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

Wednesday October 1st. At 7 o'clock Mass - heard Mass afterwards - recited Hours - meditation - heard Confessions. Engaged to 12 in the office.

Told Mr Quinlan when he called the other day that the manuscript of Catholic news should not be submitted to his Protestant sub-editor.

Studied at intervals. Busy looking over correspondence. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday October 2nd. Rose a little before 6 - washed and dressed - prayers - Divine Office - preparation for Mass. At 7 commenced Mass. Heard Mass - recited Divine Office - heard a few Confessions. After breakfast a short meditation. When not engaged in business, read. At 12 left the office. Called at the Convent - Revd. Mother - did not go past the door. Wrote for a short time on my return home.

Saw Fr England. He says Donovan regrets his conduct and wishes to remain. Said he must apologise - did not say I would keep him. Advised England to have the quarterly payments for the children in advance. It must be insisted upon.

Read from 2 to 3. At 5 went out for a drive. At 7 night prayers - Confessions.

Friday October 3rd. Mass at 7. Heard Mass - recited Lauds and Hours - meditation. After breakfast read till 11. Wrote for a short interval - returned home a little past 12. Studied till near 3. Took a short drive after dinner. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Saturday October 4th. Mass in St Francis. Heard Mass - recited Hours - heard Confessions - meditation.

After breakfast returned an impudent note received from Fr Fennelly - insisted on his sending a written apology to Fr Barrett thro' the Vicar-General. Arranged order of duty for tomorrow.

Saw Fr Donovan - he apologised for his rude resignation. He assured me that he had no sympathy with the priests who are now giving scandal and trouble. He promised to sign the address presented by the Clergy in reference to Barry. Indeed I made [it] a sine qua non with him. I said in future his salary as a missionary would be £150 per annum instead of £100 - but his duty on the Mission would be increased - but he would be exempt from the duty of sick calls - Confessions - baptizing etc. in consideration of his looking after the teaching in the College.

Confessions from 2 to 4. Studied at intervals. In the evening Confessions from 7 to 9.30. Recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow.

Sunday October 5th. Rose soon after 6. Dressing and washing over, prayers - preparation for Mass. Read a religious book - commenced Mass at 8. Gave Holy Communion. After Mass addressed a few words of instruction on Confirmation and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to about 400 of both sexes. It was past 10 when all was over. After breakfast had to assist at High Mass. A sermon in aid of the distressed in Ireland was preached by the celebrant Dean Hayes. A good collection was the result.

Read from 1.30 to 3. At 3 visited the Christian Doctrine classes in St Patrick's Cathedral - number of boys small - no girls. After this wrote for a bit then read till dinner 4.30. At 7 attended devotions in St Francis.

Monday October 6th. Rose at the usual hour - heard Mass - recited the Divine office - made meditation. Business up to 12. Took a short drive - called at the new Orphanage.

Had a visit from Mr O'Brien - told him that I would not interfere in the election if he and Campbell stood - advised of the chance Rolfe would have of success if both contested the election with him. Wrote to Dean Slattery in reference to the Editor of the Belfast Banner, making his case a reserved one.

At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday October 7th. Mass a little before 7. Heard Mass in St Francis at 8 - recited Hours - made Meditation. Business up to 12. Called for a few minutes at the Convent. When at home about 1, wrote and read at intervals until 3. At 7 night prayers, Confessions.

Wednesday October 8th. Mass at a quarter to 7 - heard Mass - recited Divine Office - meditation.

Business - read when not occupied. Left the office at 12. Called for a short time at the Convent. Had several visits on business.

A young priest - McCarthy - arrived today. He was educated for the diocese at All Hallows.

Occupied up to 3 - dinner. At 5.30 recited Matins and Lauds for tomorrow. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday October 9th. Celebrated Mass a little before 7. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited the Hours - heard Confessions. Made meditation - when not occupied with business, read. At 12 left the office for St Patrick's. From 1 to 3 read and wrote at intervals. Drove out for a short time after dinner. At 7 prayers and Confessions.

Friday October 10th. Did not celebrate this morning, not feeling quite well. Went early to St Francis and heard two Masses - recited the Divine Office - made meditation - heard Confessions. After breakfast received letters by English Mail and a letter from [the] Bishop of Hobart. Asked the Archbishop by telegram, as requested by Bishop of Hobart, when our meeting would be held. No answer. Called at the Convent on my way home. Read from 1.30 to 3 - dinner. Called on Mr O'Shanassy in the evening - mentioned what I had stated in a note concerning the arrival of Bishop Geoghegan in England. At 7 prayers and Confessions.

Saturday October 11th. Rose a little before 6. Washed and dressed - morning prayers - Matins - preparation for Mass. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Lauds and Hours - heard a few Confessions. After breakfast looked over one of the local journals and one of the home Catholic papers. Sent Fr Fennelly's letter on to Fr Barrett. Whilst in the Church and before breakfast made in part my meditation. Will leave for Schnapper Point today about 12. Arrived there a quarter to 5. Read during the evening and after retiring to rest.

Sunday October 12th. Celebrated Mass at 8.30. Assisted at the 11 o'clock Mass and addressed the Congregation. After Mass a meeting and collection for the erection of a Chapel here. At 12.30 left for Melbourne where we arrived a quarter past 4. Promised £5 to the Schnapper Point chapel. Assisted at the devotions in St Francis in the evening.

Monday October 13th. Heard Mass - recited the Divine office - heard Confessions. After breakfast meditation. In office until 12. Wrote to Dr [Bishop] Wilson - enclosed Telegram from the Archbishop. Wrote and read alternately until 3. Evening Confessions and night prayers.

