Rector's Report

Greetings! A warm welcome back to all our staff, students, and families, especially our Year 7 cohort, for the new academic year and the first edition of the 2023 ‘From the Rector’. Firstly, I want to extend my thanks to all for your Christmas greetings and prayers. I am very appreciative. I am sure you all enjoyed the Christmas festivities and subsequent holiday break with the opportunity to visit family and friends.

The college year has commenced with a great atmosphere amongst all, with most students pleased to be back and engaging with their friends. Our wonderful staff are also back and have hit the ground running so that our students are fully aware of our expectations for the rest of the year under our theme: “Excellence, Every day, by Everybody”. This newsletter has a bit of a catchup theme about it since I last communicated with you on 2nd December 2022. Let us start our New Year with a prayer.

Reflection – A New Year Prayer

Loving God,

at the start of each day, help me to recognize you above all else.

Enlighten the eyes of my heart that I might see you and notice how you are at work through my life.

Give me the wisdom to make the best choices, fill me with a desire to seek and come closer to you during this year.

Let your Spirit and power breathe in me, through me, afresh, and anew.

I thank you that your presence goes with me and that your joy is a true and lasting strength that guides me no matter what I am up against.

I ask that your peace will lead, guide, and cover my life this and every day.

St Eugene de Mazenod

Pray for us.

Year 7 Camp

During the last week of term in 2022 our Year 7 cohort enjoyed their much-anticipated camp at Rawson. The camp was split into two groups, group one: Monday-Wednesday and group two: Wednesday – Friday. I joined the two groups for their change over time together on Wednesday 30th November, and celebrated the Eucharist with them.

Australian Oblate Province Ordination in Hong Kong

Father Dominic Fung King-Ho OMI, a Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate [OMI] was ordained a priest by Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, SJ, on 3rd December, 2022, in the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, Hong Kong. He is the first Oblate priest to have been born and raised in Hong Kong since the congregation came to Hong Kong in 1966. Father Christian Fini, Provincial Superior of the Oblates of the Australian Province; Father Slawomir Kalisz, Delegate Superior and the 20 Oblates priests in the Delegation concelebrated the Eucharist with members of Fr Dominic’s family. Father Fung, whom is 35 years old. He worked at the Oblate Primary School for six years after graduating from secondary school and was attracted by the spirit of the congregation. His formation as a novice and subsequent training in philosophy and theology took place in the Philippines after joining the Oblates in 2014. He made his first vows in 2016. He made his perpetual vows in September last year and was ordained a deacon in December 2021.

**Some of you may remember Fr John Wotherspoon OMI who taught at Mazenod and is pictured at the far left of the above picture.

Scholarship Award

On Wednesday 14th December, I was thrilled to be invited to return to St Kieran’s Primary School, Moe, where I was parish priest for 7 years, to present the Fr Harry Dyer OMI Leadership Scholarship to Levi Heusmann.

Christmas 2022

On Christmas Eve I celebrated Mass at the country church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Yinnar. The small wooden church, which was blessed and opened on April 26, 1903, was overflowing with family, parishioners, and visitors from as far away as Townsville and France. After Mass the community stayed behind to celebrate Jesus’ birth by enjoying refreshments and fellowship on a beautiful calm evening. I was thrilled to meet my new 2-month-old great nephew Ripley Neville with his mum, Eliza, dad Nathan and brother, Nash, and my sister Tricia who travelled from Townsville. My sister, Sue was the main organizer of the Christmas Mass and gathering which was enjoyed by all.

It was also great to witness a local country community that was not afraid to acknowledge the reason for the season with a manger erected on the main road leading into town. That evening I concelebrated Midnight Mass with Fr Daniel Szewc OMI at St Mary’s church, Newborough. On Christmas Day I enjoyed lunch with the Moe Oblate Community and some parishioners and then joined my family in the late afternoon.

National Oblate Youth Encounter

From 5th - 8th January , 2023 around 60 Oblate Youth gathered from around Australia at Mazenod College, Victoria, for the National Oblate Youth Encounter. This was the first gathering in over three years. They gathered to explore the theme: "Created in the Image and Likeness of God”.

The gathering was also a great opportunity for our young people to meet and make new friends. A great time was had by all.

The Oblates who attended the Encounter and assisted with the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Friday evening.

Wedding

On January 4, I was pleased to attend Whitefriars College Chapel, Donvale, to concelebrate the wedding of Rebecca Ferrarotto, student Counsellor at Mazenod, and Michael Griffin. Their son Sean was also present for this very happy occasion. Prayers and best wishes for a happy family life.

In early January I enjoyed a few days at Tugun, Queensland with Fr Michael Twigg. It was very relaxing, but I took a pounding from the waves each morning as I tried to enjoy a dip in the ocean.

In January Fr Kevin and I celebrated our birthdays, although a few years apart! We will have to stop having these as they are getting too many to count.

Diary Reminder: World Youth Day

World Youth Day will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 1-3 August 2023. The theme of Lisbon’s World Youth Day is “Mary arose and went with haste.” In his message for the event, Pope Francis urged young people to “not postpone all the good that the Holy Spirit can accomplish in you.”

An opportunity exists for interested young people to be involved in the Oblate Youth Australia group going to World Youth Day in 2023 (20th July – 10th August). We will be joining Bishop Mark Edwards and the Wagga Diocese on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Lisbon, for WYD and finishing our trip in Aix-En-Provence. Mazenod College may not be able to send a group but expressions of interest to join this group are invited.

For more information on both events, please visit the website: www.oblateyouth.com

A New Year ahead!

New opportunities for being thankful!

Enjoy your weekend

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry