Daily Notes & News
The Month of July
Thursday, 1st
Before I headed off to the Hospital at Ouse I organise for a new set of tyres for the car - they weren't that bad but I would hate to go for too much longer before getting some new treads. It was a bit more important because on the way it started to rain heavily - the first rain for some weeks and the road became quite slippery in some parts.
After midday Mass I had an appointment before heading off to the supermarket to get things for Saturday night - I still have some things to collect but the soup is cooked and I still managed to see some people this afternoon on visitation.
I was a week early in my preplanning for the Jane Franklin Meeting so I've just spent some time working on the newsletter - there are just a couple of things to add and it's ready for printing. But now for bed.
Friday, 2nd
After Mass this morning I signed an agreement with the Department of Community Health agreeing to their use of the Parish House at Maydena to assist them in their care of the people of part of our widespread Parish Community. After Tracey had been to see me I went down to school to arrange to borrow some small tables to use as bases for the large tables for tomorrow night.
From there I headed to town to do some preliminary work on updating the Graham Family Web Page - a job for my spare (!) Time next week. I collected the new seal for the Parish and then went to collect Dad to take him to see the Cardiac specialist. We did a couple of jobs on the way home and had a cuppa with mum before heading for New Norfolk.
I was due to see two couples this evening but both cancelled - early winter colds catching them out - rescheduling has made life a little difficult for the next few weeks but I'm sure it will work out.
Saturday, 3rd
I worked away this morning completing the newsletter (both editions) and then taking a few minutes to set up for the dinner tonight - Pat Murray came and helped collect the small tables from school and we fixed the dining room up so that everything was underway.
I called to see Mum and Dad on the way to join the other clergy for lunch at Moonah before coming back home to start the cooking of the turkey and the beef. Except for forgetting one person from the list (and learning that she was coming at 6.45pm) the rest of the preparations went without too much fuss. The whole night was a really great success - 28 around the big table in the dining room and we even made a handsome profit.
It's now tomorrow and time for bed.
Sunday, 4th
Today started later than usual as I slept in (briefly) after the Parish Dinner last night. I felt that putting the Web pages up a little later in the day wasn't going to have too great effect on the world news so I took my time.
The country Mass today was at Ouse and after Mass I spent time with a young couple who are to marry shortly in Launceston - their preparation is being done there and I will go to Launceston to celebrate the big day.
When I got home from the country I sat down and dozed so decided that after Mass I would do my page for today and then hit the sack - so in five minutes I'm heading for bed.
Monday, 5th
This morning was busy. After Mass at 9am I headed for Glenorchy for my regular 6 monthly dental appointment at 10 am. From there I made a quick dash back to New Norfolk to be in time for the first of today's two Journey Scripture programs at 11 am.
As soon as the program finished I was back into the car to head for Hobart to attend the funeral of the late Ron Soundy, a former Lord Mayor of Hobart and President of the Tasmanian Council of Churches. The funeral, at the Baptist Tabernacle, was led by the Rev Ken Godfrey, who had been a member of the executive of the TCC as well as being an area manager for ITIM before moving the Mt. Isa. The funeral was well attended and was a simple farewell to a lovely gentleman.
I started work on next week's newsletter and collected some information to send down to school for the Confirmation Preparation program before I had a visit from a friend who was driving through and called in to say hello. A coffee and a chat later it was time to finish my preparations for the Journey session (which has just finished) and now I am ready for bed.
Tuesday, 6th
I had a session with the children from Prep at St Brigid's as they looked through the Church immediately after Mass this morning - it was a chance for many of them to see behind the scenes as we wandered through the Sacristy and all the 'bits' that most people don't see. I was also working on the newsletter and the financial statement for June for our Finance Committee - just typing in the details and printing a report.
After that work had been finished I headed off to see Patty whom I hadn't seen since last Monday to see how she had got on with the doctor - I also took her Holy Communion. Back home for lunch before taking part in the final session of the Alpha program - what we will do next I'm uncertain off but I'll wait and see.
I've just returned from a Jubilee 2000-CRITAS meeting at Guilford Young College by Fr Brian Gore - he provided a real challenge to people to think about what we are doing in order to celebrate the Great Jubilee.
I managed on the way to see my niece, Lauren, to wish her happy birthday - I'll be doing something about a card for Claire in Sydney who also celebrates her birthday today - but that will be tomorrow!!). Now it's time for bed.
Wednesday, 7th
I sent off a virtual pet to my sister Karen this morning and immediately got an email back to say that whilst dropping off Lauren's birthday card yesterday I had not remembered Aleisha's birthday 10 days ago - the reason she was upset when I called. I checked my diary and found that I had also missed Sam Delaney's birthday as well!!
After Mass this morning I headed for town to see two families regarding the funerals I will be celebrating over the next two days. Tomorrow is the funeral of the late Molly Hunn and on Friday I will be celebrating the funeral of Thelma Williams. I have been involved with both families with weddings and funerals in the past and they have caught up with me.
When I got home from town I only had a short time to do some work on the Newsletter before it was time to get ready for the Apparitions of Mary in the 20th Century meeting that was held here in the Parish House tonight. There were only ten people here and it took some time - much longer than I had expected - but it was an interesting presentation and was well received by the people who were here.
Thursday, 8th
This morning I worked on the Big Book I use for the funeral of the late Molly Hunn - it is always just a little bit easier to do things when I only have to work with one thing at a time. I also called into school to finalise some things with relation to different celebrations for classes over the next few weeks.
After Mass I headed for town to drop off a draft copy of the funeral booklet for tomorrow's funeral of the late Thelma Williams to her son and daughter-in-law's. From there it was back to Millington's funeral home in Moonah for Molly Hunn's funeral - only a simple family gathering with some old friends from my days of working with the staff at Dominic College.
I then returned home to do some work on the newsletter and the booklet for tomorrow. I hadn't been home long when I got a phone call asking whether I might be available to see someone almost immediately. I rang Jane Franklin Hall to say that I doubted if I would be able to attend the College Council Meeting (and got their answering machine) and then waited to see the family who have some difficulties - things were much better when they left.
Now I am heading for bed.
Friday, 9th
Early this morning I worked on the Big Book for the funeral of the late Thelma Williams before heading off to town for her funeral. I was on the road when my mobile rang and I spoke to a young lady whose father had just died - asking whether I might be available to celebrate his funeral on Monday.
I wasn't at Graham's long before the mobile went again to say that May Holmes had died and that the funeral would be on Tuesday at Ellendale - all this before I had even begun to celebrate Thelma's funeral.
By the time I had been to the cemetery, done a quick job at Grahams on the computer, been to see the family of the late George Goss, spent time with May Holmes' family, called round to Max Williams home to spend a few moments with their family after the funeral this morning I headed home to find Brent and Kay waiting for me to begin the preparation for their marriage later in the year.
I did some work when they left on the newsletter before calling in to wish Aliesha a belated Happy Birthday and then continuing on to Jane Franklin Hall for the Senior Common Room midyear Dinner.
Now I'm heading for bed.
Saturday, 10th
Today was always going to be busy.
As I was having breakfast this morning I received a phone call to say that there was a patient in the hospital who was very low so I immediately went round to the hospital before even looking at the web page or my email for the day. She and her family have been very close to Fr Peter O'Loughlin over many years so I rang Peter to tell him that Mary was near the end - he was celebrating Mass and it was some time before he returned my call.
I had made an appointment to call and see Senator Brian Harradine regarding his involvement with the ITIM Foundation 2010 Breakfast series. I have asked him to be involved in the first of a series of breakfast meetings looking at five key questions that the speaker might like to address to an influential thinker/policy maker in Australia at this time. He has agreed to be part of the process and the date has been set.
I had just left Brian and Marion's home when the mobile went off to say that Mary had died - so I contacted Fr Peter and we arranged to meet at the New Norfolk Hospital. On the way home I called to see one of the daughters of the late George Goss to drop off a draft leaflet for his funeral on Monday.
Peter and I then spent some time with Mary's family at the hospital and Peter then went round to their home to be with the family and make some preliminary arrangements for the funeral on Tuesday. I followed soon after and met up with the Funeral Director who was making the arrangements - sadly the funeral will need to be celebrated on Tuesday at the same time as the funeral for the late May Holmes.
My next move was to call and see the family of the late Leo Ryan, a parishioner of Glenorchy, and to offer my condolences. I then called to see Lois Quinn, daughter of the late May Holmes with a draft copy of the leaflet for May's funeral on Tuesday. Having completed that I've come home and have just had some tea and now I'm heading for bed.
