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

Saturday February 1st. Heard Mass this morning. Devotions as usual - Divine Office - meditation. Heard Confessions during Mass. At 12.30 went to Gnarwarre - engaged hearing Confessions until near 5. Evening night prayers and Confessions.

Received this evening a most unreasonable letter from a clergyman to whom I have been kind and indulgent. Now that we are in much trouble and affliction it is too bad to receive such letters from such persons.

Sunday February 2nd. Left for Gnarwarre at 10. Blessed and dedicated the Chapel school. Dedicated to Our Lady on her feast "the Purification". Blessed candles. Commenced Mass at 11.30. Sermon preached by Dean Hayes after Holy Communion. There were about 50 to Holy Communion. Gave Confirmation before Mass - spoke a few words to the people. Collection made. Amount received £49. Breakfast at 1.30. Returned to Duneed. Divine Office and suitable [reading] filled the leisure time in the evening.

Monday February 3rd. Rose at 6 - morning prayers - Divine Office - meditation. Breakfast. Examined Account Books and Registries. Debt due on Duneed Church £650 - on Inverleigh £128 - Gnarwarre £150.

Tuesday February 4th. Rose early - morning prayers. Recited Matins. Proceeded by train to Little River. Gave instruction - heard Confessions. Celebrated Mass - heard Confessions after Thanksgiving. Returned to Geelong by 3. Wrote letters up to dinner time. After walked a short time in the garden. Read a little before going to bed.

Wednesday February 5th. Resumed the duties of the Mission at Little River. Heard a good many Confessions. About 60 went to Holy Communion. I commenced Mass at 10.30. Gave instruction after Communion. After Mass examined the children. Returned to Geelong about 3. Wrote letters. Read, as is my wont, before retiring for the night.

Thursday February 6th. Today gave a Mission to the people at Point Henry. Little Church full. Delivered a short discourse before Mass - after which heard Confessions assisted by two Priests. Nearly all present went to Confession and Holy Communion. Saw the children after Mass. Condemned the altar and school house. Visited Bellarine school. Returned about 3.15.

Friday February 7th. Left for Batesford at 6.30. Heard Confessions - preached to the people. About 40 went to Holy Communion and a great many more to Confession. Attended night prayers in Geelong.

Saturday February 8th. After Mass - thanksgiving and meditation. Received letters - answered some. Recited Hours. About 12 left for Sutherland Creek and Anakies Missions. School in Sutherland Creek - a stone building. Furniture middling - desks should be removed from the walls to the center. Reached the Anakies after some trouble about 6 in the evening. No one at the School. Stopped the night with farmer there. Recited night prayers with the family.

Sunday February 9th. Rose early - recited Matins Lauds and Hours - made meditation. Went to the School Chapel about 8. Heard Confessions. At 10 celebrated Mass. After Holy Communion - preached. The Clergyman who accompanied me said Mass at 11. Heard Confessions during his Mass. About 50 received. Nearly all present went to Confession. Returned to Geelong. Assisted at Vespers.

Monday February 10th. After prayers - heard Mass. Recited Matins. Celebrated Mass. Thanksgiving. After breakfast read letters - recited Lauds and Hours. Meditation. Wrote for some time. Left for Melbourne by 12.30 train. After dinner a few minutes repose. Then read until 6.30. Went to St Francis - joined in night prayers - heard Confessions.

Tuesday February 11th. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - made meditation. Read correspondence. Wrote letters in reference to Catholic Association. Attended meeting of Catholic School Committee. Mr O'Farrell appointed a member. At 2.30 closed the meeting. After siesta wrote several letters - chiefly to the Clergy. At 6.30 went to St Francis - heard Confessions.

Wednesday February 12th. Celebrated Mass - recited Divine Office - made meditation - wrote letters. Left by the 1 o'clock train for Geelong. Opened Mission in Geelong at 7 with night prayers. Preached - prayer and blessing. Heard Confessions. Clergy from neighbouring Missions assist. Attendance of people very good.

Thursday February 13th. Rose early - recited Matins and Hours - meditation - preparation for Mass. Heard 8 o'clock Mass - at which a sermon was preached by the Celebrant. At 9 offered up the Holy Sacrifice. Heard Confessions from 11 to 1. Engaged for nearly two hours writing letters. Took a short drive after dinner. Evening - night prayers - sermon by Dean Hayes. Confessions until after 9. At 10 to bed.

Friday February 14th. Recited Matins - short preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass. Heard Confessions up to 9. One of the resident Clergy preached at 8 o'clock Mass. Confessions from 11 to 1. Studied when not hearing Confessions. Drove out for an hour after dinner. Night prayers - sermon by Dean Hayes. Confessions up to 10.

Saturday February 15th. After morning prayers - Divine Office - Meditation - Confessions - Solemn High Mass. Procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Adoration during the day and night. Confessions during the day and to a late hour of night.

Called at the Convent today and examined accounts - looked over book of receipts. Was satisfied.

Sunday February 16th. At 6 got up - dressed - said morning [prayers] - recited Matins - made preparation for Mass. At 8 o'clock Mass gave Holy Communion to a great number. Heard Confessions. Assisted at High Mass - gave the Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Mass. In the evening Vespers - Benediction and Sermon. This concluded the Mission. Very near a thousand persons went to Holy Communion. I preached the evening sermon.

Monday February 17th. Heard Mass - recited the Divine Office. Wrote for near an hour. Proceeded to Melbourne by mid-day train. In the evening attended prayers in St Francis. Heard Confessions. Wrote a part of Lenten Pastoral before retiring to rest.

Tuesday February 18th. Not feeling well this morning I did not celebrate. Heard 8 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Recited Divine Office - made Meditation. Wrote letters - engaged preparing Pastoral. At 1 presided at meeting of Catholic School Committee - a good deal of business done. Returned home. Gave an hour to writing Pastoral. Evening - night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday February 19th. Celebrated Mass - heard Mass and Confessions - Divine Office - meditation - breakfast. Engaged preparing Pastoral most of the day for the Press. In evening at 7 went to Emerald Hill and opened Mission there - recited prayers and preached. Heard Confessions. Returned Melbourne about 10.

Thursday February 20th. Celebrated Mass at 8 at Emerald Hill. Heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation. Wrote letters between 10 and 11. Heard Confessions from 11 to 1. Went to Melbourne. Returned to the Hill to dine. At 7 recited Rosary - preached - then recited a few prayers after the Litany. Engaged hearing Confessions until 10.30. Returned to Melbourne.

Friday February 21st. Morning devotions - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 9 celebrated Mass at Emerald Hill. From 10 to 11 busy with Pastoral. Heard Confessions from 11 to 1. A little after 1 returned to Melbourne. Busy writing up to 3. Returned to the Hill a little before 7. Recited the usual prayers - preached - heard Confessions - returned to Melbourne about 10.30.

Saturday February 22nd. Heard Mass this morning. Divine Office - meditation. Engaged writing from 9 to 11.30. Heard Confessions until past 2. Went to Melbourne about 3. Engaged at Pastoral up to 4.30. Returned to Emerald Hill about 6.30. Continued to hear Confessions until near 11. Returned to Melbourne.

Sunday February 23rd. Concluded today the Mission at Emerald Hill. Rose early - performed morning devotions - recited Divine Office - meditation - preparation for Mass and Sermon. At 11 commenced Mass - preached after the Holy Communion. About 400 received of those who attended the Mission. Collection made for liquidating debt due on building. At 1.30 took breakfast. It blew a hot wind the whole day. Did not attend Vespers in the evening. Whole of afternoon engaged writing Pastoral. Much fatigued.

Monday February 24th. Engaged after Divine Office with Pastoral up to a little after 11. Opened Convent Chapel with High Mass - preached after the Ablutions. At 1 took breakfast. Corrected proof of Pastoral from the Press. Hope to have it out about Wednesday. Night prayers - Vespers - Compline.

Tuesday February 25th. Rose a little before 6 - prayers and part of the Divine Office over, gave instructions for matters previous to leaving for Ballaarat. Left for Geelong by 8 o'clock train. Gave Fr. Neville his appointment to Sandhurst. Told him to be there by Sunday. Left for Meredith en route [to] Ballaarat at 11.30. Stopped the night at Meredith.

Wednesday February 26th. Left about 9 for Ballaarat. Opened Mission in the evening at 7. Recited prayers - preached - prayers again. Confessions up to 9.30.

Thursday February 27th. Dr Sheil said the 9 o'clock Mass and preached. Celebrated Mass at 8. Heard Mass. From 11 to 1 Confessions. Wrote several letters. Took a short walk. Visit to St Xavier schools. Examined the children. Was satisfied. At 3 dined. Evening prayers at 7. Gave a short instruction. Heard Confessions. Don't feel quite well. Retired early to bed. The Mission is well attended.

Friday February 28th. Celebrated Mass at 9. Fr. Hayden preached at the 8 o'clock. Heard Confessions at the time appointed. A good attendance during the whole time. Visited the school at Buninyong. Building in good repair. Average attendance of children good. Returned to Ballaarat for dinner. In the evening prayers - instruction and Confessions. I feel very unwell.