Daily Notes & News
The Month of
September 1999
Wednesday, 1st
Today marks the start of Year 2 of Daily Notes & News. I actually started in August 1998 but removed the 1st month as I was tidying up the files at the ISP - however, there is now a complete 12 months recorded. You can check out the story by following the links at the end of this page.
After Mass this morning I did some work on the newsletter for this weekend - I thought that the next few days will be busy so any thing I can get done early in the week would be helpful. As I was working away the phone rang and I now have another funeral for Friday - and if I thought some of my days recently have been busy - wait till Friday!
After an early lunch I headed for town for the funeral of the late Ray Brindle at Turnbull Family Funeral Home. There was a good crowd there and the internment at Kingston Lawn Cemetery went well - it looked as if it might rain but the rain held off. I travelled back to Glenorchy to join the family at the wake before heading off to see the Figg family and to begin preparations for the funeral of the late Marlene Figg - my Friday funeral.
Marlene has been ill for some time and I used to call and say hello when ever I was in the Northgate Shopping Centre where she and her husband Bert have a Sportspower Shop. More about the timing difficulty in Friday's Notes & News. When I got home - thankfully now without an appointment I immediately set to work to prepare the booklet because I will need to get it to the funeral directors tomorrow as I won't have time to have it at the Church in time on Friday morning.
It is now time for bed and I think that I am tired and doubt whether I'll have too good a nights sleep.
Thursday, 2nd
Mass this morning was at 9am, not midday, so that I could assist at the funeral of the late Michael Ogden at the Moonah Hall of the Salvation Army. It was a very prayerful ceremony with a very peace filled atmosphere amongst the mourners. After the internment at Kingston I did some work in town before I went over to Lindisfarne to spend time with the family and friends who had gathered at Karina's home.
There was a real sense of sadness present as well. Michael was not yet 27 and died of MS; Capt. Mim Adams, the Salvation Army Captain who gave the address also has MS and one of Michael's aunts (by marriage) also suffers from the disease. There were also some fellow MS sufferers amongst the mourners all knowing that the disease will probably treat them the same way as it ended Mike's life.
On the way home I dropped off a copy of the leaflet for the funeral of the late Marlene Figg at their home in Montrose - they were all out but Bert rang a short time ago to say he had the leaflet and to check when a special poem might be read.
We have just finished the follow-up meeting from the Parish Assembly last Saturday - there were a few extra people from the general Parish Community, which was good, but there is still quite a deal of work to do. Efforts over the next week or so will be directed at condensing the material from Saturday into a single 4 page leaflet that will then be made available through the Parish via a whole range of possibilities, including efforts to be made to send information regarding the Parish to people via a weekly e-mail including the address for the newsletter on the web.
Now for bed - tomorrow is a big day.
Friday, 3rd
There were lots of things that needed to get done this morning before Mass and I've got to the end of the day and I'm not certain I remembered everything. Immediately after the 9am Mass I headed for Glenorchy to celebrate the funeral for the late Marlene Figg. When I arrived everything was ready to begin so that was good - it was a very peace filled celebration of the Resurrection which allowed the story of Marlene's life to be remembered gracefully.
Immediately after the service at the Crematorium I headed for Sacred Heart to celebrate a Year Mass for the Gr. 8 students. Today was the last day of term so there was no chance to move the Mass to another day, so in spite of the rush I headed off. The Class co-ordinator had arranged to hold an assembly after the Mass which they moved forward to allow me a few extra minutes to get there - everything went well. I always look forward to going to Sacred Heart - as I've mentioned before it is my second favourite school.
I then headed for Glenorchy to spend a short time with the Figg family at the wake - it was an interesting time where I managed to meet up with some old friends and managed to make some new friends as well.
I then headed home for the ITIM phone hookup for the FOUNDATION 2010 Committee. It was a good meeting with some issues being addressed as well as being told that the Annual General Meeting of ITIM is to be held in Brisbane towards the end of October.
Then it was back to the Cathedral for the rehearsal for the wedding of Anjanette Crawford and Nicholas Murfet which will be celebrated at the Cathedral tomorrow. As soon as the rehearsal was finished I headed home and although I've tried to get the newsletter completed I am calling it a night and heading for my bed.
Saturday, 4th
Today has been a strange day. Instead of being able to set my page to what is going to happen I am writing it at the end of the day so it will be what happened and I'll be able to transfer it to the Archives page almost as soon as I have completed it.
