Daily Notes and News
The Month of April, 2000
Saturday, 1st
Things didn't start off as well as I had planned for today - I had just posted Daily Notes and News when the phone rang to say that Ken Monks, the man I anointed at Calvary yesterday had died during the night - a happy release for him and for his family. I arranged to see them after lunch before I headed for Glenorchy to celebrate the baptism of Tori Burns.
After the Baptism I had to head home and finish the preparations for the Clergy Lunch - there was a good turn up of 15 fellows so we had an enjoyable meal and lot's of chatting which made a pleasant afternoon.
Then it was back to Glenorchy to see the Monks family and make preparations for the funeral on Tuesday afternoon. It was lucky because there were a number of various groupings of the family available for me to see so that made things a little easier.
I returned home and finished printing the newsletter and the accompanying proposal for the Call to Change Process on Parish Boundaries and have spent the past (almost) hour stapling the pages together whilst catching up on one of last weeks TV programs I had videoed.
Now it is time for bed.
Sunday, 2nd
Today has been a good day with almost everything fitting into the timetable without too great a difficulty.
After the morning Mass (which was well attended) I headed for Ouse which had the normal little number of people. We spent a short time talking about the proposal for the Rural Parish Unit after Mass before going to Ellen Jones for lunch - there was a good reception to the ideas behind the proposal so hopefully there might be some extra comments we receive back from that.
I headed home for the Baptism of Jaxen Bone before getting ready for a marriage preparation session with a young couple who are getting married early next year - Ben is joining the Air Force shortly so will be out of the state for most of the year so we have started the preparation early.
Jeanette came into enter some more Baptismal details so there was a hive of activity in the house before we headed over for the evening Mass (the first of the year at 4.30pm).
I've just come back and decided that I'm having a very early night so in a very few minutes I'm heading upstairs to go to bed.
Monday, 3rd
This morning started well with Ruby being able to make it to Mass and then she stayed until after lunch, although she was really struggling during the morning and when I took her home she didn't move too freely - I'll wait and see how she is tomorrow before saying she's back.
I got most of the funeral booklet for the late Ken Monks completed - I'll do the Big Book in the morning. The rest of today has been taken up with the Journey Program (both sessions well attended) afternoon; the young altar servers training at 3pm followed by an appointment with Sandy, the REC at school.
I then headed out for a 5.00pm appointment with a couple at Molesworth for Baptismal Preparation for next weekend and then back home for a bite to eat before the evening
session of the Journey program.
Everyone has just left after we started looking at the 'new' computer that Lorraine got for $20 - a 100mb hard drive and 3.11 operating system so it looks as if she has a monitor, mouse, floppy and a case and not a great deal more although it does a a version of Word and Clarisworks so it looks like it might be useful in the short term as she learns how to use a computer. She will need a new keyboard but we'll see what happens.
Now for bed.
Tuesday, 4th
Today has been interesting to say the least.
I finished off the Big Book for the funeral of the late Ken Monks for this afternoon - the funeral went well with almost a hundred people there so that was good.
This morning, after working on the computer, I collected the ingredients for the Business Morning Tea and called to see some of our customers to check their orders - at this stage it looks as if we will have just under a hundred morning teas to do.
I then called down to see the staff at St Brigid's before heading into town to do the funeral at the Millington Chapel at Moonah. The whole of the service was held at the Chapel so afterwards I headed home. I had earlier cancelled the couple who were scheduled for a 5pm appointment because I hadn't had time to make the sponges for the Morning Tea tomorrow as I knew I didn't have time to get everything done.
The last thing I had tonight was a Home Mass at the Murray's so after cooking the sponges I sat down for a quick look at the evening news except I must have fallen asleep and the next thing I knew was the phone ringing at 7.45pm with Mary Murray asking if I was coming to the Mass at 7.30pm. OOPS!! I headed off immediately and managed to celebrate the Mass before coming back home after supper. This time I'm going to go to bed to sleep.
Wednesday, 5th
I was up at 4.15am this morning to start making scones and sandwiches for the Business Morning Tea because without Ruby to help I knew life was going to be a bit more hectic in the early stages. As it turned out everything went really smoothly although there was only 80+ rather than the more usual 100+ so we will have to make an effort to see whether we can build it up again.
