Rector

I know you are all too young, most of you anyway, but some music buffs might remember the song, “The Times They Are A-Changing’” written by Bob Dylan and included in his 1964 album of the same name. Dylan wrote the song as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change for the time, influenced by Irish and Scottish ballads. Remembering this song is the reason I chose to use this picture for my Rector’s report for the 2021 Mazenodian as, I believe, it is a symbol of the year and times we have all endured.

While I started the year with a mix of excitement and nervousness, starting a new ministry as Rector of Mazenod College has not gone as I would have envisaged. I have really missed the opportunity to get to know our students during this year, especially the graduating class of Year 12.

Fortunately, before life began to change again, we experienced a hectic start to the year with staff meetings, welcoming our young men, especially our new Year 7 cohort, who we were looking forward to assisting on their journey of spiritual, intellectual and physical development. Another major achievement was getting all the year level and staff photos taken. I think I had my photo taken about 15 times that day.

The tradition and highlight of the start of our new academic year has been the Inaugural Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral when we gather as an entire Mazenod College community. On Friday February 26, with COVID-19 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 families and extended College friends who were not able to be present.

The simple blessing and installation ceremony as Mazenod College’s 10th Rector was a moving experience for me. My family was disappointed they could not be present with me on such an important occasion as they were really looking forward to witnessing their brother, uncle and great uncle being installed as the Rector. My family was also looking forward to experiencing the wonderful talents of our students through their various involvements in our celebration of the Eucharist.

It was great to welcome Fr Christian Fini OMI, Oblate Provincial, as our main celebrant for the Inaugural Mass. 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 and China Delegation and as a member of the Mazenod College Advisory Council.

On a sadder note, we gathered on Monday March 1 in our Provence Centre for a Requiem Mass to celebrate the life of Fr Ian Mackintosh OMI. Fr Ian was the 3rd 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.

In the week prior to Easter and respecting COVID restrictions, we managed to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for all students as they prepared for Easter. Our young men and teachers enthusiastically participated in our Mission Action Day (MAD) on Thursday April 1. The $50,000.00 raised will support our Oblate Missionaries to assist their people, especially those in difficult missions in our Asia Oceania Region, to have access to fresh water, education, health care, and the basic necessities of life that we can tend to take for granted. On behalf of the Oblates I thank you all, especially our families, for your ongoing generous support.

There is no doubt that we all need to adapt to our changing times and acclimatising to the new environment has meant getting my head around new terminology and technology and living by the bell, with Zoom and live streaming becoming my new buzz words. The interaction of our partnership with students and parents was going to be another highlight of my new role. However, the onagain off-again lockdowns began to play havoc with our

daily routine and planning. Our Year 7, 8, 9 Information Nights were the first casualties, followed by the eventual cancellation of many of our College activities including the Avila/Mazenod Musical, Speech Night and Year 12 Formal.

Despite the lack of community events, I have really enjoyed the challenge of communicating with the wider community when writing my weekly newsletter. I believe it is a great way to interact with you on the various levels of our College life. I have appreciated the genuine feedback from parents who have expressed their enjoyment of the newsletter and associated Oblate series. Even my ‘Keep Smiling’ joke has brightened people’s week.

In 2022 we will welcome our new Principal, Dr Paul Shannon, to our Mazenod Community. Paul is certainly excited about his new role and looking forward to being part of the Mazenod College community. In welcoming a new Principal it means we have to say farewell to Mr Tony Coghlan. Mr Coghlan has fulfilled his interim Principal role in an outstanding manner with his focus always on the wellbeing of the staff and our students. I take this opportunity to recognise, celebrate and thank Mr Coghlan for his remarkable and tireless contribution over his years of service in the teaching, administration, and leadership roles within our Mazenod College community. Mr Coghlan has been a tremendous support to the Oblates and exemplifies St Eugene who was known as a man with a heart as big as the world for everyone. I extend my appreciation to the new Mazenod College Advisory Council which came into existence this year under the new Archdiocesan model (MACS). I thank them for their generosity in being prepared to share their talents for the benefit of the College.

I thank my Oblate Community of Fr Kevin Davine OMI, (celebrating 62 years of priesthood), Fr Giancarlo ILLO OMI (celebrating 20 years of priesthood) and Fr Eric Alleaume OMI (celebrating 30 years of priesthood), as we ministered together in the College and St John Vianney’s parish under the new model of Mulgrave Oblate Community. This new model of community was a response by our Provincial and Council to our declining numbers and to be faithful to our Oblate Charism of living in community rather than Oblates living on their own. This style of community is also being lived in Queensland with Iona College and St Oliver Plunkett Parish, Cannon Hill, combining.

I also want to extend my appreciation to the teachers and staff, with a special mention to those who are moving to new positions or retiring. They have been generous in welcoming and supporting me in my new journey. There is no doubt that the teachers and staff have been committed to the wellbeing and education of every student as they overcame the many hurdles that this pandemic has thrown their way. Finally, I pray every blessing for our 2021 graduating students of Mazenod College. I hope they will hold their time here as a treasured memory of friendships made, a faith lived and a sound education gained, 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.

During this complex year I believe we have certainly lived by St Eugene’s motto: “Leave Nothing Undared”.