Staff members from St Eugene College, Iona College, Mazenod College WA and Mazenod College Vic met at the Foothills Conference Centre in Mooroolbark to reflect and grow a greater understanding of our shared Charism and establish a programme that will serve our communities in the future. The focus of the retreat was to reflect on the Moments of Grace experienced by St Eugene De Mazenod that led to the formation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr Daniel Szewc OMI, Fr Eric Alleaume OMI and Ms Andrea Grant were guest facilitators and led the group of religious leaders from the respective colleges. Provincial Fr Christian Fini OMI, Fr Michael Twigg OMI, Fr Harry Dyer OMI, Fr Joe Anthony OMI and Fr John Sherman OMI joined the De Mazenod Family Team and the Faith & Mission leaders to establish a structure that will provide formation for staff members in the future.
There is always a great sense of comradery and companionship when members from our colleges meet, and this venture was no exception. Members of our Charism Committee have a wealth of experience in faith and mission and are very enthusiastic to share their resources and ideas. The newly formed committee met for the first time in September 2022 and initiated plans to establish an annual retreat to provide staff with a structured and sequential process for formation. Our understanding of mission, witness and service is understood in all our communities, but this is an opportunity to articulate and reflect on the De Mazenod Family Charism in greater depth. The aim is to develop formation programmes to help us appreciate our traditions by investigating the Moments of Grace in St Eugene’s life and how we too can know Christ through service, learning, community, spirituality and respecting the dignity of all.