I started writing this morning but before I completed it the phone rang to say that Moya Blake, a lovely New Norfolk lady who recently had a gall bladder operation was seriously ill in the Royal Hobart Hospital. By the time I arrived she had passed away and so I spent the morning working with her family to prepare for her funeral which will be celebrated here on Tuesday morning.
The Clergy Lunch today was at Claremont and was an enjoyable meal with some great conversation. I didn't get a chance to see my parents today so I will have to make another effort on Monday as I will not have a chance to get there tomorrow (Father's Day - not a smart move!!).
The wedding of Anjanette and Nicholas was a lovely celebration and the reception was also very pleasant. As I said earlier I've just arrived home so after posting this page I'm heading for bed for a not too late night.
Sunday, 5th
Today has been a busy day - Mass at 9am and then travelling to Mass at Ouse, collecting Rory on the way past Hayes. There was a good crowd at the Mass although a couple of the regulars from Hamilton weren't there. I was not able to stay for lunch as I had to get back for three Baptismal ceremonies - with 4 children becoming one with the people of God. By the time the third baptism was completed I was exhausted and I only had a short time before the evening Mass.
Just after I arrived in the house after the baptisms the phone rang to say that Harry Cowling wasn't well. I had seen him in Calvary Hospital on Friday afternoon but his wife Sandy had said that he was pretty good late on Saturday and she was hopeful of being able to bring him home late today - but that they would be celebrating Father's Day next week. I walked in after the evening Mass to find a message from the Hospital to say that Harry had died just a short time earlier. I headed for town and spent some time with Sandy and some of her family.
The whole of the community is shattered and with the funeral for Moya Blake coming up the next few days are going to be very busy.
I'm heading for bed and hopefully a good nights sleep although I am doubtful.
Monday, 5th
Mass this morning was a sombre affair with everyone struggling to come to grips with the death of Harry Cowling. Harry was one of those people who would wander in and then wander off and go and organise things without making a fuss. He will be greatly missed and our sympathy and prayers go out to his wife Sandy and their family.
My next effort was to complete the funeral leaflet for the late Moya Blake whose funeral we will celebrate tomorrow - that will be another big funeral for the Parish. I had an appointment for a baptismal preparation this morning and after lunch I waited until the technician came to check the photocopier which had developed a problem in the printing. After he left with the photocopier, unable to fix the problem, I went to see the Cowling family but only stayed a short time.
There were lot's of people there and it quickly became obvious that I would need to talk to Sandy at a later stage so we will meet tomorrow afternoon to work things out. I left the Cowlings and headed down to school to use their photocopier for the funeral tomorrow and the printer has been working away printing the colour copies for the family. I'm heading for bed so will have to complete the printing in the morning.
Tuesday, 7th
Everything went well this morning with the final pages for the cover of the leaflet for the late Moya Blake printed easily and the celebration of her funeral went well with a good crowd saying farewell to this lovely lady who had spent almost all her life in and around the New Norfolk area. After the service at the graveside we went back to the R&SLA Rooms for the wake and there was a good crowd there.
When I got home I rang Sandy to say that I was available to work on the leaflet for Harry's funeral. Whilst I waited for her to arrive I finished the booklet for the marriage of Loretta Thorp and Melvin Escobar which will be celebrated at the Cathedral on Saturday week. I had told Loretta that I would get the disk to her sometime today (as well as catch up with Dad for Father's Day) but things didn't work out as I had hoped so I will have to see both of them tomorrow.
I worked with Sandy and some friends to get the booklet into (almost) its final form but I will have to some more work in the morning. Martin has a poem that the family would like included on the second last page of the booklet - it shouldn't take long to finish so we will see what happens.
During the afternoon I got a phone call from the Young family, friends from my youth in Claremont, also the family who have been helpful when it comes to working with my computer. The wife of Anthony, the oldest member of the family died in Queensland yesterday and it is not possible for his parents to go so they asked if I might celebrate a Mass at Claremont tomorrow night - Fr Arthur Shelverton is away for a few days and since I know the family I will be going to help them out.
Now it is time for bed before there is anything else I have to do.
Wednesday, 8th
The major item on today's diary has been to complete details and the booklet for the funeral of the Late Harry Cowling. There were a few false starts as we looked for things to bring together but it is finally all finished and printed but there are the thirty copies for the family that I will staple together in the morning. I spent some time with Sandy today talking about some of the things that Harry was involved in and the homily is now basically formed.
