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

Friday August 1st. Celebrated Mass a little past 7. Heard Mass - heard Confessions - recited Hours - meditation.

Breakfast over, wrote letters to Clergy requesting a small Collection to be made by each to meet the expenses incurred by Dr McCarthy in administering the Cemetery Act according to the discipline of the Church. Wrote also about aiding the proprietor of the Victorian newspaper. Read for Mr Archer the letter I intend to write to Government in reference to his appointment to the Board of the Common Schools - he approved of the conditions of the recommendation and appointment.

On my return home read and wrote at intervals until dinner. Took a short drive with [the] Bishop. St Francis - night prayers and Confessions as usual.

Saturday August 2nd. Heard Mass this morning. Divine Office, meditation - half hour. Business until 12. Wrote for a short time. Conversed with the Bishop of Hobart Town a short time. Called at the Convent about 1.30. Confessions from 2 to 4.

Heard that one of Barry's creditors of the name Stephen Donovan - a bad Catholic - has levied with the permission of this bad priest on the furniture of the College !!! O tempora, O mores!! Confessions from 7 to 9.30. Saw Mr O'Farrell on this disgraceful seizure. He said we could do nothing.

Sunday August 3rd. Celebrated Mass at 8 in St Francis. Invested with a blue ribbon 24 of the members of the Young Men's Society - addressed them a few words before [so] doing. All, with a large number of the congregation went to Holy Communion. Announced a mission or retreat for the people - to commence on the 11th.

Divine Office - meditation. Remained at home until 2. Read for an hour portions of the Old Testament. Visited St George's - which was [not?] opened, it being a little too early - visited St Mary's between 3 and 4 - children were assembled for Catechism - called at St Aug[ustine's] - it was shut. Visited the Convent for a minute with the Vicar-General - Revd. M[other] not in. After dinner prepared to go to St Francis for Vespers - which were over about 8.30. Mr O'Farrell and Lane called.

Monday August 4th. Celebrated Mass in College at a little after 7. Heard Mass in St Francis - heard a few Confessions - Divine Office - meditation - business until 12. Returned home. Things being removed from the College by [the] Sheriff's Officers on acc[ount] of Barry - other creditors defrauded. Wrote until 2.30. Advised Fr England to see that the property of the Mission was not touched. Read until dinner. St Francis, attended night prayers - heard Confessions.

Thursday [i.e Tuesday] August 5th. At 7.30 Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass at St Francis - heard Confessions - Divine Office - meditation. Business up to 12. Read with short intervals up to 3. Went to St Francis after a short drive with the Bishop - attended night prayers - Confessions.

Mr Higinbotham, a creditor of Barry, called. Expressed his displeasure at the seizure of the College furniture by Donovan and Co. Would, if he could, stop the sale. I merely said that the creditors should protect themselves and see that the property was disposed for the benefit of all the creditors - thought the creditors should bring the matter before the public through the press.

Dined at St Francis - Bishop of Hobart and clergy of the City. At 7 night prayers - Confessions.

Wednesday August 6th. 14[th] anniversary of my Consecration. Sung Mass at 11. Bishop of Hobart, Dr Wilson, was present - and a good many of the Clergy.

Weather wet in the morning but cleared up about 12. Dinner at 6. Clergy and Bishop [Willson] will be with us, and a few of the laity.

Thursday August 7th. Mass in College Chapel about 7. Heard Mass and Confessions at St Francis. Had a visit from Dr Bowie, Surgeon Superintendent of Yarra-bend Lunatic Asylum. Advised to call at St Patrick's and explain himself to Bishop Wilson.

Told Dr Wilson that Mr Bowie would wait upon him. Visited for a few minutes the Convent - Sisters are on retreat. At 3 dinner. Drove out with the Bishop - called at the new Orphanage - not as yet occupied. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Friday August 8th. Celebrated Mass about 7. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours. When not busy - read. . At 12 left the office. Bishop Wilson and the Vicar-General left for Ballaarat. Wrote for a few minutes. Read from 1 to 2 - then recited Vespers, Compline, Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Night prayers and Confession.

Saturday 9th August. Celebrated Mass at 7.30 in the Cathedral. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation. Had a visit from Mrs Cullen - told her I declined to receive Dr Bowie's explanation in reference to Yarra Bend - gave no information as to what he said. Left office at 12. Read until 1.30. Confessions afternoon and night as usual.

Sunday August 10th. Said Mass and preached at 8. St Francis duties as usual. Visit to the Blessed Sacrament. From 11 to 1.30 occupied reading. Visited St Francis and St Patrick's when children were being taught the Christian doctrine. Evening attended Vespers in St Francis - sermon and Benediction as usual.

Monday August 11th. Mass in the College - heard Mass. Hours - meditation. Studied, when not interrupted by business, up to 12. Wrote from 12.30 to a little past 1. Took a short drive with the Bishop of Hobart. Weather wet. The Bishop of Hobart will open the Mission to the people this evening with instruction and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The church was well attended - Confessions up to 9.

Teusday [sic], August 12th. Mass at the usual time. Went to St Francis, heard Mass and Confessions. Congregation at each Mass large. Business in Study. Evening prayers. Rosary - Sermon - Benediction - Confessions up to 9. Weather wet and stormy.

Wednesday August 13th. Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass in St Francis - heard Confessions. Weather unfavourable. Business and study as usual. Private devotions attended to. Bishop of Hobart left at 5 for the steamer which will leave later in the afternoon for Launceston. In the evening preached after prayers - gave Benediction. Congregation very large though the weather was most unfavourable. Busy hearing Confessions up to 10. Clergyman from neighbouring missions assist.

Thursday August 14th. Vigil. Said Mass at 7 - or a little after. Heard Mass in St Francis. Busy hearing Confessions. Meditation and visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament as usual. Business and study - attended evening prayers and Benediction. Confessions up to 10.30.

Friday August 15th. Sung High Mass. Communicants at each Mass most numerous. Church crowded at High Mass. Evening prayers. Confessions.

Saturday August 16th. Mass at the usual hour - devotions as usual. Business and study at the appointed time. Confessions from 2 to 4. Evening from 6.30 to near 11 without interruption.

Sunday August 17th. Celebrated Mass in St Francis at 8. Pastoral read after the Gospel calling on the people to subscribe to the Papal fund. Collection was made after the reading of the Pastoral. Communicants at this Mass numerous. During the day read a little of the Old Testament - recited Hours - meditation - visit to the Blessed Sacrament - studied a little. Visited Christine Doctrine classes in St Francis - called for a few minutes at the Convent. Attended Vespers - sermon and Benediction in St Francis.

Monday August 18th. Celebrated Mass a little after 7 - heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Told the Vicar-General to tell Fr Smyth to make his retreat. Left for Duneed where I purpose making my retreat this week. When I reached Geelong wrote to Dr Fitzpatrick to get desks in the College and forms [benches]. Hope to open the day school next week. Got to Duneed about 4.30. Recited Vespers. Read for some time in the evening. Retired early to rest.

Tuesday August 19th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - Mass - meditation - had to write to Mr O'Shanassy about appointing a Catholic matron and teacher for the Catholic children at the Immigrants' Home - and to arrange for the nuns visiting whenever they find it convenient. Wrote to the Attorney General requesting a speedy opinion as to the legality of the deed to be issued for Church reserves. Wrote to [the] Vicar-General urging the providing [of] desks and forms for College - and to telegraph for Fr McCarthy to make Fr Nevill to account for the subscription made by him at Sandhurst - to be content with his share of the dues. If he did this he might send him to Belfast. Fr Kavenagh to administer the temporalities - all emoluments over expenses to be divided equally. Wrote in note book. Vespers - meditation. Recited Matins for tomorrow and short prayer. At 7.30 night prayers. At 9.30 bed.

Wednesday August 20th. Still my retreat devotions and exercises same as yesterday. Had to write two letters - one to the Vicar-General, the other to Dean Slattery. Read a little of Devoti on Canon Law.

Thursday August 21st. Devotions and exercises of retreat same as yesterdays. Read a little of Devoti. Weather cold and stormy. Vicar-General and Dean Hayes came out.

Friday August 22nd. Celebrated Mass about 8. Left for Melbourne about 10. Wrote to Dean Hayes in reference to the Geelong Female Orphanage. The Sisters are overworked as stated by Revd. Mother - therefore the Orphanage must remain as it is. The money lent to the Sisters from the Orphanage to be paid back - by giving such a share of the proceeds of [the] Bazaar as they may be able to spare - and from the sources at the disposal of Revd. Mother. Arrived in Melbourne about 4. Attended night prayers and heard Confessions.

Saturday August 23rd. Heard Mass this morning in St Francis - received a good many to Confession.

Saw Fr Nevill and told him he must account for the Collection he made at Sandhurst. Gave him leave to go to Ballaarat to celebrate Mass there tomorrow. He is to return on Monday.

Business up to 11. At 1 met deputation about the relief of the distress in Ireland- said that the Church would take action soon in reference to it - but it is to be a separate action.

Mr O'Shanassy dined with us - Confessions at the usual hours - but few attended in the evening. Got home about 9.30. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow.

Sunday August 24th. Rose at 6.30. Celebrated Mass in St Francis at 8. Delivered a short discourse after the Gospel. Recited Hours - half hour's meditation. Read a few chapters in the Old Testament. Wrote for the outgoing English Mail. Visited the new school now being built in Collingwood. Visited for a few minutes the Convent - the Vicar General was with me. Attended Vespers, Benediction and sermon at St Francis.

Monday August 25th. Rose early - after the usual morning devotions heard Mass and recited the Divine Office. Engaged writing letters for Home Mail up to 10. Wrote to Bishop Hynes and Dr Heptonstall. Sent the latter a bill of Exchange for £103 on account of the Catholic Association. Advised him if funds would allow to provide passage and outfit for the nuns of the Good Shepherd - if ready to come out.

Visited Keilor - 42 children in the school. Told Br *John* he would not be allowed to collect. Advised him to write home for a community of his religious to take charge of schools. He dined with us.

In the evening Confessions and night prayers.

Tuesday August 26th. Devotions as usual. Busy writing letters for the English Mail. Weather dusty with a high wind from the North. The Vicar-General went to Geelong on business connected with the Female Orphanage and the Convent. Called at the Convent - Nicholson Street - for a quarter hour. Studied a little - revised prospectus for opening day school at the College. Confessions - night prayers.

Wednesday August 27th. Mass at 7 [in] College Chapel. Heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions - meditation. After Breakfast, read for a time. Wrote for a short interval.

Saw Mr Archer [for] a few minutes about the Common Schools regulations - told my objections to some of them - these should be altered before we could accept the Bill.

In the evening attended night prayers and heard Confessions. Recited Matins for tomorrow.

Thursday August 28th. Celebrated Mass in the Convent. Attended in St Francis - recited Hours - a short meditation.

Wrote to the Bishop of Hobart - sent Telegram in reply to the Archbishop. Directed the Vicar-General to write to the Nuns in Geelong and state that as they earnestly solicited the charge of the female orphans he consented to it, provided two acres were legally reserved for a site for the Orphanage and that they were not putting too much upon themselves by undertaking its charge. He forbad them to incur any new debt until the present is paid off.

Studied until 1.30 - then left for Keilor where I dined. Returned to Melbourne about 7. Confessions - night prayers. The Vicar-General went to Geelong today.

Friday August 29th. At 7, Mass. Went to [St] Francis - heard Mass - recited portions of Divine Office - made meditation - saw several clergyman on business - wrote a letter or two. Read for an hour.

Saw Mr O'Shanassy - he thought there would be no difficulty in altering Regulations as I suggested. Consecrated a chalice for Kilmore mission. Left office for home a little after 12. Busy sorting letters. Wrote for a short time. Recited Vespers and Compline. In the evening recited Matins. Read a little - de Tractatu matrimonii. Took a long walk. Confessions - night prayers.

Saturday August 30th. Heard Mass - heard a few Confessions - recited Lauds and Hours - made my meditation. Looked over the Victorian - it is not quite the one we would wish [it] to be. Read for an hour or more. Arranged order of service for tomorrow. Appointed Dean Hayes to preach for Irish Relief Fund in St Francis first Sunday in October and Fr Driscoll in Geelong. Studied up to 2. Confessions in the evening at 7. Penitents few - left St Francis about 9.

Sunday August 31st. Celebrated Mass in St Francis at 8. Gave instruction after Holy Communion. Recited Hours. After breakfast read a religious book. Returned home about ten o'clock. Made meditation. Read three chapters in the Holy Bible - visited the Convent for a few minutes.

Had a visit from a Mr Hanify in reference to vulgar and grossly offensive remarks attributed to him or a Mr O'Grady when alluding to the Bishop and Clergy. He denied he ever uttered such. I told him plainly what I thought of men who would express themselves so. He said it was the intention of the Committee for the Irish Relief Fund to remit the money through me.

Visited St Francis about Catechism time. But few children were present. A good many teachers were absent. Returned home at 4. Read until dinner. Evening attended Vespers in St Francis - Sermon - Benediction.