An Education in Faith

Goals & Intended Outcomes

Mazenod College has been served by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in partnership with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne since 1967. It sees daring and commitment to Christ as essential central elements in its character. We are reminded of this daring in our College motto, 'Leave Nothing Undared for the Kingdom of God'. It requires us to seek, find, share and celebrate the presence of God among us. Mazenod College is named after the Founder of the Oblates, St Eugene de Mazenod, and he asks us to do this as a community. St Eugene de Mazenod called the people of post-revolutionary France (19th Century) back to a relationship with God. He was especially interested in supporting those that are excluded and left out.

Mazenod College seeks to foster in all its students, development of their knowledge and love of God. Through deepening their faith in Jesus Christ, Mazenod College seeks to develop persons who are responsible and inner-directed, capable of choosing freely in conformity with a well-informed conscience. Mazenod College seeks to promote a moral consciousness in its students, in accordance with Christ's teaching and the mind of the Church and enable them to relate it to their own lives.

Mazenod College seeks to provide a suitable Christian atmosphere that encourages the growth of the whole person; provide the opportunity to integrate culture and faith through the acceptance of Christ and his ideas, attitudes and values. Mazenod College seeks to provide a critical and systematic account of the teaching of the Gospel and the Catholic Church in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Archdiocese whilst at the same time enabling students to experience a sense of Christian Community. It will also put students in touch with their unique Australian catholic heritage.

Achievements

The presence of Oblate Priests of a missionary tradition and a beautiful Chapel with daily Eucharist are great blessings. Mass is offered at 8.10am Monday to Friday in Mazenod College Chapel, and the whole school celebrates the Eucharist together at important times during the year. The Priests are always available pastorally for students. Reconciliation is formally made available to all students during Lent and before Christmas.

Mazenod College aims to foster the faith of its students and to build upon this positive practice of faith and the example set by their families. Mazenod College is proud to provide a very distinctive atmosphere, which is caring, friendly and cooperative.

Value Added – An Education in Faith – What we did in 2021

• Year 11 students were offered two retreats of three days - 25 students took up this opportunity. Our Year 12 students took time to volunteer with Rosies Oblate Youth Mission where each Friday night, a team offer their friendship and hospitality through the simple gesture of a free hot or cold drink to the homeless. • Our Year 12 students attended an overnight retreat on the theme “From childhood to adulthood”, which took place across 3 venues - Don Bosco Retreat Centre Lysterfield, Don Bosco Camp Safety Beach, and

Lyrebird Camp Yellingbo. The students were accompanied by their homeroom teachers, retreat leaders, our Oblate priests and our three youth ministers. • Students, staff and families donated in solidarity generously to the Oblate Missions Christmas Appeals and to our local St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal bringing in food items, toiletries, blankets, children’s books and toys for our brothers and sisters in need in our neighbouring communities • Twice in 2020 the school community participated in a virtual trivia night, created and run by senior students, to raise money for Oblate missions overseas.

• Fifty Year 10 students opted to study Youth Ministry in Semester 1, where they explored the topics of

“What it means to be a Christian Leader today”, “Apologetics: Is God real? How do we know? Evidences for our faith and how to defend it confidently, passionately and respectfully”. Our two Year 10 Youth

Ministry classes then ran retreats for all Year 7 classes. • Mass is offered at 8.10am Monday to Friday in Mazenod College Chapel, and the whole school celebrates the Eucharist together at four important times in the year. In 2021, whilst in remote learning

Mass was celebrated live from Mazenod College Chapel on YouTube. • Students were welcomed to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, made formally made available to all students during Lent and before Christmas. • Year 8s had a half day when they were challenged to make decisions in line with the Christian faith. • Year 12 students prompted by Alpha video discussed their faith in small groups. • Year 12 students were fully engaged by David Kobler in dealing with sexuality, relationships and future family life. These sessions were online due to COVID19 restrictions. • Year 12s really enjoyed listening to Melbourne based Catholic RNB artist Josh Angrisano’s story from

“Addiction to Jesus” as he performed and gave testimony to his faith, encouraging the students in their own faith, to “seek heavenly treasures” • Year 7s reflected on what is to be male in a commercialised and sexualised society. • Year 7 students participated in many faith development workshops organised and facilitated by our youth ministers.

• Year 12 students involved themselves in Stations of the Cross, and listened to three fellow students talk about life struggles and their faith. • Year 11 students attended a voluntary retreat on “Friendship with Jesus through the Eucharist: Deepening our relationship with God” – 25 students took up this invitation • Year 12s were invited to a "Faith and Pizza" evening with Mr. Tighe. • Over 150 parents from our Junior School attended our annual online presentation with Mr David Kobler from YourChoicez on the pertinent topic of “Raising Teens in a HyperSexualised Society". This was our first time running this event online and the feedback from everyone who attended in our school community was very positive. • Current and past students were invited to share an evening reflection and Adoration called “Empowered” .

• Due to COVID 19 restrictions some off campus activities did not take place but these will take place in 2022.

Education in Faith - What we usually do

• Mazenod College students usually raise more than $70 000 for Mission Action Day, which is an annual event where students raised money and distributed it to the Oblate Missions. • Year 10 students were unable to participate in a Sleep Out due to Covid 19 restrictions but raised a significant amount of money and donated items. • Mazenod participates in the Building Bridges Interfaith Program with Jewish, Christian and Islamic schools.

• Unfortunately, a lot of our Education in Faith activities had to be cancelled in 2021 due to Covid 19 restrictions but will hopefully take place next year. • A new and exciting pathway in Year 11 is in the planning this year. We hope to introduce the VCE VET

Christian Ministry and Theology where students will attain a certificate in the subject on successful completion of the course.