Daily Notes and News
The Month of August 2000
To read about the first part of August you will need to go to the report of mytrip as a Chaplain on board HMAS Sydney. The whole trip can be found at Navy Trip 2000.Sunday, 6th
I'm back !!!!
By the time I got to bed last night I was really tired after the flight home from Darwin. I woke later than I would have liked but early enough to get started.
After Mass at New Norfolk I headed for Ouse but didn't stay for lunch because I still have an upset stomach - I'm not sure from what but partially I think from tiredness and being back at work and knowing that there are a million and one things to do in the next few weeks leading up to my Silver Jubilee celebrations.
I wasn't home long when I got a call to go to Calvary Hospital to visit a Mrs Clark, the widow of a man whose funeral I did several years ago and whose daughter-in-law I buried two years ago. She is not well and I hope to be able to see her again tomorrow.
After Mass tonight some friends dropped in to see how I survived my time away and so I spent some time with them but now I'm heading for bed, thankfully it is not too late.
Monday, 7th
This morning started slowly again.
I looked at the basket containing all the mail and wondered how long it will take me to clear the backlog and as I prepare to go to bed it will be several days before it is completed.
I spent a bit of time with Sandy Cowling, the REC (Religious Education Co-ordinator) at St Brigid's, working through some of the program and events over the next few weeks - an important activity because of the loss of my organiser data whilst away.
I then spent time up the street fixing my banking details and arranging new pin numbers for the cards in my possession and collecting some of the Business Morning Tea orders from some of the local businesses. When I returned I rang the Wine Society to check on details regarding my order emailed from HMAS Sydney they knew nothing about it so I put that order through - hoping that things will be completed by today fortnight.
A quick trip to town to collect the printer from the repair centre ended in a panic as couldn't find my wallet. When I got home I found it here at the computer where I had taken my credit card out to give details to the Wine Society and left it there as I dashed out.
I have spent an agonising time trying to upload the details of my trip away to the web. I was able to get Beryl to do some of it while I was away but there must be a limit to the size of the HotDog Express File that can be uploaded so I have been working in HotDog5 and since I don't have a lot of experience it has not been quite as easy. Hopefully I will get it right tomorrow morning.
This evening we had the Journey program and I am a long way behind everyone else on the NT series so I have some work to do to catch up.
Now however, it is time for bed.
Tuesday, 8th
This morning I attended a Council of Priests Meeting at St Canice and caught up with people and found out what has been happening in the Diocese during my time away. The meeting was good but didn't give me any hints as to what my future will be. I also spoke to Maris and Michelle in the office about using email to provide more information to people who are currently working out of the State - this includes Greg Barker, transferred to the Air Force, and John Roach who is commencing studies in the US later this month. It was also an opportunity for us today to share a final meal in Tasmania with Archbishop D'Arcy before he left to take up residence at the Cathedral Presbytery in Melbourne which is to be his place of retirement.
After the meeting I headed into town to collect my printer from the repair centre and this time had the money to pay for it.
From there I headed off to Sorell to make some marriage preparations with an elderly couple in preparation for their upcoming nuptial. Unfortunately the gentleman was not there because he had some work to do on his farm at South Arm so I will call to see them on Friday when I am in the area again.
Then it was home for a meeting with the parents of the young people who are to be confirmed later in the month. It was a good meeting with a much better attendance than the first meeting but, unfortunately there was very little about the Sacrament of Confirmation included in the presentation. I have a bit of work to do to put their names into the database to print out letters that will be distributed this weekend asking parishioners to remember the young people in their prayers over these next three weeks.
Now I'm heading for bed to catch up on the sleep that I have been missing over these past few days.
Wednesday, 9th
It was an early rise this morning to make scones for the Business Morning Tea - it went well but there were fewer orders than in the recent past so we will have to do a marketing exercise around the town before we try it again in October. Again, the team worked marvellously with everything completed well before time and with hardly any hassles at all.
Immediately the cleaning up had started I headed off for another shower before visiting the Dentist for my 6 monthly checkup. Thankfully he found not problems and will continue to monitor the situation although he did mention that there are some fillings which will need to be looked at within the next 12 months or so.
From there I headed to DEC to concelebrate Mass with +Adrian and the priests of Southern Tasmania with the children of all 17 Catholic Primary Schools in the region in honour of the Great Jubilee Year. It was a really incredible effort from the children who were able to be part of a celebration which lasted 80 minutes and who behaved wonderfully during all that time. The organisers are to be congratulated on a job well done.
