Daily Notes and News
The Month of March 2001
Thursday, 1st
Today was a little different from most Thursday's as we had Mass at 9am rather than midday so that I could get to the Team Meeting at Oatlands by noon. I also had an appointment with a couple regarding the baptism of their two children.
I then spent some time working on the BEACON and the Calendar for March so that I could have as much information as possible on hand so that it could be printed out at the meeting so that I wouldn't have to worry about emailing it to people for this weekend. At the meeting we made the necessary changes and additions and the printer ran out of ink so when I came home I still had to email it out.
The meeting itself was a good meeting with a real friendly atmosphere and everyone seemed genuinely willing to help each other and support each other - I felt good at the end of the time together. There are a couple of issues that I need to deal with fairly quickly and so I will get onto them early next week. I've arranged to see Dave Mundey (and Peter Cusick if he is back in the Church Office) on Monday morning to address some of the financial concerns of the Parish and will follow that with a trip to Campbell Town to meet with George Lane and Irwin Keen (the book keepers at Campbell Town and Oatlands respectively) to try to allay some of their fears about finances and see if we can structure a process for the future.
It was then a quick dash to New Town for the wedding rehearsal - it is a little different with Geoff Jarrett not being there and running the show - John Williams is a different kettle of fish and it will be interesting to see what happens to the Parish and the community into the future.
I've done some work on the newsletter and emailed the BEACON off to the various parts of the Parish and now I'm heading for bed and (hopefully) a good night's sleep.
Friday, 2nd
Today was a different kind of day. I awoke early and set to printing the BEACON early and managed to get the Newsletter, both editions, done and a whole range of other things before breakfast.
I celebrated the two Parish Masses this morning for the First Friday and visited Eileen Taylor at the District Hospital and spent a few minutes with her before coming home to be here for an appointment with the local Salvation Army Officers who are concerned about the local Churches Youth Group and how to ensure that there is the proper legal and insurance cover. We will need to do a little more on it for next week's Leaders Meeting but I think that any outstanding issues can be resolved.
I then headed off to Glenorchy to drop off the key for the Kempton Church to have two copies cut - I'll collect them tomorrow afternoon on the way to the wedding. I arrived home in plenty of time for my meeting with the young couple from Perth whose families live here in Tasmania and who are getting married next weekend - they have done all their preparation interstate but we needed to round off a few things today so that all the legalities are completed.
I had hoped to get to see my nephew to wish him Happy Birthday but between the time that Elisa & Marcus left there were three other people called and a phone call regarding a funeral for next Tuesday so that through the rest of the day out of kilter. I'll see him tomorrow morning on the way to lunch.
I had a quick bite to eat before heading over to the Church for the World Day of Prayer Service at 7.30pm which was followed by supper here in the Parish House - it all went very well although our editing of the service made it very short so we needed to build it up again with a little creative work, successfully, thank goodness.
Now it is time for bed.
Saturday, 3rd
Today has been a busy day - I've done some work on the imputing of data for a financial statement for the whole of the Parish and drafted a form to be used by the book-keepers in the various regions to send back to me with details of income and expenditure for the month so that it can be inputed into Quickbooks (most of the places are still using written Cashbooks to record all details).
I called to see my nephew to wish him Happy Birthday for yesterday and had a chat with Karen and Steve and the girls before heading off to Lindisfarne for lunch with the Mons. It is unusual visiting presbyteries with new people living in them. There was a very good crowd there today and a couple of changes have been made to the lunch list so I will need to send that out in the next week so that things are up to date and people don't arrive at the wrong place expecting a meal.
I then headed for Bellerive to spend time with the family of the late Ray Goram and collect information for his funeral which is to be celebrated on Tuesday. From there I headed for New Town for the marriage of Angela and Rodney - a great event and a lovely couple.
After chatting with a few people after the ceremony I headed off to Kempton in preparation for the Vigil Mass. It will take us some time to get to meet people in the town so we will need to spend time visiting around the district so that they are aware that Kempton is now more important in the scheme of things for the Parish.
Now I'm heading for bed and, hopefully, a good night's sleep.
Sunday, 4th
The Country Mass was at Ouse this morning and included a Baptism as part of the celebration and with Sr Lorraine heading for Melbourne and a Congregation Meeting I needed to head off almost immediately after the 9am Mass here. I have said it before but it is amazing how much difference leaving here a few minutes later than usual can make to the length of the trip. There was a good gathering of people at Ouse for the Baptism which was good. .