We had Mass at 11am and then I took Holy Communion to Ruby - she has had a couple of bad days since she was able to get to Mass on Monday - this time it is her knee which is playing up. She is due to see the doctor tomorrow for an x-ray so she'll find out more then.
I then headed off to take a friend to the airport before visiting the Church Office to drop off an authorisation for the transfer of funds for the Capital Works being done at Ellendale. I had a chat to Peter Cusick regarding the Parish and the Rural Pastoral Unit proposal before heading to Graham Family to find out if they had been able to contact Fr Terry Rush at Richmond regarding a burial at the cemetery for Friday. Whilst there we looked at an ad to go into a newsletter which I have just done some work on and I've emailed the jpeg's back to them to see what they think - I think I've done a reasonable job so I'll wait and see what they think.
Now however, it is time for bed - today has been a long day.
Thursday, 6th
Mass this morning was at 9am because we had arranged for the Christian Leaders Group to head off for a time for Prayer and Reflection at the Botanical Gardens - unfortunately we are all so busy that the time we wanted to have together got shortened but it was still a good idea and we will try to do it again later in the year.
After the session had finished I went to Toyota to get a new remote control button for my car - the main one I have been using gave up the ghost yesterday afternoon.
From there I headed to the Tasmanian Council of Churches offices to meet with Athena and Amanda, staff from the Christian World Services Office (NCCA) Sydney who met with our local staff and a focus group looking at the material for last years Christmas Bowl Appeal with the hope that it might be better presented for this coming year. It was a good night with some good input from a variety of both supporters and people wondering about the value of the program.
I've just arrived home and am heading for bed - these past few days have been very tiring and I need a good night's sleep.
Friday, 7th
The football last night was a great game - I actually got watching the whole thing and I think that Collingwood who only won 4 games all season in 1999 have already won their 5 games in 2000 so things have really turned around for them this year.
Today I have an appointment at 10.00am as well as a Baptism at 11am and another at 12.30 this afternoon. Because of the second Baptism I will not be able to get to lunch with the priests so I will make use of the time and head off to Ellendale and take with me the newsletters for Maydena as well as the computer for Lorraine.
Later this afternoon I will getting ready for the Masses tomorrow as well as going out for tea with some parishioners.
Then home to bed.
Saturday, 8th
My day off today was really hectic doing Parish things so in a sense it was a work day with just a little bit of a difference.
I printed the newsletter and two Baptismal Certificates before my 10am appointment arrived. We chatted for some time about his concerns before we had to finish early for me to get to the Baptism of Dylan Hall at 11am. I then only had a short time then before the second Baptism (of Jacson Fitzgerald) at 12.30pm. Both families are Parishioners whom I will need to follow up in the coming weeks.
After a bite to eat it was off to Ellendale to take the newsletters and other papers for the weekend so that they were available for the Ellendale Communion Service in the morning. I also took up the Computer for Lorraine and set it up and checked to see if the Multi Function Fax Machine had all the drivers and cables for it to be used as a printer for the computer. The setup went well until I needed an updated file and didn't have the disks with me to ensure that it all happened.
I then headed home for a short time before going out for a meal with a family at Molesworth - it was a most enjoyable meal and I'm happy to have been able to be with them for a great night. I am tired now and heading for bed but it has been a great day - not a day off however.
Sunday, 9th
Mass this morning was at Maydena and so after the 9am Mass at New Norfolk (and my cuppa) I headed off with the disks for Lorraine to enable her to complete the setting up of the computer in my pocket. There was a good number at both Masses which was pleasing and it was a lovely clear day for a country drive - evidenced by the number of cars on the road taking a quiet trip into the country and increasing the travelling time down considerably.
After Mass I needed to head home to print another Baptismal Certificate before heading off to Pontville for the Baptism of Joshua Guy - the family asked for Pontville (and me) because I had celebrated the grandfathers funeral whilst at Glenorchy and he is buried at the Pontville cemetery.
After dropping the key back to the Sacristan I headed back here to finish work on some marriage papers that I needed this afternoon as well as some that are needed for Tuesday night. I currently have three couples who have just started their preparation with me so there are three lots of materials to correct and keep in order.
The afternoon Mass today was reasonably well attended so that was good. Ben and Rachel were waiting immediately after Mass for our Marriage work so that meant that a quick dash over to the house immediately Mass had finished.
They have not long left so I've had some tea and now I'm heading for the lounge to watch Ballykissangel before hitting the sack for an early night.
Monday, 10th
I collected Ruby at 8.45am in time for her to come to Mass this morning and then for her to stay on for the morning. She managed the same thing last Monday but didn't manage to get back during the week - hopefully things will be better this week.
I had a short time to do some work for the EasterFest (letters to the media and information for the local Paper) after Mass before the first of the Journey sessions - we have started looking at Luke's Gospel which will be interesting.
Immediately after lunch I headed for Calvary Hospital to see Colleen Gadomski, the widow of the late John Gadomski who died on Friday. His funeral is to be held on Wednesday morning so I collected the information for the funeral booklet that will be used for the service.
I arrived home just before I needed to go down to school to transport the children for the altar servers training session we have been running on Monday afternoons for the past few weeks. It is good that we have a number of new servers and this time there is an even number of boys and girls which is good.
Peter and Mary-Jane arrived on time for their marriage session and we are moving through the process well - it is interesting working with the children of families of have known for some time but never having really met the children before.
The second Journey session has just finished and I am really tired so I'm heading for bed.
Tuesday, 11th
Mass this morning was at 9am and I headed off at 8.45 to collect Ruby and met Greg, her son, who arrived at almost the same time to collect her as well - tomorrow I will collect her so only one of us will be on the road.
I finished the Reconciliation Service for this week but the phone was going 900 to the dozen - 14 times in the hour which meant that it was difficult to complete anyone action before the next phone call came. I didn't get down to school because I needed to see someone at 10.15am and that rolled over to 10.45am so I headed off and got the mail and some things from the chemist for Ruby before heading off to Ellendale for the Reconciliation Service.
There was a good gathering with some people arriving from Hamilton as well and all admired the new ramp leading into the rear of the Church. After the service I headed back to the Ellendale Parish House to see if I could load the program for the printer but have no luck so will take it down to Tom Young tomorrow to check that the port actually works because I can't get a reading from LPT1.
I then headed home to prepare for the two marriage appointments this afternoon and early evening. I have just completed the second session and have spent time setting up the leaflet for tomorrow's funeral liturgy as a web page for the family to see what it looks like - hopefully they will get back to me shortly to let me know what they think so that I can go to print first thing in the morning.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Wednesday, 12th
Everything was a bit of a rush today. I had trouble with the computer - every time I tried to do anything it all seemed to slow down and every time I rebooted it still struggled. I'll defrag it again in the morning as I have just returned from Launceston and it is too late to start now. But back to earlier in the day.
After collecting Ruby I finished a couple of small jobs before heading down to Mass at the School for the induction of the School Leaders - a new initiative for this year and for the future.
As soon as that was completed I headed for Moonah and the funeral service for the late John Gadomski - I was pleasantly surprised that there was a good number of people there - I had been led to believe by his family that he was a bit of a loner and that there would not be a crowd of any sort. God works in wonderful ways.
I then dropped off Sr Lorraine's computer to Computers + More to be checked out before heading for Kingston and the burial. There were some extra people there from down the Channel area which also was good.
By now I was running a few minutes behind schedule so I headed (within the speed limit) hastily back to Granton to collect the other members of the Tasmanian Council of Churches Executive who were travelling with me to Launceston for the meeting. On the way up we chatted about some of the changes that will be occurring within the various denominations over these next few months and what impact they will have on some of the parishes and people involved. The trip up and back and the meeting went well but I am now really tired and heading for bed.
Thursday, 13th
I headed off early to collect Ruby and bring her to work - she has managed to be here everyday although it is hard work for her and she is struggling by the end of the morning.
We had an EasterFest meeting this morning looking at the final details for the family Festival to be held next Saturday, 22nd April at Arthur Square here in New Norfolk. The meeting went well although I'm certain that there are a few things that haven't been done but hopefully it will come together this week.
After Mass at midday I had a meeting with Frances Jackson and Tony Davis, two of the parishioners who will play a major role in providing the liturgical services whilst I am away in the Navy in June and July. It was a good meeting which will enable us to build a positive working process for the future.
The computer has been really playing up and not too many programs have been working efficiently for the past few days so I defragged the system this morning - it took almost four hours and worked away very slowly so there were a couple of jobs I needed to do as soon as Tony and Frances left. I got onto them and made the most of my efforts to clear things away.
