Daily Notes and News
The Month of December, 2000
Friday, 1st
This morning was a great rush. I managed to email the Rural Newsletter to all parts of the Rural Unit as well as having time to print off some copies for the Wiss family from Bronte who were at the funeral this morning and who will be able to hand deliver the newsletters to people in the district.
All in all everything got done - a bit hectic at the beginning but it all worked out well in the end. I'm just going to list all the things I did without extra comment.
I produced the Big Book for the Funeral, celebrated Mass at 9am; remembered that I was supposed to produce the times for the Combined Churches Christmas Services for the Carols by Candlelight book (to be printed over the weekend); took Communion to Eileen in the District Hospital; celebrated Mass at Corumbene and spent time with Gordon afterwards; delivered a letter to Gabrielle and collected a photo for Janet and the Convent in New Norfolk; arrived at the Crematorium in good time for the funeral. Visited Graham's before returning to Glenorchy with some extra puddings for the Parish and for the Tolosa Butchery then headed back to town to pay my Mess Bill, drop off the photo of the late Kim Bester at Photolith to get a bromide; called into Sacred Heart to get the eggs (delivered there) and the extra orders from the school; purchased the alcohol and then some more curling ribbon and plastic bags for the puddings and then came home to do some work on the Newsletter for this weekend.
I managed to get most of that done and the printing started before I went back to town to collect the bromide from Photolith and then headed to the Cathedral for the wedding rehearsal for tomorrow. Then it was back home to New Norfolk to finish off the Rural Newsletter printing as well as the Calendar for December and the Mass Times for Christmas. I've just spent the past couple of hours working on stapling the Rural Newsletter together and then the weekends newsletter with the calendar. I've also cut up some string for the puddings for Monday and now I'm heading for bed.
Saturday, 2nd
I started today slowly but have managed to be busy for most of it. Because I had managed to get the newsletters and everything else finished last night I worked away at a few simple things here in the house before heading off to town for the Baptism at 12 noon at the Cathedral. It is a milestone day in my life as a priest.
Anastasia Isabelle Seymour is the daughter of Samantha Seymour, a child whom I had baptised when I was at Bellerive - she is the first of my second generation baptisms - it tells me that I am getting older. There was a bit of a delay in the arrival of the baby and her grandparents (Samantha had an audition for a musical production and the grandparents said that they would bring Anastasia to the Church). They were half an hour late.
The next thing on the agenda today was the Graham Family end of year function at Runnymede. It was a very pleasant meal with wonderful entertainment by Colin Dean, a local talent, who performed as Elvis and who did a wonderful job. He had played the role of Javier in the recent Tasmanian production of Les Miserables.
Helen Harvey was there, and as she was playing for my wedding at the Cathedral - actually the wedding that I was doing at the Cathedral - she and I headed off in good time to make the final preparations. It was a lovely wedding and everything went smoothly.
Afterwards I dropped Helen at her home as I headed off to a Meal with some friends at Glenorchy as a pre-Christmas event. It was a very pleasant night and I'm home reasonably early so that is good so now I'm heading for bed.
Sunday, 3rd
Today was a hectic day.
After Mass at New Norfolk I headed off to Ouse for the morning Mass but needed to make some arrangements about setting up the Parish Meeting room before heading off. I wasn't late but didn't have any extra time for the trip.
After Mass I headed back to New Norfolk to the RSL for the Annual Dinner. It was a very pleasant meal with good company, a couple of speeches before I came home for the baptism of two young children.
Then I headed back to the house and hoped that some people would arrive to help set up for the pudding making tomorrow. Thankfully Maree and Milton Kennedy arrived and between the three of us we managed to prepare the room and the fruit so that has made life easier. I continued on for a while and fixed the sugar and bread crumbs for the mixture so that there is only the butter to prepare in the morning.
After Mass this evening I headed off to see the Bester family with the leaflet for the funeral for Tuesday. I spent some time with them and then called to see Gordon Batchelor at Corumbene - he is unconscious and they don't expect him to last too much longer.
I've just spent some extra time cutting string for the puddings and watched the movie at the same time but now I'm heading for bed as it has been a long day.
Monday, 4th
I woke later than I had hoped this morning but because I only had the butter to get ready I had plenty of time before people started arriving for the pudding making. The team drifted in as there was some confusion whether it was an 8am or 8.30 start but everything went well.
I had to go down to school to be part of the Blessing of the Advent Wreaths so my job of vacuuming the bags slowed down for over half an hour but we managed to pick up the tempo when I returned. Even though I finished the actual second bag vacuuming later this afternoon the rest of the work, including the preparation of the fruit, sugar and bread crumbs for Wednesday's half day mixing was complete by 11.15 am and those who weren't staying for the midday Mass were able to head off early.
