From the Rector
Greetings and welcome to the latest edition of the Rector’s Newsletter. ‘Pie Tie Day,’ the wearing of a Collingwood tie, is a little tradition I have started on a Monday when the ‘Pies’ win on the weekend. This puts a smile on my face and stirs up our staff and students. Fortunately, this year I have been able to wear it more often than I thought I would. I live in hope that the tie continues to come out of the drawer on Monday!!
Founders' Day
On Friday, May 20 the college community gathered in the Provence Centre to celebrate the Eucharist for the Feast of St Eugene de Mazenod. The actual date of the feast is May 21, 1861, when Bishop Eugene de Mazenod entered eternal life. It was great to have the presence of Fr Kevin Davine OMI and especially our Provincial Fr Christian Fini OMI who both concelebrated the Eucharist. To enhance the celebration of the feast our students enjoyed a half-day holiday whilst our teachers and staff came together with the Oblates for important community time with a shared lunch before finishing early. Thanks to all who ensured this was a prayerful and enjoyable celebration. I pray that St Eugene will continue to bless and inspire all of us involved in our Mazenod community.
Old Collegians Founders' Day
On May 21, the actual Feast of St Eugene de Mazenod, the Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club celebrated with the annual Founder’s Day lunch and football match. I was pleased to attend with Fr Kevin Davine OMI, Dr Paul Shannon (Principal) and Fr Christian Fini OMI, Provincial. Unfortunately, the top side came from behind in the last quarter to run out winners over our senior team. The Mazenod Women’s team celebrated with a resounding win on Sunday afternoon. The Old Collegians Football Club have as their four pillars: Loyalty, Daring, Passion & Community. All these pillars were on display from our nine teams and the community support.
Year 12 Reflection Day
On Tuesday, May 16 our Year 12 cohort held one of their reflection days at the college. The day was conducted by Fr Rob Galea, a diocesan catholic priest from the Sandhurst Diocese in Victoria. Fr Rob is a contemporary Christian songwriter who reaches out to people, especially young people, through his music, helping them to come to know, love and serve Jesus. Thanks to Mr Cristiano Grosso and his team for an excellent day.
Mary Help of Christians
On Tuesday, May 24, our Year 8 morning Mass celebrated the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia. This feast has been celebrated in Australia since 1844. The early church in Australia had a special reason for turning to Mary as no catholic priests were sent to the colony and Mass was not allowed except for one brief year in 1820. In those early days, it was the Rosary that kept the faith alive. Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary and was the first nation to choose her under the title Help of Christians, as principal Patroness, and the first country to have a mother-Cathedral, St Mary’s, Sydney, under the same title.
We pray: Under Mary’s protection, may the light of Christ continue to shine over our land. May Australia be granted harmony, justice, and peace. Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens. Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
De Mazenod Family
Mazenod College community is an integral part of the De Mazenod Family. In recognition of this, I am warmly inviting all those connected with Mazenod College to consider attending the annual De Mazenod Family gathering. The aim of this gathering is to provide an opportunity to connect parishes, schools, colleges, and ministries in Victoria to make the De Mazenod Family and the Charism of St Eugene known. Various prayer, reflection, and discussion sessions during the day will break open this year’s theme: Pilgrims of Hope in Communion.
DETAILS
Date: Saturday 18th June
Time: 11:30am and concluding with Mass at 6pm at St John Vianney parish.
Venue: St John Vianney’s Parish Hall (Mulgrave)
Registration for the event is free and lunch and snacks will be provided throughout the day. To help us with catering, please make sure you register.
To register please visit www.demazenodfamily.com or scan this QR Code.
If you have any questions you can contact Emma at demazenodfamily@gmail.com.
Year 7 Simonds Morning Tea
On Tuesday, May 17 we celebrated the final Year 7 community morning tea with Simonds homeroom and Ms Carolyn Gekas. Thanks to all the young men in 7 Simonds who supplied an enjoyable feast. This has been a great initiative from the Year 7 teachers.
Maz Chef Coffee Cafe
It was with much excitement that our Year 10 Food Tech students launched the maz chef coffee café! Two espresso coffee machines have been purchased and are pumping out freshly made lattes, hot chocolate, and cappuccinos for staff. Through this initiative, our students are learning how to operate the machines and run a café business during lunchtime.
Reflection
This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension which in Christian belief, is the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection (Easter being the first day). Three aspects of the new life that Jesus offers each one of us stand out in the second reading from Ephesians (1:18-19): “May you know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe”. Every day, we should live in confidence and hope, knowing that our God is always with us to strengthen and comfort us. In his ascension, Jesus has guaranteed us our inheritance because we are the fully beloved and accepted children of God, now and forever. Through the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead, we acknowledge that this same immeasurable goodness is living within us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we rejoice today in your ascension to the Father’s right hand. Thank you, Lord, for offering us a share in your heavenly life. By your Spirit, help us to lay hold of our inheritance in you—the hope, the glory, and the power that are the right of every child of God.
Have a good weekend!
Fr Harry Dyer OMI
Rector