Rector's Report
Greetings! This image describes two different aspects of the Season of Lent. During Lent we have usually been encouraged to ‘give up something’ during these 40 days in preparation for Easter Sunday. Rather than ‘giving up something’ perhaps we could reflect on ‘taking up something’ during this time of renewal so that come Easter Sunday we will have changed some habit in our lives. Below I have included a list of suggestions that may help you’re your discernment about what you could ‘take up’ during Lent.
Make more time for your family: It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. Try to make quality time for family and friends. Read a book: Spiritual reading – parishes have free libraries on various topics or lives of saints to inspire.
Reconnect with your faith: Recommit to praying daily or going to Church on Sundays.
Be more selfish: This one might sound strange at first, but sometimes we don’t take ‘me-time’. If you’re a ‘yes’ person, you might focus on more self-care.
Being grateful: It's easy to think about everything we don't have rather than everything we enjoy. Start the day by reminding yourself of three things you are grateful for and ending every day the same way.
Give Something Away: Go through your possessions and find used but still good quality items, then pray about how you can bless others with those items.
Encourage One Another: Gather for a meal and then go around each person at the table and take turns saying something encouraging or what you achieved that day.
Reach out to someone: Whether by text, email, or handwritten card, choose a person and send them a line or two of encouragement. “I’m thinking of you” or “we’re praying for you” can mean more than you think.
Screen Time/Social Media: Try and restrict this so you can give time for something else from the list above.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 22nd February, Fr Kevin Davine OMI with student representatives, gathered for the morning Mass to receive their ashes and then they were commissioned to go to their various year levels to distribute the ashes to their fellow students.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten Season leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. We receive the blessed ashes symbolizing our preparedness to undertake some form of repentance and a renewed focus on Jesus’ message. The Christian tradition of Lent involves prayer, fasting, and giving. The ashes also symbolize our human mortality, we have a limited time allotted to us on this earth.
Inaugural College Mass
Friday 24th February witnessed a welcomed return to St Patrick’s Cathedral for our 2023 Inaugural Mazenod College Mass. The overflowing Cathedral of students, staff, families, and friends was a testament to the love for our Oblate Charism and the college’s deep connection to the Catholic faith.
We congratulate all our student leaders who were presented with their leadership badges from our principal, Dr Paul Shannon.
We were also pleased to welcome Fr Christian Fini OMI, Oblate Provincial, Fr Andrew Chen OMI, Fr David Francis OMI, and Fr Patrick Moroney OMI as concelebrants. I extend a huge vote of thanks and gratitude to all who used their various gifts and talents to ensure that this celebration was prayerful, and spirit filled.
I thank all who chose Harry Dyer at the Cathedral over Harry Styles as the Marvel Stadium.
College Daily Mass
Each morning at 8:10am we celebrate the Eucharist in our college chapel with different homerooms coordinating the celebration. All parents/guardians are more than welcome to join their son/s for their rostered Mass or on any day. Why not make a special effort during this season of Lent. Prior to Mass we recite the rosary at 7:50am.
RIP - Fr Brian Harris OMI
On Thursday 23rd February, our Oblate family received the sad news of the peaceful passing into eternal life of one of our brother Oblate priests, Fr Brian Harris OMI. Brian Harris was born in Ipswich on the 11th of April 1934. He encountered the church in his late teens. He then worked as a primary school teacher for a couple of years, before working in the public service as an industrial inspector. He tried to join the Oblates while in his early 20s, however it was discerned he was not ready yet to pursue a vocation.
Brian married Kathleen Mahoney in 1959 and had 6 children. He continued his work for the Department of Industrial Development in various Queensland locations. After the death of his wife in 1981 he joined the Oblates at St Mary’s Seminary, Mulgrave in 1989. He was ordained a priest on 17th December 1993 at Deception Bay, Brisbane. His children and grandchildren were all in attendance. Fr Brian served mainly in parish ministry with a stint in the Oblate Seminary.
Brian became assistant priest at St Eugene de Mazenod parish, Burpengary in 2012 where he remained until 2020. Fr Brian retired in 2021 due to ill health. Fr Brian was a gentle, prayerful, very pastoral priest with a love of serving the sick and a devotion to Our Lady and the Eucharist. His great ability to care for all people came through his experience as a married man, parent, and grandparent. RIP Fr Brian.
Used Stamps
Just a reminder that our Year 7 Social Justice Team are still collecting, processing, and recycling used stamps.
We continue to ask for your support for this project by saving your used stamps (which we still occasionally receive in the mail).To save the stamp, you can either send the whole envelop or cut the stamp off leaving a generous margin around it. The stamps can be dropped off at the college reception or you can send them with your son who can place them in the collection box outside the Students Services area.
When the college has gathered a healthy number of stamps, we will forward them to the coordinators who will sell them at a stamp auction. The money for the recycled stamps will be distributed to the various missionary needs of the ‘Mary MacKillop Today Project’ which helps the Josephite Sisters fight poverty.
In addition to our own Oblate missionary initiatives, our Social Justice outreach can also embrace other groups in their endeavours as they assist the brothers and sisters who are in their care. This is an easy method of caring for our fellow brothers and sisters in need as well as practising recycling.
Some Lenten Thoughts!
I’m giving up negativity for Lent.
We’ll see how long that lasts.
Enjoy your weekend.
Yours in Jesus Christ and Mary Immaculate
Fr Harry Dyer OMI