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

Monday February lst. Morning prayers - Matins - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving drove to St Francis - recited Lauds and the lst Hour as I went along. Heard Confessions on getting to St Francis - recited Hours - made meditation. After breakfast I was busy up to l2. Wrote to the Archbishop in reply. Walked home - wrote till 2. Visited the Convent of Mercy on business. Returned home by 3. Read till 4. Recited Vespers and Compline. Dinner at 4.30. After dinner drove to the Orphanage. Heard Confessions in St Francis from 7 to 9.30. Got home by l0 having said night prayers and made my visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Took a hot bath before going to bed.

Tuesday February 2nd. Morning prayers - Matins and Lauds - preparation for Mass. At 8 blessed the candles and distributed them. Celebrated Mass and gave Holy Communion. Heard Confessions early in the morning and after Mass. After breakfast - looked over one of the daily papers. Made a short meditation. Did business up to close on 11 - then went to the Convent of the Good Shepherd - where I clothed a lay Sister. Addressed a few words of exhortation to her. None but the Sisters were present - and the priest who assisted. Returned home about l2. Wrote till l2.30. Read the next half hour.

A little past l presided at a meeting of our Education Committee - important business was done. A full meeting will be called for next Wednesday. From 2 to quarter past 4 - history. Then recited Vespers and Compline. Wrote to Dean Hayes to forward to me a copy of his Orphanage report to the Government and requested him to tell the Revd. Mother of the Convent of Mercy Geelong to send me a copy of hers - if she sent one for the female Orphanage. At 7 attended night prayers - heard Confessions. Returned home about 8. Recited Matins and Lauds. Read for a short time before going to bed.

Wednesday February 3rd. Morning prayers - celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. Went to St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Hours. Engaged up to l0 - then made preparation to start by the 11.30 train for Ballaarat. During the journey read two articles in the Dublin Review and a portion of an historical work. Arrived in Ballaarat about 3.30. Lodged at the Presbytery. Dinner at 5. Before dinner walked to the new Church with the Archdeacon and one of the Clergy. Remained a short time in the Church. Read for an hour or more in the evening. Talked with the Clergy till 9.30. Then night prayers - bed.

Thursday February 4th. Morning prayers - heard Mass - made preparation. Recited the Divine Office. Looked over one of the local newspapers. Left Ballaarat for Beaufort about 11. Stopped at Burrum Beet to feed horses and refresh ourselves. The Archdeacon of Ballaarat accompanies me. Here we remained about an hour and a half. Arrived in Beaufort at 4. Dined with Mr Pohlman. Night prayers about 9. Then bed.

Friday February 5th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Matins. Celebrated Mass at 9. Left Beaufort at 11 and arrived in Ararat at 4. The Archdeacon's horse was knocked up. Looked in at the new Church - met the resident Clergyman - then busy in his preparations for the opening on Sunday. Dined a little late. Took very ill during the night. I blame the fish for it. Said night prayers and retired to bed. But during the night I was very ill.

Saturday February 6th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - meditation. The preparations going on for the opening of the new Church prevented the celebration of Mass. After breakfast read the most of the forenoon. I am still suffering from the illness that attacked me yesterday. Walked a little during the afternoon.

Reading was my chief employment during the day and evening. Heard Confessions from 7 to 9. Night prayers. Slept badly during the night. Recited in the evening the Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Blessed the new Church before 7.

Sunday February 7th. Morning prayers - preparation for Mass. Hours - meditation. Went to the Church about l0. Heard Confessions till 11. Then commenced Mass - gave Holy Communion. The Archdeacon preached. After Mass I delivered a short exhortation before administering Confirmation - a few children were confirmed. It was l.30 when we took breakfast. The weather broke - and heavy showers fell during the afternoon. Left Ararat at 2.30. The first few miles we got over with difficulty - owing to the perverseness of one of the horses. We got rid of this lazy brute - and a Catholic kindly obliged us with a good *roadster* in his stead. It was 8 - or 8.30 - when we arrived in Beaufort. The road was very heavy. Took refreshments and retired to my room. Night prayers - bed.

Monday February 8th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - Confessions - Mass. After Holy Communion - gave instruction to the few present. Left Beaufort about 11.30. Stopped an hour at Burrum Beet - arrived in Ballaarat about 4. Recited the Divine Office. Dined at 5. After dinner walked about for a short time. Read for an hour. Conversed with the Clergy until 9.30. Retired to my room - night prayers - bed.

Tuesday February 9th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - heard Mass - meditation. Left for Melbourne by the midday train. Read during the greater part of the journey a very instructive work. Recited with the Archdeacon of Ballaarat - who accompanied me - Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Arrived in Melbourne a little before 4.30. Read letters. At 7 attended night prayers. Heard Confessions. On my return a little past 8 read for a short time. Conversed with the Vicar-General and the Archdeacon until 9.30. Retired to my room - took a warm bath and went to bed.

