The boys attended the midday Mass at the Cathedral and were given opportunities for reflection at different points along the pilgrimage.

The boys also gained a greater understanding of our place within the wider Archdiocese of Perth.

Our Year 7’s Pilgrimage led us to Fremantle where the focus was on the Oblate history of service in Western Australia since 1894. 

Places visited were Fremantle Jail where the Oblates were chaplains for over a century; St Patrick’s Basilica where the Oblates have served since 1894; St Patrick’s Community Centre founded by the Oblates in 1971 and also to Fremantle Cemetery where Oblates, including three former Rectors of Mazenod have been laid to rest.

The journey to the Fremantle Cemetery marked the first ever student visit which was a significant Moment of Grace among many during the day.

The Oblate presence in Western Australia is a great moment of humble pride for us and we are glad that our communities of Mazenod College and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish can contribute to that mission as well.

Alongside these pilgrimages, our staff formation, as well as religious education lessons, are actively trying to keep our eyes open to the many moments of grace around us. 

I have been able to visit boarding families in Katanning and the wheatbelt as well as visiting Wooroloo and Wundowie to further enhance my WA awareness.

This week, I get a taste of home with the State of Origin between Queensland and New South Wales. At the time of writing, I do not know the result but I obviously sincerely hope that the Queenslanders are successful.

Take Care and God Bless

Fr Michael Twigg OMI

Rector of Mazenod College