As soon as Patsy Duggan and Sr Janet had arrived I headed for town to drop off the disk for Loretta Thorp's marriage next weekend - I had promised that it would be there on Monday - Wednesday isn't too bad.
I then traveled down to the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages to drop off the Marriage papers from the past couple of weeks - and to check that the new format was satisfactory. Thank and praise the good Lord Jesus it was - it has taken some 12 months before they have been satisfied with the format and the quality of the paper.
This evening I celebrated Mass with the Young Family at Claremont in memory of their daughter-in-law Carmel, the wife of their eldest son Anthony. Carmel had died in Queensland and the majority of the family had not been able to get there so they asked me if I could help out - their PP, Fr Arthur Shelverton, is away for a couple of days.
I haven't quite finished the work for Harry's Funeral Mass tomorrow - I still have the Big Book that I use to put together so that will be almost the first thing that gets done in the morning.
Now for bed.
Thursday, 9th
Today has gone really well although I am very tired and have cancelled going to another meeting of the College Council for Jane Franklin Hall as I need to go to bed and get a good nights sleep. There was a slight hiccup this morning as I was checking the format for the Big Book I use and noticed that there was an X instead of Harry's name in almost the opening prayer for the Mass. Luckily I was able to print thirty pages to include in the booklet for the family which meant that the family, at least, had the correct name.
There weren't as many people at Harry Cowlings Funeral as I expected but the weather was bad and the number who did come fitted into the Church (with a bit of a tight fit). Fr Bill Egan came down and concelebrated with me and the Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community provided the music and led the singing and did a wonderful job. I know that it is difficult to say that funerals were good but I truly believe that the celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial for Harry was a totally powerful experience of the glory of the Resurrection. The wake following the funeral was also a time of joy and celebration and it was held at the R&SLA Rooms - a place where Harry had spent many an afternoon.
The rest of the day was spent catching up with some of the phone calls and work that I have not been able to get too over these past few days and now I am ready for bed - although I doubt if I'll have too good a night's sleep - I feel too tired.
Friday, 10th
Like every day things don't always go as well as they are planned.
This morning after Mass I sat down to do some work on the Newsletter and found that it took much longer than I had hoped - in fact at one stage I didn't think that I would be able to get it finished. By the time everything was done and printed it was early afternoon.
I did manage to attempt to see some of the people around the town as well as do the shopping for Chinese Dinner tomorrow night and get most of the things done that needed doing as well as answering the phone and doorbell which seemed to be going non stop for most of the day.
I then headed for town to get an early birthday present for Aileen as she is heading off on a tour of the Northern Territory and various other parts of Australia and will be away on the day. We had a lovely meal at the Mornington Inn - an establishment formerly known as the Blood Valley Inn but which under the present management of Marie & John Devine has built a great reputation. We went back to Aileen's for a while and played cards & I won for the first time in a long time.
Now for bed as there is some work to do early tomorrow for the big meal.
Saturday, 11th
Today has been a good day - Mary Murray called in this morning and around a cup of coffee we set up the tables for the meal tonight and everything has gone well. I pottered around and all the food and everything else was ready about time and everyone arrived for the meal and now it is over. We had a great night and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we made over $200 profit from very little effort.
Lunch today was at Sandy Bay and it was a good lunch so that was OK - it's been a good day and now I'm heading for bed.
Sunday, 12th
Mass today was at Maydena and there was a good crowd - not large but just about everyone was there. The trip home was pleasant as the day has been a warmish spring day with bright sunlight and good conditions all round.
There were two baptisms - one at the Cathedral and the other at Sacred Heart. Both families were a few minutes late which meant I didn't get to Lindisfarne for the trip to Ulverstone with Fr John Williams until about 3.45pm. We left almost immediately and arrived at Ulverstone just after 6.30pm which was good travelling.
After an enjoyable night with Phil Green and Peter Kennedy who had traveled up earlier to join Mark Freeman at Ulverstone we each headed off to bed for tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Monday, 13th
Another lovely day as we breakfasted and then John Williams, Phil Green and I headed off to Smithton for the sesquicentenary celebrations for the Circular Head Parish. It was another good day and we had quite a wonderful celebration at the Mass and then at the dinner. The clergy were supposed to sit at a top table but I stopped to talk to some lovely Sisters of St Joseph and sat with them. In a way it was lucky because if I had been at the top table one of the priests (possibly me) would have to have sat with his back to the people.
