From the Rector

Dear Mazenod College Community,

This week marks a milestone for our graduating class as their formal lessons come to an end. While there are still many moments to come, on behalf of the Oblates, I would like to express my gratitude to the students and their families and to all the staff who have accompanied them on their journey.

Our Boarding community offered Mass and prayers for our graduating Year 12 boarders. It gave us an opportunity to express our gratitude and hopes for their future. Boarding life can be challenging, rewarding, frustrating, comforting and hopeful all at the same time. It was a very special honour to celebrate Mass for them.

Each Year 12 student has had an impact on the College. As they leave school, our sincere hope is that they remember they are not alone and that they are always loved by God. We still have many graduation moments to come but this week marks a great milestone for the boys.

It was a joy to celebrate Masses for Years 7, 10 and 12 where as always, we had the honour and privilege of experiencing the Real Presence of Jesus. Each Mass is an invitation to every student and staff member to deepen their relationship with Jesus, and we are blessed that Mass is so well respected here.

I hope you have been able to read the communication from Fr Andrew Chen OMI, our Oblate Provincial, about our Oblate community’s move to the presbytery at Our Lady of Lourdes, Lesmurdie, sometime during 2027. The decision reaffirms the Oblate commitment to the Hills and beyond. I will have to get the packing boxes ready and make sure I bring over all my Freo gear. I hope our OMI presence in the Hills will continue to grow stronger.

As you can imagine, the colour purple is very much at the front of many minds and hearts. Although I am a Queenslander and have supported Brisbane for many, many years, I have also supported Fremantle since 1997.

Mazenod WA and VIC have had Old Boys play for the Dockers in Paul Hasleby, Daniel Bandy, Heath Black, Scott Thornton and Toby Whan. The colours of Fremantle are the four liturgical colours of purple, red, green and white, and the anchor was one of the earliest symbols of Christianity. The first Oblate presence in Australia was at Fremantle in 1894. All these reasons give me hope for Fremantle’s first-ever premiership but time will tell.

I hope the two-week break is an enriching time for everyone. I particularly keep all our farming families in my prayers as they prepare for the harvest season.

Mazenod for Beacon

I have great joy in helping to tell the story of Zach M’s Mazenod for Beacon project. When Zach first asked whether his project could support the Beacon Pub, I wondered whether that was appropriate. I need not have doubted Zach at all. After visiting Beacon and seeing that the pub was a community centre that benefited the entire community, it was easy to see why this project appealed to him. Inside was a room dedicated to children that was in need of repair.

Zach soon realised that his project would need more than his allocated $1,000, so he approached the Shire about working together. Through that partnership, they were able to create a wonderful gathering space for the children of the town and beyond. Zach’s work with the pub and the Shire reflected his character and the values of his family and school. We are all very pleased with the outcome.

Next time you are at the Beacon Pub, have a look at the room Zach and the Shire created. Mazenod for Beacon was a brilliant success, giving local children a space where they can feel safe and happy.

Take Care and God Bless

Fr Michael Twigg OMI

Rector