Daily Notes and News
The Month of June 2001
Friday, 1st
Today started slowly - I woke after 7am - exhausted after the past few days.
The 9am Mass was followed by First Friday Mass at Corumbene and then a visit to the District Hospital to take Communion to Eileen. I then collected my Tattslotto tickets and leant that a Hobart person had won 9 Million Dollars on the Powerball Game last night. Later in the day I also learnt that he was one of the workers who had been sacked by Incat, the International Catamaran Building company earlier today - I hope this makes his life a little easier.
I came home and worked on the newsletter for this weekend and printed some more copies of the BEACON to take with me for Kempton tomorrow after the Campbell Town Show.
This afternoon I have done some visiting around the town and caught up with a couple of people I haven't seen for awhile before coming home to see if I could make the Plaster of Paris mould for the 150 gm puddings. It is made but will need some work on it before it will be of much use. The holes are the right size but the rest of the mould needs cleaning up - I will have to see if there is anyone who might be able to help me out on it.
Tonight has been quiet. (Sr) Lorraine called in on her way home from Campbell Town to tell me what things were like there so that I was ready for tomorrow so I have collected some extra things to take with me - planning for next year will need to be better coordinated with the Archdiocese, the Catholic Education Office and the Parish if we want to make some real impact with the message of being involved in the Rural scene.
Now, however, it is time for bed.
Saturday, 2nd
I woke early this morning as there were still some things to do for the weekend - like print off more copies of the BEACON as it looked as if there might not be enough for Day 2 of the Campbell Town Show and Bronte Centenary of Federation event as well as for the Parish.
I had breakfast and then hit the road to get to the Show at a reasonable time - it was an interesting day but highlighted the fact that I am not known in the North and therefore had very little ability to make contact with people who walked past. This was highlighted when Jim Ledger came and spent time with me during the afternoon - the number of people who stopped and talked trebled. Overall there were a number of things that became obvious about what we are doing and how we do it so I will speak to all members of the Team and get some ideas for the future. I still think it is a good idea.
When the Show ended I headed back down the road to Kempton for Mass and it was a tiny crowd - only Liz and Anna. (Sr) Lorraine is at Bronte, Bev Munnings is in Hospital, Gwen doesn't always come down from Bothwell and Evelyn and the family are away - it makes a difference. Last time there were also 5 people from down here so that brought me back to reality.
I'm heading for bed and, hopefully, a good nights sleep after a long and tiring day which has had very few successes - simply a lot of being present and available - I hope in the right places.
Sunday, 3rd
It is amazing - when the School holidays arrive the number of people at Mass drops off incredibly, yet the majority of people at Mass do not have children at School - I'm not certain that I can fathom the problem. The evening Mass tonight was about the normal (or should I say 'usual') number but this morning was almost half the normal number.
I left almost immediately after Mass (without even a coffee) to head for Bronte Park for the Centenary of Federation Celebration commemorating the Contribution of the people from many nations who built the Hydro Electric Schemes in the Highlands of Tasmania. It was a great second day and the response of people to the two days was remarkable. Hopefully, there will be some record of the stories told in some journals or newsletters over the next few weeks.
After having some lunch and chatting with some of the gathered throng I headed back home for the evening Mass. As I said above, the numbers were the usual numbers so I wasn't too bad but it is still disappointing that so many people simply seem to disappear when the school holidays arrive - even when they are still on the town for everything else.
I've just arrived home from visiting Dad in the Hobart Private Hospital - he isn't a happy little vegemite as the level of service he has been used too at Calvary Care and the Royal Hobart Hospital leave what he is getting at present for dead. He shouldn't be there too long so he will be glad to get home. I've spoken to Mum a couple of times but will need to see her tomorrow sometime to see how she is getting on.
Now it is time for bed.
