From the Rector

Greetings! Despite the dreary weather, I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend and even picked the winner of the Melbourne Cup. Without boasting too much I can say I did, although I picked the jockey rather than the horse. 

Our senior students are in the midst of their exams so let us pray that they will confidently recall what they need to in relation to the questions asked.  We also wish our Year 11 cohort well as they finish official classes this week and prepare for their exams.

All Saints and All Souls Days

In the Catholic tradition, November is traditionally a month of remembrance of the dead. The month begins with the Solemnity of All Saints on 1st November which commemorates all the saints in heaven and the example they offer us. This month could be an opportunity to recall the saint we chose for our Confirmation and how we are continuing to imitate their life. The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), on 2nd November, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died. We are encouraged to continually pray for the faithful departed, especially our family and friends. This month could be an opportunity to visit the graves of our deceased loved ones and offer a prayer for them. On Wednesday 2nd November, there were two celebrations of the Eucharist for All Souls Day. The first was the regular college Eucharist at 8.10am and the second at 12.40pm (lunch break) for those who couldn’t attend in the morning. During the month of November our college Masses will be offered for all our deceased loved ones connected with our extended college community of the De Mazenod Family.

Remembrance Mass for Deceased Students & Staff 

On the evening of Friday 4th November at 7.00pm, our extended college community will gather in the college chapel for the celebration of the Eucharist to pray for and remember former students and staff of Mazenod College who have passed into eternal life. Since the beginning of the college in 1967, 161 former students have entered their eternal rest.  As we remember these students and staff we pray:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of our Mazenod Old Boys and Staff Members rest in peace. Amen.

204th Anniversary - First Oblation in the Congregation

1st November 1818, is an important date for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate as it is the day when our Founder, St. Eugene, and his first companion on the journey, Father Henry Tempier, made and professed their first oblation (vows). From these humble beginnings we are again reminded through our recent 37th General Chapter that together we are Pilgrims of Hope in Communion. We are the Pilgrim people of God making the journey of faith, hope and love together. We are people of Hope which is necessary to continue to advance in our pilgrimage with God. We are a people in Communion, one with each other, as we help each other. May this anniversary be a time of grace, renewal, communion and above all, a time to journey with each other as the De Mazenod Family, the people of God. 

Scripture Reflection

Our readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time ask us how far we are willing to go in practicing our faith and ask us to consider what the next life will be like. In the gospel we hear how the Sadducees asked Jesus a question. The Sadducees were a group of religious leaders who were from rich families and they did not believe in resurrection - that people would be raised from the dead to be with God in heaven after they had died. The religious leaders ask Jesus a question to trap him, to catch him out. They asked him about who a woman would be married to in heaven, if she had been married seven times in her life. Jesus says that in heaven everything is different from on earth. Jesus is showing us that our earthly rules only go so far and that his Kingdom is bigger than this world. If we believe in Jesus we should see things differently, see people differently and we act differently. In this Gospel story, Jesus is showing us that God certainly sees things differently to us, all people are special and loved by God. However, we know that this doesn't always happen in our world right now. If we all treat each other fairly and as we would like to be treated, perhaps we can start to reflect a little bit of God’s Kingdom here on earth. 

Blessing of New Walkway

On Tuesday 18th October 2022, the new Mazenod walkway giving students and staff covered access to classrooms and library on either side of the quadrangle was blessed. 

St John Vianney ‘Magical Mini Fete’ 

On Saturday 22nd October, the Oblate Parish of St John Vianney, Springvale North, held their first ‘Magical Mini Fete’ in over two years due to COVID. Despite the early morning showers a large group of parishioners and the primary school community rallied to enjoy a fabulous community day. Many thanks to the students and teachers from Mazenod for their generosity in providing some musical entertainment to an appreciative crowd. I was pleased to be there to support our fellow Oblates in their parish ministry.

Major Raffle Winners: 1st: Zofia Sopie; 2nd: Joy Marshall; 3rd: Ethan Young

Year 10 Commerce

The Year 10 commerce class have come up with a novel way to revise their studies by incorporating questions and answers into various game formats. 

John Milledge Scholarship Award

Congratulations to Paul Rahilly who was the recipient of the John Milledge Scholarship Award. Paul was presented with a scholarship at a ceremony at Mulgrave Country Club on Monday 17th October. Each year the Mulgrave Country Club generously presents 12 scholarships to students from various colleges in the area. 

Diwali - Festival of Lights 

On Wednesday 2nd November, the staff celebrated a sumptuous morning tea in recognition of the Diwali Festival or the Festival of Lights. The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.

Diary Dates:  

National Oblate Youth Encounter

After a very long wait the National Oblate Youth Encounter is back! Young people (Year 12-30 years old) are invited to come and explore this year's theme: "Created in the Image and Likeness of God..." whilst sharing in the charism of St Eugene de Mazenod.

WHEN: Thursday 5th - Sunday 8th January 2023

WHERE: Mazenod College, VIC

COST: Free

Registration for NOYE will close on 15th December, but if you could let the organisers know as soon as possible that would help with planning the program. Accommodation will be in the classrooms and air mattresses will be provided. Participants will need to bring their own sleeping bags and pillows. Local participants can stay at home and come in each day.

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

World Youth Day

On 23rd October 2022, with a click on a tablet, Pope Francis became the first person to register for World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, Portugal, from 1st-3rd 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 with Bishop Mark Edwards and the Wagga Diocese on 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.

More information, please visit the website: www.oblateyouth.com

Used Stamps - Year 7 Social Justice Group & SRC

Thanks to all our families who continue to forward their used stamps to our collection box in the Heritage Corridor outside the Student Services area. Our Year 7 Social Justice and SRC will be spending some of their time trimming the stamps in preparation for sending them to the ‘Mary MacKillop Today Project’, where they will be recycled to help fight poverty through the various missions of the Josephite sisters, the religious order founded by Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

Result from last newsletter’s quiz:        

Can you be ready at 5:00!                                                                 

Enjoy your weekend! 

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector