Rector's Report
Greetings! Welcomeback for Term 2! Celebrating Eastertide!
I hope you all enjoyed the Easter break with family and friends that was faith-filled and relaxing. I participated in the Easter liturgies at St John Vianney parish, Springvale North. The image to the left is a wonderful reminder to us of Holy Week and of our own lives. When we have faith, hope, and trust in Jesus, we can, like Jesus, break free from whatever crosses entrap us and enjoy the new life that the resurrected Jesus promises and witnesses to.
In particular, I was moved by the Good Friday liturgy as I witnessed hundreds of people, parents carrying young babies, young children running enthusiastically to touch the cross, young adults expressing their faith, older people, some struggling physically and others on their mobility aides, people of all nationalities making the effort to come forward as one in faith and thanksgiving as they venerated the Wood of the Cross. The Easter Vigil was also inspiring as I witnessed several people being baptised and receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. I was also pleased to see our students and their families, not only attending, but participating in the liturgies.
As we come back post our Easter celebrations, I have two questions for you. Firstly, did you, like me, receive and enjoy some of the chocolate goodies that Easter Sunday offered? Secondly, do you still have some of these goodies left? I am not asking to share in your abundance but reminding you that whether it is eating an Easter Egg, or some other enjoyable Easter treats, we should not be in a hurry to consume them because we are still celebrating the great celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus during this period called Eastertide. The season of Eastertide is a period of 50 days, spanning from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday (May 28). As you can see there is still plenty of time to celebrate and enjoy the Easter goodies as we live in the light of the Resurrection of Jesus. Don’t forget: Each Sunday is treated as a Sunday of Easter.
After the Easter break, it doesn’t take long for life at the College to resume its normal hectic pace. Now it is down to some serious academics for our students, especially our Year 12 cohort.
Mother's Day Mass & Breakfast
Just a final reminder about our annual Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast to celebrate this important day where we acknowledge our mums and those significant women in our lives. The Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 11th May at 8.00am in the College Chapel, and breakfast will be served in the cafeteria. The Mother’s Day Dinner will be on Friday 12th May at the Mulgrave Country Club commencing at 7.00pm. Book online through the college website or on the Trybooking website here.
Mission Action Day
Activities for the final week of our annual fund-raising activities for the Oblate Missions included an enjoyable MAD concert on Wednesday 5th April in the Provence Centre. Our music department treated us to a wide range of musical experiences where our students displayed their giftedness. A vote of thanks to the music staff for organising this annual event which raised $800.00. Great weather on the last day of term (April 6) witnessed our college community coming together for an enjoyable fun-filled day that had as its main aim raising awareness of and financial support for our Oblate Missions. To commence the day our community gathered for an Easter liturgy in the Provence Centre where we were reminded of the Last 7 Words of Jesus and their implication for our lives.
A vote of thanks to the Mission Action Day team led by Mr Joshua Hunter, Year 12 student leaders and staff for all the activities that raised over $47,000.00. On behalf of the Oblates, and their people who will directly benefit from your generosity, I say a big thank you. You may not fully realise what a difference you are making to the lives of your fellow brothers and sisters in our De Mazenod Family here at home, in our Asia Region and beyond, but know it is greatly appreciated.
Mazenod Parents & Friends Association
Look at this happy snap!
This is some of the members of our Mazenod Parents and Friends Association who joined in the Mission Action Day activities by sponsoring a Zooper Dooper for each student who concluded the walk/run which commenced the fun aspect of our final day of term. Why not consider joining this group of active and interested parents and support activities for you and your son/s to enjoy.
As the old saying goes, ‘Many hands make light work’. Come along to the next meeting.
Rosies Oblate Street Mission
On Good Friday evening, April 7, I joined Dr Paul Shannon (Principal), and students, Andy Mai, Jack Baptist (College Youth Minister), Stan Simanto and Nicholas Caciolo, who were volunteering their time to assist the Rosies Oblate Street Mission van in Flinders Street. Thank you to all our students and staff who support this local Oblate Mission. There is always an opportunity for interested people to have this Rosies experience by contacting the Rosies Office on 9795 5077 or through our college.