Monday, 4th June
Today has been an interesting day. Just before Mass this morning a friend rang and asked if I might see if there any flights to Melbourne this weekend on 'cheap' fares. I found one leaving Thursday night at 8.30pm and returning at 2.45pm on Tuesday for $143 - normal return is $374 - I am away for one day at the end of the month and it cost me $354 and that's with 42 days notice but because I am not away for a Saturday night I have to pay extra.
The ticket had to be purchased immediately and there are no refunds so then began a process of ensuring that there is/was accommodation in Melbourne - thankfully that has now been organised so everything is OK.
After Mass I finished off the weekend things and organised some of the newsletter for next weekend - a little early but there are a number of things happening this week which are going to take up more than a little time. We have the Business Morning Tea on Wednesday, a CWS/TCC Meeting on Wednesday night to arrange funding for the CWS Partnership for 2002 into the future, as well as some work that needs to be completed for the Sick and Aged Priests Fund - all this as well as the normal Parish activities which just keep on rolling on.
Went to Glad Dodds for morning tea and managed to catch up with David and Dini Jensen. David was the UCA Pastor responsible for New Norfolk for the past 8 years but his term of appointment concluded in the middle of last year (he continued in the area until just prior to Christmas). They have been working on King Island over Easter and are now acting as locum's at Lawrence Vale, a part of the South Launceston Cluster, in the north of the State. I managed to present him with the framed photo of the Derwent Valley which we got for him but which was not available until just after they had left for Bridport.
I then visited Millbrook Rise to see a young fellow who is a resident there - he has improved since his arrival but still needs some care into the future. I returned home for lunch and then have been working away this afternoon (as I said above) on the newsletter and things for this weekend.
Some people called in just before tea on their way home from visiting family further up the valley and we chatted for some time. I've just finished a late tea (they didn't want to stay for tea - the time they spent they should have!!) and now I'm heading for bed and an early night.
Tuesday, 5th
Today has been an interesting day. A number of people stayed after Mass so it was a convivial time chatting and discussing the Bronte Weekend and some subsequent events and occurrences. I was given some papers by Sr Lorraine and have managed to misplace them - I can only hope that I haven't moved them when I've got things ready for the Business Morning Teas tomorrow as I sometimes do not find things that have been moved for quite some time.
I went up town and collected the ingredients for the various things that Ruby and I need for the scones, ANZAC biscuits and sandwiches for tomorrow and visited a few of the establishments that had not replied to the Morning Tea faxes - I managed to get another dozen orders so that is not too bad.
I worked on the newsletter and have almost finished this weekend's edition, although I won't go any further until later in the week as there is almost always something that comes in towards the end of the week that should be included.
Late this afternoon I went to see a family at Magra and managed to become embroiled in a difficult situation that is going to take some time to overcome. It doesn't really look as if there will be a simple solution - I can only hope that common sense will prevail at some stage and that things will improve.
I've spent the past hour preparing things for tomorrow in order to make things a little easier in the morning and now I'm heading for bed.
Wednesday, 6th
Today has been an interesting day.
This morning I woke (after the alarm had gone off) and came downstairs to make the scones for the Business Morning Tea and wasn't really with it. The first batch (date scones) I made and it seemed overly wet so I added a little extra flour to the mixture but it didn't really help. I was only as I was making the second batch that I realised I had added an extra 125 mls of liquid to the first batch and that was why they took longer and looked less like scones than some of my very first efforts. They actually worked out in the end but that didn't help.
The Morning Tea went well with some 75 plates going out and a good team effort - a couple of new faces who now know what it takes to produce the morning teas. I took some platters to town to Graham's and the CDF because we had some left over so that was useful.
Mass at midday was a quiet affair but followed by lunch with a couple of parishioners who came across to eat some soup and finish off some of the sandwiches which were left over. I've almost finished the newsletter - some extra items came in yesterday so that is almost filled which is good.
This afternoon I called to see Mum and Dad - saw Dad for the second half of the visit as he arrived home from hospital while I was there. The doctors have said that there is nothing surgically they can do for him so it is just an exercise in maintaining a good medical regime to help him cope with what ever else happens with his heart and diabetes.
