From the Rector
Greetings! I am starting to write my newsletter to you all 11,886 metres in the air at a speed of 885km/h as I return from Fremantle where I attended the Oblate Colleges Faith & Charism meeting with Mr John Tighe and Mr Joshua Hunter (right). This newsletter also ends Term 3 of our academic year. It has been a rather hectic term, though enjoyable, with a variety of activities taking place which creates the dynamic of community life within our College.
As you can imagine, I will be a little nervous this weekend as the ‘Pies’ attempt to win a place in the 2022 Grand Final. Hopefully, more in the next newsletter!!
On Saturday 3rd September Mazenod College welcomed 252 Grade 6 students to the Provence Centre for their entrance assessment for Year 7 in 2023.
Oblate Appointment
After our recent Provincial Council Meeting, Fr Christian Fini OMI, Provincial, appointed Fr Casmir Arul OMI as Assistant Parish Priest of St John Vianney’s Parish, Mulgrave and Chaplain to Rosies Youth Mission, Victoria. Fr Casmir will join the Mulgrave Oblate Community residing in the Oblate residence at Mazenod College. We welcome Fr Casmir to our community.
Gospel Reflection
On this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time our readings challenge believers to witness to their faith by the good, quiet lives they lead. There is a great need for a fearless prophetic witness who calls attention to the oppressive injustices of our time. Equally, Christians must also show by their lives that they are not simply political agitators, but people committed to the values of the Kingdom of God. We pray for the people who work for the poor and needy - in the parish, in diocesan and other social agencies, and our volunteers at home and abroad. Are we prepared to stand with the poor of our society by voting for public representatives who care for the poor and not just for our own needs?
XXXVII (37th) Oblate General Chapter
The 37th General Chapter of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate will be held in Nemi, Italy, from September 14th to October 14th, 2022. The theme for this Chapter is “Pilgrims of Hope in Communion".
The General Chapter of a religious community or congregation is the largest and highest decision-making gathering of representatives of a community from its various locations around the globe. In our case, representatives from all the Oblate missions and regions around the world will travel to Rome and meet, pray, and discern together. This event happens every six years. During this chapter, a new Superior General (overall leader of the Oblates) will be elected. Pictured above is Fr Christian Fini OMI, Australian Oblate Provincial who is representing the Australian Province. Fr Slawek Kasliz OMI, Delegation Superior, will be representing our China Delegation.
Chapter Logo: Oblates, amongst the People of God, walk together on this pilgrimage of life toward their encounter with God. The background colour, yellow, suggests the breaking of a new day, resurrection and hope. The trees, full of leaves, celebrate life and growth, and the call to care for our common home and for the poor. The dove with an olive branch speaks of hope, reconciliation and peace. We are also reminded of the life-giving Spirit, and the love that draws us into communion, forming the Body of Christ with a wide variety of charisms. Oblates are in union with the poor and with people of all races, colours and ages.
The shape of the logo might even suggest a large Host being elevated, the Sacrament of Communion, nourishing the people of God on their pilgrimage and sustaining them in hope.
Chapter Theme: Pilgrims: As pilgrim people we are on a journey; following the path: the way of Christ; much like the People of God in the desert; like the disciples on the road to Emmaus; the community of the Way in Acts; like Jesus going up to Jerusalem; we are on a journey, missionary disciples on the pathway with all its twists and turns, its ups and downs. Along this way, we hear and listen to the Word of God which guides us, helping us to discern how to faithfully follow. Hope: The theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, as we place our trust in Christ’s promises not relying on our own strength, but on the help and grace of the Holy Spirit. A life of prayer and contemplation sustains hope. Communion: The communion that exists among Oblates in apostolic community – “the most united family on earth” (St. Eugene). Communion with the entire Oblate family in all its many manifestations. Communion with others in the Church, with the Mystical Body of Christ. Communion with all of humanity. Communion in Christ, who is our Communion. Communion in the Trinity who calls and sends us forth on mission. Communion that corresponds to interculturality. Communion for mission.
As people who share and participate in the mission and charism of St Eugene de Mazenod through your association with Mazenod College and our local parish of St Vianney, we invite you to reflect on these three words of the chapter theme and ask what they might mean for you.
Season of Creation
The Season of Creation is the annual celebration from September 1st to October 4th, when the Christian family unites for this worldwide time of prayer and action to protect our common home. As followers of Christ from around the globe, we share a common call to care for creation. We are co-creatures, and part of all that God has made. Our wellbeing is interwoven with the wellbeing of the Earth. We rejoice in this opportunity to safeguard our common home and all beings who share it. This year, the theme is: Listen to the Voice of Creation.
For more information: https://seasonofcreation.org/
2022 Season of Creation Prayer
Creator of All,
From your communion of love your Word went forth to create a symphony of life that sings your praise.
By your Holy Wisdom you made the Earth to bring forth a diversity of creatures who praise you in their being. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
You called human beings to till and keep your garden. You placed us into right relationships with each creature so that we could listen to their voices and learn how to safeguard the conditions for life. But we turn in on ourselves and away from our co-creatures.
We close our ears to the counsel of our fellow creatures. We fail to listen to the cries of the poor and the needs of the most vulnerable. We silence the voices of those who hold the traditions that teach us to care for the Earth. We close our ears to your creative, reconciling and sustaining Word that calls to us through the Scriptures.
We lament the loss of our fellow species and their habitats that will never speak again. We grieve the loss of human cultures, along with the lives and livelihoods that have been displaced or perished. Creation cries out as forests crackle, and animals alike flee the fires of injustice that we have lit by our unwillingness to listen.
In this Season of Creation, we pray that you would call to us, as from the burning bush, with the sustaining fire of your Spirit. Breathe upon us. Open our ears and move our hearts. Turn us from our inward gaze. Teach us to contemplate your creation and listen for the voice of each creature declaring your glory. For “faith comes from hearing.”
Give us hearts to listen for the good news of your promise to renew the face of the Earth. Enlighten us with the grace to follow the Way of Christ as we learn to walk lightly upon this holy ground. Fill us with the hope to quench the fires of injustice with the light of your healing love that sustains our common home.
St Eugene de Mazenod
Pray for
For our dog lovers!!
Have an enjoyable break from the College routine!
Fr Harry Dyer OMI
Rector