I had to leave there almost as soon as the Celebration was ended so that I could get back for a Baptism here at New Norfolk early this afternoon. The rest of the day became a little bit complicated when I checked the answer machine to find that there is to be a funeral here on Wednesday. I rang the family immediately and arranged to see them immediately following the Baptism.
It was a big gathering for the Baptism which made life a little difficult as I didn't have sufficient booklets for the Congregation and there were a number of small children who made the usual small children noises and I felt a bit tired at the end of the ceremony.
I headed for Lenah Valley to visit the family of the late Gladys Abel - they lived at Maydena for 40 years and only recently moved to Dodges Ferry but want the funeral to be here at New Norfolk.
When I got home I finished working on the booklet for the late Ray Goram (Tuesday's funeral) but still need to have the scripture readings included before I can email it to Graham's to be printed. I've also finished the second booklet, again except for the scripture readings which will hopefully come through tomorrow.
There was a good gathering at the evening Mass tonight including some people from the Bothwell Spin-in. I've spent the past hour working on some details for the meeting at Campbell Town tomorrow with the bookkeepers from the other parts of the Parish and will email the document to Dave Mundey in the morning so that we can work on it before I head for the country.
Now it is time for bed.
Monday, 5th
I managed to get a few things done this morning in preparation for the meeting with Peter Cusick and Dave Mundey at the Church Office. The meeting was to clarify some of the questions that might be asked by George Lane and Irvin Kean at Campbell Town (and were) this afternoon. Hopefully we will be able to keep a control on the finances and the maintenance of Parish Plant through careful management. We have some further issues that will need to be addressed and will require a meeting with Carmel Jones and Gabrielle Morgan, the Congregational Leaders of two of the religious orders working in the Parish.
After the meeting at Campbell Town I headed home to have a meal with a couple at Mt. Lloyd and to see if Jeannette would be able to do some of the data entry and recording during my time away later in the year. It looks hopeful so I will do some work with her in the next few months. She is expecting her first child in May so by September the little one will be big enough to sleep in the office while she works.
Having fixed that as well as fixing the accounting system to properly record our expenses since the introduction of the GST I am now ready for bed.
Tuesday, 6th
After the morning Mass I headed off to the Council of Priests Meeting at St Canice. On the way I collected a lady from New Norfolk and took her to Glenorchy. The Council Meeting was a good meeting although I was only able to stay for the morning session - there is a Pastoral Conference coming up in a fortnights time so that will provide further information regarding the various things that are happening around the local area.
From there I headed off to the funeral of the late Ray Goram at Bellerive. The Church was big enough for the mourners which makes life a little easier and his daughters spoke well about their dad as they gave the eulogy.
I then headed home to do some work on the newsletter for this weekend as well as running off the booklet for the funeral of the late Gladys Abel which will be celebrated here tomorrow.
I've just finished a marriage preparation session with Allison and Hayden and now I'm heading for my bed and hopefully a good night's sleep.
Wedneday, 7th
Today has been an interesting day. I woke a little later than usual which was good because I had intended to have the day off. However, I still needed to have my running shoes on because there was the funeral of the late Gladys Abel at 11am so I couldn't sit around and do nothing. The funeral went well although there were fewer people there than I would have imagined.
This afternoon I helped a friend who had new carpet laid in a couple of rooms in the house get everything back into shape so I'm now a bit tired after moving a piano and another couple of large items around the house.
I had hoped to be able to get to a refresher session of the Foccus Program tonight but just as I was about to head out I got a phone call which kept me busy for some time and I wasn't able to get there so will need to ring in the morning to apologise.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Thursday, 8th
Mass today was at noon which meant that there was not the same urgency to start the day but there was still more than enough to do as there was a meeting of the New Norfolk Christian Leader Association at 9.30am and there are still some issues to address re the Combined Churches Youth Group. We are also well under way with our planning for the Combined Churches Family EasterFest to be held on Holy Saturday. With the two meetings it meant that the whole of the morning was gone before I had a chance to think about it.
This afternoon I don't know what I did but there seemed to be little time for anything else. I started on the newsletter but didn't get it finished; I did do some work on finances including the BAS as well as a memo to the members of the Parish Team about the results of the meetings last Monday.
I have just arrived home from the Meeting at the District Hospital for the Partnerships in Palliative Care process - tonight's was the final of six (6) meetings around the State and I felt that there were quite a number of useful contacts made tonight.
I'm tired now and ready for bed but there are a couple of phone calls I need to make before I actually get to bed.