Wednesday February l0th. Rose soon after 5. Morning prayers. Recited the first Hour - went to St Francis to celebrate the 7 o'clock Mass. I was a few minutes too late. Blessed the ashes and distributed [them]. Celebrated Mass - gave Holy Communion. After thanksgiving heard Confessions. Recited Hours. About 9.30 took my collation. Engaged in the office up to 11. Walked home. At l2 held an examination for Orders. This concluded about l. Resumed the examination at 2 - it continued for a half hour. Dinner at 3. Wrote from 4.30 to 6. At 7 - attended night prayers - heard confessions. On my return home recited Vespers and Compline. Before leaving the Church - made my visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin. Conversed with the Vicar-General and the Archdeacon of Ballaarat for an hour. About l0 took a hot bath - after which I went to bed.

Thursday February 11th. Morning prayers. Went to St Francis. Heard Mass. Recited Matins and Lauds - Prima and Tertia. Did little business in the office. At 10 presided at a meeting of the Catholic School Committee - agreed to start the training schools for male and female teachers. With regard to the latter the Revd. Mother was to be consulted in order to learn if she could undertake it.

Mr Geary was to be requested to help to establish the former. It was moreover agreed that the teachers should contribute 5 per cent to a fund for providing and keeping in repair school furniture - repairing buildings and establishing new schools. The secretary was instructed to notify at once Mr Denehy's dismissal from the St Francis Boys School and Mr McNamara's appointment thereto.

Left by the quarter past l2 train for Castlemaine. Before leaving told the Vicar-General to inform Mr O'Shanassy that I had no objection to a portion of the ground at Abbotsford being conveyed in trust for a female reformatory. Advised that land should be obtained from the Government for this purpose - with a building grant, Abbotsford being used temporarily as a reformatory. The Vicar-General would obtain from the Revd. Mother of the Convent of Mercy a copy of her report of the Orphanage which he would give Mr O'Shanassy.

Arrived in Castlemaine at 3.30. At 7 Rosary and night prayers. Announced the order of retreat to commence tomorrow morning. About 9 retired to my room - read for an hour. Bed. Tomorrow Mass at 7 - 8 and 9. Confessions from 11 to 1 and 7 to 8.

Friday February l2th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - Confessions - Mass - preparation for Mass. At 9 commenced Mass. Confessions were heard from 7 to 9. The Holy Mass was celebrated at 7 - 8 - and 9. Heard Confessions from 11 to l. Recited Hours - made my meditation. Read a religious book when not engaged hearing confessions. Between l and 2 took a short walk. On my return to the Presbytery wrote for an hour. Wrote to the Vicar-General desiring to notify Fr Shinnick's appointment to Gippsland as senior Priest and superior to Fr. Nelan. Yesterday appointed Fr. O'Driscoll to Emerald Hill. Recited Vespers and Compline and Matins with Lauds for tomorrow. At 7 night prayers and the devotions of the Stations of the Cross. Delivered a short discourse. Heard Confessions till 9.30. A little past l0 - to bed.

Saturday February l3th. Morning prayers. Heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions. After taking my collation - made my meditation. Heard Confessions during the day. When at leisure for any time I recited Vespers and Compline with Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Studied at intervals. In the evening heard Confessions till past 9. At l0 - night prayers - then bed. Early in the day I received my letters by the English Mail.

Saturday February l4th. Morning prayers - recited Hours - made meditation - preparation for Mass. Heard a few confessions. About 11 commenced Mass. Preached after giving the Holy Communion. When I concluded Mass I administered Confirmation to about 30 persons. It was past l0 when I finished my thanksgiving. After breakfast took a short walk. Read during the evening a religious book. At 7 after Vespers delivered a short discourse to a crowded congregation - then gave Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. About l0 retired to my room. Night prayers - to bed.

Monday February l5th. Morning prayers - recited the Divine Office - heard Mass - made my meditation. At l1 visited the Golden Point School. It was not opened - the new teacher having only just arrived. Left by the midday train for Melbourne. Read during the greater part of the journey. Arrived in Melbourne about 4. Dined. In the evening wrote letters. At 7 attended night prayers in St Francis - Sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Heard Confessions - on my return home recited Vespers and Compline. About l0 took a hot bath - then to bed.

Tuesday February l6th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 7 celebrated Mass in the Convent - Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Hours - made meditation. Remained in the office until 11. Walked home. Was engaged the whole day writing letters. Answered the Cardinal Barnabò's letters in reference to Fr. Michael O'Driscoll's false charges and Barry's mendacious statement. I returned the latter as unworthy of notice. In the evening went to St Francis - attended the evening devotions - the sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Visit made to the most Blessed Sacrament. Heard Confessions. On my return home recited Vespers and Compline. At 10 took a warm bath - then to bed.

