Daily Notes & News
The Month of April, 1999
Thursday, 1st
Holy Thursday - and the start of the Triduum.
I received an urgent phone call this morning asking whether I could collect some important papers and drop them off in Hobart as soon as possible - a quick trip down to town fixed all that and still gave me time to get back to New Norfolk for the Easter Assembly at the High School at 8.45am. Each Easter and Christmas the Christian Leaders in New Norfolk organise an Assembly for the students to remind them of the message of the season and this year Paul Davis, from Fusion, presented them with the Easter Message in a very clever way and entertained the students (and teachers) with song - he is an absolutely brilliant performer who had them eating out of his hand.
We spent a few minutes with the staff and some of the school leaders before heading home for a meeting of the New Norfolk Christian Leaders looking at matters needed to be finalised for the EasterFest as well as matters relating to the ordinary working of the Group. Then, before the meeting concluded I headed down to St Brigid's for their Holy Week Pageant - leaving the group working away. The pageant was well organised and the children enjoyed portraying the events of the death and resurrection of Jesus; sadly because of the time there were only a small handful of parents able to be there.
I went back to the house to collect some things (and the meeting was still going) before heading for town to go to the crematorium for the service for John Davie. The chapel was full and, in spite of my tiredness, the mourners responded well to the service and even participated in the responses to the liturgy - much better than some of the recent services I had conducted.
Then it was back to Bushy Park for a Memorial service in his local community. Again, this was well attended and there were a goodly number of people who hadn't been at the Crematorium so it meant that I was able to use some of the stories from the first service at the second without overdoing it. It was interesting preparing the leaflets for the two ceremonies - not something that I do often as I don't have too many situations quite like that.
I headed home to prepare some briefing material for Archbishop Doyle who is performing the opening to the EasterFest on Saturday - which I then faxed to him - before heading off to see the O'Rourke family to make the final preparations for the baptism of Iseabail Aislinn at the Easter Vigil.
Then back home to finalise things for the celebration of the Mass of the Lord's Supper tonight. Most things had been done but there were just a few things that hadn't been completed. After Mass I spent time in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament which continued until 11pm and now for bed - tomorrow is also going to be a long day.
Good Friday, 2nd
Good Friday - the Passion of the Lord.
Our services started this morning with the Stations of the Cross at 10.00am which went for just over 45 minutes. We used the same series that I had downloaded and adapted (slightly) from Kir-Shalom last year; an excellent presentation of the story of the Way of the Cross.
After a cuppa and a Hot Cross Bun I went to see the Reid family - another Baptism for Easter Sunday so I'm looking forward to that. I hadn't been home long when my mother rang to say that my nephew had been knocked off his push bike near his home and had been taken to hospital. With a couple of other jobs to get done in town I decided that I would visit see him in the hospital, and my other friends as well, later in the afternoon.
At 3pm we celebrated the Lord's Passion, with a good number of people, roughly the same size as our normal Sunday congregation. There were still some things to do after the service so I headed back to the house and worked away for an hour or so before heading to town.
By the time I got to the hospital I met Mrs Drake, her daughter Denise and her husband, Phil, who told me that Debbie, who had experienced her own way of the Cross, had died at 3.15pm - in the light of all that she had been through a fitting conclusion to her journey. Eileen is progressing well after her stroke and is speaking more clearly now but still has a struggle ahead of her. Sheila wasn't in her room, she had escaped with the help of her husband Colin and is looking forward to being home soon, still not able to do too much moving but at least in her own environment. I didn't get a chance to see little Zoe, the surviving triplet who is still so tiny that she needs all our prayers, as both Kristine and Andrew were not there so I didn't try to get in - I might have a chance on Sunday afternoon, after the Easter March.
I then called to see Sam, my nephew. He is on the children's ward and has a sore head and bottom but thankfully he had been wearing his helmet and had survived because of it. The paediatricion visited while I was there and seemed happy with his well-being but he has been kept in for observations overnight - he should be home sometime tomorrow all being well.
From there I headed for Princes Park in Battery Point to join the start of the Hobart Prayer Vigil as part of the Reclaiming Easter Program. I only stayed a short time before heading home to join in the New Norfolk Prayer Vigil which continued through until midnight - although I only stayed until just before 11pm. I am so tired that I need to go to bed to get some sleep before we head into the EasterFest tomorrow.
The onions for the EasterFest have been peeled and sliced - two years ago I had used a blender to slice 10kgs, it had done them quickly but it had bruised the onions and the smell went through the house for days. This time I did most of the work under water - at least the onions were under water and I had very little reaction to the 5kgs I had to do.