Friday, 9th
This morning was normal Friday morning busy with Mass and visiting the hospital and St Brigid's to say hello to the staff and a couple of the classes of children.
I was walking back from getting some milk when I checked a (missed call) phone number on my mobile and learnt that Bishop Joe Grech, a contemporary from the seminary, has been appointed as Bishop of Sandhurst (a Victorian Diocese). It seems a strange move because it was widely believed that a major reason for his appointment in the first place was to recognise the importance of the contribution of the migrant community in Melbourne and now he has been moved to a rural diocese - as (Fr) John Wallis, the senior priest in Tasmania, would say 'Mystery! Mystery! Mystery!'
I managed to get the newsletter printed early but have still to do the internet edition (will be done as soon as I complete this page) and I need to get everything posted to the Web. I worked out that there are quite a few pages and notes that I include each weekend so anything completed before the weekend starts is a bonus.
I've managed to contact Sr Carmel Jones and Sr Gabrielle Morgan to make a time for next Wednesday to spend time talking about the ongoing costs incurred by the Sisters at Swansea and Oatlands and to ensure that there is an equitable meeting of costs between the Parish and the two Congregations. This will bring the various areas of the Parish into line with their cost structure which will be helpful.
I had a Baptism appointment at 3pm this afternoon which went well - it is one area where we do lot's of work but not enough follow-up so that is something we need to work on.
This evening we had the Stations of the Cross at 7.30pm with just a small group to walk the Journey with me. It is different not having Gordon Batchelor there as he was an integral part of the Lenten Devotions.
Almost everything else is ready for the weekend but I'm sure that there will be some things I will need to do in the morning to complete things so that, after the wedding at Kettering, I can continue on to Bothwell for Mass tomorrow evening.
Now it is time for bed and an early night.
Saturday, 10th
The day started with me having rather a terrible headache so the morning went slowly. I was working away at some of the financial material for a meeting with Sr Carmel Jones and Sr Gabrielle Morgan for Wednesday when the phone rang and it was +Adrian driving though the Parish on the way to Queenstown (on the west coast) and just wanting to say hi and see how I was going. It makes for a very great working relationship when the Archbishop simply rings to see how I am and it is appreciated.
By the time I got everything for the rest of the weekend finished it was almost time to head for Keetering via Cygnet for the wedding of Elisa O'Keefe and Marcus Redeker. It took much longer than I had anticipated so as I left at 10.30am I thought that I would do it easily but it was well after midday when I arived at Cygnet and by the time I had a cuppa with (Fr) John Reilly it was getting close to the time when I needed to head off to be at the Church for the wedding celebration.
It was a great celebration although the weather let us down for the conclusion of the ceremony which was going to take place on the lawn of the reception centre but everything else went OK. Marcus is the grandson of the late Bessie Beven (funeral celebrated on 25th January) and the cousin of Carolyn Beven (wedding celebrated on 27th January) so I knew the majority of his family which meant that the reception following the service was another pleasant event although I was on the road before 4pm to get to Bothwell in plenty of tiem for the Vigil Mass.
The Vigil Mass went well although there were on a few people there - quality is better than quantity they told me. I had a cuppa with Helen Baked before I headed home and now I am ready for bed and, hopefully, a good nights sleep.
Sunday, 11th
The morning Mass at New Norfolk was very lightly attended this morning, no doubt caused by the fact that this is a long weekend. There were a few visitors including some people who were married by Peter Slater 25 years ago and who are in Tassie on a 'honeymoon' trip.
I then headed off to Maydena where there were only three people because of this particular weekend. Jack and Gwen were away, Sr Lorraine was on her way back from the Congregation Meeting in Melbourne and Barbara is in the US after the death of her father. It also happened that none of the other sometimes people were not around either so it was a small gathering.
When I got home I prepared for the baptism of the two Rowbottom children - they are lovely little people and the family is a nice family so that was good.
I've spent some time working on background stuff for the Parish but there is still heaps of things to be done before the meeting with Carmel and Gabrielle on Wednesday but it is on the way.
I've just finished the evening Mass so I'm heading for bed and making the most of the fact that tomorrow is a public holiday and I am going to have a day off.
Monday, 12th
Today was a public holiday and I had the day off. I started slowly before collecting some friends from Glenorchy and heading off to the Taste of the Huon held at Geeveston for a pleasant time wandering around the various stalls highlighting the foods, wines and crafts of the Huon Valley. Unfortunately the weather didn't treat the day that well with quite cold winds whipping through the place and a fairly heavy rain storm hitting just as we were preparing to leave.