Wednesday February l7th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Celebrated Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St. Francis. Heard Confessions - recited Hours - made my meditation. Remained in the office until l0.30 - then returned home. Engaged writing letters till l. Paid a few moments visit to the Convent of Mercy. On my return wrote letters for the English mail. After dinner I was engaged in the same work. At 7 attended the devotions in the Church - Sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Concluded the visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament. Heard Confessions. On my return home recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. About l0 to bed.

Thursday February l8th. Morning prayers - heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - made my meditation. Spent but a short time in the office - had [to] return home to conclude my letters for the English mail. Gave the Vicar General the letters for the Cardinal - 2 in number - to be forwarded via Malta. Left by the quarter past l2 train for Sandhurst. Read most of the way. At Castlemaine Fr. Smyth joined me. We arrived in Bendigo about 4. Wrote to the Vicar-General to enclose in envelopes the two letters for the Cardinal to prevent accident from the seals on each. The wax without this precaution might stick to other letters and in separating they might be torn open - as has happened to letters from Rome to Melbourne. Sent a telegram desiring him not to post those letters till he received my letter of this evening. At 7 I gave out the Rosary - after which I preached - then I recited a few prayers and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Heard Confessions till past 9. About l0.30 - to bed.

Friday February l9th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 9 celebrated Mass - preached after the post Communion. Thanksgiving made - took the usual collation. Heard Confessions from 11 to l. Visited the schools adjoining the Presbytery. The attendance was very good. Questioned some of the children in Catechism. The answering was middling - a few answered well. Visited Miers Flat. The school had been dismissed to allow the schoolmaster to accompany the children preparing for Confirmation to Bendigo. Returned a little before 3 after having looked over the foundations of the new Church. The work does not look well. After dinner and a little siesta studied for an hour or so. At 7 gave out night prayers - rosary - then preached. Recited the Litany of the Blessed Virgin. Heard Confessions till close on l0. About 11 night prayers and bed.

Saturday February 20th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. Heard Confessions from 8 to 9. At 9 commenced Mass. From l0.30 to l.30 - engaged hearing Confessions - had time to make a few minutes meditation. Took a short drive as far as Epsom and examined the school building. It is a poor affair. Boards with iron roof. Dined at a little past 3 - Confessions without interruption from 6 to 11.30. Usual visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament. Night prayers - bed soon after.

Sunday February 2lst. Morning prayers - Divine Office - heard a few Confessions - made short preparation for Mass. At 11 commenced Mass. After giving Holy Communion I preached. After, again addressed the congregation and administered Confirmation to upwards of 200 - there were a good many adults amongst them. It was about 2 when I took breakfast. Upwards of 800 persons approached the Holy Communion in Kilian's - and a large number received at the suburban Chapels - the fruit of this Mission. Took a short drive after reciting Hours and Vespers with Compline. On my return read till 5. Then dined. At 7 - assisted at Vespers - preached and gave Benediction. Heard a few Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament. About 11 night prayers - bed.

Monday February 22nd. Morning prayers - Divine Office. Heard Mass - made meditation. After collation went to Miers Flat - to lay the Corner Stone of the New Church. One of the Resident Priests celebrated Mass. Heard Confessions during the celebration. After the Holy Communion the Clergyman in charge of the Castlemaine Mission preached. After Mass we formed into a procession and proceeded to the site of the new Church. About 300 persons were present. I addressed a few words in explanation of the ceremony to those assembled and then laid the stone and blessed the foundations - dedicating the Church to St Augustine - the great Dr and Bishop. All was over about l2.30. I then went to the new rush - Raywood - about 20 miles from Sandhurst. I remained nearly two hours. Visited the school - there were 50 children present. A new weatherboard building with iron roof is in course of erection - it is 50 x 25.

Returned to Sandhurst a little after 5. Left by the quarter past 7 train for Castlemaine, where I arrived soon after 8. Recited Vespers and Compline. At l0 night prayers - bed.

Tuesday February 23rd. Morning prayers about 5.30. Left for Melbourne by the first train. Arrived about 11.30. Recited the Divine [Office] during the journey. Went to St Francis - read letters and gave interviews. Returned home a little before l2. Wrote till l. Visited the Convent of Mercy. Revd. Mother went to Ballaarat yesterday and had not returned. Saw the Sister who has charge of the Orphanage. Returned home about a quarter to 2. Saw Dean Hayes for a few moments. Busy writing. Dinner at 3. At 6.30 went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline.

At 7 attended the Rosary - sermon and Benediction. After this heard Confessions up to 8.30. Visited the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Lady Chapel. On my return home read for a short time. About l0 retired for the night.