We then travelled back to Ulverstone to prepare for Mark Freeman's 40th birthday party - as we sat at the breakfast table this morning I had remembered that I had celebrated his 30th birthday in Launceston when we were both at the Church of Apostles - amazing!! His sister Carolyn had joined with me to fix a surprise birthday breakfast for him.
The birthday dinner was a great success and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely - I'm not sure how I'm going to be tomorrow for the drive back to Hobart - I'll have to wait and see.
Tuesday, 14th
Today was a slow start in Ulverstone and an even slower start for the guys who stayed at Devonport - I drove John Roach's car to Devonport after he and Richard Ross had caught a taxi back to Devonport last night. When John Williams and I arrived at Devonport the secretary was there but she hadn't seen sight nor sign of the guys.
The trip back to Hobart was pleasant - bright and sunny for the most part, cloudy in the centre but pleasant driving conditions nonetheless. I arrived home in the early afternoon and caught up with some of the messages and things that have happened over the past 48 hours including the information that the father of some children from school died in the Royal Hobart Hospital this morning. Our little school has experienced some tragedies these past few weeks - firstly with Bev Rumley dying, then Harry Cowling and now Phillip Hayes - his funeral is to be on Thursday from the Anglican Church here in New Norfolk so I will go and see his wife tomorrow.
I saw some people on the town and one lady asked if she might come and see me on Thursday - she is struggling in her marriage and is looking to see where she might get some assistance. I've made some phone calls and now I am ready for bed and a good nights sleep and it is just 8.30pm.
Wednesday, 15th
Today was the fourth anniversary of my arrival in New Norfolk. I said when I arrived that I expected to stay 40 years - there was some thought that I was only coming as a fill-in for the previous PP who was overseas. It is only now that I have done some more work with the Journey Scripture Program that I've remembered that 40 years is the time used in the OT to indicate that all that could be achieved had been achieved and that the King had proved to be a faithful witness to the Covenant between God and His people - I hope that when I get moved the people will be able to say the same about me.
After Mass this morning I waited for some replies to phone calls regarding material for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund - we are holding the Annual General Meeting this Saturday so there were a couple of things that needed to be followed up. Just before lunch I headed off to see the Helen, Alexandra, Catherine and Eliza, the family of the late Phillip Hayes who died yesterday. The girls attend St Brigid's School - another tragedy for our little community. The time I spent with them was quite wonderful - they are very special people and have been able to look at how providing organs for needy people has helped them see Phillip's death as something which has a positive side to it. I got a phone call from the Rev Christopher Newell, the son of the Anglican Bishop who is to conduct the service tomorrow, asking me to robe and participate in the service - it will be important for the whole community and for the school that I am able to be part of this celebration.
I managed, finally, to prepare the document for the conversation group leaders meeting tomorrow evening - I e-mailed the document to Anne Stephenson so I hope that she has had a chance to look at the material - I won't go to print until later tomorrow after she has had a chance to look at it. The meeting is tomorrow night so I'll wait and see what is happening.
I have also managed to prepare the October Calendar and the newsletters for the next two weeks - at least as much as I can. Obviously I needed to work on this week's newsletter but I also needed to do work on the other two documents as I will be in Sydney for much of next week and not get home until the Sunday morning, after the morning Mass here at New Norfolk, so everything need's to be completed before I leave for Sydney on Tuesday.
I tried to see some people on the town today - managed to catch Dick Shepherd, whom I have missed every other time, but missed Maureen - I will try again tomorrow although she is getting the results of some tests tomorrow so she may not be home.
I had a marriage appointment this evening when Alison and Jason did the Foccus material - they did well and finished in good time for me to consider an early night. I've just rung Sydney to make some arrangements for where I am going to stay next week but Jan wasn't home so I'll ring again tomorrow night.
Now for bed.
Thursday, 16th
The Christian Leader's Association meeting this morning was only the three of us - Graham, David & myself, Lynn wasn't able to make it. We looked at a whole range of material (quickly) before I headed off to be part of the funeral of the late Phillip Hayes at St Matthew's Anglican Church at 11am. It was a reasonably large funeral with lot's of different types of people ranging from Antarctic expeditioners, maritime seamen and New Norfolk people, including staff and families from St Brigid's School..
I headed back to celebrate Mass immediately after the funeral so I wasn't able to attend the service at the graveside but went back to spend time with the family after Mass. There is a sense of unreality for the whole family at the moment because Phillip is usually away for several months at a time - hopefully his death can be something that is dealt with easily into the future.