Then it was off to the Annual General Meeting of Jane Franklin Hall, Inc. and a visit to Dad and Colleen Gadomski - both of whom are in Calvary Hospital. Dad had an angina attack yesterday morning - the first for some time and when I saw him tonight his doctor had told him that he would organise a couple of doctors to check other aspects of his health whilst he is a patient.
I called to see Linda, Kati and Isabel before going to the meeting - Isabel is really growing and she will soon be walking and not just standing up.
The meeting is over with basically a good result for Jane Franklin for 1999 although the academic results were not as good as in recent years and there is to be a review of tutoring processes to ensure that there is an appropriate use of resources.
Now it is time for bed.
Friday, 14th
Ruby managed to drive down today in her old Holden - she was tired after she arrived but she made it - a great start for her and her regaining some independence.
I worked on the newsletter for awhile (this weekend it is going to be 8 pages because of the need to reprint the Holy Week times so it is going to take until tomorrow to complete.) It has been a struggle today to get things done because the computer is still sluggish - I will have to continue to take some more programs off to see if there is a conflict of sorts.
I had lunch with +Adrian - it was an enjoyable meal with good conversation. I don't like making it a working meal so we talked about a whole range of things including his busy schedule. After lunch I called into the Defence Force Centre at Glenorchy to get a new ID card - it is the worst card I have seen in my whole life but they said it's OK.
I then headed back to town to drop some material off at the Church Office - I'll have to wait until Monday to see if the monies have been transferred over from the Trust A/c to pay for the completion of the work at Ellendale - otherwise we'll pay the a/c later in the week.
This evening we had the Parish Reconciliation Service here at New Norfolk - this brings to a completion Lent and we prepare for Holy Week and all that needs to be done.
I am now heading for bed.
Saturday, 15th
Today has been a funny day. Lot's of things have happened but nothing seems to have been done.
It started with the Prayer Breakfast at the Anglicans this morning and when I came home I spent sometime completing the newsletter which has taken much longer than usual. I have been printing it on and off all day as I had time and as other pages were completed. I've uploaded the internet copy and (just a few minutes ago) completed stapling the pages together. This week it has been as an 8 page leaflet and not two pages stapled together so that is why it has taken longer to do.
I called to see Tom Young at Computers + More but there is really nothing new I could tell him about the computer so will have to wait and see over these next few days to see if the whole process has improved with the removal of programs.
Lunch was at New Town - it was amazing to see Geoff run around and be domestic - it really doesn't seem like the man. At lunch +Adrian announced that the Salesian Order would be supplying a priest to work in the Parish of Glenorchy - my previous Parish - and that John Roach, PP of Queenstown would be heading overseas for study to a US College - he has applied and is awaiting acceptance. Both of these changes are to take place in the August changes so that gives another explanation for the August moves - perhaps I am safe after all.
I collected Mum and took her into the hospital to see Dad. On the way we talked to Steve and Brendan (in NSW) regarding Mum and Dad's 50th Wedding anniversary in September. Because of the Olympics and Steve's work in the Army he will have difficulty getting time off but is asking for the weekend before the 27th Sept. so that we can all get together. While we were at the hospital Michele and John and their family arrived so that means it is only Sean, Martin and Karen we need to confirm those dates with.
After dropping mum home I have watched a bit of the news and finished the newsletters and now I am going to bed.
Sunday, 16th
There was a good crowd at Mass this morning - not so many tonight however. I headed off to Hamilton a little later than usual because of the Reading of the Passion and the Procession of Palms - it meant that I caught the tourists travelling on the highway so the journey was slower as well.
After Mass at Hamilton I went back with Lorraine to Ellendale to look at the computer and to try and load the program for the printer and we are having some little trouble. I'll ring someone at the Brother Dealer in Hobart in the next few days to see if there are any suggestions.
I called to see a patient at the Royal Derwent Hospital and spent a little bit of time with him before coming home for a few minutes before the evening Mass. As I said above there were very few people there - the smallest number for some time. After Mass I saw my couple for Marriage Preparation and worked through the final details of their program - Ben enters the RAAF next week and will be home for a few days in October and then just before the wedding in January 2001.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Monday, 17th
I woke this morning really tired - I'm not certain why because I had a good night's sleep and I have no real reason to feel tired except I am and have been all day.
After Mass I spent a few minutes talking to a Religious Sister from Liverpool (UK) who is out staying with her sister for a couple of months. She is a lovely lady and great conversation.
Then it was off town to get the mail and to drop off posters for the EasterFest which is rapidly approaching. There are still a few things that I need to do so I'll get onto those things on Wednesday after I celebrate the funeral of the late Ronald Cuy.
I got the phone call asking if I were available for the funeral on Wednesday during the first session of Journey this morning so I was able to call and see the family this afternoon. Doing the funeral on Wednesday will not be too difficult but it is going to make the printing of the Holy Week book just a little difficult - time wise.
We've just finished the second session of Journey and I've done some work on the photo and the leaflet for the funeral which I will take back to the family tomorrow on the way to Penna for the Clergy Reflection Day before the Mass of the Chrism tomorrow evening at the Cathedral.
As I'm setting this up I've just remembered that one of the musicians providing the music for the Easter Vigil was supposed to provide me with the final list of hymns for the ceremony - another phone call tomorrow I'll need to make.
It isn't a late night so I'm heading for bed.
Tuesday, 18th
This morning started with a trip to town to arrange to have the photo of the late Ronald Cuy reframed - the frame was so fragile and old that I had taken to a picture framer yesterday so that it could be removed safely from the frame so that I could scan it for the funeral leaflet - now I wanted to make sure that it went back safely.
After seeing the family and agreeing on the picture for the leaflet I headed for Penna for the Day of Reflection leading up to the Mass of the Chrism tonight. It was a good day with a better than usual number of clergy gathering for the reflection time.
I then headed off to drop some papers into an government office before calling into the Church Office for a minute to see Peter Cusick, the financial Administrator, re the payment of the final amount owing for the work done at Ellendale. We also chatted about the need for a meeting with some of the people involved with the Sick & Retired Priests Fund and the Diocesan Finance Committee about future directions for "priests on lighter duties" and how the diocese provides for them.
From there I headed off to see Tom Young to arrange for a new computer for the Parish which will arrive sometime next week. I then called to see Dad in Hospital and managed to also see Colleen Gadomski who will be in hospital for at least another three days - she has not travelled well since the funeral last week of her late husband.
I then called to see Ian Rumley in the Hobart Private Hospital - he is suffering from pneumonia and not doing too well at all so I hope that he quickly improves.
I stopped at the Cathedral Presbytery for a few minutes before the Mass of the Holy Oils - we had the best attendance of Clergy for some years with many of the North and North West priests making an effort to get down for the ceremony. The gathering of people afterwards was good - it seems to be a time to catch up with all sorts of people whom I hardly ever see. I only stayed at the Presbytery afterwards for a short time for supper and now I'm home and heading for bed after having completed the work on the leaflet for the funeral tomorrow. I'll wait until morning to do the Big Book for my use.
Wednesday, 19th
First thing on the agenda for today was the Big Book for the funeral of the late Ron Cuy. It wasn't hard to complete as the template is on the computer but everything takes time and mixed with the phone ringing it takes longer than planned. The service and the 'wake' afterwards went well and I believe that Mrs Cuy will be greatly comforted by the large number of people who were there to say farewell to her husband.
Total Communications and seeing about getting my mobile fixed was my next stop. The distortion actually happened while I was there so 'Murphy's Law' was not in play. Attempting to leave the Tasma St premises however was not as successful. My car developed a sound like unto an old 'bomb' - thankfully I was close by to Co-Op Toyota so I quickly called in and asked could one of their staff check out the problem which turned out to be a cracked engine pipe. Unfortunately they did not have the part in stock and I arranged to return the car on May 1st - they were booked out today and tomorrow and, with there only being 3 working days next week, they were fully booked out until the start of the following week.
On returning to New Norfolk and collecting the mail I restarted the engine in the High Street to sound even worse and when I looked under the bonnet the engine pipe was now completely separated from the block and hanging loose. A quick trip to the local exhaust repair shop saw me with a new pipe and system and all fixed.
I have done most of the work for the Holy Week leaflet with the updates and changes for this year and will print that in the morning. I have almost completed the newsletter which means that I will be able to print it tomorrow and give all the material for the Easter Vigil at Ellendale to Sr Lorraine tomorrow evening when she comes down for the Holy Thursday Mass.