From there I headed for town to attend the partnership meeting with Carolyn Kitto, Director of CWS and some of the staff and executive members of the TCC regarding funding into the future. It was a better meeting than I had envisaged and I feel that the resulting partnership proposal will be something that we can work with.
It is now almost 11pm and I'm a tired little ducky and I'm heading for bed.
Thursday, 7th
Today was a non Christian Leaders Meeting Day so things started a little more slowly than usual, in fact, I managed to get rid of some of the mail and junk that had been accumulating over the past few weeks and clear away some things that needed fixing up. It felt good, if only I could do it more often.
I've managed to organise some of the things for the Christmas Pudding effort, including a Bulk Purchase of the alcohol we will need. I think that the guy who arranged it for me presumes that I will be purchasing the goods in the next few weeks (possibly even days) so I will need to organise with the Church Office to have the funds available early next week.
This afternoon I had a visit from a friend giving me some details about people to catch up with in Ireland so I have entered all those details into my laptop and will follow them up later. In preparation for her visit I also got to work on some of our ancestors, even just the more recent people involved within the family. Ruby and I drew up a diagram of the people of her generation and put all of that together so that will also be helpful.
A visit from a sad man late this afternoon turned everything else upside down. He came to tell me his wife has left and is living in town (Hobart) and is uncertain of what he can do. I'm going to town tomorrow afternoon so I'll try and catch up with her and see what happens.
Milton has just been to collect the key for the Church to clean but I'm heading for bed - he will put the key back through the letter box and I'll get it tomorrow.
Friday, 8th
After our first Mass in the Parish House (a much more mild day than yesterday or any other day this week) I visited Eileen at the District and took her Holy Communion before visiting the other patients (well at least a few of them).
I then returned home to complete and print the paper version of the newsletter and a couple of other jobs that needed to doing, including returning some phone calls from yesterday and this morning.
There were a number of people in and out of the house this morning so I worked away at the desk but also had several cups of coffee. One of the things I managed to complete was the financial statements for the Parish for April and May - at least most of them. I still need to complete the work for Swansea and check some details for Campbell Town - there seems to be an inordinate amount attributed to Interest from the Bank - every fortnight!! I'd like to have money invested in that bank.
I'd collected my Tattslotto tickets and some gifts for Gabrielle and Sybil's birthday presents this morning but needed to get some birthday cards so when I headed for town I stopped at Glenorchy to do some banking as well. Bad move! The Glenorchy branch of the Commonwealth Bank had a huge number of people in line but I waited and managed to bank my refund cheque from ITIM for some travel in February that I was late claiming for. I also found out the amount in my Renewal A/c and I'm a little better off than I had thought. I will go and pay for my plane tickets next week.
I then continued on into Hobart to the CDF Office where Brian Andrews was waiting to check two sacred vessels, items which will be part of the Augustine Pugin Exhibition for which he is the curator - the exhibition is to be held next year. Pugin was a prolific architect and designer of the 19th Century and besides his contribution to the Church of Hobart through his relationship with Bishop Robert Willson, the first Bishop of Tasmania, he is also responsible for the House of Commons and House of Lords in London.
Of course I stayed for coffee with the CDF staff and received $27+ to add to our Fundraising collection from a 'plain clothes' day that they had had at the Office today; since I was also in 'civvies' I have added a couple of dollars so it is now $30 to go into our kitty.
I then headed off to the Computer repair centre to drop off my HP Printer before continuing on to see a former NN parishioner now living in West Hobart. The reason she is former is because her marriage has recently broken up - I had seen her husband yesterday afternoon and wanted to simply check out what was happening. I'm not sure that things are as good as she says but I will see later in the week.
I then headed out to Moonah to see Tom Young and to check about getting an upgrade for the modem in my laptop before I head off overseas. His brother Kevin and his family were there so we chatted for a while before I headed off to K-Mart at New Town and found a refill for the Canon printer at 1/3 of the normal price so I got it pretty quick smart.