After Mass I did a little bit of work on the second bags before heading down to see the family of the late Gordon Batchelor. He had died last evening just a few minutes after I had seen him and we have arranged for his funeral to be celebrated on Thursday. The family, knowing that I have a big day tomorrow wanted to give me just a little bit of space. The phone hadn't rung all morning so I rang Mum and was about to ask her to give me a ring back when she told me that Dad had fallen last night and they are doing a scan on him this afternoon to see exactly where he has broken his hip. It hasn't been a good day for getting information about what has been going on - I seem to have gotten things very second hand today.
I have been working away on leaflets for the funeral tomorrow - I've printed over 500 (I hope that it is enough) and have spent some time folding them. I decided that I would have some chips for tea so headed out to buy them and found a mini pud (mixture left over from this morning) and went to drop it into one of the boilers to cook for the final two+ hours.
Horror of horrors!! The fuse had burnt out (I found out later) and when I tried to ring John Maher, the keeper of the knowledge, he was out so I had to wait for an hour or so before he came home. He called around to look at what needed to be done before ringing the electrician who came almost immediately and fixed the board and everything was back to normal. I've decided that since they have been off the boil for some time I will leave them tonight and get up early tomorrow and start them off again - I only hope that they will not be damaged by sitting in the water overnight. Thank God for plastic bags.
Now it is time for bed - I don't think that anything else could go wrong - at least not tonight!
Tuesday, 5th
I woke early this morning and went out to turn the boilers on for the puddings - thankfully there was no damage to the puddings after being in the water overnight. I waited until after Mass before taking the them out and putting the final lot of yesterday's batch into boil - they look good but I'll have to wait until tomorrow before I know how many puddings I have left over.
As we came out of Mass people were arriving to be here in plenty of time for the funeral of the late Kim Bester. Everything went well with almost all the 500 leaflets produced being used. It was a difficult funeral but without a lot of the emotion that might have been there if it had been held just a few days after the event - the more than fortnight between his murder and the funeral had allowed much of the raw grieving to be completed and the process of being able to say farewell to be more prominent within the service.
I joined the family at the RSL for a short time after the service before heading to town to collect Mum and drop off the photo of the late Gordon Batchelor at Photolith for his booklet for Thursday. Mum and I then visited Dad in Calvary where he is waiting for a scan to determine what damage has been done to his hip after the fall on Sunday night. He has to wait until Thursday for the scan so we'll find out then what is to happen.
Back home to work on Gordon's booklet before getting ready for the PPC Meeting - the final meeting of the year and a farewell gathering for Debbie Howe, the secretary who is moving closer to town. It was a good meeting without any drama and now I am heading for bed and, hopefully, a good night's sleep.
Wednesday, 6th
The final pudding making day for 2000 has been and gone. I woke late and started slowly after yesterday's big day. I really only had a few things to do before the team arrived for the start of the mixing process so I got through things without too much effort.
The team performed brilliantly today - we had completed the five mixtures (132 puddings) before 9.30am. The cleaning up was completed quickly and with Debbie Howe working the second vacuuming process all the puddings were finished and ready for the boilers by 9.45am. We then settled in to just over two hours of wrapping and so the only work that needs to be completed is the wrapping of the 2 kg puddings from Monday and the ones we have boiled today - that will be done next Monday morning. We have also packed the puddings for Friends School and Sacred Heart College which I will deliver tomorrow afternoon.
We retired to the Bush Inn for a lunch so that was good and a simple opportunity to say thanks for the effort that all of these people have put into the project. I'm not certain (because I am too tired and I think that I have made a mistake re the spreadsheet) exactly how many 1 kg puddings we have left but I'll work that out tomorrow.
After we had taken the first lot of puddings out I went to visit the family of the late Kevin Gleeson - his funeral will be on Friday afternoon. After spending some time with them I headed to town to collect the photo of the late Gordon Batchelor and dropped off the photo of Mr Gleeson - I asked that it might be dropped off at Graham's so that Paul might be able to bring it up tonight (didn't happen) so I hope it will come up tomorrow morning.
I didn't have long after I got back before I headed over to the Royal Derwent Theatre for the St Brigid's End of Year Mass. Traditionally it has been held in the School Grounds but the weather has been inclement all day so Sean (the Principal) took the safe option and headed indoors which turned out to be a good choice.
Immediately after the Mass I headed back to St Peter's to join the Batchelor family and friends who had gathered for the Rosary - there was a good gathering. Tomorrow is going to be a hard day - it will be more emotional for me because Gordon was a great support in the Parish and did lot's of things for the Parish over many years and will be sadly missed. It is likely that there will be a couple of other priests who will gather with me for his Mass of Christian Burial.
Ruby and Mary came over to the house for a coffee after they had tidied the flowers for tomorrow and as they were leaving another friend arrived to see how I was getting on after these past few days.
They have all left now and I've been working on the leaflet for tomorrow as well as my Big Book for the service and because I've got it all under control I'm now heading for bed - tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Thursday, 7th
Today started early because I had not completed the Minutes of the Police & Community Meeting that was scheduled for this morning so I got onto that straight away. Neither Greg Hudson nor I were able to attend because of the funeral of the late Gordon Batchelor but the meeting needed the minutes anyway.
The funeral was a great celebration of Gordon's life and faith. The whole thing had both a sense of Church and his life as well. Fr Bill Egan, former Parish Priest, and Fr Clem Kilby, who had worked here as a curate over 40 years ago were here to concelebrate the Mass with me with apologies from several other priests not able to come.
After the internment we went back to his son Greg's home for the wake before I collected the Puddings for The Friends's School and Sacred Heart College and another couple of individual orders and headed for town. Even with the Puddings we made earlier this week the storage room looks remarkably empty - I will be glad when the last one is delivered and all the orders have been completed. Even yesterday I had another couple of people wanting to place large orders so they are now on the list for next year.
When I got home later this afternoon I got to work on the leaflet for the late Kevin Gleeson so that I could take a draft to his family before printing the final copy. I spent some time with them and found that when I was about to leave that it was after 6pm and I wondered where the day had gone. The leaflet is now well under way but I will need to finish off the last little bit tomorrow morning.
Now I'm heading for bed.
Friday, 8th
Today was a funny day. It was different because instead of having the funeral in the morning I had almost all day to do a hundred other things before the funeral. I managed to take Holy Communion to Eileen Taylor before settling down to do some banking, paying a few bills and delivering some puddings around the town to the Council Chambers as well as to some local businesses. I also managed to get the last of the puddings down to school for people there to collect them.
I had lunch with a couple of friends who came to New Norfolk for a drive - then it was off to the funeral in plenty of time. It was a different funeral from the other two this week - I felt completely drained when I had finished and I think that it was because I have been so tired after the previous two that I had run out of energy.
After the funeral I went to town via Friends' School to drop off the last of the puddings for them before going to the CDF Office for their pre-Christmas drinks. It wasn't a long visit so that meant that I was able to get back home to New Norfolk for the Parent Appreciation Supper put on by the Board and Staff for the Parents who have been major contributors to the P&F and Work Bees during the year.
I have arrived home and as soon as I finish this I am going to defrag the system and leave it running overnight so that the system is back to strength by tomorrow morning.
Saturday, 9th
I tried to have a quiet day today and for the most part I have succeeded.
I completed the work on the Newsletter early so that meant that I was able to get it all printed and be ready for the Baptism at 11am without too much hassle. I even checked and found that there were some deliveries of puddings that I could make along the way to and from lunch at Moonah so I fixed some of the 2 kg puddings up and headed off at the conclusion of the Baptism.
There was a smallish gathering at lunch (just enough food however) so things worked out well there. Karen, my sister, was at mum's when I arrived so I was able to give her the puddings that had been ordered through her department and then I took Mum to see Dad. There is still some uncertainty as to the extent of his injury and he is struggling to be mobile so it will be a few days before we find out how long he is to stay in hospital and what treatment he is to receive. With Mum in the car I dropped off the little pud's to the Church Office that I had forgotten on yesterday so that meant another job is out of the way.
After dropping mum home to Claremont I got some breakfast cereal from the supermarket and forgot to collect some more large freezer bags so will have to do all that on Monday morning early.
I've had some tea and now I'm heading for bed knowing that I need the sleep and hoping that I will be able to get as much sleep as possible.
Sunday, 10th
After the excitement of being woken in the middle of the night to learn that (Fr) Geoff Jarrett, PP of New Town was to be the next Bishop of Lismore I have had a tiring day. I've managed to get a few things done but I'm exhausted now and in need of a good night's sleep.
Mass at New Norfolk was a good crowd and the Mass at Maydena was also a good number, considering the number of people who live there and who regularly come to Mass. It was a quick dash back however to be here in New Norfolk for the Baptisms at 1pm. There were four children from the one family and although they were well behaved it did take a lot out of me.
I was only back in the house for a few minutes when some people arrived and I spent almost an hour with them before sitting down to complete some of the material for this coming week - especially the newsletter as I will be arriving back here on Friday afternoon and there will not be a lot of time to complete the work before the weekend.
Mass this evening was a bit light on but I know that there were several families who were away with swimming carnivals and other things.
Now for bed and that early night I need.
Monday, 11th
Today has been so hectic I can hardly remember all that has happened.
Immediately after Mass the girls arrived for the final wrapping of puddings. They got into it right away and it wasn't long before I was caught up in everything else and trying to get ready for the trip to Sydney for the Chaplains Conference. My normal ride was not available so I have left my car at Bellerive and had to catch a taxi to the airport.
The trip to Sydney was uneventful but when I arrived it was a typical muggy Sydney afternoon - I hope that it is not like it for the rest of the week.
A few of the guys had arrived already so after settling into my room I headed back to the Wardroom for a quiet little drink before we had the evening meal. I've come to bed early because the next few days are going to be busy and that will keep me going for now.