Sunday, 11th
Thankfully the weather wasn't too bad this morning so the trip to Maydena for the country Mass today wasn't too bad. Also, there was a good number of people there and that made a difference.
I came back for a Baptism at 1.00pm so that meant a very quick lunch before the Baptism but more time to fall asleep after the ceremony before the evening Mass. I had intended to try and see some people during the afternoon but fell asleep and almost slept through the time I needed to go to the Church for Mass - luckily I awoke with a start which got the adrenaline going.
Fr Peter arrived a short time ago (after seeing the Atkins family) and we've just finished talking about the funeral arrangements for Tuesday (and other things as well). It is now fairly late and I'm heading for bed.
Monday, 12th
Immediately after the morning Mass this morning I headed for Pontville to celebrate the funeral of the late George Goss. There was a good crowd there and it was a wonderful celebration. I was able to go back to spend time with the family at George's sisters home at Geilston Bay - and found, as I talked to members of the family, that I should have remembered that I had buried Brian, George's brother, some time ago. Luckily, no one made any comments that I had no remembered.
Returning home I started work immediately on the printing of the leaflet for the funeral tomorrow for May Holmes. As soon as that was finished I started work on the material for the Journey session for this week - it took quite some time to get it all done but thankfully I managed and the session this evening went well - a couple of people were missing but I'm now ready for bed.
Tuesday, 13th
What a day. I had a really difficult time doing all the things that needed to be done within a very tight schedule.
It started with a Deanery meeting at 10 am at Mt. St Canice for the Call to Change Program - I was able to attend the meeting for 45 minutes before heading off to celebrate Mass at Sacred Heart College for the two Gr. 6 classes. There was a good atmosphere with the children really participating in this special celebration.
From there I headed up the Derwent valley to Ellendale to celebrate the funeral of the late May Holmes. The need for the ramp to be completed as soon as possible at Ellendale was really evident - even though the coffin was not heavy it was quite difficult getting it into the Church for the funeral. There was a good number of people there and it was a fitting celebration giving thanks for the life of this lovely lady.
I've had a little bit of time to start work on the newsletter for this weekend before having some tea and heading down to St Brigid's for a meeting with the parents of children who are preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation which is to be celebrated here in the Parish on 20th August. There were a reasonable number of families represented but there are still some missing.
I'm now heading for an early night and will have to leave the work for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund as well as work for ITIM and preparations for the Foundation 2010 breakfast in August until tomorrow.
Wednesday, 14th
What a party we had for John Brereton's 50th birthday - although it was at the end of today it went really well. There were a good number of John's family there and it was a really great celebration. But boy am I tired.
Today was basically an office work day. I'm waiting for some further information before I can complete the work for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund. I should be able to get the papers to Phil Scanlon either tomorrow or Friday. I haven't had too much luck with Neville Dean and the ITIM / Foundation 2010 breakfast yet but I hope to get that completed early tomorrow.
I had a quick trip down to school to say farewell to Rob Gill who starts work (full-time) at St Cuthbert's School at Lindisfarne next week. Rob has been doing PE at four schools in the Hobart area for the past three years so it is good that he now has a full-time teaching position.
It's time for bed and, hopefully, a good nights sleep.
Thursday, 15th
This morning started with a meeting of the Christian Leaders Association - we were joined by representatives of another group who are working parallel to the leaders in caring for the spiritual well-being of the local community. Hopefully at some stage into the future we will be able to work in much closer co-operation - at the moment there is still some misunderstanding about whom should be doing what.
I've done a little bit of work on an invitation for the ITIM / Foundation 2010 breakfast series and have arranged to see Neville on Monday afternoon in Hobart. I'll contact the printers tomorrow to get the Foundation and ITIM logos e-mailed to me to include on the draft.
Brent and Kay came to see me this afternoon as they start their Marriage preparation - we worked on the FOCCUS questionnaire - they'll return in a fortnight for the results; I've just finished working with Melvin and Loretta as we come close to the end of their reporting sessions for the program.
Now it is time for bed.
Friday, 16th
After Mass this morning I managed to do a few quick jobs around the house but didn't manage to get to see those parishioners who have not been able to get to Mass regularly. I will try again tomorrow after Mass at Hayes.