I then headed for D'Angelo's to join Gabrielle, Sybil, Denise and Aileen for a meal to celebrate the birthdays. We have been gathering to celebrate birthdays, Christmas and simply having a meal together (in various combinations)for the past 20 years since I left Bellerive. It is always a pleasant evening but D'Angelo's was an unfortunate choice (in one sense) because we needed to move out as soon as we had finished our meal because they have a high turnover and we couldn't sit and talk for any length of time.
It was good in another sense because it is still reasonably early and I can head for bed - tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Saturday, 9th
Woke early this morning and got to work finishing off all the things that needed doing before I headed for Campbell Town for the Mass for George and Joan Lane. It was good to get everything out of the way and to be able to simply wander off up the road without feeling under pressure.
The Mass was followed by a soup and sandwiches luncheon and a meeting of their Parish Council which looked at the issues facing their end of the parish and involved the election of new office bearers - mainly to replace George who had held the position of Chair and Treasurer. Jim Ledger, who had been so helpful last Saturday at the Campbell Town Show, was elected Chair, Judy Gregg was elected treasurer and Leo Lane was appointed secretary, which means that he and his wifCamelel will be doing the work.
After the meeting I helped load some programs for (Fr) John and then headed accross the road and set some extra things up for Judy so that she can get the finance details to me with a minimum of fuss before heading down the road to Oatlands to drop some things off for Sr Maria. Unfortunately she wasn't home so I tried the Kean's but ther weren't there either so headed back to the Parish House before continuing on towards Bothwell. I stopped part way to read and then listened to the end of the Geelong v Hawthorn game - Geelong won a thriller, it was the first time that we had beaten Hawthorn in a number of years so it was grand.
Mass at Bothwell was a small number again but, hopefully, that will change if we move the Mass to Sunday afternoon - a move that will be discussed at the New Norfolk Meeting next Tuesday. The trip home was quiet and simple and now I'm heading for bed. The backup of the Windows files and registry happened while I was away, the old fax machine covered the possibility of any incoming faxes which makes life a little easier and bed is looking good.
Sunday, 10th
I woke reasonably early today and managed to get everything ready before Mass without too much effort. There was a reasonable gathering for the 9am Mass although there were still gaps with regulars being away for the long weekend.
Mass at Maydena included a couple from Malaysia who are touring the Island and were on their way to Strathgordon so they would be coming back late in the afternoon so it would have been an interesting trip home. It was good to be there today as I had a chance to talk to Helen Maddox who will be in Ireland a few days after I arrive so I'll be able to catch up with her and Kim when they are there.
The trip back to New Norfolk gave me time to get ready for a Baptism so that worked out alright. The child being baptised was a little older than the usual babies so I was able to talk to her and tell her what was happening next and she really enjoyed what was happening.
I then had a few minutes before the family of the late Joan Haward arrived to make the arrangements for her funeral to be celebrated at Pontville on Tuesday morning. I knew the name or at least the surname and knew that I had been involved with the funeral of another person with that name. I had been involved with Joan's brother-in-law and sister-in-law's funerals several years ago so I haven't lost all my marbles yet!
I had a few minutes to watch last night's episode of the Bill before heading over for the afternoon Mass where I floated the idea that the Mass might be moved back to a Saturday evening and asked people to let me, or Leah Hastie or Margie Broomhead know of any objections. It would really help the people of Bothwell and Kempton if the Mass were at a different time.
I've had tea and now I'm heading for bed - I'm going to spend some time reading and see if I can finish off a book that has been by my bedhead for some time.
Monday, 11th
Today was a quiet day. I stayed in bed until quite late - managing to sleep well into the morning except for two wake up events. The first at about 6am (normal, or near normal waking time) when I fixed some breakfast and read the morning paper. I put out the lights and went back to sleep until about 9.30am when the daughter of the later Joan Haward rang to provide the details of the scripture readings for the funeral service tomorrow. I tried to go back to sleep and managed to sleep until after 10.30am when the front door bell rang and I decided that it was time to get up and really start the day.
