From the Rector
Reflection: And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull), they crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him.
Greetings!
Our focus this week is Jesus being stripped of his clothing before his crucifixion. We all know that clothes can give us our position within society. Our students respectfully wear their uniforms to identify as belonging to Mazenod College. Our Emergency Services Personnel wear a uniform to indicate their area of service to our community. A priest wears liturgical garments as a sign of covering their human imperfections as they celebrate the presence of God amongst their people. Unfortunately, clothing can also divide us into classes within our society. The poor can be identified and suffer because of their lack of clothing. Many of our brothers and sisters have been stripped of their homelands having to leave all their possessions behind them due to war etc.
When people fail in their obligations, we often hear that they are stripped of office or defrocked. Jesus’ public stripping highlights that Jesus is no longer anything at all, he is simply an outcast, despised by all, an innocent man who stands exposed and ashamed.
During this time of Lent, Jesus asks us to strip ourselves of our pride as we crave for position, prestige, and wealth. We can also be envious of our neighbour who has more than us materialistically. Instead, let us pray that we will be clothed spiritually by finding the time for reconciliation, allowing God to bring us into a new life with Him, clothed in his love and peace.
On Monday I attended the Year 12 Retreat at Yellingbo. Fr Kevin Davine was present at Lysterfield and Fr Giancarlo Iollo was at Safety Beach. The focus of the retreat: “Transition to Manhood”. This is a reality for our Year 12 students must face as they graduate into the big wide world at the end of this year. In the evening we celebrated an Affirmation Liturgy where our young men received encouraging and heartfelt messages from you, their parents. This was an emotional experience for them, so I thank you for taking the time to express your love and support for your son. Following this experience, we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation which gave our young men a fresh start as they return to their College community and families to show their appreciation for all the good gifts they have been blessed with. I extend my appreciation to all the staff who organised the retreat and gave so much of themselves during these days.
I returned home to the College late that evening to celebrate the College morning Mass on Tuesday and to commence our 2 week program of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation which is a time of preparing all involved at Mazenod College for the great Feast of Easter.
On Wednesday March 17 we celebrated St Patrick’s Day at morning Mass and with a staff morning tea. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but returned about 432 to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools. Many legends grew up around him—for example, that he drove the snakes out of Ireland and used the shamrock to explain the Trinity. On this day it seems everyone wants to be Irish!
Today we officially opened the new Design Space and Stem Room in the Visual Arts Department of the College with a prayer and blessing followed by an enjoyable staff gathering.
Have a smile!
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI
Rector