Tuesday, 12th
It was a hot muggy night and difficult to get a good nights sleep with the fan going but very little comfort.
The sessions today have been good with lot's of background stuff being presented but a good deal of thought generated by the presentation by Dr. Tom Frame, a former Naval Officer, now Anglican Priest, and always a historian. He dealt with the theme of 'Believing, Belonging and Behaving' and presented some interesting insights and provoked a great deal of discussion. He is back tomorrow morning for another discussion.
There are six Catholic Chaplains at the Conference - I am the only Reserve catholic - and we decided to go to the local Thai Restaurant for a meal. It was a really good night but was quiet funny because as we were sitting there Don & Moya arrived and have invited me to a meal on Thursday night - I hadn't really intended to try to see them this week because I had wanted to have just a quiet time and relax a little after last week but things have worked out all right.
As we were walking back from Watsons Bay there was a major power failure and the whole area was plunged into darkness - there was electrical storm at the time which was quite exciting but it meant that there was no fan working in my cabin when I got there so it looked as if it was going to be a long night but not long after I got to bed the power came back on - now I hope that I get a good night's sleep.
Wedensday, 13th
Not much of a sleep but good enough considering that it has been really hot - in fact I found out that it was 38 degrees yesterday so no wonder I didn't sleep well.
Today has been another good day - Tom Frame spoke again this morning about models of Ministry and Pauline Law, Principal Chaplain RNZN spoke about the work of the Chaplains in the New Zealand navy.
The afternoon was taken up with resonses to the preliminary paper that had been sent out in October and to which most people replied - it has provided much of the background to the
sessions that we have had so fare.
This eveing we had a Conference Dinner, much less formal than last time when it was a Formal Mess Dinner. Thisd time there was a real relaxed meal and so we had a great night but I am really ready for bed and, hopefully, a good night's sleep.
Thursday, 14th
Bit slow starting this morning but to be expected after the dinner last night.
The Conference has now finsiehd and most of the guys have left for their home bases - I am staying overnight before heading back tomorrow morning.
The first session this morning was run by the Defence Community Organisation and the National Welfare Committee explaining the role they play in supporting families involved on deployment and duty away from home. Both speakers provided good information for the session which gave me, at least, a better understanding of what happens from the support staff to complement what is happening through the Chaplaincy Branch.
This afternoon we worked on the final section of the pre conference repsonses and looked at some of the frustrations leading to some possible inovations for the future. All in all it has been a good few days and well worth the trip, even if it meant that I had a chance to meet some of the people who have simply been names on a page up to this time.
This evening I went and had a drink down at the Watsons Bay Pub with Don Ritchie - I caught up with him on Tuesday night after the Thai meal down in Watsons Bay.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Friday, 15th
I woke late this morning because all I really had to do was get to the airport - even that however, turned into a real drama. I chatted to Peter Tinney, Chaplain now based in WA after I had rung the cab but had to wait for quite some time before the cab actually arrived and then it was from a different company from the booked company.
I met up with Krys Gebski (Chaplain from Cairns) in the Qantas Lounge where we had a coffee and a bite to eat before he headed off back to Cairns before posting to HMAS Success early in the New Year.
The trip home was uneventful and it was easy to collect my car from Bellerive before heading out to Calvary Hospital to see Dad - it looks as if he will be there for another few days. I then continued on to Glenview Home to see Bessie Bevan who has been low over these past few days - when they rang me in Sydney they didn't think that she would last the next few days but she seems to have rallied slightly.
Then I came home to start work on the backlog of things that have grown during these few days away. It seems that every time I head off the work just mounts up. The newsletter is still a long way from being completed - hopefully tomorrow won't be too busy and I can get it done then.
I've just got home from being at a 50th Birthday party for Michael Callinan. It was a great night and I managed to catch up with a whole lot of friends
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Saturday, 16th
I slept well last night - the first time in my own bed for almost a week.
This morning there was some more work done on cleaning up the Church Grounds. Last Monday as I was leaving to go to Sydney for the Chaplains Conference the 'pudding girls' were hard at work tidying the gardens. On Friday, the lawn man arrived and worked for some time to make the grass look cared for an this morning a guy with a whipper snipper arrived and got through the jungle at the rear of the grounds and things now look much neater.
From here I headed off to Moonah for lunch - I needed to be there because there were a couple of people I needed to check with about the Clergy Dinner next Saturday and to collect the Turkey for the meal. I managed to catch up with Dad for a few minutes as well as seeing Bessie Bevan before getting home for an appointment with a couple who are to get married in late January.
Everything is now finished on the newsletter front and it has all been printed so that is good and now I can complete getting ready for tomorrow because it too is going to be another day of running around and being busy.
Sunday, 17th
The country Mass today was at Hamilton but I had neglected to get everything (in the pudding sphere) organised so I was not able to take the Ouse nor surrounding area puddings with me which means that Sr Lorraine will have to come down to New Norfolk tomorrow to collect them.