The rest of the day has been quite and although I spent a little bit of time listening to the cricket from India I have done very little else and now I'm heading for bed.
Tuesday, 13th
Today was an early start as I left home at 6.30am to take my car to get it's 7500 km service in town. I collected a car from a friend who starts work early and came home but it is amazing how much time is lost (or taken up, depending how you look at it) when you have to go to town.
Mass this morning was down at school and was a Commissioning Mass for the School Leaders at St Brigid's. These children are the ones who were in Preparatory when I arrived in New Norfolk in 1995 so it is interesting to see how they have grown in the intervening years.
After Mass I went to visit a fellow who is to have surgery on Thursday to remove a tumour on the pituitary gland - I will visit him again tomorrow and give him the blessing of the sick and Holy Communion.
I've finally managed to get all my marriage papers filed and there are only a few more that need to be written up in the Register here at home and then everything is up to date.
Allison and Hayden have been for their marriage preparation process and we have just completed a very long Pastoral Council Meeting so I am very tired and heading for bed. It was a good meeting but like every meeting it is taking it's toll on me, especially after the early start this morning.
Wednesday, 14th
Mass this morning was a 9am and I finally met Sr Joan, one of the MSS Sisters who has been working in Queensland for most of her life. She and Lorraine have been home at Ellendale for the past few days after the conclusion of the Congregation meeting in Melbourne.
I then headed off to see Alan Duggan to give him the blessing of the Sick and Holy Communion before he has surgery tomorrow. We chatted for a while and there is a really hopeful air about his preparation for his trip to hospital.
I then came home to work on the papers for the meeting with Carmel Jones and Gabrielle Morgan (Congregation Leader for the Josephite and Presentation Orders in Tasmania respectively). Our meeting this afternoon was very helpful and productive so I hope to have material from them in the next few days to provide information so that we can form a budget for the next 12 months.
Mum and Dad were both home so that was good - I actually arrived before Dad went off to open his little shop at Derwent Waters - providing residents with little things that they need for their personal use and which is a pain to have to go to the supermarket to get, especially when it becomes a major event to head out for anything.
John and Esther have just left - they are the next marriage on the books and we are working towards completing their preparation program by early next month so that gives them a couple of months to do all the other things that seem to be part of preparing for a wedding these days.
Now for bed.
Thursday, 15th
By the end of today I am so tired - I haven't managed to do a great deal but after the very early wake up this morning (3 am) I have been slow all day.
I collected new batteries for my diary on the way to the 8.30am meeting. That meeting went well and as soon as I could I made a phone call trying to arrange a meeting for tomorrow or Monday but I haven't heard anything back yet.
The meetings virtually ran into each other this morning as I came back from St Matthew's with the Prayer Breakfast things for the start of the EasterFest Meeting which went until almost midday when I broke off to celebrate Mass.
Just as we started Sr Janet came and said that the operation for Alan Duggan hadn't been as successful as they had hoped and it looked as if he would need to return for another go as soon as they got the results of the biopsies. After the high spirits he was in yesterday we had hoped that he might be lucky but it looks as if he will need another and possibly more major attempt sometime in the future. I will ring in the morning to see how he got on.
The rest of today has seen me finish (almost) the newsletter for the weekend and make some Irish Soda Bread in preparation for the Prayer Breakfast that is to be held here on Saturday morning - St Patrick's Day. I added a little bit of green food colouring to the egg mixture and it looks interesting but tastes OK.
Now it is time for bed - I'm really tired.
Friday, 16th
I woke really late this morning - 6.55am. I can't remember the last time I would have slept that late - I hope it doesn't happen tomorrow for the Prayer Breakfast. I toasted some of the Irish Soda Bread for breakfast this morning and it tastes OK still so that is hopeful.
I just rung the hospital and talked to Alan Duggan. He seems in high spirits and told me that they will do another scan in two weeks and work out another procedure to attack the tumour that is growing around his pituitary gland. The attempt yesterday through the nasal cavity wasn't successful but all is not lost.
Mass was at 9am and then I headed to the District Hospital and took Communion to Eileen Taylor I was lucky with the Tattslotto Tickets for the next 10 weeks for the Saturday lunch group. I had made an executive decision that the new ticket will only be a system 8 which will cost 1/3 of the system 9 ticket we have been purchasing for the past 6 years or so - unless the ticket won well last time and we had enough for the purchase of this ticket. Well it had and we covered the new ticket easily. My ten week ticket had also won and it only cost me three dollars for the next ticket but my weekly ticket was the same as usual and I needed to buy it outright.