I had a visit from a parishioner working through some family questions - there maybe long term implications for all of this but I'll have to wait and see.
Also, this afternoon I spent quite a deal of time working on the document for the conversation groups of the Call to Change process. The suggestions back from Anne Stephenson helped clarify several points; then Sr Lorraine arrived early and we did some more work before spending two hours with the people who were there clarifying language and making the whole thing more user friendly. I think we now have a reasonably good document that might help people spread the information regarding the Call to Change Parish Assembly information for the wider Parish community.
Now for bed.
Friday, 17th
After Mass I did some work on the newsletter before heading off to see Patty and Eileen and taking them Communion to the Sick - Eileen is reasonably well although frustrated at not being able to do too much whilst Patty is struggling with her cancer and feeling flat at this time. I then called to see Maureen who has just been told that she has a growth and it maybe cancerous - unfortunately the specialists are from the mainland and won't be back for another fortnight to do the biopsy and operation to remove the growth.
I got a phone message when I arrived home a short time ago (7pm) from my man about the mixed fruit for the Christmas Pudding - unfortunately he is not able to help as much as we thought so I will try some other people first thing on Monday effort that will start in a fortnights time. I checked out the prices of the other ingredients and will work out the total cost in the morning and have it here over the weekend.
I then headed for town to drop off a photo of the late Harry Cowling to be scanned for a memorial card - and promptly forgot to return to collect it so that will have to wait until Monday as well. I dropped off some material at the Archbishops Office regarding follow-up conversations for the Call to Change process before collecting more card for Baptismal certificates and the paper for the Marriage Certificates for the Grapevine Computer program.
Next on the agenda I headed back to the Catholic Education Office to sign some cheques for the priests who receive benefits from the Sick & Retired Priests Fund and to collect the financial papers for the AGM of the Fund which will be held tomorrow. I then Calvary Hospital to see Jack McCauley and Joyce Williams - Jack in hospital for tests and Joyce recovering from bowel surgery.
I then had a little bit of time so I visited some families (the ones who were home) before going to the Cathedral for the rehearsal for the marriage of Loretta Thorp and Melvin Escobar which will be celebrated tomorrow afternoon .see Joyce and Jack and get the financial papers for tomorrow's AGM of the Sick & Retired Priests Fund from Phil Scanlon at the Catholic Education Office.
I'm now home, the front cover of the newsletter is being printed - I'll have to wait until tomorrow to print the rest because the football hasn't finished and I'm too tired to wait up until the game ends.
Now for bed.
Saturday, 18th
After copying the inside of the newsletter and printing it and finishing the web edition and posting it I printed some material for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund AGM. Then I printed some update material on the situation in East Timor from Caritas to be stapled with the Calendar for October and the envelope for the Sick & Retired Priests Fund Annual Collection to this weeks newsletter.
Then it was off to the Prayer Breakfast at the Seven Day Adventist Hall just around the corner. I took the newsletters with me so that I would not have to run round the town tomorrow morning delivering it to the other Churches. After spending some useful time in prayer and reflection I headed off to Hayes Prison Farm for Mass - this morning there was another fellow who joined us for Mass. After Mass we spoke about the struggle some people have in prison and how a prisoner had committed suicide last night. We then spoke of Jack Newman who had murdered his wife 18 years ago and what the future held for him - at about the same time his body was found after he also had committed suicide.
From there I called into school to print some material for the Call to Change Process - the first of a series of four discussion papers designed to assist in disseminating material received from the conversation group submissions - that also has been attached to this week's newsletter - it is now a monster edition.
From there I headed to Claremont for the meeting and lunch - unfortunately there were insufficient members present to reach a quorum so the meeting has been adjourned to next Saturday at Sandy Bay - I will need to check on Monday with the body responsible for Incorporations to learn what we do next.
After lunch I visited Mum and Dad for a short time before heading for the Cathedral for the celebration of the marriage of Loretta and Melvin this afternoon. It was an interesting celebration as there were a large number of El Salvadorians present, many of whom speak little English.
I then came home to finish stapling the newsletter together and now I am off to bed and an early night.
Sunday, 19th
After the morning Mass at New Norfolk I sat with Sandy Cowling, the widow of Harry who died just a fortnight ago. Sandy had been with us in the Parish House after Mass and had been telling us that Harry was much better and they were going to the hospital later in the morning and expected him to either come home that day or the next day. Sadly, Harry died later that afternoon and today was the first time Sandy had come into the Church after the funeral Mass. Last week she had been in bed with bronchitis so today was a difficult day.