I called to see the people at Graham's to say hello before coming home to do some work at my desk before going down to school for a meeting with the parents and children who are preparing for the Reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist later in the year. It was another good meeting with almost complete attendance from the children with at least one parent with each child.
Now, however, I am heading for bed because I still have this upset stomach and tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Thursday, 10th
My upset stomach hangs on although by the end of today (having not eaten a lot of food) I feel reasonably comfortable.
Took Morning Tea don to school and then celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with the Grade 4 children. They were still in really good form after their participation in the Jubilee Mass at the Derwent Entertainment Centre yesterday.
Then it was back home for the Christian Leaders Meeting. When I arrived there were only two members present (David arrived later) but it was a good meeting with not too much different than when I left but it was good to learn what has been happening in the district during these past few weeks.
After Mass Lorraine and I headed off to Oatlands to meet with Sr Maria Goretti SSJ (the Pastoral Administrator of Oatlands Parish) and Sr Marjorie Boutchard PBVM (same for Campbell Town Parish) the implications of the Call to Change decisions regarding the Rural Pastoral Unit. It was an excellent meeting with lot's of positives and even a possible solution if there is only one priest in the team - it will involve radical changes in how things are done but will ensure a reasonable coverage of all areas within the new boundary but we are hopeful that if the proposal is finally accepted then we can lead the people to appreciate the efforts being made to support their work.
I then returned to visit the family of the late Mrs Sheila Clarke. Her funeral is to be celebrated on Saturday morning and I have a far bit of work to be done over the next 48 hours to complete her booklet as well as prepare the weekly newsletter.
Then it was off to town for a meeting of the Jane Franklin Hall Council. It was a longer meeting than usual as it started to become in micro-management rather than look at a proposal in the light of 'is it needed by the College' and 'what impact does it's implementation have on the Budget'.
Now I'm heading for bed.
Friday, 11th
After Mass here this morning I took Communion to Gordon Batchelor who has not been well lately - he has been a marvelous servant of the Church, either taking Communion to the Sick of the Parish or leading Liturgy of the Word with Communion over the years. Hopefully the treatment he is receiving will see him back on deck in the near future. Then I headed off to celebrate Mass at Corumbene (a week late for First Friday but close). The team there are all well and in good spirits.
From there I headed to the District Hospital to take Communion to Eileen Taylor whom I have missed seeing during my time away. She also was in good form and would love to be home but her stroke recovery is not complete and sadly, she will never be home.
Then is was back to the house to do some work whilst waiting for a service representative of Tas Fire Service to look at Fire Extinguishers for the Church and House as part of our ongoing upgrading of equipment. We now have suitable equipment and an ongoing maintenance contract to keep it all up to scratch.
After lunch I continued some work on the funeral booklet for tomorrow for the late Sheila Clarke before going to the Doctor to see about my upset stomach. Murphy's Law suggests that as soon as I do something like that it all clears up and I haven't had any difficulties for the rest of today.
I then headed for town to collect some friends to take them to the airport as they headed off to the Mainland for the weekend. They have been good and deposited and collected me from the airport on many occasions over the years - so it was good to be able to return the favour.
On the way to town I remembered that I had left sitting on the office table the marriage papers I was meant to take with me to Sorell for the couple to sign. I've now got all the details but will need to go and see them next Wednesday, after I collect Mick Wheeler from the airport, to get them all signed off.
I purchased a new ink cartridge for the colour printer so that I could print the funeral leaflet for tomorrow before going to the Boardwalk to have a meal with the Bellerive Days Gang - it was a pleasant night although I felt bad about cutting it short because I head to leave to return here for a PPC Meeting.
The meeting had started by the time I got back and went longer than usual because there were issues relating to the Jubilee Celebrations next weekend as well as concerns about the next phase of the Call to Change process. All in all, the meeting was a good meeting and I'm happy with what is happening.
I've just spent the past 90 minutes finishing the newsletter and the funeral booklet but will have to print them in the morning. Now I'm heading for bed before it is tomorrow already.
Saturday, 12th
Woke early because I had to cook the sauce for the lasagna we will be having for the Clergy lunch today and with the funeral and other work that needed to get done this morning I felt a little under pressure.
The funeral was a simple family affair - Sheila's sisters and some of her children were able to be there. One daughter stayed away as her husband was only buried two weeks ago and she is still grieving from that tragedy. Other members of the family are interstate and weren't able to be here which is sad but finance plays a very big part in what happens these days.
