Page 25 - The Old Ratcliffian 2015 Magazine

RATCLIFFIAN ASSOCIATION EVENTS 25

The Class of ‘65 John Astin (61) & Bishop John Arnold (71) Eric Ciambra (79) & Leo Biles (79)

Rob Williams (95), Gianpaolo Mantini (95), Jamie O’Donnell (60) & Paul Carter (60) Michelle Massarella, Gareth Lloyd, Caroline
Adrian Farnham (95) & Mark Simmonds (95) Mohan & Emma Mee

THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY MASS

Fr Ted Mullen (60), Bishop John Arnold (71) & Fr Joe O’Reilly, Provincial Leo Biles (79), Jamie O’Donnell (60), Paul Carter (60) & Patrick
of the Rosminian Order Clipperton (64) in full voice

On Sunday morning, John Arnold and a large group of Rosminian Old Ratcliffians came from all ends of the globe; from New
priests concelebrated a Solemn Mass with a packed congregation. Zealand, Fr Aidan Cunningham (58) and Eddie Meredith (93),
Gareth Lloyd and his Director of Music, Edward McCall, chose the from New York, Eric Ciambra (79), and from Dubai, Leo Biles
music for the Mass. With the newly-restored organ, the roof was (79), not to mention those who travelled from all parts of the
raised, and the singing could have been heard in Thrussington! United Kingdom and Europe. 320 guests eventually sat down to
Gareth also invited ORs to join the Choir to sing the ‘Ave Verum the Grand Luncheon.
Corpus’ during the communion, and a small group, including Paul
Carter (60), Treasurer on the Council, took him up on this offer. The Toastmaster called guests in for lunch, and parents
with children under the age of five were relieved of parental
The overall feeling by most people after Mass was that this had responsibility by a group of three nursery nurses who manned
been a truly memorable service, and one which was fitting for a crèche in the Nursery School, leaving them time to enjoy their
such an important occasion. David Thistlethwaite (50) was seen meal in relative peace.
to wipe the odd tear from his eye!

After Mass, coffee and refreshments were served and there were
some exhibitions around the School. These included an exhibition
in the Old Library of the construction of a life-size model of a
Spitfire by the School’s Spitfire Club, under the careful guidance
of Ratcliffe’s Director of Art and Design, Dominic Berry.

At 12pm, guests were ushered onto the Headmaster’s Lawn in

front of the College for a glass of Prosecco before lunch. Drinks on the Headmaster’s Lawn

Register online at www.ratcliffianassociation.co.uk