I did some more work on the Finance proposal and I'll check when I post this whether I've got a response from Peter Cusick or the Archbishop regarding the Proposal I would like to put before the Team during the Pastoral Conference on Tuesday.
After the Stations, which were lightly attended but an average number, I headed off to town to have a meal with the St Brigid's Staff and partners. It has been a good night but I really should have had an early night because I am really tired and need to go to bed as soon as possible.
Saturday, 17th
The prayer breakfast went well with all the green things around the place - I had green apple juice, green milk, green porridge, Sandy came and made green pikelets and there was green Irish Soda Bread.
After doing some work around the house I headed off to Crabtree to a 60th birthday party for my friend Eva. If I'd had a four wheel drive, and felt comfortable, I could have gone over the Jeffrey's 4WD Track and been able to get there in 25 minutes - the long way took me about 75-80 minutes. I've known Eva and her family since I arrived in Taroona in March 1985 and they have been close friends since then.
After the luncheon I headed off to Kempton for the Vigil Mass. There were a couple of people missing this week so will need to do some advertising in the local area to let people know about the Mass times etc.
I've just arrived home from the St Patrick's Day function at the Glenorchy RSL. There were about 130 people in attendance which was good - but if they have it again they should look at brightening up the singing as some of the songs were played too slowly and needed to have more life.
I'm tired now so I'm heading for bed before it is tomorrow already.
Sunday, 18th
Boy, was I tired this morning. I woke at 7.15am (the latest I can ever remember waking for years) and have been behind time ever since.
Mass at New Norfolk this more was well attended but there were fewer than usual at Hamilton because of a welcome to the new Doctor at Ouse. This meant that some of the women who are involved in the CWA and Bowls Club were needed to help with the catering and were not able to get to Mass from there.
I came back to New Norfolk via Bothwell and Kempton (the long way) because Lorraine had left something after Mass at Kempton last night. She needed to go to Ouse for the function for the new doctor so I said that I would collect it for her and give it to her on Tuesday at the Pastoral Conference.
Then it was time for a Baptism after which I had intended to go to Claremont to pick my mother up and take her to visit Dad in Calvary - he is a diabetic and his blood sugar level is up so he has been hospitalised to get it back to a stable level. Unfortunately mum is stiff and sore and the prospect of travelling in the car for any distance whatever did not appeal so I'll call again tomorrow to see how she gets on and check what dad is up to.
That gave me some time to start work on the newsletter for this coming weekend because I only have time today and tomorrow and Tuesday evening to get everything done before the weekend as I head for Sydney first thing Wednesday for Christian World Services Commission Meeting.
I've just finished the evening Mass and had a bite to eat and now I'm heading for bed - I think that I really need an early night.
Monday, 19th
I've managed to complete the newsletter and prepare some material for the Hamilton Show - we are going to have an information booth at the Show on 31st March to let the people know what is happening. There is obviously a lot more that needs to be done to get it all up and running but I'll see what happens over the next few days.
I caught up with one of the key players in the difficulty that is happening on the ecumenical front here at New Norfolk; I still need to be in touch with one of his staff to follow through the rest of the story.
This afternoon I headed to town to see Dad as I won't have a chance tomorrow and it will be much later in the weekend before I catch him again. On the way down I managed to get two star fractures in the windscreen so I immediately took it straight to Novus Windshield repairs to have it fixed. Then I went and caught up with Dad as well as seeing Alan Duggan who will probably be home by Thursday so it was good to see him.
This evening I've caught up with the rest of the things that I needed to do before heading to the Pastoral Conference tomorrow so that I have everything ready.
Now it is time for bed.
Tuesday, 20th
The Pastoral Conference Today was a hectic day - it is never easy to get from New Norfolk after a 9am Mass to Sandy Bay for the start of the Conference at 10.00am. As well as the usual material and reports there were presentations from the Group charged with developing our Diocesan Emergency Response Plan - Prepare to Care - as well as a report from the national co-ordinator of the Towards Healing Process - the Church's response to all forms of abuse.
It has been a long day and I still need to do some work on the papers for the Christian Works Services Commission Meeting which starts in Melbourne in the morning so I'm heading upstairs for an early night!!
Wednesday, 21st
The trip to the airport this morning came at the end of a sleepless night so, coupled with an early rise, meant that I was not able to get the web page for today before I left so that meant that there has been no new pages for the past few days.