I was a little late heading of to the country Mass today at Hamilton but arrived in good time. I had received a phone call at 8am from Fr Val Farrell, a priest of Blackpool, UK. His Grandfather had been the Superintendent of Police in the Hamilton, New Norfolk district at the turn of this century and he and his sister are coming to Tasmania in November so I asked one of the parishioners at Hamilton could she find if there was any information at the local Council Chambers. Also, a former police officer from New Norfolk suggested contacting the archives at Rokeby Police Academy - there will almost certainly have more information there.
After the country Mass I came home and started working towards cleaning up some of the paper work that has been sitting on my desk for the past few weeks and had a productive time - I needed to because I will be away for much of the coming week.
After the evening Mass tonight I had a quick meal and watched the news before setting this page up and now I am heading for bed - I've just got a call back from Sydney to say that I have a bed for as long as I need it in Sydney this coming week.
Monday, 20th
Today was one of those good days when I managed to do just about everything I needed to do.
I've managed to get the order finalised for the Christmas Puddings and the ingredients will be delivered next Monday; I've been in contact with the Derwent Valley Gazette with a request that Fr Val Farrell's letter to me be reworded as a Letter to the Editor seeking information about his grandfather, John Joseph Edward Farrell; I've also forwarded a request to the Police Archives for any further information; sent the details to Rita Cox, a local historian asking for her help as well.
I went to town and spoke to one of the Staff in a Government Office regarding the difficulty about the Annual General Meeting of the Sick & Retired Priests Fund and what I need to do to ensure that similar situations don't happen into the future; I've faxed all the members regarding the meeting this coming Saturday reminding them of the need for the AGM to be held.
I visited Graham Family Funerals to say hello and arrived just in time for them to be searching for a means to have a Death Notice inserted in a paper in Watford UK. There was no immediate positive response from the search engines so I suggested contacting Fr Farrell so I've just done that so will have to wait until morning to see how successful that was. I called into the Church Office to see if anything could be done about the Diocesan Domain name but that will have to wait a little longer. I collected the photo (scanned) for Sandy and she will collect it later in the week from here.
Then a quick trip to Claremont to say hi to mum and dad and now I'm home with some cleaning up to complete before an early night and packing for tomorrow.
Tuesday, 21st
The day started with a phone call from Jenny Searle to say that her mother was near to the end of her journey so I jumped out of bed and headed for the aged care facility where she was a patient to anoint her. I spent a little bit of time there before returning home to get ready to head for Sydney and the National Council of Churches in Australia Roundtable meeting. Before I left I managed to catch up with Jenny and her daughters once again and prayed for Eileen before going to Bellerive where I left my car whilst I was away.
The trip to Sydney was uneventful and I managed to do a few small jobs around the town before heading out to Watsons Bay where I stayed with the Quinlan's and the Ritchie's. I met Donna and her two daughters Sigrid and Cleo and joined Don & Moya and Jan and Annabel and Donna and Sigrid at a meal to celebrate Cleo's birthday. It was a good night enjoyed by all but it has been a long day so it is time for bed.
Wednesday, 22nd
This morning started slowly but I decided to go to town to wander around before heading out to Drummoyne to have a meal with Jane, a Burnie girl who is the southern region transplant co-ordinator for Sydney. It was good to see her and meet her flatmate whom I've spoken to on a number of occasions and again it was an enjoyable night.
I rang Jenny Searle during the afternoon and she told me that her mum had died during the day. She has asked if I am available to do the funeral on Monday at Pontville and I am so I'll go and see the family after Mass on Sunday evening.
I managed to catch the right bus back to Watsons Bay and had just sat down when Jan jumped on the bus after an evening class so I had company all the way home. But now it is time for bed - I haven't done this much walker for some time.
Thursday, 23rd
Off to town for the NCCA roundtable meeting with all my gear because I will be staying there for the next two nights. The meeting had a packed agenda because of the East (& West) Timor situation. Two staff members have been closely involved in aspects of the whole refugees process - Jamie Isbister in travelling to West Timor and assessing the needs of the displaced people flowing across the border and Sr Loretto Conroy working with the East Timorese as they arrived in Darwin. Add to this the requirements of the Christian World Service Commissions mandate to provide emergency relief and assistance to peoples throughout the world who have been effected by earthquakes in recent times the work of the CWS and the NCCA staff has been overburdened.