Holy Saturday, 3rd
I can sit at the computer in the early morning, I can cook scones at 5am but peeling and slicing 5kgs of onions is not my idea of starting a long day - especially at 5am. But they have done and the smell isn't too bad. I put them into the car straight away and got everything else I needed to take up to Arthur Square for the EasterFest ready so that I could be there by 8.30am. The only thing that didn't really get done in the whole preparation process was a short time of prayer before we started - but I think the 6 hours spent during the vigil last night might have been a start as we had an absolutely wonderful day and everything went so well that God was obviously with us. We had good media coverage from the WIN news team as well as the final credits from the ABC team.
I tried to upload some pictures and story from the day when I got home but Netspace is upgrading their server this weekend and so it will be some days before the story can be put up. I'll add a link when everything is done.
The Easter ceremonies went well - I felt a bit tired, actually a big bit tired but we kept going and everything happened in the right order. They had actually started earlier in the afternoon when I had visited the O'Rourke's to do some of the preparatory ceremonies for Isaebail Aislinn whose baptism was celebrated within the Vigil. It was good to be there as Leo, the grandfather is confined to a wheelchair after a serious accident several years ago and would not have been able to come to the Church twice in the one day.
After the Vigil we returned to the house to break the Easter Fast and to enjoy some refreshments - it was a thoroughly enjoyable night - thankfully not too late so I am heading for bed and it's not quite 11pm so I should get a good night's sleep.
Easter Sunday, 4th
Easter Day and the sun is shining brightly - well at least that's how it started. By the time the Easter March had ended the weather had turned and the rain started to fall but at least the fine weather had lasted until the march was over. This was in contrast to the last two years when we have had a wonderful day for our EasterFest and then it has rained on Easter Sunday for the March.
After the morning Mass here at New Norfolk we celebrated the Baptism of Tynika Reid but because of the time frame I wasn't able to join the family for a cuppa as I needed to head for town to prepare for the March.
After the March I called to see my parents and then visited some friends at Glenorchy for tea before I arrived home and now I am going to bed for a good nights sleep. Easter Sunday is over and I'm a tired little ducky.
Monday, 5th
Today has really been a quiet day - after Mass this morning one of the local identities called in to ask toy do some photocopying and to see if I could produce a letterhead from a design he had prepared. After a little effort it was all done and the rest of the day I've spent doing very little - in fact doing nothing. It is so quiet, in fact, that I've watched the football this afternoon, uploaded my Netspace pages and now I am going to bed (at 7pm); I'll read for a while without any worries that I should have been doing something else. I must be tired.
Tuesday, 6th
After the money had been counted from the weekend I went to Glenorchy to celebrate Debra Suhr's funeral with Greg Barker, the Parish Priest of Glenorchy. The funeral of this remarkable 32 year old was a wonderful celebration of the story of Resurrection and life - you can read something of Deb's last days via the March and April pages. The church was packed with people of all ages and the celebration which followed was also quite remarkable.
I then headed off to collect Anna to take her to Launceston to return to Uni and picked up another passenger, her friend Brook who was going to Launceston for a few days. My main reason for going was to do some work for (Fr) Peter McGrath at Riverside and setting up some of his computer programs - which I did although I will need to do check some work with Jenny to ensure that what I intend to do will work. After completing the work with Peter I headed home and was in bed by 9pm and had a good night's sleep.
Wednesday, 7th
This morning has been so busy that I didn't get a chance to have my cereal until late in the morning but the rest of the day has been not too bad. I celebrated the Baptism of Sidney Triffitt at 11am and by the time I finished with phone calls and the supermarket I ate cereal for lunch.
I then went to have a coffee with the Triffitt family before arriving home to do some work on the newsletter for this week and some work on the marriage booklet for the weekend.
An unexpected knock on the front door meant that some time was spent this afternoon looking after a family issue - I think it is resolved but will have to wait for a few days to see if things stay OK.
Then I got a phone call from Mick Wheeler with news from Melbourne which made me a little late for meeting some friends at the Boardwalk at the Casino for tea. It was a good night and not too late so that I was able to get to my Hobart hideout to get to bed early enough to have a good nights sleep before tackling the long day tomorrow.
Thursday, 8th
I stayed in town last night so that I could make an early start to get to breakfast with the staff of Graham Family as a farewell to Paul who is taking off on Monday to travel around Australia, spending time with different funeral director's to gain more experience and develop the skills he will need if he is to run the family business into the future. All the staff were there - I was the only 'non-employee' there so I felt a little bit special.
After breakfast I headed around to the wharf area and met Chaplain Dale White, one of the chaplains from the USS Carl Vinson. Dale is in charge of their outreach programs where members of the crew work on community projects to assist various charities or school groups improve or maintain facilities. There were four groups heading out to various places this morning (and more tomorrow) so I will try and get back in the morning to take him to visit some of the places and see what is happening and where.