The trip up went well although I had trouble staying awake. When I arrived in Sydney it was a simple matter of catching a cab and coming to Kensington - the former St. Paul's National Seminary - a place I've heard lots about but never visited before.
The Committee meeting today went well although there are undercurrents that will need to be dealt with. In fact, when the meeting had finished, Jim Minchin and I (at Jim's instigation) spent time chatting with the Unit Staff to get some feed back as to where they are with what is happening. An interesting discussion that will need to be followed through at the full Commission meeting tomorrow.
Now, after a salad for tea and a quite ale watching the news I'm heading for my bed and an early night.
Thursday, 22nd
Today has been a really long day with lots of things happening and many difficult areas being discussed. The morning started with the Director's report which was interesting since she has only been in the position for three months.
We then had an opportunity to have a woman who is on a TPV (Temporary Protection Visa - Class 785) tell us something of her story. To say that it was a horror story is an understatement - and now that she has got this temporary status her problems and the problems of her children have not decreased, they have simply changed. Even though she is recognised as a refugee she cannot access English Classes, she is not entitled to family reunion (if any of her family were still living - her husband and eldest son died in a house fire), settlements services which includes housing support or Job Network assistance. There were several resolutions passed but there will need to be further conversations between the Refugee & Displaced Persons Unit, CWS and the Government which will continue over the next few months.
This afternoon we looked at reports from other groups including the International Programs Unit, the Strathfield Home, Finance and administration and my unit, the Education and Public Relations Unit. These reports and other matters which arose from these discussions continued into the evening and we have just finished a marathon session which started at 9 am this morning - it is now 9.40pm.
Obviously it is time for bed because there is to be further discussion in the morning before we share some time of reflection with the State Staff who will be here for their annual planning meeting which starts tomorrow. Our discussion will centre on aspects of the work of the Christian World Services Commission that need to be taken to the National Council of Churches Forum that is to be held early in July.
Friday, 23rd
Our session this morning dealt with some of the things remaining after the late night last night and finished with some recommendations that will be taken to the Standing Committee of the Commission before going as a report with recommendations to the National Forum in July. These things will then from the basis for the new Commission which will begin it's work at the end of August for the next three years.
We were then joined by or we joined the State-Staff-Commission Meeting Process which enabled a whole range of new ideas and themes to be explored and developed. It was a good day and I was able to meet up with some of the staff people who have changed since the last Staff-Commission meeting.
I've just returned home after meeting up with my brother Steve and his wife Maree and family. Emma and Liz were home but Claire was at work so I missed her. Steve brought me back to the Chevalier Centre at Kensington were we have been meeting so that I could hit the sack and get an early night because I am really tired.
Saturday, 24th
What a day. I woke during the night and couldn't really get back to sleep so dosed until time for breakfast. I chatted with some of the staff (all the other Commission Members had left) and then headed upstairs to pack my bags and then headed for the airport.
That part went well - although I had hoped for an earlier flight home but made a fundamental mistake - I asked if there were an earlier flight back to Hobart - what I should have done was ask for an earlier flight to Melbourne as well because that's where the trouble started.
We took off - almost on time - but not too long into the flight the Captain said that we were returning to Sydney to check a faulty light on the reverse thruster on the starboard engine. After sitting on the tarmac for almost two hours it was decided to transfer us to another plane which meant that I missed the connection home and was transferred to a later flight.
Frantic calls to Mobiles to contact +Adrian who had already said that he would be available to celebrate Mass at Bothwell on the way back from the CRITAS (the Religious Orders group in Tasmania) so I needed him to collect some hosts and wine for Mass - on the third attempt I spoke to him (and not his message bank) and that was OK.
I tried several times to speak to Lorraine but only got her message bank. I've tried to catch her tonight but only got her answer machine so will find out what has been happening to her with her vehicle and see what else happens.
Now it is time for bed and hopefully, after putting all the clock back an hour as we end Daylight Saving, I will be able to make use of the extra time and get a good night's sleep.
Sunday, 25th
Daylight Saving is over for another year and so far I haven't made up any of the sleep I've been missing.
There was a better number than usual at Mass this morning - over 90 - but it was balanced out this evening by the fact there were only 17 (I'm not certain what happened to a number of people who were not there. The Country Mass was at Ellendale and was well attended with a couple of people from other areas of the Parish who came and stayed for the Country regions Meeting which followed a luncheon after Mass.
A number of things were dealt with but the main aim was to provide as much information as possible about the Financial restructuring so that I can get everything up and running for the Parish Finances by next weekend - the start of the new Diocesan Financial Year. I will still need to get to Oatlands to see George and Irvin early this week so there will be some phone calls early tomorrow.
