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

Saturday March 1st. Unwell the whole of the night - unable to celebrate Mass. Heard Mass. Heard a few Confessions. Still feel very unwell - took no breakfast. Drove out for a quarter hour - paid a visit. Not improved. Must take to bed. Had to send for Dr. Spent the evening and night very badly. It little relieved by what Dr gave [me]. Unable to recite Divine Office or do a single mortal thing. Said night prayers - but poorly. I fear I will not be fit for duty tomorrow.

Sunday March 2nd. Much better this morning - but having taken something after 12 last night could not celebrate. Heard Mass - recited the Divine Office. Heard Confessions. Pastoral read at 8 o'clock Mass. Regulations for Lent read at all the Masses. Addressed a few words of instruction after 9 o'clock Mass, and before giving Confirmation. Confirmed about 108. Males 45 - females 63. At the 11 o'clock Mass said a few words in reference to the obligation of all to contribute to the new Church. In the evening delivered a short discourse, recited prayers and gave Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Monday March 3rd. Celebrated Mass this morning. At 11.30 left for Raglan - 28 miles off. Day very hot. Reached Raglan about 6. Rested at Burrum-Beet until past 3 or near 4. After dinner went to the Chapel. Recited night prayers - said a few words - appointed 8.30 next morning for prayers. Will not be able to celebrate - no vestments.

Tuesday March 4th. The Clergyman who visits this place is away. Did not say Mass here on Sunday last - the appointed time. Recited morning prayers - gave instruction. Heard Confessions. Examined the school children - answering pretty fair - gave prizes - the gift of Mr Pohlman. Appointed Thursday evening next for Confessions and Friday for Mass and Holy Communion. Left for Ararat - weather sultry and oppressive. Did not reach Ararat until near 8. No account of the Pastor - not as yet returned. Absent a fortnight. Must have crossed the boundaries of his Mission.

Ash Wednesday March 5th. No Vestments - could not celebrate Mass. Blessed and distributed the Ashes to a few. New Church looks well and will be soon ready for Mass. It is of blue stone 50 x 23 in the clear. Appointed 6 p.m. for night prayers and Confessions. Heard that Fr Barrett said Mass this morning at Pleasant Creek - 25 miles off. Weather cool. Wind from the South. Fr Barrett returned in the evening.

Thursday March 6th. Left for Raglan about 10. Had a trifling accident which caused a little delay. Arrived in Raglan about 4. Dined at Mr Pohlman's. At 7 night prayers - instruction - which I gave. Confessions. Recited Vespers and Compline. At a little after 10 retired to rest.

Friday March 7th. Rose early - morning devotions - Divine Office. Heard Confessions during the celebration of the 1st Mass. At 9.30 commenced Mass - after Mass - preached and Confirmed. Returned to Ararat. Several trifling accidents with harness which delayed somewhat. Weather close and sultry. Reached Ararat about 6. Received letters - and answered the most urgent. Sent placard to Fr. Linehan for explanation and directed him to return to Dr. Backhaus whatever money he had belonging to the Mission of Sandhurst.

Saturday March 8th. Celebrated Mass at 9.30. After the Communion of the chalice discovered that other than wine was supplied: complied with rubric and consecrated de novo. From 11 to 1 Confessions - remained until 1.30. Recited Vespers and wrote for a time. The rain has come at last - heavy and continuous. Heard Confessions in the evening.

Sunday March 9th. Celebrated Mass at 9. Heard Confessions during celebration of 8 o'clock Mass. Administered Confirmation after the 9 o'clock Mass - gave instruction to the people. Assisted at the 11 o'clock Mass. In the evening went to Pleasant Creek - 20 miles from Ararat. At 7 opened the Mission with prayers and exhortation. Attendance very large. Busy hearing Confessions up to 9. Did not take dinner until 9.30. A strong hot wind blew all day.

Monday March 10th. Rose early. Commenced to hear Confessions - and was so engaged until near 11. Celebrated and addressed the people, gave Confirmation. About 200 went to Holy Communion. The building here is of wood - neat and substantial. Returned in the evening to Ararat. Will start tomorrow for Hamilton.

Tuesday March 11th. Left for Hamilton about 11. Recited Matins before starting - recited the rest of Divine Office whilst travelling - being assisted by the Priest with me. This I have been obliged to do during the days I have been travelling. Forgot meditation today. Arrived at Wickliffe about 5. Here we stop tonight. Night prayers as usual a little before retiring.

Examined Registries and Books of Accounts belonging to Ararat Mission. Baptismal Registry not properly kept. Accounts.

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March 11th. Examined Registries and Account Books. Baptism Registry not well kept. Ordered present Registry to be replaced with the one approved for the Diocese. Directed the accounts to be kept in a more business manner. A book of receipts to be carefully kept. Debt on building about £150 pounds - if so much.]

Wednesday March 12th. Morning prayers and Matins as usual. Started a little after 10. Met the Rev. Mr O'Connell of Portland at Mt. Sturgeon. Stopped here for an hour - finished Small Hours. Arrived in Hamilton about 4.30. Had notice given to the people for Mission to commence at 9 tomorrow. Don't feel well - after Vespers went to bed.

Thursday March 13th. Was unwell a good part of the night. Could not say Mass. Recited prayers and delivered a short discourse. Heard Confessions. Remained in Chapel reading - now the Divine Office and at an other time a pious book - a short prayer. Left the Chapel at 12.30. Took a short walk. At 3 dined. In evening prayers and instruction. Heard Confessions.

Friday March 14th. Not feeling quite well - heard Mass this morning. Recited Divine Office - made meditation - heard Confessions. Returned to the Chapel about 11 and heard Confessions until 1. Walked for an hour. Dinner at 3. At 6 prayers instruction and Confessions. Retired to rest about 9.30. Still suffering from a cold.

Saturday March 15th. Still suffering from cold. Heard Mass. Recited Divine Office - made meditation. Heard a few Confessions. Returned to the Chapel about 11. Heard Confessions until 1.30. Wrote for a short time. Took a short walk. Wrote again for a little.

The unfortunate Barry has returned - hope it is for good and not for evil.

The Chapel here is clean - the Altar shows a pious care. The accommodation for school purposes is very fair. In the evening commenced the Confessions at 5 - concluded them about 8. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. At 10 bed. Read for a short time after going to bed.

Sunday March 16th. Rose early. Devotions and preparation for Mass. Heard Mass. Celebrated Mass at 9. Assisted at the 11 o'clock Mass - preached. After Mass administered Confirmation to a few. In the evening at 6 prayers and instruction - gave the instruction myself. Subject - Amendment of life. Masses tomorrow at 7 - 8 and 9. Will leave after 9 for Belfast.

Monday March 17th. Celebrated Mass at 9 - heard Mass previously. At 10 left via Mt. Rouse for Spring Creek en route for Belfast. It was late when we got to the Creek. Had dinner about 8. Road long and rough. A little fatigued - forgot meditation today.

Tuesday March 18th. Left at 10 for Belfast. Recited Matins before starting. Road good the whole way. Met the Clergymen of Belfast about 12 miles from Belfast at Koroit. Recited the rest of the Divine Office after we got into Belfast. At 6 prayers, gave a short instruction to those in attendance.

Wednesday March 19th. Celebrated Mass at 9 - preached after Communion. Recited remainder of Divine Office. Wrote for a short time. Confessions from 11 to 1. Catechetical instruction from 2 to 3. In the evening prayers, instruction and Confessions.

Thursday March 20th. Opened Mission again this morning with Mass at 8 and 9. Gave instruction. Heard Confessions at the hours appointed. Wrote letters in reply. Advised Dean Hayes to dissuade his nieces from opening a school in Melbourne - there are many other places where they would succeed better. Wrote to the Nuns in Melbourne that I would examine their accounts on my return. Evening prayers - instruction and Confessions.

Friday March 21st. Fr Kavenagh said Mass at Tower Hill. I addressed a few words in allusion to the Mission about to be given there. Remained here engaged with Confessions up to 3.30. Returned to Belfast.

Monday March 22nd. Went to Tower Hill this morning - Dean Slattery offered up the Holy Sacrifice. Heard Confessions immediately after. Four priests with myself were engaged in this duty up to 3.30. In the evening at 6 heard Confessions in the Church at Belfast up to near 9. Recited Matins for tomorrow. All but a few, about a half dozen, availed themselves of the Mission and went to Confession. The people are very good in this district.

Sunday March 23rd. Prepared for Mass and giving instruction. Heard a few Confessions. At 11 commenced Mass - after the Holy Communion preached. Mass over - gave Confirmation and instruction. In the evening recited prayers, Dr Sheil preached. About 500 approached Holy Communion between Belfast and Tower Hill - where Mass was said at 11. Confirmation was given to 80.

Monday March 24th. Heard Mass a little after 9. Examined Registries and accounts. Owing to the insufficient support given the two Priests by the people allowed them to take £3 - instead of £2 as permitted by regulations - for their maintenance. Left for Warrnambool. Registries in Belfast require the signatures of Fr McCarthy. Commenced Mission in Warrnambool this evening with prayers and a short discourse. Heard Confessions.

Tuesday March 25th. Annunciation of the Virgin Mother. Commenced Mass at 9 - gave Holy Communion. Heard Confessions before 11 o'clock Mass. Assisted at this Mass - Dr Sheil preached. Heard a few Confessions after it. Wrote for a short time. Sent off letters to Melbourne last night. Prayers in the evening and Confessions. But few attended - owing to races in the neighbourhood.

March 25th. Informed Fr McCarthy that Fr Kavenagh's salary of £75 per annum must be first provided for each month out of the sum permitted to be taken weekly from the door collections - and out of the Stole dues - then household expenses are to be met - and if there should be surplus after paying these expenses - the same to be divided between them. If a deficit - that to be supplemented pro rata from their salaries.

March 26th. Informed Mr Kavenagh of the above arrangements this morning.]

Wednesday March 26th. Morning prayers as usual. Recited Divine Office - heard Mass - prepared to say Mass. At 9 commenced Mass. Heard Confessions - made meditation. Read for an hour. Recited Lauds and Prime. Wrote a little. Read again. Left for Woodford about 12. Recited a few prayers. Spoke a few words to the people. Examined the children in the Catechism. Heard Confessions up to 4. Recited Matins for tomorrow. Returned to Warrnambool. Received letters - will answer tomorrow.

Thursday March 27th. Rose early. Morning devotions over - wrote letters. Started for Woodford. Heard Confessions. After Mass gave Confirmation. Returned to Warrnambool. Wrote to the Vicar-General returning a cheque forwarded for signature - for Orphanage building. A large number received the Holy Communion at Woodford.

Friday March 28th. Morning devotions - Matins - preparation for Mass. Heard Mass at 8. Commenced Mass at 9 - delivered a short discourse. Confessions from 11 to 1. Went a short distance into the country. Examined the children of the school. In the evening prayers - instruction and Confessions. At 9 retired to rest.

Saturday March 29th. Masses at the usual hours[:] 8 and 9. Confessions, with short intervals, the whole of the day. Wrote to Mr O'Shanassy and advised that a clause be introduced into the Land Bill now before Parliament giving to us the same power of leasing portions of Church Grants as was given to the Protestants and Presbyterians. Equal rights to all. Hoped that a better form of deed would be issued for Church grants than the one issued for Williamstown. Wrote to Dr Fitzpatrick to see the Clergyman on the subject of Bishop Wilson's letter - to remove Madden and appoint Fr Moore to Keilor. Busy hearing Confessions during evening. Recited Matins for tomorrow - to bed at 9.30.

Sunday March 30th. Rose early - after prayers recited Lauds. Made preparation for Mass and instruction. At 9 o'clock Mass - after Mass delivered a short discourse on Confirmation - administered that sacrament. A great many Communicants at each Mass. Heard Confessions during the 11 o'clock Mass. Recited Hours. Prepared to start for Belfast en route to Portland. Weather showery.

Monday March 31st. Celebrated Mass at 9. At 11 examined the school children - but few were in attendance owing to illness prevailing amongst them. Answering very good in 1st class - in the others middling. Left at 3.30 for Yambuck - 13 miles from Belfast. People assembled recited prayers - gave instruction - heard Confessions up to late.