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

Wednesday August 1st. Celebrated Mass at 9. Visited Maryborough during the day. School house a good brick building 40 by 22 ft. Opened the Mission in Carisbrook, heard a few Confessions.

Thursday August 2nd. Mass at 9 - Confessions being previously heard. Number of Communicants about 15. Population small. At 12 paid a visit to Back Creek, heard confessions after prayers.

Friday August 3rd. Left at 8.30 for Back Creek. Heard Confessions, celebrated Mass, gave Holy Communion to 16 persons. Chapel of wood covered with canvas, 70 x 22. Preaching after the Gospel. Returned to Carisbrook - distance 12 miles.

Saturday August 4th. Celebrated Mass at 9 and gave instruction. Engaged hearing Confessions up to 5. Evening prayers, returned to Carisbrook, heard a few Confessions. Carisbrook is 24 miles from Castlemaine, 4 from Maryborough and 22 from Lamplough - 13 from Green Gully - 12 from Back Creek

Sunday August 5th. Maryborough. The first Mass was at 10. Heard a few Confessions before saying the 11 o'clock Mass and administered Confirmation and gave instruction. 46 were Confirmed. 100 Communicants.

Monday August 6th. Anniversary of Consecration. Celebrated in the Presbytery Carisbrook at 9. Visited the Maryborough hospital.

Tuesday August 7th. Celebrated Mass at 9. Visited Green Gully and blessed the Catholic cemetery there. Church glebe here 2 1/2 acres. Offered up Mass for the subscribers to the Catholic Association.

Wednesday August 8th. Celebrated Mass at 9. Visited Bet Bet and Dunolly - latter place distant from Carisbrook 16 miles.

Thursday August 9th. Said Mass at 9. Remained in Carisbrook today. Read a good part of the day.

Friday August 10th. Celebrated Mass about 8.30. Leave today for Lamplough. Arrived in Lamplough about 2. Opened the Lamplough retreat at 6. Attendance rather small. Heard a few Confessions.

Saturday August 11th. Celebrated Mass at 9. Gave instruction after the Gospel. Attendance good. Busy the whole day and up to a late hour in the evening hearing Confessions. People came from the Avoca, Back Creek, Amphitheatre and other places to join in the retreat. The Chapel is of iron covered with a good canvas roof. Length 86. Width 50. There is a school here. No aid from Denominational Board.

Sunday August 12th Sermon for Seminary, St Francis. Mission and Retreat concluded at Lamplough. Mass was said at 8, 9 and 11. Celebrated 11 o'clock and gave instruction. Communicants 110. Confirmed 46. Left at 5.

Monday August 13th. Recited morning prayers at Lexton in the Camp. A few families attended. Distance from Lamplough 10 miles. At 10 left for Ballaarat where we arrived a little after 2.

Tuesday August 14th. Visited the Hospital today. Heard a few Confessions. Will open the Retreat tomorrow. Received letters from Europe, Hobart-town and Adelaide. Answered the letters.

Wednesday August 15th. Mass was said at 8.30, 9.30, 10.30 and 11. Celebrated at 11 and opened the Retreat with a short discourse. Confessions from 11 to 1, from 2 to 4.30. Evening prayers and instruction at 6. Confessions. A large number went to Holy Communion today.

Sunday August 19th. Conclusion of Retreat for the laity at Ballaarat. Mass at 8, 9, 10, 11. Said 11 o'clock Mass and gave instruction. Retreat most successful. Evening prayers and Benediction.

Monday August 20th. Left, after hearing Mass, for Geelong - where we arrived a little before 5.

Tuesday August 21st. Celebrated Mass for Fr. O'Brien, it being his Anniversary. Blessed the Mortuary Chapel, visited the Convent. Left for Melbourne.

Wednesday August 22nd. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Engaged writing letters for the home Mail.

Thursday August 23rd. Said Mass at 8.30 - College Chapel.

Friday August 24th. Said Mass about 8. College Chapel.

Sunday August 26th. Sermon for Orphanage - Emerald Hill - to be preached in Melbourne. Celebrated Mass at 7 and gave a short instruction. Assisted at the 11 Mass.

Monday August 27th. Visited the schools. Celebrated Mass at a little past 8.

Tuesday August 28th. Profession [in] Melbourne - Miss *Burns*. Celebrated Mass at 10. Profession made during the Celebration. Solemn Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Wednesday August 29th. Preliminary meeting for taking steps for the erection of a female Orphanage. General meeting appointed for Sunday week.

Thursday August 30th. Mission at Sunbury.

Friday August 31st. Celebrated Mass at 9. Gave instruction. Engaged hearing Confessions up to 3.30. Returned by train to Melbourne.