Monday, 26th
Today I have been working on the papers for the meeting with the Finance Committees of the various regions so that everything is in hand for the meeting (now organised for tomorrow afternoon at Oatlands). I've finished off the things that needed to be done after the weekend so that is good and I've managed to get some of the things for the latter part of the week so that will help.
The first part of the BEACON is done so hopefully we will be able to print it off at the Team Meeting on Friday. I've also started the April Calendar as well as the Holy Week Timetable to be included in the BEACON.
Lot's of things still need to be done but it is all happening so we are getting there. Now for bed - I've just watched the 800m race between Grant Hackett and Ian Thorpe and seen the Thorpedo break the world record by over 4 seconds - an absolutely amazing swim - and I'm exhausted and need a rest.
Tuesday, 27th
I'd just started working on writing up today's Notes and News when the phone rang and it was a friend asking if I'd read the Catholic Telecommunications email - Archbishop George Pell has been appointed the Archbishop of Sydney - another case of if you need a Bishop dial 03 - the phone district area for Victoria and Tasmania. The last few NSW regional Bishops for NSW Diocese have all been from Victoria or Tasmania.
After Mass this morning I had an appointment with Mick Newell, the Catholic Church Insurances Rep for Tasmania and Doug Evans, the Regional Manager. We checked off the complete list of Insurance Accounts for the whole of the Parish so that we have a total for the costs for this year.
Then, after lunch, I headed off to Oatlands for a final meeting (prior to the start of the new Financial Year) with the members of the Finance Committees of Oatlands and Campbell Town. It was a good meeting and we have managed to cover most of the issues that needed to be addressed although I'm certain there will be further things in the future to be looked at.
During the meeting there was a call asking if I might be able to help a friend by celebrating the funeral of her father-in-law. The funeral is to be next Monday so I will catch up with them all sometime over the next day or so. I've also tried, but missed on several occasions, to contact Fr Gerald Quinn who is to celebrate the funeral of the late Edith Pearcey here at New Norfolk tomorrow - I'll try again in the morning.
This evening I had a meal with some friends at the Boardwalk at Wrest Point. It was an enjoyable night (thankfully) not too late so now I'm heading for bed and an early night.
Wednesday, 28th
After Mass this morning I followed up some of the people for the Football Competition that needs to be finalised before Friday for the first game on Friday night. I also got in touch with Dominic College and arranged to borrow their large tent for the EasterFest. I also worked on the BEACON for this weekend and checked some of the details of our finances but there is still more to complete.
This afternoon Fr Gerald Quinn came and celebrated the funeral of the late Edith Pearcey - I assisted but he was the main celebrant as he had been closely involved with her over these past few months and had been the person who had received her into the Church. It took the better part of the afternoon but went well with a good attendance of people.
I then went to town to collect some things I needed for the meeting on Friday - namely some Polaroid film for my camera. I then headed down to school at 6pm for the meeting of parents of children preparing for First Reconciliation - the parent response was really encouraging so that was good.
Now for bed and an early night.
Friday, 29th
I surprised myself by managing to get a reasonable night's sleep - I was in bed really early and went to sleep almost immediately. I woke early but I had had 8 hours sleep so I really can't expect too much more.
I decided to print off copies of each of the editions of the BEACON to have with us for the Hamilton Show on Saturday so that was the first thing done this morning - it took a little longer to staple them all together.
It was virtually a day of meetings. At 9.30am there was the EasterFest Meeting which flowed through until 11am and was followed by writing the letters to the media giving them the info to be included on their Community Services Notice boards.
I celebrated Mass at midday and then had a meal with Sr Lorraine, followed by session during which we looked at the information we needed to have for the stall at the show on Saturday. We decided that we needed a bigger map of Tasmania to I purchased one this afternoon when I headed for town. Whilst in town, I also collected some ink for the small Canon for the laptop as well as some ink for the HP - I thought that I needed a colour cartridge but I might get into trouble when the black cartridge runs out.
From town I headed of the Geilston Bay to visit the family of the late Sandor Balogh to begin preparations for his funeral which will be celebrated on Monday afternoon at the new Millington Funeral Chapel and Crematorium at Mornington - my first visit to the new centre. Everything went well but I needed to get back to town to get a bromide done at Photolith so I waited around town until that was finished because it was too late to head home because I needed to be in town for the Jane Franklin AGM .