De Mazenod Family Life in Ukraine
The Easter news from our Oblates in Ukraine is in stark contrast to our current experience of Easter. The Oblates are striving to keep life as normal as possible for their people during this ongoing conflict. Life as normal comes with the added pressures of assisting their people with their extra needs to survive. They are working tirelessly to deliver gas cookers to surrounding villages, organizing deliveries of food with one mission experiencing a queue of 500 people who, thankfully, were able to receive help. Volunteers are also assisting the children with their primary education and the Oblate Youth continue to gather to support one another. Let us continue to pray for peace as we keep the people of Ukraine in our prayers during this time of upheaval and uncertainty in their country.
World Youth Day Trivia Night
‘The Mazbeens’ joined in the St John Vianney Youth Group trivia night on Saturday 22nd April to support the young people attending World Youth Day in Lisbon in August. Unfortunately, we fell 2 points short of winning, but a great night was enjoyed by all with lots of nibblies to consume. Thank you to the staff members who participated.
ANZAC Day
During the season of Lent, Easter and then last Tuesday the word Sacrifice has been very prominent. Firstly, we solemnly remembered that Jesus sacrificed his life for each one of us and opened for us the way into eternal life. On Tuesday we celebrated Anzac Day when our country solemly paused and remembered the sacrifice members of our armed forces made, and continue to make, so that we can live in peace and freedom. It is now our responsibility to make some sacrifice in our lives to ensure that the values and freedom these service men and women fought for, or paid the ultimate sacrifice for, are enshrined in our daily interactions with each other as we strive to be a people, a nation and a world at peace. It was 108 years ago (1915) that our brave ANZAC sons landed at Gallipoli in an event that shaped Australia and its people. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day. The 25th of April marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
Mazenod Old Boy
At Tuesday’s Dawn Service in Canberra, former student Ryan Koroknai (Class of 2017) played the Last Post on the bugle in front of the Prime Minister, Governor General and other political dignitaries. Very proud moment for Ryan and Mazenod.
I am including this Act of Remembrance Prayer (ANZAC) from my 2023 Police Chaplain Handbook.
In the quietness of this time, we remember the sounds of the battlefield, the despair of defeat, the deprivations of captivity.
We remember those who paid the supreme sacrifice, all who lie buried in distant lands.
We remember the 138 Victoria Police Officers who served in WW1 including the 27 who did not return.
We remember all who have been engaged in defending freedom, their bravery and dedication, their patriotism and humour, their resourcefulness and hope.
We remember sailors, soldiers, and airmen, nurses, ancillary workers, and civilians who suffered.
We remember ordinary Australians from such places as Albany or Atherton, from Balmain or Burnie, from Geelong or Gawler, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, lovers and relatives who served the nation in time of war.
-----we remember them,
we honour them,
we are grateful,
we are free.
St Eugene de Mazenod,
Pray for us.
The experience at the ‘G’ last Tuesday on Anzac Day was extraordinary in its contrasts from the silence, only hearing the fluttering of the flags, and the respect shown during the minute silence by 95,000 fans to the roar of excitement during the game as each team battled for the honours. Thankfully the goodies won in the end!!!
Anniversary of the Foundation of the AIX Youth Association — 25th April
In 1811, as a newly ordained priest in Aix-en-Provence, Fr Eugene saw a whole generation of young people who had no religious instruction, and therefore had no faith, no moral guidance, and no direction in life. The streets and squares of Aix were filled with young people who lived aimlessly, and Eugene saw the need to provide something for these young people so in need of hope. Eugene established the Aix Youth Association. Now during Napoleon's reign, Catholic associations and particularly any catechesis of young people were strictly forbidden, so Eugene would gather these youth inside the courtyard of his parent's country house and later inside the cloister of the old Carmelite convent, the foundation house for his missionary order. Eugene always paid particular attention to the needs of young people and ministry with youth has always been a strong part of Oblate ministry all over the world, particularly here in Australia through our Oblate Youth Ministry, Oblate colleges, Rosies Street Mission and our parishes.
Q: Why did the monkey put a piece of steak on his head?
A: He thought he was a griller.
Q: What do you get if you cross a duck with cheese?
A: Cheese and quackers.
Pontius Pilate:” Joseph of Arimathea, I don’t understand. You are the richest man in the region; you have made this brand-new tomb for you and your family; and now you are giving it to Jesus?”Joseph: “It is only for the weekend!”
Enjoy your weekend!
Jesus is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI