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

Monday October 1st. Heard Mass this morning. Visited the Hospital and Prison. There were but few Catholics in either place. Recited prayers for the prisoners and delivered a short discourse to them. Answered letters. Visited the school. Weather showery but fine.

Tuesday October 2nd. Celebrated Mass at 9. Morning wet. Left at 10 for Yackandandah. Arrived there a little after 5. At 6.30 night prayers and Confessions up to a late hour. Distance from Beechworth 16 miles. Dedication to Angel Guardians.

Wednesday October 3rd. Heard Confessions this morning up to 10. At 10.30 said Mass. Confirmed a few persons before Mass. Delivered a short discourse after giving Holy Communion. A large number approached the Sacraments. Left at 1 for Wodonga or Belvoir. There recited prayers at 7 pm.

Thursday October 4th. Wodonga Chapel dedicated today to St Francis. Celebrated Mass at 10. The Catholic population here is small. School building good. Weather board situation. Gave a short instruction after the 1st Gospel. Left for Chiltern [at] 1.

Friday October 5th. Celebrated Mass at 9 - gave instruction at Mass. Heard Confessions during the day. Attendance small owing to a new rush 15 miles off. Evening prayers instruction and Confessions.

Saturday October 6th. Offered up the Holy Sacrifice at 9. Delivered a short discourse at the post-Communion. Heard Confessions from 11 to 3.30 and from 4.30 to 8 in the evening. Recited night prayers in the Chapel. The retreat has been well attended. The rush to Wahgunyah interfered a good deal with it. On Thursday the 3rd [Goold probably meant Wednesday the 3rd. Ed.] dedicated the Yackandandah Church to our Guardian Angels.

Sunday October 7th. Today Mass was said at 9 and holy Communion given. At 10.30 Confirmation. After this said Mass and preached - a few received. Dedicated the Church and Mission to Our Lady of the Rosary. Evening prayers and instruction at 6.

Monday October 8th. Weather wet. Rose a little before 6. Left for Wahgunyah soon after 9. The rain fell in heavy showers during the journey. Crowds assembled on the new Rush - busy securing claims and erecting a Canvas Town etc. Arrived at Wahgunyah, 4 miles from the Rush and 20 from Black Dog Creek.

Tuesday October 9th. Left for Wangaratta a quarter past 9 where we arrived 1.30 - distance 28 miles - 11 miles of very bad road. Answered several letters - one from the Bishop of Hobarton.

Wednesday October 10th. A day of rest. Heavy showers fell during the day and night. Had a good deal of writing to do which kept me busy.

Thursday October 11th. Celebrated Mass at 8.30. Visited the school about 11. Attendance very small owing to the flooded state of the river and creeks. Examination of children satisfactory.

Friday October 12th. Left at 11 for Benalla. Road very bad, distance 28 miles. Arrived in Benalla about 3. At 5 night prayers, instruction and confessions. Great heat during the day.

Saturday October 13th. Celebrated Mass at 9 and gave instruction. Heard Confessions during the day and evening up to 8. The people attended very well. The school is a small wooden building. The attendance of children during the school day pretty fair. A married couple have charge of this School.

Sunday October 14th. At 9 first Mass was said. At 9.30 I administered Confirmation and then said Mass and gave instruction. The number of communicants was large. Left at 11.30 for Longwood, 42 miles. Arrived there about 6. Heavy showers.

Monday October 15th. Left Longwood for Kilmore - 49 miles - and with difficulty crossed the Goulburn in consequence of the high flood. Reached Kilmore a little after 6. Had a delay at the Seymour of 2 hours. Horse began to flag as I got into Kilmore.

Tuesday October 16th. Remained in Kilmore today. Weather cold and unsettled.

Wednesday October 17th. Left Kilmore this morning for Melbourne.

Thursday October 18th. Engaged the whole of the day.

Friday October 19th. Celebrated Mass at 8.30 in the College Chapel. Made arrangements for retreats in the Missions of Pentridge, Richmond and Emerald Hill during this and the next month.

Saturday October 20th. Mass at 8.30 in the College Chapel. At 12 meeting of the Catholic Schools Committee. Several appointments to schools made.

Sunday October 21st. Offered up the Holy Sacrifice at 9 in the Cathedral. Visited the schools of St George, St Mary and Augustine. Wrote letters for the home Mail. Assisted at Vespers, Sermon and Benediction in St Francis. Said a few words in aid of Catholic Association.

Monday October 22nd. Celebrated Mass at the Convent, gave Benediction and blessed the Refuge. There are only four persons in it at present, one servant had been hired out of it since it was opened. Prepared letters for Home mail.

Tuesday October 23rd. Offered up the Holy Sacrifice in the College Chapel. Attended meeting of Catholic School Committee, where important business was transacted. One of the boarders in the Convent School died this evening. Had seen her earlier in the evening.

Wednesday October 24th. Offered up the Holy Mass for the person who died in the Convent School last evening. Wrote to the Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda, Bishop Grant of Southwark and the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster's Vicar General concerning Revd. J. Dale. Left Melbourne at 1 to open a retreat at Epping.

Thursday October 25th. Last evening at 6 commenced the retreat here for the laity. This morning celebrated Mass at 9 and gave instruction. Heard Confessions from 11 to 1. Examined the children in Christian Doctrine. Confessions from 2 to 4. Evening prayers and instruction at 6. Confessions.

Friday October 26th. Concluded Retreat here with Confirmation, Mass, Holy Communion and instruction. Opened the Retreat at Pentridge this evening at 6. Evening Prayers, instruction and Confessions. Returned to Melbourne about 9.

Saturday October 27th. Celebrated the Holy Mass at 9 and gave instruction. Confessions from 11 to 1 and from 2 to 4. After dinner at 6.30 recited prayers and heard Confessions up to a late hour. Tomorrow the Retreat will be concluded here.

Sunday October 28th. Mass was celebrated here this morning at 9 and 11. I offered up the Holy Mysteries at 11. After having administered the Holy Communion delivered a few words of instruction to the people. The Retreats here and at Epping were most satisfactory.

Monday October 29th. Celebrated the Holy Mass in the College Chapel. Engaged all the morning.

Tuesday October 30th. Mass at 8. Meeting of the School Committee at 12. Visited a few of the schools.