Chaplain – Vale Fr Michael McMahon

Chaplain

27 January 1939 – 5 July 2008

On 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)

From 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. 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.

He taught my oldest son how to ride a bike and also told me that garlic was bad for Irish men (ha ha). Michael showed me how to prepare graciously to meet God. His loss will be felt sorely by my Mother (his sister Margaret) and my family. Thank you all for your kind thoughts, prayers and messages.

Lisa Brunswick

What a loss in your passing and what a privilege it was, to have you as Chaplain over the years. ‘Mac’ was a mate and a beacon to our young men as they walked with the Spirit. Rest in peace.

Darryl 2003 Justin 2005 Naidu family

The wonderfully ordinary bloke that you were helped me to connect with the wonderfully extraordinary bloke that Jesus was. You have now earnt your reward with him.

Br Bernard White cfc

Weekly Mass

Mac was all about offering opportunities for our community to develop their own faith life. Each Wednesday he would celebrate a morning Mass prior to the start of school. Mac was often considered a little unorthodox and he invited those that attended to share the Eucharist with him around the altar. He would always have the readings photocopied on sheets and have the Junior School boys recite a sentence each. The shared homily with his own thoughts and deliberations gave everyone present something to consider as they went about their daily business.

Father Mac, what an amazing bloke. He preached from the heart in the eyes of God and shared with us his life. His love reached all aspects of the Community and he was always there for the Trinity Community no matter what. He was an extraordinary man who understood how to reach our generation through religion. He and his works will never be forgotten. Condolences to his family and friends. Utmost respect goes to our role model, mentor, chaplain and most important of all, our good friend. We will all miss you. May you rest in peace.

Desmond Yeo

Your wonderful charisma and love-life attitude would permeate so strongly through everyone you came in contact with. That cheeky smile will be sadly missed. Thank you for everything mate. It was a privilege to have had you celebrate the Mothers Day Mass with us all. You spoke of your mother, who never said a bad word about anybody, no matter what. You have followed in her footsteps. May you continue to look down and guide all those people whose lives you touched while here on earth, especially those who need it most. The final siren has gone here on earth. May you rest in peace.

Harris family

Kairos

In 2003 the College began the Kairos experience for senior students. Up until the time Mac was in hospital he had never missed a Kairos Retreat (three each year). These four day retreats, usually held at Tuppin House in Moore River, involved celebrating Mass on three of the days. Mac would often make the drive from Perth to Moore River on three consecutive days so that he could celebrate the Eucharist for those students involved in Kairos but also juggle his other responsibilities.

We are deeply saddened that such a wonderful “Man for Others” has passed from our presence. Your warmth and welcome will be forever remembered by our family.

Thank you for your dedication, prayerful support and constant friendship throughout our lives. Rest in peace oh faithful servant of our Lord. Prayers and thoughts are with Fr Mac’s family and the extended family of Trinity College.

Leanne and Tony O’Dea and family

Chaplain

Chaplain

The Mac Man... You rocked our world. Brought me back to God and my husband met God for the first time when he met you. It was our honour to know you, I just hope we can raise your ‘adopted son’ in your likeness.

Love, Ciara, Scott and Conan Thiedeman Thiedeman family

In life it is rare to come across someone who touches your life in so many ways. Fr Michael I am honoured and blessed to have known you. I will hold you in my heart forever.

Anton De Francesch Year 7

Students at the Edge

Mac had a great affinity for those students that were on the edge, whether it was with those who “just didn’t fit in” or with those who struggled with the “rules and discipline” at Trinity, he would always be there to advocate on their behalf. Many a Deputy Principal or Principal on the verge of asking a student to move on would have Mac in their office pleading for one more chance for a particular student.

We listened to Father Michael for the last time at this year’s Trinity Sunday Mass at the College. Although frail his words were clear, spontaneous, relevant, humorous and thought-provoking. We could not but think how fortunate the students of Trinity were to have such a man as their Chaplain. Gentlemen, he is still with you! Remember him as he will remember you.

Kevin & Pas Fitzgerald

Father Mac, Your legacy is a life that has influenced and will continue to influence Trinity students and families in a rich and fulfilling way. May you rest in peace.

Brockwell Family

What an inspiration you were. You were a shining example of the Trinity ethos of “Men for Others” for all the boys. We count ourselves as privileged that our sons knew you. Will miss the wisdom and wit of your sermons. RIP Fr Mac.

Taggart Family

Football

Born in Footscray it was pre-ordained for Mac to love the Bulldogs but he brought that same passion to the Trinity Football Club – he was a regular supporter of any of the games that our students were playing in, especially the epics against Aquinas. He was particularly pleased when Josh Hill (Class of 2006) was drafted to his Bulldogs but when Josh received the NAB Rising Star earlier this year (round 2) you couldn’t keep the smile off his face.

Mac, we laughed, we prayed, we shared a love of footy and the Kimberley people. You’ll always be remembered with love and I’m sure, and happy, that you have a one-way ticket to Heaven.

Katie Pledger

Father Mac you were simply the best and my good friend. I will sadly miss you.

Jack Mackintosh

Congratulations Fr Mac, on living the fullest life we know. Condolences to your Family and Order. We are sad, but untroubled. We are all always where we need to be. RIP

Chaplain’s Corner

Each week for the College Newsletter Mac would write a small article. This article was always thoughtprovoking and well considered and I know that many readers of our Newsletter always enjoyed Mac’s thoughts. This was just another of the many ways that Mac brought the Kingdom of God to our community.

