From the Rector

Greetings!

Greetings and welcome to the Third week of 

Term 1!

This week I would like to acknowledge the 2022 College Leaders of Mazenod College. We are proud to present from left to right: Dr Paul Shannon (Principal), Ashen Perera (Head prefect), Jacob Luu (Vice Captain), Daniel Grano (Vice Captain), Nathanial Louey (College Captain), Noah Beck (Vice Captain), Jason Fernandes (Head Prefect), Fr Harry Dyer OMI (Rector).

I am sure these young men will lead and represent their fellow students with dedication and commitment to the ethos of Mazenod College through 2022 as they leave their distinctive mark of leadership. Congratulations.

Athletics Carnival: 

On a fine, sunny day last Friday, February 4, the College enjoyed their athletics carnival at Knox Sporting fields. Congratulations to Grandin House who were this year’s overall winners.

Vital Justin Grandin was born on February 8, 1829, at Saint-Pierre-sur-Orthe, in Mayenne, France. He was born of very poor parents. Being anxious to work in the Foreign Missions, he entered the congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on December 28, 1851. He was ordained a priest in Marseille on April 23, 1854, by Bishop Eugene de Mazenod. He volunteered for the distant missions of Western Canada. He was consecrated a Bishop at Marseille on November 30, 1859, by Saint Eugene de Mazenod.

Indigenous Presence: For many years now Mazenod has sat in disputed territory, lying between the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri (Woi Wurrung) and Bunurong people. The traditional boundaries were fuzzy, and often demarcated by natural features that have since been concreted or diverted. This meant the process of redetermining boundaries was complex. On July 1st, 2021, the two land councils ratified the new boundaries, and Mazenod College is just inside Bunurong Country.

In the picture above, some Year 8 students assisted me in placing the new plaque in a prominent position in the reception area of the College in recognition of the new boundary alignment. 

Staff Induction: On Wednesday February 3, Ms Jo Noone, Dean of Staff, and myself, presented the staff induction evening for the 25 new staff members of Mazenod College. The induction familiarizes new staff with the charism and journey of St Eugene de Mazenod. The staff also gained an insight into the Oblate presence in Australia and the connection with Mazenod College. 

Gospel Reflection: The Beatitudes are the familiar sayings attributed to Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes are often described as a framework for Christian living. The Beatitudes remind us, that as Christians we are not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. In the biblical tradition ‘blessed’ does not strictly speaking mean a moral attitude to be adopted, rather, it stresses that a person is in a fortunate position. It’s not Jesus’ thinking that’s upside down. It’s ours. He doesn’t want us to think that the only way we can be happy is to have lots of material possessions. Jesus loves all people, but he has a special love for people who are poor, hungry, or lonely. He asks us to react in the same way - to help all people in our world to be happy, especially those who are poor, hungry, lonely, or treated badly by others. Can we share something of what we have, can we comfort them, can we try to change the world to make it fairer for all people?

Hopefully the Beatitudes can ’be our attitudes” for life! 

Canteen: When COVID restrictions are lifted the helpful ladies of the Mazenod Canteen would like to invite parents/guardians of our current Mazenod students to volunteer with canteen duty. This is one way of being involved in the dynamic life of our college and support our growing, hungry young men. Please ring Simone Dutton, Mary Hernandez or Christine Morgan, on 8561 1121 or email them at canteen@mazenod.vic.edu.au. You will be made most welcome and will certainly enjoy your experience. 

One for our Music Department!

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate,

Fr Harry Dyer OMI

Rector