Junior Faith Education Faith Education
A
t the start of the school year the teachers prepared a Mass during which we had the blessing and presentation of the Prefects’ and House Captains’ Badges. This set a high standard for the Year level Masses which are a central part of our Faith Mr Gordon Dean Development Program. Junior Faith Education During the year each class has several opportunities to organise the Mass for the rest of the school community. This year we were well supported by parents who attended these Masses. It has now become a tradition that the parents who attend Mass bring a plate and have morning tea in the Boardroom after Mass. This provides an opportunity for parents to socialise, and more importantly, to build on our community spirit.
“When Mr Dean and Father Mac asked me to speak today, I was deeply touched. The Junior School Mothers’ Day Mass has always held a special place in my heart. It is one of the few times in our lives that the Mothering role is celebrated so beautifully. I still have a special collection of all the sentimental poems, misspelt cards and half-finished gifts from those wonderful Mothers’ Day celebrations.
Chaplain Fr Michael McMahon, affectionately known as Fr Mac, took over the chaplaincy of the Junior School in 2005 when Fr John McGannon retired due to ill health. Father Mac provided us with four years of excellent chaplaincy and friendship. He became an integral part of our community celebrating Mass with the students every fortnight. Fr Mac had a terrific rapport with the students as well as teachers and we all loved him dearly. His homilies were second to none, simple yet so full of meaning which always struck a chord with the boys. Fr Mac also played an important role in preparing the boys for Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
It is with clarity, that I remember one of Father Mac’s first Homilies at Trinity. He related Oscar Wilde’s story of the Selfish Giant to the boys. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the tale, it relates the story of a very selfish Giant who stopped children playing in his beautiful garden. As a consequence, the seasons passed him by and only winter remained, with its frost and ice and cold. It was only when a very special little boy dared to defy the giant and stretched out his arms to him in love, that the ice in the giant’s heart melts, the children come back to play and the seasons return, allowing the garden to bloom once more.
Both students and parents attending the Junior School Mothers’ Day Mass were touched by the address made by Fr Mac. Sadly this was to be the last Mass that he celebrated at Trinity. The Junior School Program was thrown into disarray with the illness and passing of our beloved Chaplain, Father Michael McMahon on 5 July 2008.
This story not only relates God’s word, to love one another, but has been a constant reminder to me of the joy and happiness that children bring to our lives as mothers and our desire to watch them bloom.
Father Mac was always keen for the mums to give a talk at the Mothers’ Day Mass instead of him giving the Homily, as he believed that no one could do it better than a Mum. This year we approached Mrs Marilyn Harries, who very kindly obliged. It is worth reflecting on the thoughts that Mrs Harries shared with us:
As I have accompanied my four sons in their journey through Trinity College, I feel extremely blessed to have watched them grow and hopefully become “Men for Others.” Through my involvement in many aspects of the Trinity community, such as the College Auxiliary, Canteen, Parent Council, Rowing and the School Balls, I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful parents and their sons.
109