I didn't have long after I got home from Hamilton before the family for the Baptism arrived and I was straight back into it.
No sooner had they gone than I headed around to St Paul's Uniting Church for the ceremony marking the end of the ministry of David Jensen as the lay Pastor of the Uniting Church here in New Norfolk. David had asked that I might preach which was a privilege for me and which I enjoyed being able to be part of.
Then it was home to check the mail that had built up last week and look at printing some Christmas Cards which I will need to get onto quickly if they are to go out this week. The evening Mass was lightly attended today - it has been very hot (which is not that good an excuse but I'm sure that it worked for some!).
This evening we have had the Combined Churches Carol Service and there was a good crowd there but like everything else there were fewer than last year.
Now I'm heading for bed and I'm leaving the fan on to see if it makes any difference.
Monday, 18th
By the time I started on today's Daily Notes & News the day was half over and it seemed that, since it is more than a few days since I was last able to update the site, I had better get things back into swing again and get settled early to set up the page each morning.
Mass this morning was at 9am but was preceded by a phone call from +Adrian asking me to call and see him about the set up for the Rural Pastoral Unit. After Mass several people called in and we dealt with a few things regarding the delivery of Christmas Puddings as well as chatted about the rehearsal for the Family/Children's Christmas Eve Mass - there is still more that will need to be done tomorrow.
After dealing with some extra things from the weekend I headed off to see the Archbishop and learnt some of the 'ins and outs' of the clergy appointments that need to be dealt with before the program can be put in place. At this stage it looks as if there will be another priest in the team but the name has yet to be finalised. He hopes to have things in place by Friday so I hope, for his sake it can happen - it would be nice if it could be resolved by Christmas.
On the way home I called to drop off some puddings at Grahams and collected some monies from Glenorchy as well as checked when my next dental appointment is scheduled.
I didn't have long after I arrived home before there was a teleconference for the Executive Working Group of the TCC at 3.30pm. There were a number of issues that needed to be resolved at these took some time but things are looking good.
I then headed off to visit the family of the late Graeme Cate to prepare for his funeral on Wednesday. The funeral is to be celebrated at Glenorchy and will bring together a number of families with whom I have had a deal of contact over many years.
From there I headed down the road from Bagdad to Bridgewater for the Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 7.00pm. In my diary I had written 7.30pm and it was lucky that (Fr) Michael Tate had rung during the afternoon, otherwise I would have been late arriving.
Just as the ceremony concluded (it was well attended and a good celebration) my mobile rang and it was Gay Morgan asking whether I was coming to the Gang Christmas Drinks - I had forgotten which night it was on after losing my diary dates last week and so had to scurry off to Bellerive without cards or gifts which I will have to deliver later in the week.
Now it is time for bed because it is already tomorrow.
Tuesday, 19th
I managed to get most of my Christmas Cards written while waiting for the Bromide for the late Grahame Cate to be printed off for me - it usually takes about an hour so it fitted in well.
I managed to get a few things done before the computer started playing up - files seemed to dissolve so I did a Scan Disk, then a defrag before running Vet through it - it seems to be working OK now but I have started clearing some files and over the next few days I will start to do a major backup of files.
When I got home from town with the bromide for the leaflet I started working on printing the leaflet and getting the Reconciliation Service for this evening ready. Both took some time and probably would have worked better if I had done one at a time but it all finished off OK.
I also arranged for new tyres for the car - they were really in need of being replaced but I had not made the time for it to happen - fixed now though.
The Reconciliation Service went well and I think that people appreciated the fact that there was another priest available.
Now, however, I am heading for bed and hopefully a good nights sleep.
Wednesday, 20th
This morning I headed off early, after doing some preparations for the Leaders Christmas Lunch, to the High School for their Christmas Assembly. I went to the Royal Derwent Admin. Office first to collect the key for the Chapel and then dropped it off at Sandy Cowling's so that she didn't have to waste time running round looking for it.
Paul Davis again went over well with a mixture of contemporary music and skits as well as being able to talk about his belief and what the Christmas Message meant to him.
From there I headed off to Glenorchy for the funeral of the late Grahame Cate. There was a good number of people there who were all related around and about and the service went well. The burial at Pontville was a little uncomfortable because a very warm breeze had come up so the prospect of there being some bush fires around has increased already.
After the funeral I headed straight back home to complete the meal for the Leaders group and partners - Ruby was my partner. She had prepared the vegetables which made life a lot easier and the meal, a simple meal, went well with good company and a chance for us as a group to farewell David and Dini Jensen as they complete their time at New Norfolk/Bridgewater/Gagebrook and move back to Bridport until they are called onto do some more work for the Uniting Church.
I had a short time to get some things in the mail before I headed off to Graham Family to see the family of the late Mary Forsyth whose funeral is tomorrow. They don't want very much in the way of ceremony and so it was a little difficult to make everything work but it should be OK.
