Vale Fr Michael McMahon Chaplain
27 January 1939 – 5 July 2008
O
n 5th July this year the Trinity Community was saddened by the passing of College Chaplain Fr Michael McMahon. Fr Michael had been at Trinity for six years and was a much loved member of the community. Many students, staff and parents have been on the receiving end of Fr Michael’s wicked sense of humour which brought a smile to your face and generated joy in your heart. He will be greatly missed. We would like to thank Fr Oscar Aguilera for assisting with Mass in the later part of this year.
Farewell to a Great Man [In 2002] another key appointment to the College was Fr Michael McMahon as Secondary College Chaplain. ‘Fr Mac’ became an instant success with the students and staff. Deeply spiritual and very well read, his pastoral concern and care for all was extraordinary and was delivered with a common touch. His special love for the Aboriginal students was a great sign for all in the College. (p281 Strive Manfully A.C. Curtis 2007)
F
rom 2002 Mac became a vital element of the Trinity College community – he quickly moved from being the Secondary School Chaplain to the College Chaplain providing a great service for all our students. Whilst at Trinity, Mac had a number of aspects dear to his heart. The outpouring of appreciation on his passing from the Trinity Community and beyond was overwhelming. Some comments from the Book of Condolences on the Trinity College website are contained within this article.
Trinity College Community Mac was a great believer that Trinity College is a community consisting of students, staff, families and Old Boys. Mac looked for opportunities to bring people together and to serve their needs. No request made of Mac was ever left unanswered and the number of marriages, requiems and Masses that Mac celebrated would be impossible to count.
RIP Father you lived a happy life which you deserved and I am so glad you taught me how to identify right from wrong. Thanks for helping me out through my TC life. Aden Fawcett 20
A man with a big heart...you made my faith stronger simply through your enthusiasm and witty character in everything you did. Thank you for all the funny times at Trinity and outside my schooling life – You will be sadly missed by all! RIP Father McMahon Clyde Pereira Aboriginal Education Following nearly 30 years of ministry in the Broome diocese Mac had a great love for the Aboriginal people – he brought this love, respect and dignity to Trinity College. Mac not only knew every Aboriginal student here but also their extended families. He always had time for them and was there to help and assist them in any way possible. Mac knew that education was the key to their success and supported our Aboriginal Scholarship program intensely. Even in the last few months of his life he was writing to BHP and Rio Tinto seeking financial support for this program. Michael was always just my Uncle Michael; I am one of his many nieces and nephews and will always remember his typewritten letters to my Grandmother when he was first sent to Broome and also his down-to-earth manner when we met infrequently.
