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

Friday March 1st. Did not leave Meredith until 11. Weather hot. Had to get a fresh horse, one of those we brought with us being seriously ill. He died soon after we left. Arrived in Ballaarat about 3. Dined late. Wrote to the Vicar-General.

Saturday March 2nd. Celebrated Mass at 8.30. Heard a few Confessions during the day. Telegraphed for Fr Fynn.

Sunday March 3rd. Ballaarat. Offered up the Holy Mass at 11 in an aisle of the new church, prepared temporarily for the purpose. Sermon after the ablution. Laid the stones of Pillars after Mass. 1500 persons were present. In the evening preached and gave Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Monday March 4th. Celebrated Mass this morning at 8. After collation went to Creswick to arrange with the Catholics about raising means to pay for the passage out of a Clergyman to reside in their district and to secure a pledge to pay the pension (£20) for one student in All Hallows. Weather in the evening disagreeably hot.

Tuesday March 5th. At 6 left for Geelong. Took nine hours to do the journey. Horses no good and driver very indifferent. Attended Rosary in the Church. Retired early to rest.

Wednesday March 6th. Celebrated the Holy Mass at the Convent. Leave for Melbourne by the quarter to 1 train. Weather unsettled. Attended lecture and Benediction. Confessions.

Thursday March 7th. Celebrated Mass in St Patrick's Church. At 11 Solemn Profession of a Sister of Mercy: Miss Collins. Ceremony not over till 1. Evening Benediction and Confessions.

Friday March 8th. Mass at 7. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Wrote letters - read - did business. Evening attended lecture and Benediction in St Francis - heard Confessions.

Saturday March 9th. Heard Mass this morning. Confessions before collation. Busy up to 12. Appointed duty for tomorrow and following week. Confessions during the afternoon and night.

Sunday March 10th. Not feeling well, said Mass in the College Chapel. Visited in the afternoon St Augustine's and St Francis. Children assembled for Christian Doctrine few. Vespers - sermon and Benediction in St Francis - attended as usual.

Monday March 11th. Celebrated Mass in College Chapel. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Engaged in the office up to 1. Studied and wrote during afternoon. Evening attended Rosary, lecture and Benediction in St Francis. Heard Confessions.

Attended today at 3 o'clock meeting of Council of [the] University. First time since my return from Europe.

Tuesday March 12th. Did not say Mass this morning - but heard 8 and 9 o'clock Masses in St Francis. Forgot to make my meditation. Meeting of Catholic School Committee at 11 broke up at 1.30. Time occupied as usual. Lecture, Benediction and Confessions in the evening.

Wednesday March 13th. Celebrated Mass about 6.30 in St Patrick's. Heard Mass and Confessions afterwards. Office hours from 9.30 to 1. Read during the afternoon. In the evening attended Rosary, Lecture, Benediction and Confessions.

Thursday March 14th. Heard the 8 and 9 o'clock Masses. Prepared rules for the Christian Doctrine Society. Wrote letters - sent a Clergyman to visit Dr Quinn and party quarantined - forwarded letters, fruit etc. - gave him and priests faculties. Evening Rosary - lecture - Benediction - Confessions.

Friday March 15th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass and Confessions as usual. Busy in the office up to 11. Visited St Patrick's boys school. Catechized the children and examined their writing. Read during the afternoon. Evening Stations of the Cross, Benediction and Confessions.

Saturday March 16th. Said Mass in the College Chapel. Attended in St Francis for Mass and Confessions. Wrote to Bishop Quinn. Left the office a little after 2. Told Fr Birch that he was not to say Mass with[out?] my leave. Confessions in the evening.

Sunday March 17th. Offered up Mass at 11 in St Patrick's Church. Visited the children assembled for Catechism in St Francis - St Mary's - St George's. In the evening attended Vespers, sermon and Benediction.

Monday March 18th. Offered up the Holy Mass in the College Chapel. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Answered letters and transacted business of the Diocese in the forenoon as usual. Studied and read 2 hours in the afternoon. Evening attended the Rosary, lecture and Benediction - Confessions.

Tuesday March 19th. Celebrated Mass. Heard Mass and Confessions in St Francis. Busy as usual during the day. In the evening attended in St Francis - Rosary, lecture, Benediction - Confessions.

Wednesday March 20th. Engaged in the morning after Mass and the usual devotions were performed as yesterday. In the evening attended the devotions in the Church - heard Confessions.

Thursday March 21st. In the morning celebrated Mass and heard Mass. Admitted a few to the Sacrament of penance. Occupied in the office until 1. Read during afternoon. Present at the devotions in the Church. Confessions.