The meeting went well and there has been a good deal of progress in the past two years since the last roundtable. I've just arrived back into the unit after eaten an enjoyable meal at an Indian restaurant just across the road. Before the meal started we had a presentation from Gabby Cullen, CWS staff member seconded to the UNHCR to work with Afghan Women at Risk in Peshawar. Gabby's insights etc. into this incredibly difficult task provided a great deal of food for thought but now I need to sleep and let the whole thing become part of my story.
Friday, 24th
The meeting today was a little bit more difficult as we struggled with how to continue to resource the state CWS groups, who provide the on the ground promotion of the Christmas Bowl and other CWS activities, with the need to ensure that the maximum percentage of the donated $ is made available for projects. At times the discussion became animated but the final proposal will need to be looked at tomorrow at the Commission meeting before it can be sent to the state entities for ratification.
After the roundtable meeting finished I attended a telephone hookup for ITIM (Inter Church Trade and Industry Mission). After a long and taxing day working through the work of the CWS Commission the (just over) two hours of the teleconference meant that I am really exhausted. As soon as the conference concluded I headed downstairs and we went off to a Thai restaurant for another great meal.
We looked a funny group as we wandered down Oxford Street in Sydney - Two bishops, four clergy and 8 lay people - Oxford Street is the venue for the Annual Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Now for bed as we have the CWS meeting all day tomorrow.
Saturday, 25th
Today is AFL Grand Final Day and I am in Sydney at a meeting without the opportunity to watch the game nor even the chance to be part of the whole atmosphere.
The meeting went well although the difficulties experienced by the staff through their involvement with the situation in Timor has meant that some other aspects of the work of the Commission have not been completed. This has led to some frustration from both sides but it is hoped that we can work through the issues with a good deal of mutual support.
As soon as the meeting concluded I headed up the street to catch a bus to Watsons Bay for a bed for the night and walked into the final stages of preparations for a party that Annabel is holding through the night - some people are going to stay over so that means my early rise to go to the airport tomorrow might be passing through bodies scattered throughout the house.
I met Penny, the widow of one of the sailors in the ill fated Sydney-Hobart race this year and had a chance to talk to her about some of the things that are happening to her. It was also great to catch up with Kathy and Mike from Manyana - we chatted about heaps of things - I'd like to go back again next year but I'll have to see what happens.
Now for bed - it is after midnight and the alarm needs to go off at 5.30am so that I can get to the airport.
Sunday, 26th
I woke this morning surrounded by the aftermath of the party last night - bodies spread throughout the house on just about anything that could be used for a bed. The place was remarkably tidy and most of the washing up had been done. After a quick drink I headed for the airport for the flight back to Hobart via Melbourne. Once on the plane I quickly fell asleep (both times) and don't really remember too much about the whole thing.
After getting picked up at the airport I collected my car from the Bellerive Presbytery and headed home to get ready for the Baptism. I had only a very short time between arriving and starting the celebration and only a short time after that to do some of the work that needed to be completed before the evening Mass.
After Mass I headed for Glenorchy to do some work with the Searle Family in preparation for the Funeral of the late Eileen Searle which we will celebrate tomorrow morning at St Matthew's Pontville before burial in the Lawn Cemetery. We enjoyed a baked meal and a glass of wine before Phyl & Ken Webb arrived to say hello and spend some time with Jenny. Most of the work has been done for me this time as Jenny was the Parish Secretary at Glenorchy with me for 5 years before working with Graham Family Funerals. I will do the Big Funeral Book for my personal use in the morning.
I've just arrived home and it is marginally after 9pm so I am heading for bed and an early night.
Monday, 27th
After the Mass this morning I headed off to Pontville to celebrate the funeral of the late Eileen Searle - it was a beautiful day and the whole thing went well. A quick trip to town after the funeral to collect some extra ingredients for the puddings preparations before returning to spend time with Jenny and her family at the wake.
I then came home to wait for the ingredients to arrive and waited and waited but they didn't arrive and are now not due until tomorrow afternoon.
Whilst waiting I made an anniversary card for my parents who celebrated 49 years of marriage today - next year is going to be a great celebration with my silver jubilee of priesthood and their 50th in just over a month - some party.
After seeing them I came home and quietly worked away at some remote preparation for the pudding work - cutting string so that they can be tied to hanging rods after they have cooked on Wednesday and Friday. I cut 200 metres of cord so that should keep us out of mischief for a few days.