I then headed home and worked at the financial results for the last year - after adding the interest we managed to be $1.56 in deficit on our income/expenses - not a bad effort for a little Parish Community struggling to stay solvent.
After Mass at midday I did some more parish work including visiting businesses which are part of out Business Morning Tea Program - the next effort is next Wednesday so that solves what I am doing early next week.
Just before my couple arrived for their for Marriage Preparation session I got a phone call from Alex Gjocac asking whether I could celebrate a funeral on Monday afternoon - the young lass was killed in an accident in South Australia and is the cousin of Belinda Maher who died tragically in a car accident here some four months ago. I will be seeing the family tomorrow afternoon.
After working with Justin and Frances I headed back to town for the Annual General Meeting of Jane Franklin College and the supper which followed. Like every AGM there were simple things that needed doing and there was a major issue which needed to be looked at and which will occupy the Council for months to come - the purchase (or at least the investigation of the feasibility of purchase) of an adjoining property which would increase the number of possible students and improve greatly the Office area. More about all this into the future.
Friday, 9th
It's now almost 3 am so today has been a long day - and a day when I've been chasing my tail. After Mass this morning I headed for town hoping to drop the marriage program for Tammy & Darren off at work but Darren had already left so I took them with me and gave them to them tonight at the wedding rehearsal. After leaving Claremont I headed off to the Tasmanian Council of Churches Office to sign the condolence letter from the Exec for Bob Faser, the General Secretary whose mother died during the week in the USA.
After spending some time talking with Jenny, the Office administrator about some of the issues we will have to address at the Executive meeting next Wednesday I headed for Centacare for the presentation of some materials from the USS Carl Vinson as part of their Project Handclasp efforts to support charities around the world. I didn't get a chance to see what the film crews had done with their footage of the presentation but I'm sure I'll hear about it tomorrow morning.
Chap Dale White is in charge of the community relations projects during their visit and wanted to check out some of the other sites so, after we checked out the work that his crew were doing there, I took him to visit Sandy Bay Infant School where some of the crew were painting and landscaping. From there we headed down to Camp Coningham and checked out what was happening there before we drove back to the landing area for him to join three officers heading down to an aged care facility in the Huon..
I headed home to do some work. I wasn't home long before I got a call from Michael Brown, from the Christian World Services Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia, ringing from Canberra saying that they had given my name to the team preparing for the arrival of the first group of Kosovo refugees. I made some quick phone calls to let people know what was happening and to make contact with local people involved in the organisation of various parts of the project.
I then went to see the Gee family to prepare the funeral liturgy for Danielle who died recently in South Australia. Danielle is a cousin of Belinda Maher who also died in a car accident late last year so the family are struggling with the two tragedies happening so close to each other.
I then headed back to Glenorchy for the wedding rehearsal and called to see some people in the local shopping centre to say hello.
I watched the football game and saw Richmond succumb to the Kangaroos by 10 points - I was not impressed. Shortly after I had turned the light out the phone rang to say that a parishioner was seriously ill in Calvary Hospital and the pastoral care worked suggested that it would be good if I went down to be with the family. I'm glad I did because I wasn't there long before Denny Salter died. I was able to spend time with the family both before and after and have only just arrived home. I'll be in touch with them tomorrow to ensure that whatever arrangements need to be made can be completed as painlessly as possible.
While I was at the hospital I got word that Fr John Williams had been admitted but by the time I was able to get to see him he was fast asleep so I'll catch him later today. During the day I also managed to get the newsletter printed although there are still some things that will need to be done in the morning (or later today - whichever way you look at it).
Saturday, 10th
Today was a long day. I woke late after being all half the night and I needed to finish some work on the newsletter for the web, put up the football details on the web so that people can see who wins each week and finish preparations for the weekend as well as prepare the letters for the priests who are part of the Tattslotto program for the clergy.
I then headed for Pontville for my baptism and called to see Dan McMahon, the PP, but he was away so will catch him later. A couple of the children hadn't been inside a church before and were worried about what might happen to them - a disturbing sign in a world which is searching for some form of meaning.
From there I headed for the landing area for the USS Carl Vinson to collect Fr Peter McGeory, the senior chaplain on board, to take him to lunch with the Hobart clergy at our gathering at Taroona. On the way I rang the Police Radio room to report a driver for destroying property at a Glenorchy Park, fielded a phone call from Tam Tran, the multicultural liaison person with the Tasmanian Council of Churches, re the Kosovo refugees resettlement plan. Tam rang five minutes after I had heard that the plan had been put on hold because of UN concerns that they be housed first in Europe and distant lands be considered later.