I completed the work on the letters for the Confirmation Candidates before the priests arrived for lunch which was good; I also managed to get the newsletter onto the internet (the first edition since the Pentecost weekend) as well as the results of the football, the Prayer of the Faithful and the Parish calendar for August - so I think that everything is now up to date.
I had an appointment at 3pm and spent some time walking through some of the concerns of one of the lovely people of the Parish who is journeying through the grieving process after the death of her husband - and we will continue to work for some time yet, I'm sure.
This evening I have watched the final part of the demolition of the Kangaroos by the Bombers and know why they are definitely favourites for the flag. Instead of going to bed early I have done some reading and watched the Lions snuff out the Bulldogs in Brisbane so they will play the loser of the Blues v Demon game today in one of the finals next week. The Hawks won over the Cats lst night so the two teams out of the finals are the Cats (my team) and the Bulldogs. The other game next weekend will be between the Kangaroos and the Hawks.
Now I'm going to bed.
Sunday, 13th
Today was an interesting day. Mass this morning included the enrolment of the children who will be prepared for Reception of First Eucharist later in the year. They were well supported by their families which is encouraging.
Mass at Maydena was in the Parish House - it is much easier to heat than the very old Church and with the small numbers present today it was more appropriate to use the smaller facility. On the way home I took Holy Communion to Gordon Batchelor - he still isn't well so I will be back to see him over the next few days.
Then I hit the desk to produce the recommendations to be sent to +Adrian after the meeting last Thursday with Maria Goretti, Marjorie and Lorraine - they may be too late to make any real difference to the final solution and the announcement to be made on Tuesday evening but at least they will be food for thought.
After Mass this evening I had a discussion with some of the people involved with the planning for the Parish Celebration for my Jubilee next Sunday. There has been some confusion about some of the details regarding the provision of food but hopefully all that has been cleared up.
Now it is time for bed.
Monday, 14th
Today has been a funny day (again). There were still some things from my time away that needed to be entered into the computer (I'm not certain why there is a sense of fear about the process) as well as the preparation of the GST Activity Statement that needed to be at the Church Office last week. I had contacted them and made arrangements to call in to see them today to complete the details - I did that early this afternoon.
We had the two sessions of Journey today - towards the end of the first session I had a phone call from a concerned colleague from Victoria regarding some management v people issues that will need to be addressed before the next board meeting. It meant that I had to wing the last part of tonight's session because I didn't have my notes from Denise's work this morning to help me.
After lunch I headed up town to collect some things and look for a new pair of trousers but there were none available so I will wait and see what Greg can find. In town I called to see Phil Scanlon at the Education Office but he was out so I could only sign some papers and will have to see him later in the week.
I spent some time at the Church Office and in the Catholic Book Centre chatting before coming home to do some more work on the finances - I've done something to the reports and they aren't providing me with all the info so more work will have to be done tomorrow.
The second session of Journey has just finished so now I'm heading for bed - the next few days are going to be long days and there is still much to do about getting ready for the weekend.
Tuesday, 15th
Today, after Mass here in the Parish, I headed off to Sacred Heart to celebrate Mass with the children in Preparatory - and sitting in the front row was my nephew Aaron thoroughly enjoying the notoriety (in the nicest possible way) of having Uncle Mike there in the chapel. The children were really well behaved and it was a pleasure to be back at one of my favourite places.
I then called to see Tom Young and paid for the laptop and found that there were some extra features that I didn't know on the computer and now I am a very happy little chappie so that is really good. It was then a quick trip to the wholesale supermarket to purchase materials for the Jubilee Celebrations this weekend before coming home for an appointment with a young lass whose marriage I celebrated several years ago - it was good to catch up with her and chat about some of the issues facing her and her young family. I will be able to catch up with all of them on Friday night at Claremont.
I then headed home for a short time to do some preparations for the Deanery meeting tonight. It was a good meeting with heaps of people at Sacred Heart to hear +Adrian speak about his vision (based on the Call to Change process) and providing details of changes that are to be implemented over the next few years, including the confirmation that there will be a Rural Pastoral Unit involving all of the New Norfolk Parish, the rural section of the Bridgewater/ Brighton Parish and the two Central Tasmanian Parishes of Oatlands and Campbell Town. It will be an interesting time and will involve lot's of changes to the way we do things but that is the nature of the Call to Change Process.
Now however I am heading to bed.
