Brian Condon: Diary of James Alipius Goold, 1848-1886

Saturday April 6th. Celebrated Mass. Heard Mass and Confessions. Saw Fr Madden, [told] him that he should not return to Geelong. Took back his faculties - gave him leave to say Mass. Forbad under pain of suspension to visit the Geelong Convent. The Bishop of Brisbane will land today.

Fr Donovan called this morning. Told him I could not give him *jurisdiction* under the peculiar circumstances of his present position - but would not object his being accommodated in the College for a time.

Sunday April 7th. Low Sunday. Celebrated Mass in the College. Bishop of Brisbane arrived from Geelong. Gave Benediction in St Patrick's. Bishop of Brisbane gave Benediction in St Francis.

Monday April 8th. After Mass - had a conversation at his own request.

Thursday April 11th. Celebrated Mass at usual hour. Heard Mass and Confessions. Meditation made, wrote letters - occupied thus up to 1. Attended meeting of University Council, advised that a reserve of 10 acres be made for each College. Night prayers, Confessions.

Friday April 12th. Do not feel well. Heard Mass - heard a few Confessions. After meditation saw Fr. Kavenagh and directed him to go to Geelong by evening train to assist Dean Hayes until further instructed. Told Fr. Madden to assist in Williamstown for a few days, gave him leave to hear Confessions. Wrote to Dean Hayes informing of Mr Kavenagh's going to assist for a short time. Has leave to hear Confessions of adults. Called on a few persons with Bishop of Brisbane. Night [prayers] and Confessions.

Saturday April 13th. Celebrated Mass, heard Mass and Confessions. Wrote letters in reply. Engaged so up to 2.

Tuesday April 16th. Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass and Confessions. Read and wrote letters up to 1 - then meeting of School Committee. Letters ordered to be written, in reply to the Circular from Government to Clergy, to the Denominational Board on finance and assistants salary.

Wednesday April 17th. Celebrated Mass, heard Mass and Confessions. Engaged all the morning. At 3 visited the Convent and examined 3 postulants. Permitted them to commence the Novitiate. Study. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday April 18th. Heard Mass, heard Confessions. Occupied up to 1 writing. Night prayers and Confessions.

Friday April 19th. Celebrated at the usual hour - heard Mass and Confessions at St Francis. Business and study up to 12. Appointed a teacher to Kilmore School and one on trial to another School in the same Mission. Paid two visits. On my return home recited Vespers, wrote for a while and read till dinner.

Saturday April 20th. Celebrated Mass. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Engaged up to 1. Confessions from 2 to 4. In the evening Confessions from 6 to 9.30.

Sunday April 21st. At 7 o'clock Mass - preached after the Gospel. Heard Mass and Confessions. Read and wrote at intervals until 2. Visited the Catechism classes in Sts Augustine and Francis. Attendance small. Evening as usual - attended Vespers, sermon, Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Monday April 22nd. Celebrated Mass a little after 7. Afterwards attended Mass in St Francis and heard Confessions. Busy the whole of the morning. Prepared letters for English Mail. Made a remittance for Catholic Association to Dr Heptonstall - £110. In the evening night prayers and Confessions. Wrote a note to Fr. O'Mara in reference to his neglecting to give Mass at the Benevolent Asylum as directed to do - once a week.

Tuesday April 23rd. Celebrated Mass at the usual hour. Attended Mass in St Francis and heard Confessions. Breakfast over, read until 10 - except when interrupted on business. Meeting of School Committee, important business done. Evening, night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday April 24th. Celebrated Mass. Attended Mass in St Francis and heard Confessions. Meditation as usual. Engaged either writing letters - reading or transacting business up to 1. In the evening nominated Fr. Downing at his own request to Williamstown. Night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday April 25th. Said Mass. Heard Mass and Confessions. Business up to 11. Took my leave of the Nuns and Bishop - who leave this afternoon for Queensland. Appointed Fr. Madden with a caution to Keilor.

Friday April 26th. Heard Mass this morning. Feel a little indisposed. Did business up to 1. Studied a little before dinner. Read for a short time before night prayers. Night prayers - Confessions.

Saturday April 27th. Mass at a little after 7. Heard Mass and Confessions afterwards. Studied and did business up to 12. Took a short ride. Commenced Confessions at 2. Left the Church at 4 and recited the last nocturne of Matins for tomorrow. Evening Confessions.

Sunday April 28th. Celebrated Mass in St Francis at 7. After the Gospel addressed a few words to the Congregation on the means to be adopted for checking and overthrowing the vice of drunkenness - a vice which I denounced the previous Sunday. Heard Confessions during 8 o'clock Mass. Read a good part of the day. Wrote a short admonition to Catholics in reference to the care they should take to afford their female friends and relatives coming out under the assisted emigration - over moral protection during the passage. Evening payers - sermon by one of the clergy. Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Monday April 29th. Celebrated Mass about 7. Heard 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Admitted a few to Confession. Engaged the whole of the morning. Visited St Mary's Schools - attendance in both large. Well satisfied with teaching etc. Visited another school in the neighbourhood - kept in a private house. Attendance large - accommodation inadequate. Evening Confessions - night prayers as usual.

Tuesday April 30th. Celebrated Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Occupied all the morning in various useful ways. Waited until 1 for meeting of School Committee. At 1.30 - no members being in attendance - left for home. Read and wrote until a little before dinner. Evening - usual recreation. Confessions.