Now for bed and hopefully a good nights sleep.
Tuesday, 28th
My rest last night wasn't bad but I still woke fairly early. This weekend Daylight Saving starts and although I will still wake early it will actually (by the watch) be an hour later as we turn our watches forward on Saturday night.
A group of people have been in this morning to fix the lemons for the pudding mix and to flour the bags for tomorrow. I helped for a while before starting to send out the faxes informing people of our next Business Morning Tea. The first few went before I got a phone call saying that a young basketballer was having a morning tea on the same day. I've now had to send a new fax telling people of the new date.
After lunch I searched high and low for the minutes of the last meeting of the Police & Community Consultative Group and couldn't find them. I rang the person who had acted as secretary to the last meeting but she was unable to find a copy so I'll send out a Notice of Meeting with an apology for not having the minutes. [I learnt as I read my mail today that there is a Council of Priests Meeting on at the same time so I will not be able to get to the local gathering. The meeting next week will be the first meeting with +Adrian as our Archbishop.]
This evening Alison and Jason came to work through their FOCCUS results - I had to quickly work through the results late in the afternoon. I had been all set to correct their responses, after ducking down to school to arrange a time to see Brent and Kay next week, when the truck delivering the ingredients for the puddings arrived. Thankfully John Maher was around and he helped me bring everything inside. John had been a great help during the day as we cleaned and prepared the copper boilers for their tasks over the next few weeks.
Just about everything is now ready for tomorrow - there are only a couple of things to get finished in the morning - preparing the 4x2.5kgs sugar and one last lot of bread crumbs and we are set to go.
Now for bed.
Wednesday, 29th
After an early start and a bit of a shock. I opened the box of butter to find that instead of being in 500 g pats it was a 25 kg slab which meant that I had to scoop out the butter into four x 2.5 kg lots for the mixing with the sugar and the eggs. The team started arriving at 7.50am and by 8.10am everyone was there and by 9.45am we had finished mixing the 115 puddings for today - the first 56 were boiling away and the ingredients for Friday's batch (except for the butter) was all prepared and ready to go. We had a coffee together and tidied up and everything is working well.
Margaret, Zelda and Beryl came back at 6.30pm to help me unload the second batch and bring it inside to hang on the racks. Anna had arrived to do an assignment earlier in the afternoon so she was able to help me unload the first batch. Only one had any water damage and that has now become 6 x 150 gm individual serves so overall it was a good result.
After Mass I did some work on the Parents Meeting for First Eucharist which has just concluded before a young family arrived to talk about the baptism of their child. There are some issues that need to be looked at but we should be able to help them in some way or other.
Lot's of things didn't get finished today so I will be looking at rescheduling the meeting date for the Police & Community Group which was due to be held next Tuesday for a fortnight later as a whole number of people are involved in a special fundraising event for Henry Wilson-Haffenden on the same morning. I'll also be heading off to the hospital to see Patty Gilbert and Lin Harris (finally) but now it is time for bed.
Thursday, 30th
One of the first things I did this morning was to finish the minutes of the last New Norfolk Christian Leaders Association meeting for the meeting that was on at 10am this morning. I got them finished with a few minutes to spare and then got on the phone to tell people that the Police & Community Group meeting that was to be held next Tuesday has had to be postponed until the 19th October.
After the meeting and Mass I did a little bit of work on the newsletter for this weekend before heading into town to see Patty Gilbert in St John's and Lyn Harris in the Royal. Patty isn't too good and Lyn is being operated on tomorrow to clear up an infection in his foot - he has diabetes and they are a little concerned.
On the way I called into to an Office Supplier to get the card for the Christmas Pud labels and also some paper for the Christmas Raffle books which will need to be printed soon.
I got home and immediately spent time cleaning the boilers and preparing them for the next batch of pud's to be cooked tomorrow morning. I will have to prepare the butter early in the morning but after that everything else is ready to go.
The final thing on the agenda tonight was a short meeting with some parishioners to complete the summary of the material presented at the Parish Assembly last month for distribution this weekend to all parishioners for reflection over the coming weeks. We had spent some time on a previous night working through the material but were uncertain how it should be used. Tonight we decided that it should be made available to everyone and the Conversation Groups be invited to work through the questions with comments and responses to be back to the Parish House by the middle of November (a six week period for reflection).
Now for bed.
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