Wednesday, 16th
After Mass this morning I worked on a testimonial supporting the application of Corumbene Nursing Home for Community Aged Care Packages for the region and based it on the changes in our parish structures announced last night at the Deanery Meeting. Hopefully their support will assist us in looking at some of the issues we will face into the future.
I also contacted the Council Chambers at Oatlands to see if it might be possible to prepare a common newsletter that could be emailed to people in the various centres of the 'New Pastoral Unit' so that we can start to make contact - I'll be checking with people in the other centres over the next few days to determine how feasible the whole thing will be - hopefully it will not be too difficult.
After calling down to school I headed for the airport to collect Mick Wheeler who has generously come over to help me celebrate my silver jubilee. We called to see my friends at Sorell but they weren't home but we were able to do a time and distance check for the trip back to New Norfolk to assist Peter Slater who is coming over on Monday morning and needed directions to get to New Norfolk in time for the 11am Jubilee Mass for the Clergy.
The afternoon was not too busy as we watched some of the Day/Night International Cricket match, the first to be played indoors. It was a convincing victory for Australia over Sth Africa but I'm certain that the next two games on Friday and Sunday will be a little bit closer.
There was a School Board Meeting this evening which was a good meeting - there are very positive signs regarding our application for a Capital Grant for the building of some new classrooms that will provide better facilities for our children into the future.
We have just arrived home from a meal at the Bush Inn - the first time I have been there for quite some time and having watched a bit more of the cricket I'm now heading for bed.
Thursday, 17th
I headed off to the optometrists this morning to have my eyes tested - I' was told that have lasted a couple of years longer than most people in needing to have glasses for reading. The health of my eyes is generally good but I'll now look like a 'wise old owl' with my half glasses when they arrive next week.
From there it was a quick trip back to the Church to meet with Pat Murray and Peter Spratt (an engineer) as Peter tried to determine the cause of some movement of the sacristy away from the main building. The room is an addition from the 1970's and it seems to have suffered because of changes in the moisture content of the subsoil and the differing depths of the foundations for the two buildings and water not being able to drain properly. The remedies would look (at first comment) to less of a problem than we had imagined.
I was not able to get to the Community and Police Liaison Meeting because by the time Peter had left the meeting would have been more than half over so, hopefully Greg Hudson tendered my apology. It was almost time for Mass but I remembered to race over to see the young radio/TV technician to get the radio mike cord repaired before it is need for this weekend - thankfully he was there and everything is now in order.
After Mass Mick and I headed for the supermarket to get some of the things we will need for this weekend (as well as something for lunch) before I headed off to see the family of the late Iris Riley. Greg had rung this morning asking if I might be able to do her funeral on Saturday morning - of course I agreed so I spent some time with her sons and have been working on the booklet for the funeral and will print it first thing tomorrow.
I've also been working on the newsletter which is almost finished; as well as the two booklets for the Family Celebration on Saturday and the Parish Mass for Sunday - both are printed and ready for folding. Also on the agenda for tonight was the name tags for people coming to the Family and Friends Mass and Supper on Saturday - many will know each other but some will be 'new friends' and hopefully this will bring them all together a little more easily.
Now it is time for bed - I've had some laughs with Mick as we've watched the Footy Show so I think that I'll sleep well.
Friday, 18th
Today was a very productive day and a great day as well. Mick & I have just returned from the Claremont Parish where we celebrated the first Mass of my Jubilee Celebrations in grand style. It was good to see so many faces from the days before I went to the Seminary and many others as well gathering to remember events from my school days, my years in the Seminary and my early years of priesthood. It was great and if all the weekend goes as well as this time then I will be extremely blessed.
Even before the day had really started (I woke early) I had managed to print the newsletter as well as the internet edition and a couple of other small jobs that needed doing. I thought that the funeral of the late Mary Johansen was at 10.30am (it was at 10am) so I was slow heading off to town but still managed to take Holy Communion to the residents of Corumbene Nursing Home and only just arrive late - I had rung and apologised that I would not be able to concelebrate but I was able to be there for the Mass.
After the Mass I went looking for a new sports jacket and managed to find a really nice coat which will do me well. From there we headed down to the Boardwalk for a quick lunch before going to Kerry Pinnacle to inquire about the cost of ingredients for the Christmas Puddings. On our travels we also checked out the cost of the other ingredients and if we can't get any discounts it is going to cost around $4,500 for the ingredients this year but we should be able to make a good profit even from that - if we get some discounts it will be even better.
