Rector's Reflection - 

Spirit & Vision Part 6

The Spirit and Vision of Bishop Eugene de Mazenod are

Planted in Australia

Part 6

In the 1950s Catholic Education was emerging as a pressing need with many dioceses making requests of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The offer from Archbishop Sir James Duhig of Brisbane, pictured left with the first Rector of Iona College, Fr Tim Long OMI, was accepted by the Oblates in 1957.

 The Oblates moved into an old farmhouse at Wynnum, Brisbane on October 1st, 1957. The old wooden building (pictured right) was raised higher to allow two classrooms and additional living space for the Oblates to be constructed underneath. The College was named Iona and opened in 1958.

Over the years the College has been developed into a modern educational facility to meet the ongoing needs of today’s students.

In 1993, the College purchased 20 acres of land for an outdoor educational centre and school camp site. The land is situated 6 kilometres from Peregian beach on the sunshine Coast and on the shores of Lake Weyba.

Iona College is also the home of the Iona Passion Play which was founded in 1958.

Since 2016 Iona College has been a base for the Rosies Oblate Street Mission for the homeless in the Wynnum Manly area. 

On August 21, 2017 the Missionary Oblates of Mary immaculate accepted the pastoral care of St Oliver Plunkett parish in Cannon Hill, and Holy Family, Tingalpa.  The parish priest resides with the Iona community.

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate currently ministering in these faith communities: Fr Michael Twigg OMI, Fr Lewy keelty OMI, Fr Joe Anthony OMI, Fr Meno Basti OMI.

Whilst in Brisbane, Queensland we will move a little further north to Burpengary where we will discover the Oblate Parish of St Eugene de Mazenod.

The Oblates undertook the pastoral care of the newly developing area of Burpengary on 3rd March, 1987. Masses were initially celebrated in parishioners’ homes, then the local hall. A demountable classroom (left) was relocated to the property and served as the church for many years.

On June 14, 1997 a new church dedicated to St Eugene de Mazenod was blessed and opened by Most Rev J A Bathersby DD, Archbishop of Brisbane. As an extra point of interest, Archbishop Bathersby was proud that he could trace his Episcopal Ordination back to Archbishop Eugene de Mazenod of Marseilles.

Attached to the parish of Burpengary is the church and primary school of Christ the king, Deception Bay. Deception Bay was officially opened on June 5, 1977. The primary school was opened in 1979. 

Although St Eugene College opened in 1991 as Blessed Eugene de Mazenod Primary School, the rapidly growing area meant more demands for Catholic Education. 

In 2008 St Eugene College was opened.

The photo (Ieft) shows the St Eugene de Mazenod plant with the church (in the fore ground), original primary school (yellow buildings) and the new college towards the rear.

Since 2006 the parish of St Eugene de Mazenod has served as a base for a Rosies Street outreach for the Caboolture area.

The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate currently ministering in this faith community: Fr John David OMI, Fr John Sherman OMI, Fr Brian Harris OMI.

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector