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

Saturday December 1st. Celebrated and gave instruction on my return this morning from Melbourne to Williamstown. Engaged hearing Confessions during the day and evening.

Sunday December 2nd. Administered Confirmation at 10.30. Celebrated Mass immediately after. Returned to Melbourne by 2.30. Attended evening prayers in St Patrick's.

Monday December 3rd. Offered up the Holy Sacrifice at 8.30. Conferred the Sacred order of Deacon on Mr Kavenagh. Engaged as usual during the morning up to 10.

Tuesday December 4th. Mass at the usual hour in the College Chapel. Meeting of Catholic School Committee, but little business of importance done. Busy writing letters up to 1.30. Visited Orphanage.

Wednesday December 5th. In the morning Early Mass. Attended the office, engaged as usual up to near 2. Called at the Convent. In the evening paid a visit to the Orphanage. Much sickness still prevails there.

Sunday December 9th. Very wet. Celebrated Mass at 9 in St Patrick's Cathedral. Attended evening prayers at St Francis.

Monday December 10th. Ordained the Revd. Kavenagh priest in St Patrick's Cathedral.

Tuesday December 11th. Mass at 7.30 in College Chapel. Meeting of Catholic School Committee at 12. The Secretary was instructed to prepare papers on the Catholic System of Education with a view of having a bill drafted.

Wednesday December 12th. Celebrated Mass about 9. Refused *   *.

Sunday December 16th. Celebrated Mass at 11 in a temporary Chapel raised on the site of St Joseph's Schools, Otter St Collingwood. After Mass laid the foundation stone of the New School.

Monday December 17th. Did not celebrate Mass this morning, feeling a little indisposed. Very busy in the office up to near 2. Called at the Convent. Dined at St Francis Presbytery - 4 o'clock.

Tuesday December 18th. Mass at the usual hour. Attended in the office for business according to practice when at home, from 9.30 to 1 - Meeting of the Catholic School Committee.

Wednesday December 19th. Offered up the Holy Sacrifice a little after 7. Heard 9 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Engaged in the office up to 10.30. Attended the examinations in the Public School. Distributed the premiums. The examinations were most satisfactory. Advised the nuns to provide accommodation for Fr. O'Rourke who [is] seriously ill. Gave Fr. Kums his exeat.

Thursday December 20th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel at 7.30 - after which administered Confirmation to a few of the boys attending the College. Heard Mass in St Francis. Assisted at the Solemn requiem and office for those who fell in defence of the temporal rights of the Holy See.

Was present at the examinations held in the College in the forenoon. In the evening distributed the premiums to the boys after Exhibition. Great praise is due to the V. Rev. the President for the proficiencies made by the boys in religious and secular knowledge.

Friday December 21st. Heard Mass this morning. Very busy as usual.

Saturday December 22nd. Celebrated Mass at 7. Meditation made, heard Mass at St Francis. Study and business at intervals in the forenoon. Appointed [Fr.] Lordan on trial for 2 months as Visitor to the City gaols - Collingwood Stockade - and the Hulks. These places he is to visit during each week - twice to each. His jurisdiction is confined to them.

Arrangement of emolument between Frs Verling and Kavenagh - the latter is to get £50 per annum and to be found in everything but apparel.

Sunday December 23rd. Got up at 5. Office and preparation for Mass. At 6 celebrated Mass at St Francis and gave instruction. Heard the 8 o'clock Mass. After breakfast meditation - this over, read a few chapters, as is my daily custom, in the Bible. During the day at intervals reading suited to the Sabbath. Visited.

Monday December 24th. Rose early and went to St Francis after the usual morning prayers. Heard the 7 and 8 o'clock Masses. Celebrated in Our Lady's Chapel at a quarter to 9. Engaged hearing Confessions in the forenoon to 12. Visited the Convent, wrote letters, studied a while. Confessions during the afternoon to 4 and from 7 to 10.30 at night.

Tuesday December 25th. Got up at 6. Morning prayers over, prepared for the 1st Mass - which I said in the Convent Chapel at 8 - 2nd and 3rd at 10 and 11 in St Francis. Wrote letters for English mail. Solemn Vespers and Benediction in the evening at St Francis.

Wednesday December 26th. Celebrated the Holy Mass in the Convent at an early hour. Study, business and reading occupied the principal part of the day. Devotions and religious exercises as usual. Sent letters by the English Mail.

Thursday December 27th. The morning devotions and Divine Office satisfied in part, celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass as usual afterwards in St Francis. Hours for study and business interrupted.

Friday December 28th. Heard Mass this morning after having gone through my customary devotions. Visited several places during the day. Studied a little. Wrote letters.

Saturday December 29th. Mass at an early hour in the College Chapel. Heard a few Confessions during the morning in St Francis. Studied at intervals during the day. Read a few chapters of the Bible. Attended to the Confessional at the appointed hours.

Sunday December 30th. Rose a little before 5. Private devotions over, went to St Francis. At 7 celebrated Mass, delivered a short discourse after the Gospel. Heard the 8 o'clock Mass. Vespers and Benediction in the evening.

[On cover of volume]

December 6th 1860. Offered up the Holy Mass for the subscribers to Catholic Association.

July 29th 1860. Catholic Association Castlemaine £7.17.0 to be forwarded. Collection to be made on the last Sunday of each [month] and on the same day at Sandhurst.

Beechworth. Nothing has been obtained for the Schools erected in this Mission by Fr. Tierney from the Denominational Board. Inquiry to be made in reference to this. Wrote to Fr. Bleasdale on this subject.

September 28th 1860. Beechworth. Gave permission to the nuns in Melbourne to make the collection allowed them next month, in the manner suggested by themselves. Beechworth 28th Sept.

November 20th 1860. Mount St Joseph Roscrea Convent School. Terms £22 per annum. Only extras agreed, washing and medicines.

[Jottings]: McIvor Com[munions]. 140 *Fr.* Birch 70. No school fees to Mrs at glass-house.

H. Commun[ions] 18. School House at Inglewood a good wooden building with iron roof 40 x 25.

15th November 1860. Swan Hill. Commun[icants] 5.