The School Board met tonight and looked at the future development of the school site with the need to build two new classrooms in the future. Preliminary plans are on the drawing board but there is still a long way to go. Then it was off to the Convent for our Home Mass and there was a good attendance although there were a few new faces which is good.
Now it is time for bed - tomorrow is a long day.
Holy Thursday, 20th
This morning started with the photocopier working away frantically to print off the Holy Week Leaflet, the Newsletter for Sr Lorraine and the Stations of the Cross for tomorrow - the newsletter because one of the Salesian Priests is going to Ellendale on Saturday evening for the Vigil and rather than have him stop off and collect everything I thought to get it to Lorraine earlier.
This morning we also had the Assembly for the New Norfolk High School with Steven Atkins, a Christian Musician, providing the entertainment and the message for the school. He was really great and we talked at the Christian Leaders meeting, which followed on after the Assembly, about getting him back to do a lunch time concert and a Family Show one night later in the year.
Next on the list was a trip down to St Brigid's for their Holy Week Service - another good experience and time for the children to get to know something more of the Easter message.
I collected the mail after my trip down to school and did some work on the newsletter and while I was working on a running sheet for the altar servers for tonight the phone rang to say that the ladies selling raffle tickets were down to their last book and could I print some more. I did another 50 and they sold as well so we didn't do too badly yesterday, something like 200 tickets sold. The winner is the son of one of our parishioners and he has donated most of the eggs back to be given to someone in need so the St Vincent de Paul people are going to deliver some tomorrow. The second prize winner will get hers delivery sometime after Stations of the Cross tomorrow morning.
I amazed myself by having everything ready for the ceremonies tonight and everything went well and without any major problems. There was a good 'Sunday' crowd there which was excellent considering it is a cold autumn night and the forecast for the next few days is not looking good.
The time of Adoration has just concluded and now I am heading for bed - tomorrow is going to be another long day.
Good Friday, 21st
Today has been a long day - in fact it is now Saturday as I write this page. I've just arrived home from the Prayer Vigil held in the High Street outside the Post Office. Upwards of 20 people were there at some stage during the night and it was a time of praise, prayer and song. We also had a 'Fish Sizzle' to replace the normal Friday night Sausage Sizzle.
The day started with the Stations of the Cross at 10am which was really well attended. After the Stations I headed off to Bushy Park to drop off the Easter Eggs that had been won by one of the local people.
A quick bite to eat and time to reflect on the Celebration of the Lord's Passion which also went well this afternoon. Whilst there wasn't a great number of people the time was a peace filled time of prayer and reflection on the saving action of Jesus Christ, the Lord.
My mobile phone had rung some time before the ceremony had started asking if I might be available to lead of service tomorrow morning for the late Fay Roy. She had died in the early hours of today and the family did not want to wait until next Wednesday to hold the funeral which will be celebrated at 9.00am tomorrow morning. I have worked on the leaflet and the photocopier is working away in the background.
There was a mix up about Mum getting into the hospital to see Dad - I thought that my sister was taking her in and that I was picking her up but it didn't work out that way at all and it seems that she was sitting at home waiting for me to collect her. I couldn't catch her tonight as she was already at tea and I missed her before I headed out to the Vigil earlier and I don't think ringing her now would be such a good move.
Holy Saturday, 22nd
I started early this morning to get everything ready so that I could pack it in the car and take to the EasterFest site before heading to town for the Funeral of the late Fay Roy. I managed to get everything done in a good time so that everything worked well without too much hassle.
There were only the immediate family and some close friends of the family at the funeral and nothing in the paper to say that Mrs Roy had died so it will be a surprise to people when they read the paper on Monday to learn what happened.
Then I came back to the EasterFest and most things were set up although there was still the final tent to get erected, the same tent that caused havoc with people at our Parish Fair with its bright red interior but it worked well and got good use all day. The Festival didn't seem to have the same feel as previous years but it worked well none the less and the people really enjoyed the day.
The party after the Easter Vigil has just finished, completing a wonderful celebration of the Easter Ceremonies. There as a good crowd there tonight and the liturgy seemed to work well without the drama of the fire nearly causing havoc and mayhem as happened last year.
Easter Sunday, 23rd
Easter Day has been a great day. There was a good crowd at Mass this morning so that was pleasing and from conversations at the Easter march this afternoon it seems that the numbers at the different Churches around the Hobart area were also well attended.
