MOCA

After two years of circumstances which have curtailed our ability to meet in person, this year has seen the resumption of many of our usual Mazenod Old Collegians’ Association events. When these opportunities have occurred, it has been great to catch up in person with Old Boys and their families.

Many Old Boys have attended College Open Days. In fact, many Old Boys have sons, and even grandsons, who have either graduated from the College, or who are still students at Mazenod. This year, we welcomed many Old Boys at the Father’s Day Mass and breakfast, as well as at the ParentSon Mass and Evening. Each week this year, we witnessed a number of our newest Old Boys supporting our young people as trainers, coaches, mentors and as players for our Old Collegians’ sporting teams.

In October this year, we held the annual Steven Tynan Memorial Assembly, and we welcomed back our Old Boys who are part of our Emergency Services. This year, we listened to Old Boy, Liam Ryan (Class of 2017), as he shared his journey from being a Mazenod student to a Constable with the Victoria Police. We loved listening to Liam, and in turn, he described the Assembly as “awesome” and “a very proud moment” in which to have participated. Just recently, in November, we resumed the Old Boy reunions. The two evenings began in the Chapel at Mazenod College, where we welcomed Old Boys back to the College and joined in a short liturgy with them. One of the most moving parts of this night was reading and praying for Old Boys who died from the year levels of those involved in their reunions. We then gave tours of the College, prior to gathering for an evening of friendships, food, laughs, fun and memories in abundance!

It was extremely precious to gather in person once again and join families as we prayed for the Holy Souls of deceased Old Boys in our annual November Remembrance Mass. During supper after the Mass, many memories were shared. As Catholics, this Mass firmly reminds us of our fundamental belief that deceased loved ones are with Almighty God, and that together, we are all part of the “Communion of Saints”. What a comforting belief!

Without doubt, one of the greatest joys I experience as the Mazenod College Staff Liaison for MOCA is the wonderful opportunity that I enjoy in sharing in the lives of our Mazenod Old Boys. I fervently believe that Old Boys are a fundamental part of our College; they are definitively part of the community for life. Irrespective of the situation, Old Boys are always welcome to contact me and to be in touch with MOCA. I encourage Old Boys and their families to telephone, write or visit us. I wish to remind Old Boys of our friendship, assistance, or willingness to be there to share a laugh and reminiscence about old times, as we tour the College together.

This year, I have had the immense blessing and privilege of catching up with our Old Boys. For many, this often involves providing references for employment, offering connections with tradespeople, business, or career opportunities. It is delightful to hear about exciting, happy events and one of the greatest privileges that I derive from working with Old Boys and their families is that I am often invited to share in some of the most significant life experiences. These include being present with them, and journeying with them throughout their studies; career choices; the births of their children; Baptisms and Weddings. At other times, there are the difficulties of personal or family illnesses, tragedies, deaths and funerals. MOCA seeks to embrace and to accompany our Old Boys though their lives.

My heartfelt and sincere thanks to the MOCA Committee, and to all Old Boys and their families for the profound blessing of being able to share in their lives. As our Mazenod College anthem exhorts us, may “our friendships formed here ever flourish and grow.” Tina Giacco