Then I called to see Bessie Bevan who is still very low - when they rang me in Sydney they didn't think that she would last the next few days but she seems to have rallied slightly. Two of her children were there and they have purchased two dozen x 150 gm puddings so that will help remove some of the backlog.
I've just returned from Ellendale where we had the last of the Reconciliation Services for Advent. It was a little later this year than previously and, because the hay bailing has already started there were a number of regular's who were not able to be there - we'll have to look at that next year.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Thursday, 21st
With Midday Mass today life started a little more slowly than usual - which I didn't mind. A couple of people called in to see if they could deliver puddings around to anyone who has yet to collect theirs which has made life a little easier. While working on the funeral booklet for the late Mary Forsyth, Jenny rang from Graham's to tell me that 'Auntie' Edna, a wonderful old parishioner of Glenorchy had died. Her funeral is to be on Saturday morning so that will make life interesting as I work out what I can do.
I then went out to Hayes Prison Farm and dropped off their puddings and spent some time chatting to one of the staff about the brush fire that had burned a lot of the back section of the farm and which was still smouldering as I drove in but they aren't too worried as it has removed most of the rubbish that has been accumulating up there.
After Mass I had a few minutes to myself before heading to the Cathedral to celebrate the funeral of the late Mary Forsyth. It has been a little bit of a concern about how it would all work out but everything went smoothly both in the Church and at the graveside - a reopening at Cornelian Bay.
As I was leaving the Cathedral my mobile beeped with a message asking me to contact Sr Majella at the Education Office. I arranged to meet her after the committal so that was my next port of call. She told me that there had been a charge of abuse brought against one of the clergy and that some changes might need to be made regarding how we set up for the Clergy Christmas Dinner so I will talk to Terry Rush at some stage tomorrow (he is with the priest today) about what we might need to put in place to make it all happen.
I then called to see some people at Calvary Hospital to drop off some puddings and then continued on to Glenview Nursing Home to see the Beven Family with their small puddings and went to Northgate Shopping Centre to drop off a couple more so all in all I have had a good workout.
After saying hello to Mum (Dad was out and about through the Centre visiting people) I came home via the supermarket to purchase the things I needed for the tea tonight and some remote preparations for Saturday's lunch.
I have spent this evening doing the newsletter for Sunday and working on a newsletter for Christmas Day - I will need to check tomorrow that there still sufficient numbers of the booklet for the Children's Mass available otherwise I will be back into printing mode.
Now I'm heading for bed.
Friday, 22nd
Today was a busy day - well at least the morning was.
I headed off to Glenorchy early to drop off another dozen puddings to the butcher in Tolosa Street - he rang yesterday to say he is able to sell some more. Then I had the 9am Mass and I took Communion to the residents at Corumbene before heading off to see Eileen Taylor at the District Hospital. I also stopped off to see the Director of Nursing at Corumbene to talk about a funding application they are to submit re the community - it sounds like a good idea but will have to wait and see what happens.
I then went over to the Chapel, where we will be celebrating the Family Mass on Sunday evening- it really will need a big clean up but I've been told I don't need to be there because it is all under control.
I then managed to cheat and get most of my gifts for my nieces and nephews (at least the Hobart based ones) and spent the last part of the morning getting all of that fixed. Then I headed off to town to fix up the last few things before coming home to work on the two newsletters for this weekend.
It is not easy writing a newsletter for Christmas Day before starting on a newsletter for the day before but I need to get the second one done because Fr Joe Martins will collect it at the clergy lunch tomorrow - it will save him calling in here on the way through on Sunday evening for Mass at Maydena.
I had some help from Anna this afternoon to get the dining room ready for the Clergy lunch tomorrow. She also helped get the Christmas Tree up and decorated and everything is now ready - it is amazing how a little help goes a long way. I've also managed to reprint the leaflet for the Christmas Family Mass - the books we used last year were water damaged when we had the problem in the works sacristy earlier in the year and they had to be thrown out so now there is a complete new set. I took the opportunity to watch the Friday Night movie whilst stapling the pages together but now I am heading for bed.
Saturday, 23rd
I woke really early this morning so I got up immediately and started working on the preparations for the Clergy Lunch. The small (extra) Turkey breast got cooked early and was out of the oven by 8am so that meant I was able to go to Glenorchy to concelebrate the funeral of the late Edna McDermott. Five Priests were there - the previous three PP's as well as a recent assistant gathering with Fr Elio Proietto, the present PP. She had a great send off but will be missed within the Parish Community for all the things she did around the Parish - at 90+ years of age.
Then it was a dash home to complete the preparations for the lunch - even though I put myself under some pressure it all went well and 23 of us sat round for a meal together. Geoff Jarrett, the newly appointed coadjutor of the Lismore Diocese presented me with a Father Mac's Heavenly Pudding - he was the original priestly pudding maker so it will be interesting to see what it tastes like.
After lunch I spent a little bit of time resting and then tidying up the remains of the dinner, then having another rest and then finishing off the tidying up. The place looks reasonable at the moment so that is OK.
