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

Friday February 1st. Weather very stormy and wet - unable to leave Melbourne for Brighton as arranged. Busy preparing Pastoral for publication.

Saturday February 2nd. Went to Prahran and said Mass at 9. Engaged hearing Confessions up to 3.30 - again in the evening to 6.30. Returned to Melbourne and heard Confessions in St Francis to 9.30.

Sunday February 3rd. Left for Prahran at 9.30. Heard a few Confessions and gave a short instruction before Confirmation. After Confirmation commenced the Holy Mass. The Gospel said, delivered a short discourse. After Mass gave Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament. Evening attended Vespers, sermon and Benediction in St Francis.

Monday February 4th. Feeling a little indisposed this morning - did not celebrate but heard Mass in St Francis. Finished Lenten Pastoral. Wrote letters and studied. In the evening attended night prayers in St Francis.

Tuesday February 5th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Busy from 9.30 to 11.30. Left at 11.30 en route to Western Port, where we arrived at about 6.

Wednesday February 6th. Dedicated the Chapel here to St Agatha. Mass a little after 11.30. Retreat commenced. Confessions during the day. Evening prayers, instructions and Confessions. Weather fine.

Thursday February 7th. Was at the Chapel about 7. Recited Divine Office. Heard Confessions. Gave Confirmation at 9 o'clock. Mass - instruction - Holy Communion soon after. Attendance numerous. Chapel handsome wooden building - slated. Parents don't send their children to schools. Left for Melbourne.

Friday February 8th. Celebrated the Holy Mass in St Patrick's at 8.30. Was in the office a little before. Recited Divine Office and made meditation. Wrote letters - transacted business. Left the office and paid a visit to the Bazaar for the House of Refuge. In the evening night prayers - Confessions.

Saturday February 9th. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited Divine Office, heard Confessions. Revised and corrected Pastoral. Wrote several letters - studied at intervals. Heard Confessions. In the evening, Confessions. Made arrangements for tomorrow and ensuing weeks.

Sunday February 10th. Celebrated Mass at 7 in St Francis. Pastoral read at the Masses today. Heard 8 o'clock Mass. Heard Confessions. Caused a Circular to be prepared for tomorrow for the clergy in reference to the approaching Census. Vespers Sermon Benediction.

Monday February 11th. Attended in St Francis about 8.30. From 10 to 1 occupied in the office. Wrote to many of the Clergy in favour of the Catholic Association. Circular to the Clergy advising them to engage the teachers to look after the Census. Studied for a time. Night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday February 12th. Celebrated Mass a little after 7. Heard Mass at 8 in St Francis. Divine Office and other devotions over - took breakfast. Wrote letters. Presided at meeting of Catholic School Committee, 12.30. Left Presbytery at 2. Financial minute to be prepared for next meeting of Catholic School Committee with a view to reduction of teachers salaries. Night prayers and Confessions.

Ash Wednesday February 13th. Blessed the ashes and celebrated Mass in St Francis, at 7. Distributed ashes after Mass. Heard Confessions during 8 o'clock Mass. Attended the 11 o'clock Mass and distributed the Holy Ashes. Wrote to Bishop of Adelaide. Left the office a little past 12. Study.

Thursday February 14th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass afterwards in St Francis. Remained in the Confessional until 9.30. Office duties and studying up to 12.30. Dined at 1. After dinner read until 5. Confessions in the evening, night prayers.

Friday February 15th. Said Mass at the usual time, about 7. Heard Mass in St Francis. Confessions, business, letters and study to past 12. At 1 dined. Evening Confessions, night prayers.

Saturday February 16th. Mass a little after 7. Heard Mass, heard Confessions, wrote letters, made arrangements for Sunday duty. Confessions in the forenoon and afternoon - study.

Sunday February 17th. Celebrated the Holy Mass at 7 in St Francis and gave a short instruction to the people. Communicants at Mass numerous. Heard 8 o'clock Mass. Studied after breakfast. Visited one of the schools. In the evening attended Vespers and preached - gave the Benediction.

Monday February 18th. Offered up the Holy Mass in College Chapel a little after 7. Heard the 8 o'clock Mass. Morning, up to 12, busily occupied. Studied during the afternoon. At 7 attended the Rosary in St Francis. Preached and gave Benediction. Heard Confessions.

Tuesday February 19th. Celebrated the Holy Mass about 7 in the College Chapel. Engaged until 12, meeting of Catholic School Committee. After dinner a siesta - then study. Attended Rosary, preached and gave Benediction. Heard Confessions.

Wednesday February 20th. Mass at the usual hour. Heard Mass. Heard Confessions - busy during the forenoon. Afternoon study - letter writing. Rosary - preached and gave the Benediction - heard Confessions.

Monday February 25th. Celebrated Mass at 7. Heard the 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Heard Confessions. Read and wrote between 9 and 11. Examined Frs. Fynn and Kavenagh in the tract of Penance. Had a conversation with Dr Barry about the finances of the College. He assured me it would be out of debt in August next - and at the end of the year it would have £600 to its credit. I hope all this will prove true. From 2.30 to 5 - read. In the evening attended Rosary in St Francis, lecture and Confessions.

Wednesday February 27th. At 7 went to the Convent, said Mass and made the Visitation. Examined accounts. No Bank book was produced. Income for last year £2060 or thereabouts, outlay £2033. Saw Fr. Downing about Orphan accounts. Amount due up to this date £1122. Leave for Ballaarat today. Did not start for Ballaarat. Confessions, Rosary, Lecture and Benediction - evening.

Thursday February 28th. Busy all the morning. Start for Geelong and Ballaarat today. Reached Meredith about 9 at night.