I set to work on trying to produce the leaflet for the funeral service but struggled to get the scanned photo to print well enough to give a good photocopy image. I called a friend and took the leaflet to her place to try and print off a copy but that didn't work either when I photocopied. The best result was printing the front page of the leaflet individually which I then spent much of the rest of the day doing. The printer would really only run the photocopied paper through at a sheet a time - for some reason it wouldn't feed the heated paper through no matter how I twisted or rolled it to return it to a flat page. Anyway it is all done and I can head for bed - the last page completed just a while ago.
The other thing I did today was visit Mum and Dad - just a visit for no other reason than I knew it would be some days before I would have another chance to see them and I didn't need them to worry about what was happening and when I might call in again.
Now bed - it isn't that long ago since I got out of it but it is looking good again.
Tuesday, 12th
I managed to get some work done on the web pages telling the story of my Navy Trip last year. Until yesterday the trip was included within the pages for June, two pages for July and the start of the August Archived Daily Notes and News. That was because the file was too large for my version of HotDog Express to handle. HotDog Professional has allowed me to make one page and the Archived page now reflects the new setup. The reason it seemed important is that this is the week when the journey began and I have been checking out exactly what I wrote last year as my time in the Navy unfolded.
After Mass I worked on the financial side of things for a short time before I headed off to Pontville for the funeral of the late Joan Haward. There was a good sized gathering there so that was good for her daughters who were all very close to their mum. After the committal we went down to the Pontville Hotel for some refreshments and I was able to renew acquaintances with some people whom I have met through various other funerals and events over the years.
From there I headed towards Glenorchy to try to get a haircut but both barbers were busy and I needed to get to the airport so I'll have to wait until another day for the haircut.
We've just finished the Parish Council Meeting and there was a great deal of discussion about the Mass times for the local area. The suggestion has been made that another alternative be presented to the Parish - that is that there be three Masses in the local Parish area on a weekend - one at New Norfolk, one in the Valley and one on the Highway (where in the Valley and Highway depending on the weekend of the month). I'll need to write a letter to the Parish to be stapled to the Newsletter this weekend explaining the situation and asking for a response.
Now, however, I'm heading upstairs to watch tonight's (taped) episode of The Bill - I'm too awake to go to sleep immediately so I'm going to see what happened.
Wednesday, 13th
I woke this morning and was completely unaware that the Motel and the entrance to the town had partially burnt down during the night - I must have been tired because the Fire appliances would have gone past the bedroom window but I slept right through it all.
After Mass this morning I got to work on the BAS to be sent off to the Church Office and managed to get it done before the morning had progressed too much. After the evening Mass on Sunday I had said that I should be able to see a parishioner today but I had neglected to get her number and when I checked our records the number we had had been changed to a silent number and was not available. Whilst trying to get it the second line indicated an incoming call and it was the person I was looking for - the only problem is that I forgot to get their number even after all of that.
The appointment went ahead yesterday morning and was followed by a trip to Ouse with Sandy Cowling to attend a Soup and Sandwich Luncheon to raise funds to assist Sr Lorraine in all her work. It was a pleasant event with people from all areas of the local Parish community being there - I'm not sure of the exact amount raised but it made the day well worth it.
On the way home SCHA Brian Rayner rang to check out what was happening with my Navy Reserve Diary and for the first time ever I was able to tell him that it was up to date and that there were no outstanding paperwork needing to be completed.