I've printed tomorrow's newsletter and had to change the time for Mass on Thursday as I have been asked to do a funeral at Graham's - it will look strange that the Sunday Newsletter says that Mass is at 9am and the Monday one says Mass at midday - I think that people who need to know will get it right.
Now, however, it is time for bed, even before the Bill.
Sunday, 24th
I had a fright this morning as I woke at 1.15am and thought that in 24 hours I will be just finishing the midnight Mass so I prayed (successfully) that I might be able to get back to sleep - which I managed to achieve and woke (again) at 6.15 so that wasn't too bad but it was still a long day.
After the 9am Mass here at New Norfolk I headed off to Ellendale in the middle of a land gale for the Country Mass - avoiding fallen trees, power lines that had been brought down by the winds and incredible amounts of debris of all sorts scattered everywhere. The Church (and the whole of the local district surrounding Ellendale) was without power, many places for most of the day.
Then I am headed back to New Norfolk for a Baptism at 1pm. It was a gentle celebration without children running round and a peaceful little child so very little extra effort was needed to celebrate. Then I completed the setting up of the crib and the other preparations necessary for the Midnight Mass here at St Peter's.
Then I completed a Big Book with everything in it for the Family Mass and headed off to the Chapel in the Royal Derwent Grounds with the things that I needed for the Family Mass. After setting up I returned home to collect the things I had forgotten the first time and went looking for the Newsletters and couldn't find them. I hunted everywhere but couldn't find them so I had to start again and reprint the whole thing - and then the photocopier got paper jams every few pages so I set it to print 99 pages while I headed back to the Chapel with the keys. When I returned only 2 pages had printed before jamming so it was a very frustrating time getting 200 printed in time for the family Mass. I got back to the Chapel with 5 minutes to spare.
There was a good crowd at the Chapel - the weather was still bad and the Chapel was fairly dull all Mass but we managed to get through - this year I haven't felt the need for sunglasses as the sun set through the back window.
After dropping the books, vessels and vestments back at the Church and taking a few minutes to have a bite to eat (and print more newsletters) I headed off to Hamilton for Mass at 9.30pm. The numbers this year were really down on the past and probably had more to do with the fact that there had been no power in the area for much of the day and milking would have to have been done by hand - no mean feat when properties have hundreds of cows.
The drive back to New Norfolk was difficult because I was very tired so I took it easily as I had enough time to go gently - Ruby was there to open the Church and the Carol Service didn't need me to be there so I arrived back to find everything under control and with sufficient time to have a big drink of cold water and a comfort stop before heading over to the Church to get ready.
There was a reasonable crowd but smaller than over the past few years - I cannot even begin to guess why so I'm not even going to try. A group of people called over to the house for a cuppa and a wine before heading home and now (at 2.30am) I am heading for bed - Merry Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Christmas Day
I woke this morning at 7.15am so that at least was a good start. I decided that I would prayer after Mass when everyone had gone home so I prepared the potatoes for baking - I had offered to make a baking dish full of spuds for the combined lunch at St Matthew's Anglican Hall so that made the time before Mass go very quickly. I had some time for prayer before Mass anyway so that worked out well.
There was a good gathering for the Morning Mass including some of the those who had been there at one of the Masses last night so that was good.
After a quick cuppa I retired back to my quiet space before checking on the spuds and getting things ready to take to my family - unfortunately when I finally arrived only Sean and his family were still there so I didn't see Karen or Martin and their families. I managed to send a message to Steve and Maree and the girls later this afternoon and spoke to Brendan in Wollongong just as Steve arrived there so I was in touch with at least half the family so that wasn't too bad.
After a very pleasant lunch with Michele and John and our parents and John's as well and the obligatory sit down afterwards to allow the meal to settle I took Mum and Dad home to Claremont before coming home and collapsing into my chair.
I have dragged myself back into action to do this page and now I am going to bed - it is just 7.30pm so I hope to get a good nights sleep - I really do need it.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is always a great day - especially after having had a great night's sleep. The Boxing Day BBQ lunch at the Kay's was great because there are always friends I don't see otherwise over the Christmas Season and so I am able to do say hello to them. It was also good to catch up with +Adrian after his hectic weekend and offer support. There is still a holdup with the placement of the second priest for the Rural Unit so I told him that if no-one is available we will go with one and make it work.
The rest of today has been quiet and I have really taken it easy and I am now ready for bed and I'm going to make the most of it.
Wednesday, 27th
Another good nights sleep and this morning started well. After the Thanksgiving envelopes were counted and the money checked I rang the nephew of the late Geoff Bray to make a time to see him and his uncle re preparations for the funeral tomorrow. After settling on 11am I did some work but then headed off to Grahams to see David and his uncle Kevin. I wasn't there long when my mobile buzzed to say that I had a message which I didn't check because I was talking so I sat it on the table and then it rang again - this time I answered and it was Ruby saying that the Davidson family were waiting at St Peter's for me for the Baptism of the grandchildren at 11am!! Whoops.