After the Mass this morning I had the luxury of being able to go slow and to do a few things around the house before heading to town to get ready for the March. There was a smallish number at the start of the March at Fitzroy Gardens but it seemed to grow in numbers the closer we got to Parliament House. It was good to meet the new Anglican Bishop who was here for the weekend and to see +Adrian also in the gathering when we got to Parliament House.
The weather, thanks be to God, was fine for the first time in 5 years and the crowd was a really great crowd so the feeling was good and the response was really great.
I called in to see Mum and Dad at Karen's on the way home and spent a short time with the family on Easter Sunday and it was good to be able to see them. From there I've headed back home and now I'm heading for bed - and I should be there by 7.00pm.
Monday, 24th
Mass this morning was at 9.00am and after flitting around the house for a short time I headed off to the Cathedral to celebrate the Baptism of Seamus Michael Dane Sutton, the son of Danny and Linda Sutton, a couple whose marriage I blessed when I was in Launceston in 1988. It was amazing how many of the couples there whom I knew and several were couples whose marriages I had blessed - it was really an uplifting day.
I called to see Mum and Dad on the way home to tune the TV in the bedroom to receive the video relay - for some reason it had dropped out - I think that Dad might have been trying to fix it!!
I am heading for bed for an early night - I done some work on the numbers for the rest of the AFL Football competition so that whilst I am away the numbers are known and people have a chance to find out who won.
ANZAC DAY
It was an early rise this morning to get to Maydena for the Dawn Service for ANZAC Day. There was a little bit of fog on the way up and some frost on the ground after we had had breakfast at the RSL rooms after the service. I felt that I should be there even though I wasn't required for the service because there are so few people still involved up there that every little bit of support is appreciated.
After the 9.00am Mass I had a few minutes to finish some checking off of people for our football competition before heading up to the Council Chambers and the War Memorial for the main service for ANZAC Day in the town. There was a good crowd there so that was good and the talk by LCDR Rawlings (Retd) really brought home some of the facts about war and death and injuries experienced by the men and women of Australia in the various theatres were they have fought. The discussion in the RSL Clubrooms after the event was interesting as people recalled the various parts of his comments.
After lunch I headed for Glenorchy to see my niece who celebrates her birthday today - lucky girl always has a holiday on her birthday. Michele, John and their two arrived during the afternoon so that was good - we managed to discuss something more of the arrangements for Dad & Mum's 50th wedding anniversary later in the year so that is good.
Tonight is going to be an early night because today has been a long day especially following so closely after the busyness of Easter.
Wednesday, 26th
It seems that as soon as I try to have a really early night everything goes wrong but I know that I need them so I'll keep trying.
After the 9am Mass this morning I worked away at the things that needed to get finished after the weekend, especially the thanksgiving program material. Just after 11am I headed off to the Pontville Cemetery to be there when the funeral of the late Gladys Vagg arrived. I was not able to get to the funeral which started a little earlier than I could get away from here - it was good to be there because one of the sons had been at school with my brother Sean and the family were glad to see me.
I did some work on the calendar for May before doing some more work on tidying up the paperwork that I have let accumulate over the past month or so. There is still more that needs to get finished but it will have to wait until tomorrow.
I have just arrived home from a GST Meeting at St Canice. I visited the TCC Offices on the way to give my opinions on the agenda items for the Executive Phone Hook-up this afternoon - it is difficult being in two places at once - I haven't worked out how to do it yet.
Time for bed - my head is spinning after all the GST stuff and I'm not certain how it is all going to work out.
Thursday, 27th
There were a number of people who called into the house after Mass this morning so we chatted for awhile before I headed to the bank here in New Norfolk. Bad move. The bank has recently announced that there are some changes to it's customer services and so there was a great long queue and I had to stay because I needed some information to give to the Reserve Cell at Defence Headquarters for my Navy Pay.
Eventually I got to St Canice to assist in names for the TCC Annual Meeting membership for our Catholic representation. I also managed to check out some other details for some Marriage papers I have been working on so that meant that it was well worth while.
I then called to see a business in town to see if there is anything I can do regarding Sr Lorraine's printer/fax problem. I will be travelling up to Ellendale next Wednesday to sit and work at the computer whilst chatting to some Brother technicians who are going to be in Hobart on Wednesday - lucky break.