I've just done some work on clearing away some of the excess files on the computer and will be taking off a number of files over the next few days to recover extra space on the D: drive as there are lot's of things there that are actually already stored on CD, so there is no reason to keep them. In clearing away some things I remembered that I needed to get some paperwork to Glenorchy so I headed off to town and managed to get there before the guy I needed to see left work for the day. In contacting him I also was reminded that I have set myself a slightly difficult task to complete - on Saturday 23rd I am due to have the Clergy here for the Mid Year Luncheon and I have a wedding at 2.30pm at New Town and then I am expected at Campbell Town for the Vigil Mass - it is going to be an interesting day and I'll probably need some help to make it all happen.
I called into the supermarket to get some bread and ran into a Glenorchy friend whom I hadn't seen for some time who told me of the death of the brother of her next door neighbour - a death I had seen mentioned in the paper but had not connected with her neighbours. I'll need to contact them and extend my condolences in the next day or so.
I've had a quiet night - finished part of the newsletter and now I'm heading for bed and, hopefully, an early night.
Thursday, 14th
The day of a Leaders Meeting always starts differently to any other day. I started work early and got a number of things going before 10am because I never know when the meeting is going to finish. Mass is at midday but it does not always mean that the meeting will not still be going, as it was today, when Mass is over - in fact it didn't finish until after 1pm. There were a number of issues to be resolved including the fact that the Alpha program will now start a week later than we had planned.
The power went off as proposed at 10am which meant that there was no heating or hot drinks for people, although when it came back on an hour later I turned everything on as quickly as possible. It meant that there was a bit of warmth for Mass and that I could have a hot lunch.
This afternoon I finished off an revised brochure for Alpha but there was no phone message from the Anglicans when I got home last night to give me details of any changes that needed to be made - I will have to hope that they call in the morning so that I can print them off for the Prayer Breakfast on Saturday.
Also this afternoon I contacted Catholic Church Insurances regarding the actual amount taken in a robbery which occurred 18 months ago. In the past few days I have been in contact with members of my family asking if they had in their possession any camping gear which I might have allowed them to use in order to recover a tent, sleeping bag and two backpacks which I have not been able to find. No-one has them so I can only presume, since they were in the same room as my push bike at the time of the robbery, that they were taken at the time. I will see what happens when I put in a claim. I've sent off details to the local Police Station so we will await an outcome.
I managed to get a few other things done before heading off to town for the meeting of the Jane Franklin Hall Council Meeting. It was a long meeting with a couple of issues arising that required some time in discussion but everything worked out well in the end so I have spent time unwinding here at the computer playing with a animated 3-D logo for the Parish which you will already have found at the top of this page and which will progressively be added to other pages.
Now it is time for bed.
Friday, 15th
Today was an interesting day with lot's of things happening but not in the same way that I had hoped.
I took a lot of time after Mass to get things finished as they needed to be done. I was trying to get everything completed for the Insurance claim and that always takes longer than you would hope. Part way through I got a phone call asking if the revised Marriage Booklet had been completed for next weekend and because I hadn't done everything for the inclusion of the words of the hymns they wanted singing it took a while to re-arrange the pages to fit a larger format and then I needed to email it off to his work for him to print it off.
By then it was almost 11am and I hadn't been to see Eileen so, after arranging to meet Sandy at 1pm to go to town to get a new printer for me and a new computer for her, I went to see Eileen and got heaps from her (in a friendly way) for being so late. I checked up on a couple of other people around the hospital before going to the supermarket to get the things for the Prayer Breakfast tomorrow morning.
Back home for lunch and some salad sandwiches before some more work on the Alpha brochure that needs to be ready to go out at the Prayer Breakfast. Then off to town with Sandy to get her new computer - an 850 Mhz which will leave my little 500 Mhz for dead. I collected a new Canon BJC-3000 printer and had some fun setting it up and look like having another trip to see Tom at Computers + More tomorrow to get a new printer box for sharing two printers. At the moment the system, works every now and then but I think that there is a communications problem with the box because when the printer is linked directly to the computer there are no problems.