It was a quick trip back to New Norfolk (after I had completed the preparation) for the Baptisms. The family were exceptionally graceful about the stuff up so it all worked out well in the end but it doesn't help the ego to make mistakes like that.
I called around to see the family after the ceremony and took the certificates with me so that worked out a little better. I've rung the family about the Baptism tomorrow to ensure that I have all the details I need for that ceremony and I'll make sure that I have the things that need to be taken down to Sandy Bay for that celebration. I also spent time writing up the Baptismal Register - I only do it every couple of months so there were a few to do.
Now for bed.
Thursday, 28th
Today started out to be a quiet day with a funeral and a Baptism to celebrate but it has ended as a very long day.
After Mass this morning I started some work on the January 2001 Calendar, after I had completed the Big Book for the funeral of the late Geoffrey Bray. It was celebrated at Graham's Chapel so I headed off in plenty of time to get there. The funeral was only a small gathering of family and friends for a man who had been very quiet in his activities and lifestyle.
Then I collected some plastic covers for Baptismal certificates and headed down to Sandy Bay intending to wander through some of the shops but there had been a mix-up with the keys so after a couple of phone calls the Church was opened and we were ready for the Baptism - a few minutes before the family arrived.
Locking up the Church was interesting because the only non deadlocked door was almost barricaded by scaffolding so it was a very tight squeeze to get my (not so little) body out. From there I joined the family of baby Andrew Bleasel at his grandparents home for some drinks and then a meal. It was a very pleasant afternoon and early evening and now I am ready for bed.
Friday, 29th
Mass at 9am and some work around the house - starting the newsletter and checking out the details for the Calendar before heading into town to join some friends at the Taste of Tasmania. I enjoyed the visit and the atmosphere but it is hard to maintain a feeling of excitement when it is basically the same as previous years - the best part is meeting up with so many friends and people I hardly ever see. The other thing is that other people see you and you never really know - until some time later.
I got home and did some more work on the newsletter - it is now almost finished - before heading out to join the James family for a BBQ. Tom and Sue and the little ones are back down from the Goulburn, NSW, area and so had invited some friends to join them at their Claremont Home - it was also a chance for them to meet the parents of their daughter Juliet's boyfriend - the Rev John Harrower, Anglican bishop of Hobart, none the less.
It was a very pleasant evening and two night in a row I have enjoyed wonderful company and great food but it is taking it's toll and so I am heading for bed.
Saturday, 30th
Today was another Clergy Lunch day here at New Norfolk and I'll need to have it again next weekend because there were very few people here and many of them are about to change in the moves that +Adrian announced today.
The changes, to take effect from the weekend 10/11 February, 2001, are as follows:
West Coast: D McMahon;
Circular Head: J Medwin
Wynyard: A Shelverton
Deloraine/Westbury: T Yard
Ulverstone, Devonport, Latrobe: P Nicholls (D), M Freeman (U), & P McCormack (L)
George Town: F Gibson
Apostles, Newstead & Invermay: T Southerwood & P McAnany (A), J Girauskas (N) & R Ross (I).
Scottsdale: J McKay
St. Mary's: W Egan
Richmond: T Rush
Midland Rural Unit: M Delaney (NN) & J Hayres (Campbell Town)
Bridgewater/Claremont: M Tate
Sandy Bay/Taroona: J Wall
Cathedral/Lenah Valley/New Town: B Nichols (C) & J Williams (NT)
Bellerive/Lindisfarne: P O'Loughlin (B) & Mons. P Green (L)
Kingston: C Hope
Cygnet: J Reilly
Franklin: G Howard
By the time everyone left, later than usual, I was quite exhausted and spent a little time cleaning up before my marriage appointment couple arrived. After they had left I finished printing the Calendar and stapled the two pages together. After a bite to eat I have watched the Bill and now I am heading for bed.
Sunday, 31st
The last day of the millennium and New Years Eve turned out to be a very tiring day - the trip to Bronte via Ellendale to collect Sr Lorraine and Sr Monica meant that it took a lot longer than usual but it all happened none the less. There was a good crowd at the morning Mass here at New Norfolk and the usual good people gathered at Bronte but there was a much smaller gathering than usual at the 6pm Mass tonight. I think that some people might have started their New Year's Eve celebrations early.
I got a phone call just before 8am this morning to say that the condition of David Davis, the father of Tony, a resident at Corumbene had deteriorated overnight so I called to see him and anointed him this morning. I got a phone call not long after the 6pm Mass to say that he had passed away so I went to the Home to pray the prayers for the Deceased for him with Tony and Jan in attendance. The funeral will be on Thursday but arrangements will be made tomorrow.
I have had a quiet night after all that and now I'm heading for bed and will watch the final countdown to the new millennium from the comfort of my own bed.
Happy New Year to you All!
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