Phil Scanlon rang so I was able to get the information for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund so that I can give him the information for the auditors - I will drop them in on Monday and also sign some authorisations so that the auditors can check our bank accounts.
I travelled to Bothwell to attend the funeral of the late Terry Cashion, a former senior police officer who died on Monday. Several years ago I celebrated the marriage of his daughter Frances but I'd known Terry for many years and wanted to take the opportunity to say a final farewell. The minister who conducted the service was the Rev Ken Wills, a recently ordained Anglican priest, who had served with Terry in the Police Force many years ago and who was a close personal friend. It was a fitting celebration.
I finished the newsletter, except for the football competition information - the game is on at the moment but the second page of the newsletter will have to wait until tomorrow because I'm heading for bed.
Saturday, 17th
I awoke early this morning - not like this Saturday last month when I was supposed to be at the monthly Prayer Breakfast and slept in. The newsletter (both editions) have been printed (posted to the web) and I managed to get the letter written for the Leaders Group so that I could present a draft at the breakfast. On Thursday we had been addressed by two members of a group that is striving to build a greater sense of the Spirit of God working in the Derwent Valley. It had been resolved to ask them to look at ways to deepen that which is already here - I prepared the draft of the letter and the other members of the Leaders Group are happy for the letter as is to be sent to the group.
Mass at Hayes was again a "simple" affair with only one fellow turning up. After Mass I didn't get a chance to call on anyone because I needed to head for town to look at doing some things before getting to Lindisfarne for the clergy lunch. I managed to find a present for my friend who celebrates her birthday tomorrow as well as call to see some people I have not been able to catch up on for some time.
After lunch - at which I managed to collect most of the monies outstanding for the Tattslotto group I headed of to Claremont to collect Mum and Dad to take them down to my brothers home at Clifton Beach this afternoon to celebrate my nephew Sam's 18th birthday - the day was a fortnight ago but the party is today. It was a great party but I'm not sure why my two sisters weren't there - I only hope that they had been invited.
I haven't been home long but I'm going to have an early night and hope that I get a good nights sleep - I'll wait and see what happens to Geelong against the Roos tonight in Sydney - I doubt they'll win - I just hope they don't get thrashed.
Sunday, 18th
Today was a foggy day almost all day - at least in the Derwent Valley. The trip to Hamilton this morning was almost all the way in fairly decent fog - and I've just come home from having tea with some friends and the final couple of kilometres was at about 20 kph because the fog was so heavy.
I'm not certain whether it was because of the fog but the only place where there was a decent crowd for Mass was at Hamilton - a good group of people came down from Ouse to boost the numbers. Next month we will be having a Soup and Sandwich Luncheon on the third Sunday of the Month so it will be September before the next Mass there.
After Mass I stopped and had lunch with some of the people who had been at the Mass before heading for the Cathedral to do a Baptism - except the family of Thomas Leary, the little person to be baptised were waiting for me at Moonah - the parish where the baptism was supposed to take place. Luckily I realised my mistake before too late and headed off to get to the Church and get myself organised properly.
After the Baptism I headed home - I only had half an hour before I was due over at the Church for the evening Mass so I read the today's paper - something I had not been able to do this morning (I can't remember why).
After Mass I went to visit a friend to wish her Happy Birthday and now I'm heading for bed.
Monday, 19th
After Mass this morning I did some work on material for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund - I had actually forgotten a Committee Meeting that had been held at a Pastors Conference early this year and had to look for the minutes of the meeting to prepare to go with the finance papers.
This was followed by the first of the two Journey programs. Immediately the first had finished I headed for Hobart to see Neville Dean about the Foundation 2010 Breakfast and invitation list. We visited Corporate Communication for some further ideas and to obtain a list of potential invitees to check against our list.
On the way to town I had two calls on my mobile phone - the first asking me to celebrate the funeral of the late Betty Higgins, the mother of a parishioner; and another call asking me to see a patient in the Whittle Ward - Michael was one of the people I have been trying to see during these past few days. I actually managed to catch both Michael and Bev in Hospital so something finally worked out as far as Hobart Hospital visits go.
I spoke with the Higgins family and have started the booklet for the funeral on Wednesday morning - I will be seeing the Griffiths family tomorrow regarding the funeral in the afternoon.
I called to see Carlene to wish her happy 60th but she wasn't home so I let the card with a friend to drop off later at a meal they were having for her in Moonah.
I've just finished the second of the Journey sessions so now I'm heading for bed to get a good nights sleep.
Tuesday, 20th
Mass this morning was at 9am so things started OK. I worked on the two funeral booklets before heading down to school for a coffee and a Reconciliation Service for the Gr. 4 class. By the time I had completed that celebration I only had time for a quick bite to eat before heading for Hobart to see the Griffiths family at Millington's Funeral Home.
On the way home I called to see my friends at Graham's before catching up with my parents to drop off some addresses for priests who are celebrating Ordination anniversaries at this time.
After a short time with them it was home to finish the funeral booklets for tomorrow. I managed to also complete some work on a display booklet I will use to show people how photos and leaflets end up.
I wasn't home long when 15 pages arrived from Corporate Communications with their list of names as possible invitees for the Foundation 2010 Breakfast and a draft of the invitation - I will have to do some work on that tomorrow so that they can complete the work and send it to the printers.
I've completed most of the work for tomorrow so now I'm off to bed.
Wednesday, 21st
Mass today was at 9am and then I headed to town fairly quickly for the first of the two funerals - the funeral of the late Betty Higgins at the Turnbull Family Chapel in North Hobart. There was a good crowd present and, thankfully, the weather stayed reasonably fine as we travelled to the Kingston Cemetery for the internment.
From there it was a easy trip back to town to go to the Cathedral for the funeral of the late Rae Griffiths. Again there was a good crowd and everything went well - the weather started to turn as we were leaving the Crematorium at the conclusion of the ceremony.
I then came home and chased up some details of the School Board meeting that was held some weeks ago - I've arranged with the Chairman to collect his notes to help me draw together the minutes so that they can be sent out for next weeks meeting..
Now it is time for bed - today has been a long day.
Thursday, 22nd
We had Mass at 9.15am this morning for the children from the Infant and Junior primary sections of St Brigid's - as always they are so wonderful to work with - always interested in what is happening and spontaneous in their answers to any questions.
I still haven't managed to catch up with some people so that is on the cards for tomorrow. Most of today was taken up with getting information regarding the Board Meeting. I still haven't found my notes but have managed to collect Tim's (the chairperson) notes as well as getting the information from Sean (the Principal). I sat down and worked on them so that, hopefully, they are a reasonable record of the proceedings.
Fairly soon after lunch (Fr) Peter O'Loughlin and John Freeman from the Bellerive Parish arrived and we spent two and a half hours walking through the Grapevine Program, and the QuickBooks Financial package to show them what was possible.
We spent so long looking at all that that I managed to miss getting up the street for the drawing of the Wood Raffle so I have no idea who won - I'll have to catch up with Greg in the morning.
Now it's time for bed.
Friday, 23rd
Just before Mass this morning Ruby asked whether I had looked in the back room to see if the notes of the previous School Board were there - so as soon as Mass had finished I checked and sitting on the top of some other papers were the notes. I then spent a short time completing the minutes for the Board. I took them down at Morning Tea time and left them in the Office.
I also did a lot of work on the list of invitees to the Inaugural Foundation 2010 Breakfast to be sent to Corporate Communications who will organise the posting and the RSVP. I sent that off just after lunch and spoke to Tony Harrison later in the day to finalise everything -,only to find that the invitations hadn't been printed yet - I was supposed to have organised that. I spoke to Neville Dean and he was to organise that today. I then spent time contacting the Colleges to talk to Career Counsellors or Student Services people about inviting Year 11 & 12 students to the program - there are still three Colleges to speak to on Monday (particular staff were not there today) but all seem enthusiastic.
Whilst waiting to see if any of the College people I was chasing would ring back before the end of the school day I had a phone call from Greg Hudson, Graham Family representative in the Derwent Valley, asking whether I would be available to celebrate the funeral of the late Colleen Manning on Wednesday afternoon. More about that later as I'm not able to see the family until Sunday afternoon.
I went to see Patty this afternoon and she is fighting fit - cancer is not going to beat her and she is going well. She has enjoyed "Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul" so I will get one or two of the others to her in the next day or so.
The newsletter (both editions) are ready to print - I only need the winning margin for the football to add to print the middle page of the paper edition. The outside is printed as well as the August Calendar which I remembered this morning needed to be done and which took some time to finish.
I'm heading for bed now so will have to wait until the newspaper arrives in the morning or I go on-line to find out the Football details as I'm too tired to wait up until the end of the game.
Saturday, 24th
This morning started early - another sleepless night. For Archbishop D'Arcy it is the 50th Anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood and he is in Melbourne today celebrating with his contemporaries this very special day. The Archdiocese of Hobart will gather on Wednesday evening at St Mary's Cathedral to celebrate this special day with him.
I printed the newsletter(s) and delivered them to the different congregations in the town before heading to Claremont for the World Justice & Development Commission meeting. After that meeting I headed for Bridgewater for the Clergy lunch and enjoyed a pleasant meal cooked by one of the Filipino parishioners.
After lunch I came home because I was feeling light headed and, having been awake early on too many days during this last week, I decided to head for an early night. Sadly that means that I will have to see Bev & Michael tomorrow afternoon but I'll see what happens.
Sunday, 25th
The Country Mass was at Ellendale this morning and I surprised Winnie by saying that I would be there for lunch. After spending some time talking to the family I went to visit the family of the late Colleen Manning to arrange her funeral details. Her husband Paul is my mother's first cousin so by the time I had left the house I had met a whole bunch of 2nd cousins I had never see before. At this stage it looks as if the funeral will be celebrated here at St Peter's on Wednesday afternoon.
I'm still suffering from a light head so I didn't attempt to try and see Bev or Michael this afternoon - I will have to try either tomorrow or Tuesday.
I've just finished celebrating the evening Mass and I need to get to bed to try and get some sleep.
Monday, 26th
After Mass this morning I worked on a draft of the funeral leaflet for the late Colleen Manning - her funeral is now set for Wednesday afternoon. I also did some work for ITIM - ringing the Colleges for the names of senior students who might be able to part of the Foundation 2010 Breakfast series starting in August.
I had turned the heaters in the dining room on so that the parishioners who came for the Journey program didn't freeze - it was barely comfortable - it hadn't improved much for the session tonight which has just finished.
During the afternoon I did some work for the New Norfolk Community Group that is interested in building a new co-operative for berry growers - letterheads and labels as part of my community involvement.
I called to see the Manning family and left the draft of the leaflet with them - I didn't complete the process as I have run out of ink for the colour printer - high on the agenda for tomorrow and my trip to town.
There was a fax on the computer when I came into the set this page up - we now have (officially) a new Archbishop. There was a fax from Archbishop D'Arcy saying that the Holy Father has accepted his resignation and has appointed Archbishop Doyle as the new Archbishop of Hobart. The formal occasion will take place on August 26th. This will mean that I have lived with 4 Archbishops and worked for three in my life time - the longest period being the 34 years under the guidance of Archbishop Young who died in 1988. I had the pleasure of working with Archbishop Doyle from 1985 - 88 in the Sandy Bay Parish and it was one of the best times in my life with a whole range of special memories for me in my priesthood.
Now for bed and reflection on the past and hopes for the future.
Tuesday, 27th
Today was a long day as we had an In-service day with Fr Paul Connell, a priest of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and former Rector of the Seminary, continuing a series of lectures on Christology which he had commenced last year at the Priests gathering at Cray Drop In - a seaside resort on the East Coast. Paul is a brilliant lecturer and his material if first class.
Because of the early start I headed off to Sandy Bay immediately after Mass but I stopped at Glenorchy to get some music for the funeral tomorrow and then bought some ink for the colour printer so that I was able to print the leaflets for the funeral tomorrow.
By the time the In-service was over I was ready for bed but the Parish Pastoral Council meeting, which has just finished, was on so I had to struggle on to stay awake and alert because we have just looked at all the material for the next stage of the Call to Change Process [the Parish Assembly] which will take place a couple of days after our next meeting.
I have been up and going since 4am so now I am heading for bed.
Wednesday, 28th
Today was a really great day which has just ended with the celebration, in the Cathedral of the Golden Jubilee of Ordination to the Priesthood of Archbishop D'Arcy. Coming just a couple of days after his resignation was accepted by the Pope it was a little sad but there is another event to be celebrated in a month's time when his official relinquishing of his position as Archbishop and the installation of + Adrian as the new Archbishop will take place.
This morning started with part two of the Pastoral Conference dealing with the Great Jubilee and what is happening in parishes, we also looked at the next stage of the Call to Change process as well as new requirements for collection of Marriage Preparation. The sessions all went well but there are still some issues to resolve regarding the Sick & Retired Priests Fund and the calling of an Annual General Meeting.
The next item on the agenda was the celebration of the funeral of the late Colleen Manning - a celebration where I got to meet a whole lot of relatives whom I had never met before. I travelled to the cemetery with Peter Bluett, one of the Graham Family Funeral attendants and helped set up the grave site (under his expert supervision) before returning to the family home for a celebration of Colleen's life.
Then it was off to the Cathedral and as I've just got home I'm now heading for bed - a tired little person.
Thursday, 29th
After completing the for the FOUNDATION 2010 breakfast I tried to contact Neville Dean seeking guidance on the final wording of an accompanying letter to go with the invitation to the Colleges with whom I have been in contact.
I called to see the staff and children at St Brigid's for a short time - checked up on how the Board meeting had gone last night - apparently there were some mistakes in the minutes of the previous meeting and I will be razzed about that.
After Mass I headed for Grahams to do some work on their software updating but ran into all sorts of problems - I'm not certain that they can be fixed at this time easily - they are now looking at upgrading the computers but retaining one for printing work.
My marriage couple have just left and I am heading for bed - I didn't seem to get too much done today but the newsletter is almost complete and the invitations will go out tomorrow so it seems that somet things are finally coming together.
Friday, 30th
After having a better sleep than usual I started the day with prayer and then Mass before doing some further work on the material for FOUNDATION 2010. I was also able to complete the newsletter (both editions) except for the information regarding the football results which will be added first thing tomorrow morning.
By 10am I was off to town to call into the Claremont Parish to add a patch for Y2K to their computer as well as collecting their data files for the Grapevine Parish Management Program. When I returned home I emailed the data to (Fr) Pat Lim in Perth who will update the information and return a new CD to them to reinstall. I also managed to catch up with Mum for a few minutes. She was by herself as Dad had finally been able to enjoy his birthday present - a tour of the Hobart area as a passenger in a Harley-Davidson sidecar. I spoke to mum later and he had enjoyed the ride but was tired now.
From there it was off to the offices of ITIM but I had arrived too late so I high tailed it up the road to Corporate Communications to catch Neville and Peter as they completed the invitation material for the 5 Questions Breakfast Series and posted the letters to potential people.
From there I headed for the Whittle Ward (Palliative Care Unit) to see Michael - I had not been able to get there at all this week so I was glad to be able to be there today. I will be in town tomorrow and will call to see him again and say hello to his family.
When I returned home I managed to see both Bev and Pat and spent time with them and their families. Pat is doing remarkably well but, sadly, Bev is not well at all.
The day is now over and I've managed to do just about all I can - I started looking at some information for next years fundraising efforts but that is still some way down the track. Time for bed (and a little bit of the Friday night football).
Saturday, 31st
I managed to prune all the roses this morning and I think I did a reasonable job. I will try and find some time during the week to actually move two roses into new positions so that they have a better chance of growing than at present.
I also managed to wash the car but forgot to finish the wheel hubs - the first thing that dad noticed when I got to Claremont was the dirty tyres - I can't win.
Lunch today was at Bridgewater and a reasonable turn up - they return to New Norfolk for the day next week. I then headed for town to catch up with Michael Flanagan in the Whittle Ward again. He is still very low and not expected to last the weekend. I also called into the Royal Hobart Hospital to see Richard Voss who had had a stroke this morning. Richard has been the Diocesan Financial Administrator for some time and has been recovering from open heart surgery. He read the 1st Reading at Archbishop D'Arcy's Jubilee Mass on Wednesday evening. He was sleeping but his wife, Bev, his mother and Doreen Oakley were with him so I spent some time with them.
From the hospital it was off to see some people on the Eastern Shore. After spending some time talking to the wife I have arranged for them to contact me for some time together to look at other issues that are facing them at this time.
Geelong won today so I can now go to bed a happy chappy and get a good nights sleep.
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