I then checked out a couple of retail outlets to see if I could manage to get an upgrade for my QuickBooks Program and managed to get a technical upgrade and I spent time this afternoon setting it up and checking out the latest steps in the program.
From there I headed for the Defence Forces Centre to check out what I need to do to ensure that my time on board HMAS Sydney happens without too much hassle. I have some phone numbers for the ship and an e-mail address for the Captain so I will get onto that tomorrow to complete some of the formalities. I also have a medical booked for next Thursday morning to complete that part of the process.
While there I also learned that the USS John C Stennis is returning to Hobart - sadly arriving the day after I leave - followed a week later by a submarine. I will work with Chap David O'Neill to prepare for some of their Community Relations work program so that it is set in place well before they arrive. A phone call to David is on the cards for tomorrow.
From there I headed home - I had an appointment at 3pm for a Baptismal preparation and I have had another two since - it is getting busy in the last few weeks before I head off to the Navy in early June.
I managed to get some work done on the newsletter and on the calendar for May so they so they will get printed tomorrow morning and out of the way.
Now it is time for bed - I think that I could cope with an early night.
Friday, 28th
Today is the fourth anniversary of the Port Arthur Massacre and there was a memorial service at the site and a new memorial dedicated to the memory of those who died on that tragic Sunday. The feeling of those who are involved is that this will be the final memorial service and that people will now move on.
Personally, I managed to get quite a lot done today - Raffle tickets printed for the Wood Raffle that will be drawn while I'm away; all the weekly Football numbers uploaded to the internet and the weekly newsletter reflecting the various links; this weekends newsletter printed and the calendar stapled to it. I also contacted the CO of HMAS Sydney re any joining instructions and will check the email tomorrow to see whether there are any return messages.
The Baptismal certificates for tomorrow have been printed so there is not a great deal to do in the morning before the Ecumenical Service at the Seven Day Adventists. I might be able to have a reasonably quiet day off.
I've managed to clear up some of the paperwork that needed to get done around the house although there is still some filing to complete - I'll work on that over the weekend. I don't feel as if I have done too much today but I know that I have been working away without too much free time on my hands. But there is another job I wanted to do and for the life of me I haven't been able to recall what it is - when I came into the office to start on it the phone rang and I was distracted - hopefully I remember it sometime in the near future.
Saturday, 29th
I started today a little slower than usual today because my first appointment was at 11am for the Combined Churches Ecumenical Service at the Seven Day Adventist Hall. There was a good attendance from the various churches in the town and everyone, except me, stayed for lunch which followed. I headed for Taroona to provide the dates for the next few weeks Saturday lunches for the clergy - there have been a couple of changes to the last posted dates so I needed to get them to people today.
After lunch I called to see if there was available anywhere in Hobart a phone connection that is hands free and I've found one at Harvey Norman so I'll pick one up on Monday as my birthday present from my parents to which I'll add a little bit to make up the difference.
From there I headed to the Cathedral for the Baptism of Kaylee and Chelsea Banevicius, the daughters of one of the PO's at Navy Support who is being posted out to one of the new minesweepers. It was a good ceremony with the whole family being able to participate and really feel part of the service - I think that I got it right.
I've been fiddling with some faxes and material for the Cluster Meeting and PPC Meeting next week so hopefully I'll get some feedback tomorrow or Monday to help make choices for the proposal we will finally present to the Archbishop at the beginning of July.
Now it is time for bed.
Sunday. 30th
The Mass in the country today was at Bronte Park, about 90 minutes up the road towards the neighbouring parish of Queenstown. The weather overnight had been fairly windy and so there was a lot of rubbish on the road along the way and in several places it was obvious that emergency workers had been out early this morning cutting trees and branches that had fallen across the road in various places. There were a dozen people for Mass and most stayed for lunch so we had an enjoyable time and a great discussion over the meal.
The trip back was more pleasant than the rush up so I arrived home in plenty of time for the evening Mass so that was good. We are gradually introducing some new altar servers to our roster over these next few weeks and the two who started today did a good job so hopefully the others will fit in well as well.
I'm hoping to get to bed shortly so I'll make the most of a quiet night - I've just made a phone call to cancel a couple for tomorrow night and managed to transfer them to next Monday night.
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