Rector's Report

Greetings!

Whilst writing this newsletter I am aware that this is the final one for the term and the celebration of Palm Sunday this weekend marks the final week of Lent. Next week, as a Christian community, we will commence the great three days of Easter (The Sacred Triduum) with Holy Thursday. I am told a good teaching strategy is that of repetition. There is something powerful about retelling our story or an event over and over as it reminds us of important events in our faith, family life, and history. Our very different liturgies over Holy Week are particularly powerful and worth retelling. I encourage you to make an effort to attend your local faith community for one or all of these liturgies because it is through these liturgies that we become immersed in a mystery that will witness us: walking with Jesus to Jerusalem, sitting with Jesus and his disciples at the first Eucharist, witnessing Jesus’ death on the Cross and finally the power of Jesus over death through the empty tomb. 

MAUNDY/HOLY THURSDAY (April 6): The evening Mass on Holy Thursday is referred to as The Mass of the Lord's Supper.  This is where the Church re-lives the institution of the Eucharist, as well as the institution of the priesthood. The "washing of the feet" signifies our role of service—just as Jesus did with his disciples. 

GOOD FRIDAY (April 7): Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. This is the day of the crucifixion, the day Jesus died for all of us. It is called ‘Good Friday’ because it opens the possibility that will live forever.

EASTER VIGIL/EASTER SUNDAY (April 8/9): A Vigil Mass is held after nightfall in celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.  This is called the Easter Vigil: the most glorious and dramatic liturgy for the Church and it is what we've all been waiting for! Our forty days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent was in preparation for this day, when our hearts and souls can joyfully celebrate the culmination of the Paschal mystery: The Resurrection.

EASTER EGGS

Easter Eggs on Easter Sunday are not just about the chocolate although very enjoyable. During Lent, when Christians fasted to mark Jesus' time in the wilderness, eggs were one of the foods that people weren't allowed to eat. Early Christians, recognizing the power of the egg as a symbol for new life, connected eggs to the new life found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. Easter eggs are a perfect Easter symbol of new life in Christ and represent Jesus' emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Eggs also remind Christians of the end of the Lenten fast, and the joyful conclusion of that discipline on Easter.

Oblate Ongoing Formation

I enjoyed the gathering with my fellow Oblates in Fremantle (March 13-17) for our Ongoing Formation program, although it was a full agenda. This time provided two opportunities: The first being a renewal in areas of our Oblate spiritual life, leadership, and accountability through our various ministries. The second, reconnecting with each other which is vitally important for our community life as it is for any family who face the tyranny of distance.

Year 12 Retreat

On Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th March our Year 12 cohort enjoyed a two-day retreat in four different locations. This picture is of 12 Lombard at the Don Bosco retreat centre, Safety Beach. The retreat is an opportunity for our young men to take some time away from the norms of college life to reflect on the various aspects of their life’s journey through various talks and workshops. I thank the Oblate and Diocesan priests who made themselves available to enable our young men to experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the Monday evening. 

Mazenod Panthers Football Club (All Abilities)

On Friday 24th March at the invitation of Phil Ryan (President), Tony Rolfe and I attended the Mazenod Panthers All Abilities Football Club season launch at the Waverley Toyota showrooms. Mazenod Panthers teams cater for all people with an intellectual disability regardless of ability. The purpose of the All-Abilities teams is to enable access for people with disability to participate and enjoy the game of Australian Rules Football. The club is grateful for the continued sponsorship of Waverley Toyota. I extend our appreciation to the students (pictured) Violin - Brandon Paul and Viruja Kalapitye Gedara, Viola - Luca D' Angelo, Cello - Saville Zhang, who gave of their time to play music for the evening. I also thank their parents for their generosity in accompanying their sons to the function and to Essendon Bombers AFL player Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti for his presence and contributions.

Mission Action Day

What a way it will be for us to finish our term next Thursday with our annual Mission Action Day. This is a day, where through various fun activities, food stalls, and competitions, our young men and staff grow in an awareness of the plight of their fellow brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than themselves, especially in our Oblate Missions. Our fund raising supports the missionary endeavours of our Oblates whose people are suffering from a lack of some of the basic needs like fresh water, health care, and education.

These missions are some of the toughest in the world.

Belonging to Mazenod College means that we are automatically connected to and have a responsibility for our wider De Mazenod family members in their various needs. It may take some sacrifice when you are asked for your donation, but it is a sacrifice that is in answer to our Christian call from Jesus, to love our neighbour. I invite you to support our Mission Action Day as we play our part in answering the call to support those who are helping our fellow human beings to regain some personal dignity by having the opportunity to enjoy the necessities of life. 

I know it is a little early, but this will be my only opportunity, prior to Easter, to express  on   behalf of our  Mazenod  Oblate   Community,   Fr Kevin,   Fr David, Fr Casmir, and myself, our joyous Easter greetings and blessings to you and your families. I pray that you and your families will experience the peace, joy and hope of this Holy Season. 

I hope you will receive and enjoy some of these to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection? Just remember, not all at once! 

Enjoy your Easter break!

See you all in Term 2 and stay safe during Easter. 

Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate

Fr Harry Dyer OMI