I did manage to get the CDF to arrange the new Bank Account so I have signature forms that will need to be completed at the Team Meeting tomorrow so that the accounts can be activated.
The Jane meeting was a long meeting with several serious issues needing to be addressed and some long term decisions taking time. But it is a good committee with a good balance of people providing advice in various areas of the Colleges life.
Now it is late and I am so awake that I have spent a bit of time working on the information brochure for the Hamilton Show - it means that I can take it with me to the Team Meeting tomorrow and have it available for Saturday.
Finally bed and hopefully sleep although my mind is still racing round at the moment - I'll see what happens.
Friday, 30th
Today was a very long day.
I woke late which didn't help but then there was so much to do before the Team Meeting at Oatlands at midday. I thought we had organised for a Mass to start the meeting but it was to have been for Tuesday when the meeting was first scheduled - today I was supposed to take lunch and as soon as I walked into the House I knew that it was my problem so it was a quick trip to the supermarket to get some Family Meat Pies and some Lasagna to make a meal of it!!
Before I left, however, I visited the District Hospital to see Eileen Taylor to take her Holy communion and had a quick chat to the staff as well. The changes in the facility over the past few months has been enormous nut they are pleased that the major work has been completed.
Then it was checking through all the things that I needed to take with me for the meeting, including the disk with the BEACON, Calendar and Holy Week timetable as well as the papers for arranging the Bank Accounts, the camera for the photo's and the material to provide the information for the Stall for the Hamilton Show tomorrow.
The meeting went well and reflected a good working spirit. The details of things that we need to have done for the Parish are gradually being worked through but there are still some areas that we need to look at and bridges that need to be crossed but things should work out.
The trip back to town was filled with lot's of discussion and sharing of possibilities about future steps and reminders of having to sometimes move a little more slowly that we might hope. As soon as I got here I started work on printing the BEACON and putting it all together - which happened in stages.
I worked until it was time for the Stations at 7pm (only a small number tonight) and then I headed off to help a friend move some furniture in preparation for some work that is needed to be done in their home this weekend. It was easily done by three people - it would have been difficult for just two because of the size of some of the things that needed moving.
I've come home and worked on the rest of the things for tomorrow and the weekend but still need to print the inside of the newsletter in the morning - I could have done it tonight but it is after midnight and I'm ready for bed.
Saturday, 31st
I woke at 6am which wasn't bad and finished printing the newsletter and the Brochure which we used today at the Hamilton Show - it will also be used on other occasions as needed. Our display also included a large map of Tasmania, something of the story of each of the Team Members, copies of each of the previous editions of the BEACON together with photo's of some people of the parish involved in various activities. The newsletter was also printed but I will need to work on the internet edition of the newsletter tomorrow morning.
Then I headed off to the Hamilton Show with all the things that I needed for the evening Mass at Kempton tonight because I thought that I wouldn't get back after clearing up at the end of the Show. The information booth worked well and Sr Lorraine and I were meeting a number of people and speaking about what we were doing and how things are going.
Sr Maria arrived which gave me a chance to wander around and have a look at the rest of the Show. As I wandered my mobile let me know that there were a couple of messages so I checked them and found that in my enthusiasm to do all this work for the Show I had forgotten that I was scheduled to celebrate a Baptism at New Norfolk. Unfortunately the person calling hadn't left a number so I was not able to return the call and, after a quick chat with Maria, I headed home to see what could be salvaged.
Unfortunately not a lot. Some members of the family had already headed off back to their homes closer to Hobart so we have rescheduled the Baptism for the 22nd April - now firmly in the diary.
With some time on my hands I headed for town to help my friends return the furniture in their home back to it's original condition - a job that I thought would need to be done after Mass tonight so in one sense I was lucky. I then had a few minutes before I needed to head off to Kempton for Mass so sat down and relaxed.
When I got to Kempton Maria was waiting (on her way back to Oatlands) and told me that the rest of the day at the Show had been successful with quite a number of people stopping and talking and lot's of brochures being handed out.
There were only three at Mass tonight so we will need to look at what is the best time for these country Masses and need to perhaps make some changes but we still have two months before the review.
Now for bed and hopefully a good night's sleep.
To know more about what is happening today you can go to the Daily Notes and News Page by clickinghere or the Left Arrow Below.
By clicking here, or here (all the pages are gradually being transferred to this new web site) or the Right Arrow below you can go to the Archived Daily Notes and News since September 1998.
Other wise the Centre Arrow will take you to the Parish Home Page.
This page is maintained by 