After lunch with only a few guys Peter & I had a quick look at the Cathedral, a trip around past the InCat facility at Derwent Park and took in the view from the Domain. Sadly I then dropped him off at back at the landing area and won't have a chance to see him, or Dale, before they head off on Monday although I am sure that I'll be in touch with them by e-mail on the way home.
From there is was a quickish trip to Glenorchy to celebrate with Tammy & Darren their wedding. It was another wonderful event although sadly, because of the late night last night, I wasn't able to join them for their reception.
I collected a birthday card from Jenny Searle to take to Linda who celebrates her xx birthday tomorrow - Linda and I have been chasing birthdays together for years and she always wins. I didn't get a chance to get to the hospital to see people so will try and do that after the late afternoon Mass tomorrow.
Sunday, 11th
I'm still a little bit tired after being at the hospital last night so I've slept late again this morning. The rest of today was a bit of a chase to catch up with what I wanted to do.
The country Mass today was at Maydena and on the way home I called in to see the Gee family at Moogara to leave a copy of Danielle's funeral booklet for them to check out. It's the first time I've been up there on a schedule and it took much longer than I expected. Everything is now ready for the funeral - although I have to call the director tomorrow just to let him know final details.
From Moogara I headed home to celebrate Jack Cordwell's Baptism. I had rung the family earlier to let them know that I would be a few minutes late - and I was! Immediately after the Baptism I visited the family of the late Dennis Salter to make some arrangements for his funeral liturgy on Tuesday afternoon. By the time I had finished it was getting close to time for the Sunday evening Mass - which is now at 4.30pm. We only had a few people there so I put a notice on the Church door to remind people that the new Mass time is 4.30pm.
I then made a quick trip to town to see one of my oldest friends to wish her Happy Birthday. Now I'm heading for bed and hopefully a good night's sleep.
Monday, 12th
After Mass this morning life got hectic - I had made the mistake of leaving the table in the meeting room set up with material from my attempt to clear my office of some of the files that had been sitting around for the past few weeks. All of them needed to be cleared away so that there was room for the Journey Program to meet. As I was fixing things I found some material that needed to have been dealt with last week so I got onto that before tackling the other things that needed to get done on a Monday like: the processing of the planned giving material from the weekend to be completed, the input of the details from the baptism to be completed; as well as the booklet for Danielle's funeral being printed and folded.
After the Journey meeting a quick bite of lunch before heading for the Church to finalise preparations for the funeral. There was not as big a crowd as I would have expected, but when I think about it, it was not completely unexpected as Danielle had been away from Tassie for the past 8 years and so many of her friends would have moved away.
At the completion of the internment at Malbina I came home to prepare for Denis Salter's funeral by taking a draft copy to his family to check the details and to ensure that the material was all correct. Luckily I did because I had added an extra digit in the date of his birth and the Y2K problem was 17K years out - I had him born in 19933!!.
A quick trip through the town on the way home and I learnt that there is a Police and Community Consultative meeting in the morning at 10am I knew nothing about. As I arrived home I remembered that I don't have the final details for the business morning teas in the morning so I will have to collect those sometime tomorrow. I hadn't been home long when Jenny Roddam from the Tasmanian Council of Churches rang to say that there is a meeting of community groups involved in the preparation process in case the Kosovo refugees arrive in Tassie at the same time as Denis' Funeral tomorrow so I will have to be an apology.
A bite to eat before Kaine and Kimbra arrived to do further work in their marriage preparation program. We have completed the greater part of the process and the major work now revolves around the preparation of the liturgy and discussion of what the sacrament of marriage really means. As they were leaving the evening group for the Journey program were arriving and we (I) was right back into it.
Now for bed.
Tuesday, 13th
After a decidedly interesting start to printing the booklet for Denis Salter's funeral we managed to get it all completed and everything about the funeral went well. There was a good crowd and so he had a wonderful send-off as well as a liturgical celebration worthy of the Church.
The Police and Community meeting at the Police Station went well although there were a few people missing - I think the fact that the minutes didn't go out meant that a few people weren't sure whether the meeting was on or not.
On the way home from the meeting I called to see some of the businesses which hadn't replied to our morning tea faxes or messages and collected some supplies from the supermarket for Ruby and myself to make sandwiches and cakes for tomorrow.
I managed to get the sponges cooked just as Anjanette and Nicholas arrived for their marriage preparation work - Anjanette was a child at the Cathedral when I worked there some 16 years ago, in fact she has a photo of herself receiving a First Eucharist Certificate from me - scary!
Now for bed because tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Wednesday, 14th
By the time we had finished getting the morning teas out and delivered we had actually made 99 plates and we still have another 18 to deliver tomorrow morning so we didn't do too badly. Once again we had a great team of people helping and a special thanks must go to all of them - Ruby, Nancy, Margaret, Zelda, Pauline, Megan, Frances, Debbie, Harry, John, Alice, Beryl and Jan as well as people who dropped food off last night and this morning.