Tuesday October 14th. Celebrated about 7. Went to St Francis and heard Mass - recited Hours - heard a few Confessions. Engaged up to 12 in the office. On my return home read until near 3 - then recited Vespers and Compline. After dinner visited the Orphanage - children had just finished Supper - on getting to St Francis recited Matins for tomorrow - night prayers - Confessions.

Wednesday October 15th. Mass a little before 7. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation - heard Confessions. Business and letters occupied me up to 12. Left for Keilor, where I am to give a mission, about 1.30. At 7 prayers, instructions and Confessions.

Thursday October 16th. This morning there was Mass at 8 and 9. I celebrated the 9 o'clock and gave a short instruction. Confessions during the forenoon. Visited the School at Essendon, examined the children. Was very much pleased with the knowledge acquired by the children and the order and cleanness. Returned to Keilor about 3. At 3 dined. At 7 prayers, gave instruction - Confessions. The attendance was large.

Friday October 17th. Mass at 7 and 9. Gave instruction. Confessions in the morning up to 12. Visited the Sunbury school. The children had just left for dinner. The school had been very much improved under the new master. Returned to Keilor. At 7 prayers, instruction and Confessions. The little Chapel was well filled. The people are availing themselves of the mission.

Saturday October 18th. Mass at 8 and 9. Confessions during the morning and in the afternoon up to 4.30. Penitents numerous. Returned to Melbourne. Heard Confessions in St Francis from 6.30 to 9.30. Made the necessary arrangements for tomorrow's Divine Service.

Sunday October 19th. Celebrated Mass at 7.30 in the Cathedral - at 9.30 left for Keilor. Assisted at 11 o'clock Mass. After Mass gave Confirmation - having previously addressed the Congregation on the Gospel of the day. Said a few words in reference to the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation. Returned to Melbourne about 4. At 7 assisted at Vespers, sermon and Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Monday October 20th. Heard Mass this morning in St Francis - recited Hours - made as usual meditation. Business up to 12. Answered several letters. From 1 to 2.30 reading. Recited Vespers and Compline. In the evening about 5 took a short drive. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday October 21st. At 10.30 Mass at St Francis. Admitted two postulants to the white veil in the Order of Mercy - church was pretty full. Visited the Orphanage in the evening. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday October 22nd. At 6.30 Mass in the College Chapel - thanksgiving over, went to St Francis - heard Mass, recited Hours - made meditation. Occupied in the office up to 12.30. Took a short walk as far as the Convent before dinner. Drove out for an hour after dinner. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Thursday October 23rd. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made meditation. Remained in the office for business up to 12.30. Studied a little at intervals. Returned to St Patrick's - recited Vespers and Compline. Read until near dinner time. Took a short drive in the evening. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Friday October 24th. As I was leaving this morning at 7 the Bishop of Brisbane arrived. Heard Mass at St Francis - recited Hours - made meditation. Engaged in the office up to 1. Saw the Bishop of Brisbane - conversed for some time together. In the evening drove out to the Orphanage. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Saturday October 25th. A little before 7 said Mass. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - recited Hours - made Meditation. The Bishop of Hobart arrived this morning. Remained in the office until near 12. Returned to St Patrick's. Had a conversation with the Bishop of Hobart. Went to St Francis at 2. Heard Confessions till 4. Dined at 4.30. Returned to St Francis at 7. Engaged in the Confessional up [to] 9.30. Arranged order of Duty for tomorrow.

Sunday October 26th. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. After breakfast recited Hours - made meditation. Read a few chapters in the Old Testament - read a little Theology - the Bishop of Hobart and the Bishop of Brisbane assisted at the 11 o'clock Mass in St Francis. Visited at 3 St George's School, a large number of children of both sexes were assembled for the Christian Doctrine. At St Francis attendance was very small.

In the evening the Bishop of Hobarton gave Benediction in St Francis - I assisted at the Vespers. The Bishop of Brisbane gave Benediction in the Cathedral.

Monday October 27th. Rose a little after 5. Celebrated Mass in the College Chapel. Went to St Francis - heard Mass - heard Confessions, recited Hours - made meditation. Engaged in the office from 9.30 to 12.30. Had a conversation with the Bishops of Hobart and Brisbane. Studied for an hour and a half. In the evening visited the Orphanage. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Tuesday October 28th. Mass a little before 6. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited Hours. Meditation - heard Confessions. Occupied in the office until 12.30.

Archbishop of Sydney arrived this morning. Had a short conversation with him. Studied for a time - wrote a few letters. In the evening visited with the Archbishop the new Orphanage. At 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Wednesday October 29th. Mass a little before 6. Went to St Francis. Heard Mass, recited Hours - Confessions - Meditation. Wrote letters and transacted [business]. At 12.30 returned home.

Meeting of Bishops at 1. Arranged subjects for consideration at future meetings. Dinner at 4.30. Took a short drive with the Archbishop. Bishop of Brisbane appointed to act as Secretary to our meetings. Each Bishop bound himself by declaration not to reveal the opinions that may be expressed at the meetings with names of the Bishops holding such.

At 7 prayers and Confessions.

Thursday October 30th. Celebrated Mass at 6 in College Chapel. Heard Mass in St Francis - recited Hours - made meditation. Remained in the office until 12.

Bishops met at 12.30. Agreed as to the desirability of a central College at Rome - but not just now. Seminaries most needed in each diocese. Did not do much more today. Will meet tomorrow at 10. It was near dinner when meeting was over.

Evening - at 7 night prayers and Confessions.

Friday October 31st. Mass a little before 7. Went to St Francis and heard Mass - recited Hours - meditation. Left the office at 10.

Bishops met about 10.30. Meeting occupied most of the day. Made but little progress. Adjourned a little before dinner until tomorrow at 10 a.m. Called with the Archbishop on the Governor, who was not at home.

At 7 night prayers and Confessions.