Then it was off to the Cathedral for the vestments for Mass on Monday before calling down to Rokeby to visit Mick's Niece and family. Her husband Stuart is to have his first job as skipper when the fishing boat leaves tomorrow to go to Portland for two weeks fishing - we collected some Portland Bugs - similar, although smaller than, Morton Bugs - which I will cook tomorrow afternoon and throw on the table at the family celebration.
After a while I left Mick at Andrea's and headed for the airport to collect a friend coming back from a week in Melbourne and finally got to Sorell to meet up with the elderly couple who are intending to marry towards the end of next month - the paperwork is now all signed off and when Mick leaves on Tuesday I will drop down the format for the ceremony and they can decide what they would like in their service.
Back to Andrea's before heading out to Glenorchy for a cuppa with some friends and then it was on the Claremont for the Anniversary Mass. As I said above it was a great celebration with a great atmosphere. We listened to the AFL 2nd Semifinal on the way home and have just watched the end of that game which was a great tussle and then switched channels to watch the final part of the One Day cricket match between Australia and Sth. Africa which ended in a tie - the final game on Sunday is sure to be another great game.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Saturday, 19th
Everything went well in preparation for today but something went missing in the execution of some of the early events for the day.
The cooking of the lasagna and later the rice went easily and well and the food was ready to go down to school after the Mass this evening. The ice-cream also worked so that was a good start.
I completed the funeral preparations early and was already to start when there was an almighty bang from an accident at the corner as one of the brothers of the late Iris Riley was involved in an accident (fortunately no-one was injured). It meant that we started the Service a few minutes late but there was some concerns for awhile about his condition.
Then early this afternoon I went down to school to drop off the glasses and some other things for the supper after Mass and managed to set the alarm off - luckily I was able to contact the caretaker and we fixed things but I will need to get the info back into my organiser to avoid further embarrassment.
Tonight was a great success. A couple of people rang to apologise for not being able to get there - mainly because of ill health - but otherwise it was excellent. The mix of people worked well and the whole day has been wonderful. I was especially pleased that some friends from Launceston and the East Coast were able to be there and be part of my celebrations.
Now it is time for bed.
Sunday, 20th
Silver Jubilee Day (20th August 1975 - 20th August 2000)
I woke later than usual this morning - the last two days have been a little exhausting and I still have tomorrow to go.
Everything was ready reasonably early for the Mass so I wandered around to the RSL to see if there was anything I could do in preparation for the gathering after Mass. The team were all there working away wonderfully to make it all happen so I headed home to finish getting ready.
The Church was comfortably full with only a small number having to stand. The music and everything else was wonderful and the people, gathered from most of the parishes where I have been stationed over the years, all seemed to be able to relate well to each other. It was also good that my brother Martin was able to be there because that meant that everyone of my family who was able to be there had been at one or the other of my celebrations.
The comments at the presentation time almost seemed like a This Is Your Life segment but it was well done and recalled some of the interesting as well as some of the difficult times in my story. All in all it was a great day and I am well on the way to have the finance to be able to look seriously at attending the Renewal Course at Mariella in Ireland in Sept. - Dec. next year.
After the event was over I drove Mum and Dad home and then called into the Bowls Club to help finalise the set up for the Clergy Luncheon tomorrow. We also managed to get the wines and cake there as well so all in all a lot has been achieved for the day.
After having a bite to eat Mick and I relaxed and watched last nights episode of the Bill and now I am heading for bed - Mick will probably stay up for awhile and then do likewise.
Monday, 21st
Today has been a long day but a really great day none the less. I started early by banking some of the money I received as gifts over the weekend, adding to the $1000 the Parish had presented to me in a special account for the Renewal Course I hope to be able to attend in Ireland next year. Then I headed off to the optometrists to collect my new glasses for reading - boy do they make a difference.
When I got home I soon managed to get the last few things finished and out of the way before checking the final preparations for my Jubilee Mass with the Clergy of the Archdiocese and the children from St Brigid's. It all went so well and it was especially pleasing to hear so many great comments about the liturgy and the children's singing that I felt really proud of all that they had done for me.
The lunch with the priests was also a great success and it meant a whole lot to me that I was able to share some of the stories and successes as well as some of the failures of my life with a group of guys who know what it means to be 'human' in the search for the divine. It was especially great to have Mick Wheeler with me for the whole weekend and really good to have Peter Slater, a classmate and great friend from the first day in the seminary way back in 1969, arriving this morning from his new parish of Berwick (on the outskirts of Melbourne). Peter is staying tonight and heading off towards the North West Coast tomorrow and Mick is also flying back to Melbourne.