I made a quick trip down to school for Morning Tea to say hello - something I've not been able to do this week because I've been busy. I came back for Mass at midday before making some more sponges for tomorrow.
After a quick lunch I headed off to see my parents whom I also haven't seen for a week or so but unfortunately they had a visitor so I only stayed a few minutes before heading for town and the Tasmanian Council of Churches Office for a quick look at the agenda and whatever before going to a TCC Exec meeting at the Salvation Army Citadel.
It was a good meeting and a lot of work got done - our next meeting is the Annual Meeting and I will be handing over the reins to Kevin Dobson who will be President for the next two years.
I've just arrived home and will shortly be heading for bed as today has been a long day.
Thursday, 15th
I had a little bit of a later start to my cooking this morning (6am) because I didn't have as much to do. There were 18 extra morning teas to prepare and some of the small cakes from yesterday had been set aside for today so it was only the sponges, savoury & date scones and some sandwiches to make. By the time that Ruby arrived I had finished making and packing all of them and was almost ready to leave to make the deliveries.
I was a little late arriving home for a meeting of the EasterFest committee but they were ready to roll when I got back. We looked at some of the issues arising from the festival and ways of ensuring that next years will be even better. There are also letters that will be prepared and sent out to people who helped and who were an important part of the day.
After the meeting I met with Sr Lorraine and looked at some of the issues facing the Parish in the next few weeks including our response to the Called to Change Program for the Archdiocese. We didn't make any decisions but looked at how the Parish Pastoral Council might address the issues next week at its meeting.
This afternoon I had two couple who came to see me about Baptismal preparation and by the time they had finished, and I had completed (almost) a few other jobs that needed doing before the reunion Mass tomorrow evening I was ready to call it a day. I did manage to also get some work done on the newsletter and a report that needed to be completed before the weekend but there is still more to do.
Friday, 16th
After Mass this morning I headed off to my meeting in Launceston which went well but made it all a bit of a rush because I had to be back here at New Norfolk by 4pm for a national telephone hook-up for the ITIM 2010 Foundation.
As it worked out I managed to get everything done although I am very conscious that I have not been as focussed on the work that needs to be done as I should be so there has been very little actual work done for the Foundation. On the way to Launceston I set up a phone call for Monday to start the ball (re)rolling.
After the phone hookup it was time for the classes of St Brigid's School leavers from 1959-62 to arrive for their Reunion Mass. Fr Clem Kilby, who was here as an assistant priest at the time, concelebrated the Mass with me and then we went across to the Bush Inn for a Reunion Dinner - there were far more at the Dinner than at the Mass but it was still a good night.
I then headed off to the Jan & Tony Davis' to join them to say farewell to Tom and Sue James, as well as Rachel and Ben (their youngest two), who are heading back interstate to live after having been part of the community for many years. They will be sadly missed as over the years they have been a significant part of the community.
Now it is time for bed without passing GO and without collecting $200 as I am as tired as all get out and tomorrow is also going to be a long day.
Saturday, 17th
I was really slow starting this morning and got to the Monthly Prayer Breakfast at the Seventh Day Adventists late - in fact, I was almost the last person to arrive. There was not a big number there but our prayer very properly focussed on the needs of the people of Kosovo and countries in turmoil as well as concerns for our own community.
From there it was off to the Hayes Goal Farm for Mass at 9am. Again there was only the one person who came but, hopefully, as time goes on the group might grow - it is all the Lord's work.
I managed to print the newsletter and the letter from the Australian Bishops so that I was able to staple them together immediately after tea this evening. The other pages for the internet were also completed and posted before the baptism at 11.30am. I was surprised that I had managed to get everything done so quickly, but then again, when put under pressure I manage to get most things done.
After the Baptism I headed for Taroona to have lunch with the priests - Brian once again provided a great meal and it was a good gathering of people. I managed to grab a word with the Archbishop about his Golden Jubilee of Ordination which is scheduled to take place in July and I think that I have convinced him that we should be able to celebrate it as a diocese. I will need to talk to +Adrian and Richard Voss (the Diocesan Manager) this coming week to plant the rest of the seeds for making it all happen.
I called to see some friends in Glenorchy about setting up a 'celtic.com' email address for Mons Phil Green who goes overseas tomorrow but their version of IE kept giving a Java script error so I went to leave to come home but found that my car was being washed so I stayed for a little while longer and helped fix the car - it looks much better.
I was due to go to a meeting/meal at Bellerive with Fiona Morgan, the education officer with Force 10. She met with the World Justice & Development Commission of the TCC at Campbelltown this morning - I should have been there but with so many other things on I couldn't make it.
