MOCA

Memorial Mass for our Deceased Old Boys 

On Friday, 8th November, Mazenod College celebrated our annual Memorial Mass which we offered for the Souls of our Deceased Old Boys. This Mass is the most important event our Mazenod Old Collegians’ Association (MOCA) organises each year. 

Our Rector, Fr Harry Dyer OMI, celebrated our Mass, and our Mazenod College Principal, Dr Paul Shannon, and other members of Staff attended this Mass as we showed our prayerful support, love and friendship for the Souls, families and friends of our deceased Old Boys. 

This Mass was very well attended by the families and friends of our deceased Old Boys. During this Mass, in solidarity with our brother Colleges, we prayed to Almighty God for our deceased Old Boys from Mazenod College, Victoria; Mazenod College, Western Australia, and from Iona College, Queensland. 

As always, at beginning of the Mass, I had the immense privilege of reading out the names of each of our deceased Old Boys. We now have 168 Old Boys named on our Deceased Old Boys’ shields. Sadly, since this Mass, we have now learned of the death of another of our former students.

The names of our deceased Old Boys are permanently displayed on Memorial Shields in our College Chapel. 

Furthermore, our Old Boys names are displayed on our Memorial Wall outside the Chapel. These names are so important to us all. Our Catholic Christian Tradition assures us that in death, life is changed, not ended. In addition, our Catholic Christian Tradition’s beautiful belief in the Communion of Saints reassures us that we are united in prayer with the Holy Souls in Purgatory; with those who are living on earth, and with the Souls of those who have preceded us into Heaven.

With God’s Grace, we will be reunited with our loved ones in Eternity in Heaven. 

I am always so very humbled when I see the parents, spouses, children, siblings, other family members, and friends of our deceased Old Boys attend this Mass. It is such a precious time, where we are united by all the emotions that death brings, and sustained by our hope in the love, peace, mercy and joy of Almighty God.

Since we began the Tradition of celebrating these Masses for our deceased Old Boys each November, Mrs Rosemary Sanna, our former Mazenod College Receptionist for twenty-seven and a half years, has not missed attending one Memorial Mass. Rosemary’s friendship and support to me is invaluable. Rosemary’s prayerful presence at the Mass, and her practical support in making cups of tea and coffee and in providing hospitality and friendship is so wonderful. I thank Rosemary so very much for her love and friendship to our College Community. 

MOCA thanks Fr Harry Dyer OMI, Dr Paul Shannon, and all our Mazenod College Staff for supporting us with this Mass. Our thanks to our MOCA President, Sean Sullivan, who played a moving rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. This was greatly appreciated by all. 

We acknowledge with love, prayers and friendship, our families and friends who joined us as we prayed for the Souls of our much-loved Old Boys who have entered Eternal Life.

MOCA Class of 2014/04/94/84/74 Reunion 

Wow! As Frankie Valli’s song lyrics remind us, “Oh, what a night…

What a very special time for me

As I remember, what a night…”

Last week, on Thursday, 14th November 2024, we welcomed back to the College our former Collegians from the Classes of 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014.

Our evening began at Mazenod College, where our College Principal, Dr Paul Shannon, welcomed back our former Collegians. This was followed by Tina Giacco, who gave our former Collegians some brief insights into Mazenod College in 2024. Our Old Boys were then accompanied on a tour of the College by both Peter Banfield and Tina Giacco. Apart from the Old Boys’ excitement at seeing some of the physical changes in the College, there was great hilarity in the Heritage Corridor. Our students from the Class of 1974, were depicted in one of the murals as members of the College’s Cross-Country Team, and another of our students from the Class of 2014 was depicted in a music class.  

Following this tour, we all proceeded to the Last Piece Restaurant, where some of our former students who could not make it to the College at the earlier time, had gone straight to the Restaurant. Wow! What a night! It was a night of absolute fun, joy, and laughs which ensued. I can genuinely say that the atmosphere was electric! It was amazing to catch up with so many former students and to hear their stories. The night was buzzing with excitement! The food was fabulous, and some of our waiting staff were our former students. I can honestly state that the entire night was brilliant!

Our thanks to everyone who joined us for this incredibly special night. Even amongst the former students from 1974, whilst I had not taught them, I had taught their sons. This is simply further evidence that Mazenod is truly one united family, “Oh, what a night!”

MOCA: New Alumni Digital Platform

We encourage our Mazenod Old Collegians to sign up and join our new alumni digital platform. Please download the Alumnly app and register for a FREE account today.

Tina Giacco

Mazenod Old Collegians' Liaison

Executive Officer, Mazenod Old Collegians’ Association