Rector’s Report The excitement and nervousness of starting my new ministry as Rector of Mazenod College did not go as I had envisaged on my arrival in January. Acclimatising to my new environment meant getting my head around new terminology and technology and living by the bell. Zoom and livestreaming became the new go to words with our on-again offagain lockdowns playing havoc with our daily routine and planning. Our ability to adapt to our changing times on many levels of our daily lives also meant that the fun and excitement of planning ahead for enjoyable family breaks was not a secure part of our lives as it was. The tradition and highlight of the start of our new academic year has been the Inaugural Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral. On Friday February 26, with COVID restrictions in place, the celebration of the 2021 Inaugural Mass was instead held in our Provence Centre. Fortunately, with modern technology, we were able to live stream this solemn occasion to our college families and extended college friends who were not able to be present. The simple blessing and installation ceremony of me as Mazenod College Rector was a moving experience. We were again fortunate to welcome Fr Christian Fini OMI, Oblate Provincial, as our main celebrant for this special occasion. I take this opportunity to thank Fr Christian Fini OMI for his time as Rector/Principal of the College. His enthusiasm and vision are still being experienced through his important ministry as Provincial of the Australian Province & China Delegation and as a member of the Mazenod College Advisory Board. It was with deep sadness when we gathered on Monday March 1 in our Provence Centre for the Requiem Mass to celebrate the life of Fr Ian MacKintosh OMI. Fr Ian was the third Rector of the College and the first Victorian Oblate Rector to pass into eternal life. Our students and staff gave a fitting tribute to Fr Ian with a memorable guard of honour along Kernot Avenue as Fr Ian was taken to his final resting place. The spiritual life and pastoral care of all members of our college community continues with Fr Kevin Davine OMI, Fr Giancarlo Iollo OMI and me. The aim of our Religious Education is not just about the theory but also experiential. This is witnessed through our daily celebration of the Eucharist in the College chapel, the Sacrament of Reconciliation for all students prior to Easter, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Fridays as well gathering for the major Oblate and Church Feast Days. Our young men and teachers enthusiastically participated in our Mission Action Day (MAD) on Thursday April 1. Over $50,000.00 was raised and this will support our Oblate Missionaries to assist their people, especially those in difficult missions in our Asia Oceania Region, enabling them to have access to fresh water, education, health care, and the necessities of life that we can tend to take for granted. Over the years our Mazenod community has raised more than $600,000.00 for the Oblate Missions. I also want to extend my appreciation to the teachers, staff, and especially Mr Tony Coghlan, Principal. They have been patient, generous and welcoming as I found my place in this bustling environment. The teachers and staff exhibited great care for your son/s on their journey of spiritual, intellectual and physical development, overcoming the many hurdles that this pandemic has thrown their way. I extend my appreciation to the new Mazenod College Advisory Board which came into existence this year under the new Archdiocesan model. I thank them for their generosity in being prepared to share their talents for the benefit of the College. Finally, I pray every blessing for our 2021 graduating students of Mazenod College. I hope they will hold their time here at Mazenod as a treasured memory of friendships made, a faith lived and a sound education, all of which will last well beyond their graduation. I hope all their dreams for the future will be fulfilled and remember that once a Mazenod student always a Mazenod student. Fr Harry Dyer OMI Rector
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