A few of the guys came back for port, coffee and some cheese before Peter, Mick and I chatted and then headed out for a walk around the grounds of the Royal Derwent. We then wandered down to the Bush Inn for a meal and have been back for awhile simply chatting about our stories and people we know.
Just after we had got back I headed over the Debbie Howe's place (on the other side of the river) to take a couple of bottles of wine to provide some fuel for an impromptu party she was having. Before everything else started yesterday she had rung, all excited, because she had won a $10,000 bathroom makeover in a radio station competition - the bathroom is in the house she is soon to move into in Goodwood, unfortunately it means that she will be lost to the Parish which is really sad - but she was enjoying the party with her friends tonight.
It is now time to hit the sack - waking at 3.30am this morning has meant that today has been a long day.
Tuesday, 22nd
After Mass this morning Mick, Peter and I headed off down to Claremont to see my Mum and Dad - Mick and I had said that we would call to see them before Mick headed back and Peter would also like to catch up with them because Mum always remembers his ordination anniversary - as he said yesterday - one of the very few.
We stayed for 30 minutes or so before I took Mick down to Claremont Primary School where his niece Andrea collected him and they headed off towards the airport. Peter stayed a little longer before heading off towards Burnie to stay with some relations tonight before going to Smithton tomorrow and then returning to Victoria on Thursday.
I headed off to town to sign some papers for the Sick and Aged Priests Fund before calling in to Graham Family to catch up with Julie Briggs who started back in the Office after working with another firm for a short time - it was good to see her back.
This evening I worked with two couple coming to arrange some details for their marriage - one which is to be celebrated this weekend and the other towards the end of the year. Thankfully the second couple left soon after 8pm so I was able to head for bed and an early night.
Wednesday, 23rd
I didn't start too quickly this morning as I am still a little bit weary after the weekend. I also didn't do today's diary until after midday - not a reflection of when I started work but rather I got caught up doing some other things first.
After Mass this morning I decided to do the work I needed to do to get the details of the Clergy with their Parish phone, fax and mail details entered into my organiser - thankfully because of the computer link I worked on the laptop and then synchronised the two databases.
I also needed to catch up with people down at School so took the opportunity to head down at lunch time to arrange to get my pin number changed (so I don't set off the alarms again like I did on Saturday) as well as see what things have been decided regarding the new network printer the school is able to afford.
This afternoon I took some time out to relax and think about the past few days and simply 'be' - something I have not had the chance to do for some time and it was good. I then spent some time fixing the vestments that were used for the Clergy Celebration on Monday - I will return them tomorrow because it is raining at the moment and I don't want to cause any damage to them.
This evening I went to town to catch up with a friend from the North-west Coast and to have a meal - I managed to also catch up with the owners of a restaurant and found that there is a good chance that they will be able to accommodate the Wardroom from HMAS Sydney for a run ashore when they come to Hobart in November so I'll have to contact Barney and see what they think.
Now it is time for bed.
Thursday, 24th
This morning I had a couple of wins early which made me feel good.
I contacted the Sr Maria Goretti (Oatlands) & Sr Marjorie (Campbell Town) about the monthly newsletter idea for the new Rural Pastoral Unit and they seem very happy about it - I have a contact with the Oatlands community and Marj was checking the Campbell Town area for a contact so that the newsletter can be emailed to a contact and then copied from there. I also managed to make contact with the Principal at the Bothwell District High School, Bothwell is also part of the new Unit, and he is willing to be the contact there and is more than willing to assist - as I said a great morning.
The Leaders meeting went well and most things were completed quickly which gave us a chance to chat about some issues not on the agenda which was good. Some interesting things will happen around the place over the next few months in the lead up to the changes that will happen at the end of the year for all of us.
After Mass I worked on the format for the Pastoral Unit Newsletter for a short time before heading to town to drop off the Vestments, some to the Derwent Entertainment Centre for the Edmund Rice Mass tomorrow and the rest to the Cathedral. I also called into Tom Young at Computers and More and collected a new cable for the lap link program for my Pocket Viewer - I'll connect everything tomorrow.
On the way towards home I called to see some friends and managed to stay for tea (which I cooked) so that was an interesting end of the day. Now however, it is time for bed.
Friday, 25th
This morning started with work on the booklet for the marriage tomorrow afternoon which took a little longer than usual because the covers were quarto size and all the paper had to be trimmed so that it all fitted - but it all worked out. I've also started work on the combined newsletter for the Rural Pastoral Unit but there is heaps more to be done.
After Mass I headed off to take Communion to Eileen Taylor at the District and then to Gordon at his home - I haven't seen him all week which is a bit slack but he seemed in reasonable form today.
I then headed for town where I went to an auction - my first time ever. I noticed in the auction notices yesterday that there was a commercial mixer available and when I checked the reserve price it was $150 which seemed reasonable. It was reasonably late in the proceedings so I was able to get there and register and there was only one other bidder who took the price to just below the reserve so I reached the reserve and suddenly it was ours. I've asked John Maher if he could help me collect it on Monday which should be good.
I then headed off to the big Edmund Rice Mass at the Derwent Entertainment Centre for all the Christian Brothers Schools in the Hobart region. I was lucky I was early because the time for the ceremony was 1pm, not 1.30pm as I had it in my diary. After the Mass I headed off to get my hair cut before checking with some of the news agencies to see if they had a template of Tasmania I could use to put on the cover of the newsletter but it looks as if I will have to find another way of doing it.
I've been home awhile and worked on the paper work for the wedding tomorrow afternoon and we have just finished the rehearsal and everything looks to be OK - just have to hope that the weather behaves for the day.
A quiet night in front of the TV reading and watching Melbourne thrash the Kangaroos means that the FL Grand Final next weekend will be between the Demons and whoever wins tomorrow but most likely to be the Bombers as Essendon seem to be so much better than anyone else.
Now it is time for bed.
Saturday, 26th
Waking early, the day before Daylight Savings starts is not really smart but that's what happened this morning. I made use of the time completing the newsletter, both editions, as well as doing some work on the Monthly Newsletter for the Rural Pastoral Unit - I'll put it up on the Web next weekend for people to read all about us.
This afternoon I had the wedding of Louise and Douglas Hall - a very pleasant little ceremony without any rain (was predicted) and so I have had a chance to relax and go slowly for a short time. I did remember (luckily just before lunch) that I hadn't arranged for any clergy lunches for the next few weeks so managed to get a fax off to Chris Hope at Kingston who hosted today's lunch so that we could get some names for the next few weeks.
I watched Essendon finish off Carlton's year in the second of the Preliminary Finals so that means the Grand Final will be between the Bombers and the Demons - it should be interesting but I can't see anyone beating the Bombers for the Flag.
Now it is time for bed.
Sunday, 27th
Just before heading over to Mass this morning Ruby rang to ask whether we needed milk for this morning then immediately rang back to say that someone had stolen her two front wheels during the night. I went and collected her but it knocked the stuffing out of her.
After Mass I headed off to Ellendale for the Country Mass before stopping off at the Parish House for a Country Meeting. There were lot's of things discussed about what the new Rural Pastoral Unit might mean and possibilities for the future especially if we are able to get some funding to assist us in Rural Initiatives.
The evening Mass tonight was the last of the Masses at 4.30pm - I'm never sure whether to make the change the day Daylight Saving starts or the following weekend - we've normally done it the weekend after but there is still plenty of confusion.
I've just watched the first episode of the new series of Sea Change and now I'm heading for bed.
Monday, 28th
Today has been an interesting day with all sorts of things being organised towards the Christmas Pudding program which commences next week. I contacted an egg producer who is giving a good discount on the eggs (125 dozen) and I got a call this afternoon regarding the cost of the bulk of the ingredients and it is substantially less than the item price we received 10 days ago so that is great.
After the Journey session this morning I went to see the wife of the late Wilf Lapham whose funeral is scheduled for tomorrow morning and worked out the Liturgy for the service and then dropped off the photo in town to get a bromide made of it for the front cover - it didn't scan as well as I would have liked so I will print it in black & white and won't try the colour process.
I then visited the family of the late Michael Norris to prepare for his funeral for Wednesday - it will be a sad day because he was seriously injured in a motorbike accident 4 & half years ago and life has not been easy since for Michael or his family. They are going to email a picture to me late tonight so I will work on that booklet tomorrow afternoon - after I have completed the leaflet for the Reconciliation service for the Confirmation Candidates tomorrow night.
I've just completed the Journey program for this evening and I am working on the funeral booklet for tomorrow which is nearly finished so I will head for bed and complete the printing in the morning.