On the 10th July, the College and a large number of his family and friends said a final farewell to Mac. In what was indeed a fitting tribute to a great man an estimated 1,400 people crammed into the College Chapel and into Gibney Hall, where a large screen had been set up. As only Mac could do, he had left instructions as to the prayers, readings, homilists, hymns, symbols and pall-bearers that he wished to be used – we can proudly say we honoured all Mac’s requests. With a mixture of tears and laughter we celebrated and gave thanks for a life well-lived. At the conclusion of the Mass the congregation lined the driveway forming a Guard of Honour as Mac left Trinity College for the last time.

The years that Mac spent at Trinity made a positive contribution to the Trinity culture, a positive contribution that we will always cherish. Fr Mac’s profession cross has been mounted on jarrah and is hanging in the sacristy of the Trinity Chapel. It will be a constant reminder of his powerful presence. Perhaps Mac’s life can partly be summed up by these words from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chaplain

Chaplain

Eulogy for Fr Michael McMahon

Trinity College Chapel Thursday, 10 July 2008

Michael was born on 27 January 1939. Victoria was in flames from bushfires which culminated in what was termed “Black Friday”. He was the youngest of eight children and it was appropriate that he be a redhead.

Significantly he was born in Footscray and those who have been with him during the winter months will understand his strong allegiance to the Bulldogs.

Six months later our family moved to the bayside suburb of Hampton. Our home backed onto a laneway which ran parallel to the railway line between Brighton Beach and Hampton.

It was here that Michael undertook his first crusade. Aged two and barely mobile, he escaped his mother’s attention, crossed onto the railway line and as with Don Quixote and the windmill, Michael stood between the rails and waved a stick at the oncoming train. Our being here today shows that the train stopped.

His primary education was provided by the Presentation Sisters of St Mary’s Hampton and his secondary education by the Christian Brothers at CBC St Kilda. There are so many families that owe educational opportunities to the selfless work of the Nuns and Brothers.

Michael’s secondary education was identified by his cap, his homework and the School Cadet Corps. Each morning Michael’s cap would be missing and there would be frantic efforts to locate it. Michael was always unperturbed but our mother, frantic...

Homework was another matter. For Michael it was an optional extra. Trinity students who have trouble with uniform or don’t develop appropriate study habits beware: you’ll probably end up a missionary priest!

Membership of the School Cadet Corps was compulsory. Michael wore the uniform but he was never going to be a military man. When rifle shooting practice began, Michael refused to pick up the weapon. When challenged on this attitude to authority, the young ethical non-conformist emerged. He explained that as armies use guns to kill, and that he had no intention of killing anybody, rifle practice was pointless to him. He was excused.

Evidence of Michael’s youthful idealism was shown by his involvement in our neighbourhood. An elderly lady was dying of cancer. The schoolboy Michael visited each day to see what errands she required. The compassion he showed has been repaid exponentially in these last few months of his life.

His youthful idealism and the charismatic appeal of the late Fr Wally Silvester, led Michael and his school friend Alan Mithen to devote their lives to the Church. After training with the Pallottines in Sydney he was ordained on 20 March 1963. The mother of the boy who waved a stick at the train, whose school cap was constantly missing and who refused to pick up a rifle was immensely proud of her son.

A time as Curate to Fr Tim O’Sullivan at Bentleigh parish near his Hampton home was followed by highs and lows in his life with his appointment to Broome. It began his love affair with the people and place of the Kimberley.

The appropriate comment on this time is found in the Pallottine produced history: Nothing is Wasted in the Household of God.

The extract is headed:

“Father Michael leaves Broome after 25 years of Ministry, 1992.”

A farewell get-together was held on January 24th 1992. Father Mac was leaving Broome to consider his future in Perth after nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the Broome community. Gardeners, musicians, the Press, pensioners and public servants mixed with the present and former shire councillors to offer heartfelt testimonials to the man who influenced so many lives. Special concern was voiced regarding the future of the Mungarri Cooperative, established by Father Mac, to provide reasonably priced food to low income families.

After 100 years of service and of building up the Kimberley Church, the Pallottines as a group knew they owned not a block of land, nor a building of their own.

Michael felt keenly his move from the Kimberley. More than half his adult life had been spent there.

He felt a sense of rejection. Family members had to remind him that the train stopping, cap losing, homework ignoring and rifle refusing child had become, most importantly in the minds of his parents, a wonderfully compassionate and supporting priest.

The clouds lifted and the sun shone again. Some wise person / persons steered Michael to Chaplaincy at Trinity and to the State Institution housing juvenile offenders. His life resumed its sense of worthwhile

Eulogy for Fr Michael McMahon

Greg McMahon Fr Michal Gitner and Fr Eugene San Frank McMahon delivers the Eulogy Laurie McMahon

Principal Ivan Banks Placement of symbols Guard of Honour

purpose and he delighted in the achievements of his charges at both venues.

One question remains: when based in Broome, why did Michael take leave in July to ignore the wonderful winter climate of Broome and head to the bitter winter weather of Melbourne? The answer is simple – to see the Bulldogs play. He always had his priorities right!

In 1954, his great grandfather Michael McMahon died and his Doggies were premiers. The pity is that 54 years after his Doggies triumphed in 1954 and with his Doggies doing so well this year he had to leave at 3/4 time.

Chaplain