By late this afternoon I was so tired that I came home and rang to say that I wouldn't be able to make the meal - I've just had a bite to eat and now I'm heading for bed.
Sunday, 18th
After an interesting morning Mass with a couple more children than usual I headed off to Hamilton for Mass where almost all the Ouse and Hamilton people gathered together which meant that there was a good congregation.
I then headed home for the Baptism of Joshua Hills at 1pm. After the Baptism I had a bit of free time before Mass at 4.30pm and for once nothing happened that mean I had to get busy again. Geelong played Port Adelaide in Adelaide and actually won reasonably easily and I was too much of a sport to wander across the road to see how Henry Wilson-Haffenden was getting on - he is a mad Port supporter and we have some friendly rivalry and I didn't want to rub it in.
It's now after the evening Mass and I've just done some work for the Journey program tomorrow and now I'm heading for bed.
Tuesday, 20th
Today has been another long day. After chatting with Mark & John, both before and after Mass, I headed down to St David's (Anglican) Cathedral for an Ecumenical Church Service - organised by the War Widows Guild in preparation for ANZAC Day.
From there I headed up to the Whittle Ward (palliative care unit) to see Michael Flanagan - I haven't seen him in some time and he is now a shadow of the man he once was; I try and call again either on Friday or the weekend.
I arrived back home in time for the Alpha Program down at school - another good session, this time on prayer. I stayed and had a coffee with some of the staff before calling to see a couple of people - only one was home so more running around than visiting.
I had some work to do to get ready for the Parish Pastoral Council meeting relating to the Called the Change Program which is being launched next week at the University Theatre next Wednesday evening. We had a good meeting and it looks like we could have a good response to the Called To Change Program - so that should be good.
Now for bed.
Wednesday, 21st
Today was a quieter day; I managed to get some work done on a financial report for the past twelve months before heading down to school to see the staff and say hello to some of the children.
I was also able to get to the Hospital to see one of my parishioners who has great trouble with his breathing and who is battling to avoid pneumonia - hopefully this break in hospital will keep his health problems under control.
From there I went to town to have lunch with Ann Graham - while in the office I suggested a change to one of the items in the memorial folder presented to the family after the funeral and have done some work on the logo and will return it to them tomorrow. Lunch with Ann at the Salamanca Cafe was another pleasant experience.
From there it was off to the Barracks to pay my mess bill - I'm glad that I've cleared that as I am slow to deal with things if I don't fix them straight away.
The Board Meeting down at school looked at some serious issues including the prospect of capital works for a new toilet block and renovation of Cill Dara as the school office and staff area. There are some other issues that will need to be dealt with so I will be talking to the Board Chairman tomorrow after work.
I didn't manage to get too much else done so there is plenty to keep me busy tomorrow with letter of thanks for the Christian Leaders Association as well as letters to write for the Community and Police Consultative group.
Thursday, 22nd
With Mass today being at midday I have had time this morning to get all of the things I failed to complete yesterday done - I've managed to get the thankyou letters done for the EasterFest and I'll post them/deliver them tomorrow and over the weekend. Because they all had to be individualised that took most of the morning.
I also managed to get some more work done on the calendar for May which needs to be out this weekend and after lunch I worked on some material for TAG - a local community initiative. I'm not completely certain of all of it's aims but it is working to involve members of the local community in caring for a Park which has been unused for some time and allowing it to be the focus for community development and growth. I am a bit player because I have the computer and scanner to get these things done.
I then had a meeting with Tim Wilson-Haffenden, chair of the Board of Management at St Brigid's, about some of the issues raised at the Board Meeting last night. In some ways we were not able to make any decisions but we will need to monitor events at the school and begin to look at them as soon as circumstances change.
Now for bed.
Friday, 23rd
Before Mass this morning I did some more work on the program for the Highland Dancing competition info sheet - a week or so ago I had scanned the photos for the organiser but she had had difficulty setting up the info sheet. She returned it to me and I set up the thing in two formats - a straight sheet and as a booklet. She collected them whilst I was out but I caught up with her later in the morning and she was pleased. I also did some work on an Anzac Dawn Service for Capt. Graeme Isaac, the Salvation Army Minister, who is leading a Dawn Service for the first time - it also meant that I could update my older version of a Dawn Service with material I had collected when I was at Nowra two years ago. I'll be heading for Maydena on Sunday morning.
After Mass this morning I headed up to the High School to be part of their Grade 7 Christian Options Program - it's a bit difficult walking into a class in part 2 of a three part program and not being there for the final part but that's the way things go.
From there I headed round the town to drop off the thankyou letters for the EasterFest to various people and there are only a few to post that sit on my desk. After lunch I worked on the newsletter, the calendar and the letter to parishioners regarding the Call to Change program which starts next Tuesday. In the midst of all this work my computer virus program told me that I had a Word 97 Macro.D virus - which it immediately cleared.
I was working away yesterday and things were slowing down and started running Vet (the anti-virus program) but right in the middle of it there was a power failure and the computer dropped out for a moment or two before rebooting. Stupidly I didn't restart the program to check and it was 24 hours before the program read the virus - I'll need to find out why it was so slow.
I've just finished stapling the newsletter and the calendar pages together - watched a little bit of the football and decided that an early night is in order.
Saturday, 24th
The uploading of pages this morning went well and I managed to get some more information linked to my pages as well as subscribe to some further Screenthemes - I've ordered 30 pictures of England and Ireland to grace my startup screen after I finish with the Stained Glass windows which finish tomorrow.
I went over to the Royal Derwent to see some of the Highland Dancing Competition before coming back for the Baptism at 11am. The Dancing was good but as I am not an expert I was not able to tell if it was brilliant or not.
From there I headed for New Town for lunch and to wish Archbishop D'Arcy Happy Birthday (for tomorrow) - we now wait to see when or if his resignation (submitting it is mandatory on turning 75) is accepted. Then I went visiting as I hadn't seen Mum and Dad for a couple of weeks; but I didn't get a chance to get to the hospital so I will have to do on Monday if I get a chance..
From Mum & Dad's I headed of to Cafe T42 on Elizabeth Pier to meet with Noel Thomas and his daughter Glenda and her husband Tony. A couple of the Police Search and Rescue team and another searcher were there as well as Ann Graham to talk about Neil's death back in March. It was a good time spent talking about his life and about their grieving and the fact that they were able to meet some of the people who have been involved in the search and rescue attempt and his funeral arrangements.
From there I came home to get a good night's sleep before the drive to Maydena for the Dawn Service.
Sunday 25th
Anzac Day
The drive to Maydena this morning at 4.30am wasn't too bad because it was a mild morning. In my haste to make certain I wasn't late I arrived almost an hour early - won't make that mistake next year. There were about 60 people there so it was a good turn out. After a bite to eat I headed back to New Norfolk for Mass at 9am. Sadly, because of my Sunday Mass commitment at Ellendale at 11am, I won't be able to be at the big march here in New Norfolk.
The past few months we have been celebrating Mass at Ellendale in an outdoor setting - today was the best weather of any of the Sundays and we were back in the Church.
I came home in time for the Baptism at 1pm before heading off to Glenorchy to see my niece Erin, who celebrates her birthday today. She is one of those lucky people who always has a holiday on her birthday. While there I realised for the first time (she is 10) that her birthday and +Eric D'Arcy's birthday are the same day and my nephew Sam and +Adrian Doyle's birthday are the same day (16th Nov.). I knew both facts - just hadn't linked them together.
Today is +Eric's 75th birthday so we are now waiting to see when & if his resignation as Archbishop of Hobart will be accepted - it was mandatory to submit his resignation on turning 75.
But it is now time for bed - I'll be taping the final episodes of Ballykissangel and Undercover Heart because I am too tired.
Monday, 26th
As usual there was lot's of cleaning up after the weekend that needed to be completed. After entering the details of the two baptisms and the Planned Giving envelopes I went to work on the Police & Community Consultative minutes as I have a meeting with the local newspaper reporter on Wednesday to see if he can start the ball rolling by reporting some of the discussion at the last committee meeting to gauge public reaction.
The first of the two Journey Programs for the day was next and again it was well attended. I only had a few minutes after the meeting before heading off to town to represent the Tasmanian Council of Churches at a healing service for victims of Domestic Violence - a beautiful and moving time that is not over done.
From there I called to get some office supplies before coming home to work on reports for the Annual Meeting of the TCC for ITIM and a redraft of my own (Presidents) report.
I've just completed the second of the Journey meeting and now I'm heading for bed - there are still a dozen or so people coming which isn't bad considering it is a 40 week course and a big commitment.
Tuesday, 27th
It seems this week that each day after Mass I am heading off somewhere for a meeting. Today it was for a meeting at ITIM (InterChurch Trade & Industry Mission) to look at ways of implementing the programs of (ITIM) Foundation 2010. Although I have been slack in not following up the process more effectively over the past few months our meeting this morning was opportune as Neville Dean was bringing together the final draft of a brochure that will go to Heads of Churches and to potential members of the Foundation. We planned the Tasmanian Launch of the Foundation into the workplace - most likely to be a breakfast meeting - the date to be confirmed after the initial speaker has accepted our invitation.