Wednesday February 24th. Morning prayers. About 7.30 went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited the Divine Office - heard a few Confessions. After collation commenced business - letter writing and interviews occupied me up to 11.30. Walked home - wrote till l.30 then visited Abbotsford - remained there a few minutes. Returned by Richmond - called on the resident Priest - he was not at home. Drove home. Wrote till dinner time. After dinner wrote to Dr. Heptonstall enclosing an exeat for the Revd. Thos. Barry - which he is not to deliver until he refunds the expenses of his outfit and passage to this Mission in hard cash. The amount is £65.

At 6.30 went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline. At 7 attended the Rosary - sermon and Benediction. Heard Confessions. Returned home about 9 - having made a sinner's visit to the Most Adorable Sacrament. A little past l0 - to bed.

Thursday February 25th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - heard Confessions - recited Hours. Wrote for the English Mail. Received a deputation in reference to the filling up of a vacancy in one of our female schools - said that the result of the Competitive examination would guide my decision as to the appointment to the vacancy. Left the office about 11.30 and walked home. Wrote for a quarter of an hour after getting home. Looked over and altered church building appropriations from the Government grant for this year.

Read part of the life of *Baronius*. A little past l to see the new Church now being roofed - the work looks well. Visited the Orphanage - the addition will soon be ready for the roof. Called at the Presbytery Emerald Hill - the clergyman was not at home. Returned home about 2.30. Read till dinner time. Went to St Francis about 6.30 - recited Vespers and Compline. Attended the Rosary - sermon and Benediction - heard Confessions. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin. Returned home a little before 9. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. Read for a short time after. About 10.30 - to bed.

Friday February 26th. Morning Prayers - recited Hours - preparation for Mass. A little after 7 commenced Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving and the refreshment allowed at this time drove to St Francis - heard Confessions - made meditation. Business in the office up to 11.30. Walked home and wrote and read alternately till 2. Visited the Convent of Mercy. On my return read a religious book till 3.30.

Visited the College - examined the judgment book for the week. At 4 dinner. After dinner read till 6. At 6.30 left for St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline. Attended the Stations of the Cross - after which the Litany was sung and Benediction was given. Heard Confessions till near 9. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Returned home - recited Matins and Lauds. About l0.30 went to bed.

Today I instructed Fr. *Riordan*, the Correspondent for St Francis School, to write to the Board of Education requesting that St Francis Boys School should be made a training school for teachers according to the regulations of the Board.

Saturday February 27th. Morning prayers - Hours - preparation for Mass. Went to Abbotsford. Before celebrating, addressed a few words to the penitents on the life of St Marguerite of Cortona - whose feast the Church keeps today. After Mass I drove to St Francis - made my meditation - heard Confessions. On looking over the Telegrams from Sydney I read with great grief the announcement of the death of my dear, dear friend Dr Grant - Dean of Bathurst. R.I.P. Remained in the office till 11.30. Returned home - wrote and read alternately for an hour. Gave Mr Barrister Dunne an interview on a very painful subject - it occupied a great deal of time. A little past l went to Abbotsford to see what repairs would be required to make the stables habitable as a reformatory - thence I drove to St Francis. There I was engaged hearing confessions and reciting the Divine Office for tomorrow from 2 to 4. Then I returned home. At 4.30 - dinner. At 7 commenced hearing Confessions - it was l0 when this duty concluded. Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Night prayers. Took a hot bath before going to bed.

Sunday February 28th. Morning prayers - preparation for discourse - preparation for Mass. At 8 commenced Mass. After giving Holy Communion I preached. Thanksgiving. About 9.30 returned home. Recited Hours. Breakfast. From l0 to 11.30 meditation and spiritual reading. Attended the sermon in St Patrick's at the late Mass - remained in the Vestry during the time. Read a devout book for a half hour or more. Granted an interview to a gentleman who called on church business. This occupied a quarter of an hour. Read a few Chapters in the Old Testament with the notes.

At 2 left the house on a visit to the Sunday Schools. At St Mary's the children were assembling - and at St Augustine's. The attendance in St Francis was very thin. At St Joseph's l60 were present - and 50 in the Glass House school. Returned a short time before the hour of dinner. At 7 assisted at Vespers - sermon and Benediction. Recited Compline and said night prayers. About 9.30 retired to my room.

Monday February 29th. Morning prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass at Abbotsford. After thanksgiving went to St Francis - recited Hours and heard confessions during the celebration of Mass. Made my meditation. After collation - attended to business. Wrote a letter of condolence to the Archbishop - this morning before posting it I received one from him. About l2 returned home - read till l - then paid a visit of business to the Abbotsford Nuns. Returned about 2. Read till 3, the hour for dinner. From 5 to 6 - read. At 6.30 went to St Francis - recited Vespers and Compline. Attended the Rosary and Sermon - Benediction was given at the conclusion. Confessions - visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady's Chapel. Returned home about 9. Read for a short time before going to bed. About 10.30 bed