Tuesday, 29th
Today was a long day - it took longer to print the cover for the funeral leaflet of the late Wilf Lapham than I thought and so I didn't have a chance to complete the work on the leaflet for the funeral of the late Michael Norris so I emailed the draft to Graham's and they worked on the colour printing. After the funeral here at New Norfolk I drove to town for the service at the Crematorium and then went across to Graham's to see how they were going and joined in the effort to get the photo right and it is now all done.
What I thought was a TCC Working Group Teleconference turned out to be a face to face meeting so I had to return to town late this afternoon to attend the meeting. The current president is moving to Victoria next year so that means the current vice-president will be installed at the November Executive meeting - it also means that I take on the acting VP job again and will remain as the immediate past President for another 2 years after May 2001. This means that I will have been vice president, acting president, president, immediate past president, acting vice president and immediate past president for a total of 8 years by the time I have completed my term of office!
I've just returned from celebrating the Rite of Penance for the young people involved in the Confirmation Celebration for Thursday night - there was a good roll-up and everyone seemed happy with what has happened and what has been prepared so that is good.
Now it is time to watch the Bill and then to bed.
Wednesday, 30th
Today is my twin sister's 34th birthday - I have not been in touch with them so I have been slack - I will need to make up for it on the weekend. But it has also been a long day - it now seems that I am back to normal and days are always going to be long days.
Before Mass this morning Tony Davis dropped off the large mixer and - yes - it is heavy. It will mean a lot less work for the ladies as we start making the Christmas Puddings next week but there is some little work that needs to be done before all that happens.
After Mass I headed for Sandy Bay for a brief meeting with Fr John Riley SJ, Director of the Centre for Continuing Education of Priests. It was good to be there even briefly because I needed to be at Maryknoll for the Reflection Day for the Confirmation Candidates. That also went well with the young people very willing to participate and share quite a lot of their story. It also gave me a chance to check some of the spelling for their certificates which are now correct and without mistakes.
From there it was off to Pontville for the funeral of the late Michael Norris. There was a good crowd there to say their farewells and we were lucky that the weather held off because shortly after we had finished at the graveside it began to rain - never an easy way to conclude a funeral.
Then I headed home to collect some money from the bank to ensure that there was sufficient in the account to pay for the ingredients for the Christmas Puddings which will arrive tomorrow. I also managed to get off the payment for the food purchased for the Sunday Jubilee celebration although there are still a couple of letters of thanks that need to be sent off in the next day or so to local groups.
I've just returned from having a meal with the Gang who took me out for my Jubilee. We haven't been to a Mexican Restaurant for some time so we had a Mexican night and it was good. It was also a slightly longer night than usual which means that we must not be as old as we thought - recent meals have ended early and we have drifted off reasonably early.
I've just finished the certificates for tomorrow as well as the cards for the sponsors to present and now I'm heading for bed.
Thursday, 31st August
The Confirmation Ceremony this evening has been the highlight of the week. It seemed at first as if it would be a bit of a drama (as all these things look like from a distance) but +Adrian is so easy to work with that everything wandered along really easily. The young people were excellent and everything worked well. But back to the start of the day.
I headed off to Sacred Heart for Mass with Grade 1's - they were really beautiful and the celebration, well prepared, was a real joy. From there I travelled home via a quick visit to Graham's where I learnt that Vic derrick, a life long friend of my mothers family had died last night. After ringing and telling mum I headed out to visit Margaret and her family. The funeral is to be celebrated on Monday; unfortunately I will not be able to be there because of a class Mass at Sacred Heart at the same time.
From there I headed home and arrived not long before the truck carrying the ingredients for the Christmas Puddings arrived - the driver and I unloaded the lot and I was ruined at the end of it all. There was no brown sugar so I will have to collect that tomorrow when I go to town.
Next was a soak in a Radox bath because I decided that I needed a quiet time to think and relax so I slowed down. When that was all finished I printed off the newsletter for the Rural Pastoral Unit (at least the copies for New Norfolk and surrounding districts). I have emailed the file to Bothwell and Oatlands but will have to take copies to Campbell Town on Sunday as they have yet to get everything on line. It might be possible to find someone in Campbell Town but I'll need to follow that up on Sunday at Ross.
+Adrian has just left after supper down at school and I'm now heading for bed.
With this being the end of August it also marks the completion of two years of my diary on the web. It all started as a bit of fun but has now become part of my everyday activity - I hope that you enjoy reading it.
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