From town I had to head home fairly quickly because of the ALPHA meeting at school. There is only a small group doing the program but it is providing an interesting opportunity for people to grow in their understanding of the Church.
I had hoped to visit people but I spent most of my time on the phone chasing up people - managed to catch all of them before collecting Ruby, Milton & Sr Janet to go to the launch of CALL TO CHANGE, the diocesan project to look at our journey into the future. I was amazed at the good number of people there. I hope that everyone sees the process for what it is - an opportunity for us to grow and to seek ways of meeting the challenges of the future.
Wednesday, 28th
Today was the third anniversary of the shocking events that saw the deaths of 35 people at Port Arthur and which changed the lives of Australians forever. Hopefully, some of the lessons learnt in the aftermath of the tragedy might help other countries realise that guns ultimately cause more harm that good and that steps might be taken to restrict their availability in places where they are now freely obtained.
Today I had four meetings commencing immediately after Mass with a meeting with the chief reporter for the Gazette, the local paper. We talked about the recent meeting of the Police & Community Consultative group so that the information might be available to the local community.
From there I headed to Glenorchy to look at the Grapevine (Parish Management) Program to show what forms can be produced using the Marriage Module and to get the information we needed to send to the software writer in Perth.
I went to town to drop off some information at the Church Office, to collect some material from the ITIM Office for the Foundation 2010 launch and to pay some bills before coming home to work on the work that I didn't conclude yesterday.
I managed to get some work done on contacting members of my family to organise a birthday present for my father - we are looking at getting him a year's subscription to the sport channel on Cable TV - more about that when I know what is happening.
My Baptismal meeting this evening was a home visit because of work commitments for the family before I went down to school to meet the parents of the children being prepared for Reconciliation. Thankfully it was only an hour meeting so I am now home and it is early enough to get an early night.
Thursday, 29th
An early and almost frosty start to the day as I headed down to School for the Staff photo - I was lucky because I only had to stay for one whilst everyone else had to come back out for their class later in the morning.
From there it was back to the house for a meeting of the Christian Leaders Association at 10am. David wasn't there because of a break-in at the Uniting Church at Gagebrook - not too much damage, but enough to be a nuisance. The meeting looked at the question of a visit by the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary later in the year and will be doing further research about their mission.
After mass at midday I worked on the newsletter, briefly, before completing the ITIM report for the TCC Annual meeting, completed making calls re Dad's birthday present, organised my plane tickets to Melbourne and Sydney for meetings of the Foundation 2010 board and Christian World Service Commission, sent off the Parish Financial report to the Church Office, posted the Annual return for the use of Copyright Music to the licence provider and had a bite to eat - when I remembered I hadn't had lunch. I also went shopping and cooked a cake for the Chocolate, Coffee and Kahlau party on Saturday.
After tea I headed off to start the St John Ambulance Senior First Aid Course which will be on each Thursday and Tuesday nights for the next 5 weeks - with the Journey program it really ties up my weekly program.
Friday, 30th
Today was interesting as I completed jut about everything I needed to do without too great an effort.
After Mass I headed for town to take my car to get it 40,000 km service. I had intended to stay in town but I needed to get some cakes cooked and some work done on the newsletter before tomorrow so I arranged to borrow a friends car to get home and return before they finished work.
Before I collected the car I walked over to the AUSTAR (pay TV) office to arrange for dad's birthday present - 13 months subscription to the sports channel - it was free but the promotion finished today so we (the children) have kicked in to pay for up to the end of June next year - after his birthday in the year 2000.
I called in to see both he and mum on the way home and managed to run into my sister Karen with two of her children - we presented dad with the news that he'll be able to keep watching C7 so he's got his birthday present already.
I got home and started work on the mud cake I'm taking to the Coffee, Cake and Kahlau party tomorrow evening. While that was going I also managed to work on the ice-cream cake. I finished off both of them later this afternoon when I got home from collecting my car.
I also finished the newsletter (almost) and printed the outside page which is complete - I will have to wait until tomorrow morning to add the football results for the Parish edition - for the internet edition the results can be found from the web page.
I then returned to town via the Northgate shopping centre to see how the people from the Parish were going with their Raffle ticket selling - I found out later that it was a long day with only $100 worth of tickets sold. I continued to town and dropped off the borrowed car and had a coffee before walking around to the service centre to collect my car. I came home and finished the cakes, had some tea and watched the evening news - the first time I had seen the evening news in weeks.
I've just spent some time on the internet and downloaded some Screenthemes - I had some April hours outstanding and wanted to use up a few. I've also been checking to see if the Vatican Information Service News for Thursday was up but it still hasn't been posted so I'll check tomorrow.
I'm heading for bed - I'll watch some of the football before turning in for the night.
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