The first of my couple didn't arrive tonight (phone call during the day saying that he was working in Launceston and wouldn't be back until very late. The second couple arrived half and hour early and, because I was still trying to get the printer set up and working properly I wasn't ready for them - in fact I haven't checked off their FOCCUS results so will have to do that over the next couple of days.
But now it is time for bed and a good night's sleep as I have an early rise in the morning and then a late night with the AUSMAS Dinner at Glenorchy tomorrow night.
Saturday, 16th
Today has been an interesting day - very long but interesting.
The Prayer Breakfast meant an early start - up at 6am, porridge on to cook at 6.45, the table to set, toast on by 7.15 and things ready when people started walking through the door at 7.25am. There were slightly fewer than usual but that's OK.
I did some work after the Breakfast ensuring that the new printer actually worked by finding a new printer cable and, at the same time, learning that I could print documents originally sent to the BJ-200ex, on the BJC-3000 but in black; the same document sent directly to the 3000 printed in colour when appropriate. I still called to see Tom at Computers + More to get a new data switch box which means that I now have both printers back and working properly.
I then set to complete the stapling of the newsletters and my letter addressing some of the issues from the PPC Meeting last Tuesday regarding Mass times. Then I headed over to the Church to prepare for a Baptism but there was some delay in the arrival of the family. I came back to the house and rang but was told that they were over here. After waiting a few minutes I closed the Church and headed around to St Matthew's Anglican Church and there was a large crowd gathered waiting. In the busyness of the last week I hadn't managed to catch up with the family and, even though I had confirmed that one of the god parents was a Catholic, it hadn't twigged that neither of the parents were Catholic. At this stage we haven't worked through all the issues regarding the sharing of Baptismal fonts - it might be something we will need to look at in the future, especially after just completing the 'Life after Drowning' program.
From St Matthew's I headed to town (having guessed that that was the problem) to drop off a new certificate for Nikkia Harris after last weekends Baptism (and no colour printer). I continued onto see Tom and got the data switch box before going to Sandy Bay for lunch with the local clergy. We had an interesting chat about a number of issues and I've arranged that next Saturday's mid-year lunch will start at 12.30pm so that I have a bit more time to get to New Town for the afternoon wedding.
Back home for a short time before heading off to Kempton for the evening Mass where there was a good roll up and some arrangements were made for children to be prepared for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation. It was a positive night all round.
Then I headed for Glenorchy to attend the AUSMAS Dinner at the Glenorchy RSL Rooms. Kay & Ted Grainger had done another remarkable job of organising a great night of good company, good food and great entertainment. Unfortunately it was still a long night because now that I am home I'm still printing things off for tomorrow (today really) but I'll need to get to bed shortly otherwise I will be useless in the morning.
Sunday, 17th
I woke a little slowly this morning after the AUSMAS Dinner last evening. But life rolls on and things happen fairly quickly without too great a problem - at least for the first half of the day.
Mass at New Norfolk was still a little light on for numbers (the last weekend of the School Holidays) and tonight wasn't much different. Mass at Hamilton was bigger than usual because of the influx from Ouse so that was good. Also, as I was driving out of Hamilton I managed to catch up with one of the distributors of our Christmas Puddings and chatted about arrangements for this year - a helpful and fortuitous meeting.
I grabbed a bite to eat before going over to the Church for the Baptism of Zoe & Morgan Wye. Zoe was one of three born to Andrew and Kristine just over two years ago and was the only survivor; I celebrated the funerals of Gabrielle and Ryan days after their birth. Since then they have been blessed with Morgan so the ceremony today was a really great celebration. Unfortunately, the whole thing was a little bit marred by the fact that someone had come in through the sacristy door while the Baptism was being celebrated and stole another (the recently replaced) fire extinguisher. This time it will be replaced by an enclosed appliance which might make it a little more difficult to remove in a hurry.
I had a brief time after the Baptism before the evening Mass and then waited for the arrival of the parents of the young lad getting married next weekend. I had fears that they might have some concerns about the wedding but it was merely to catch up with me and say hello.
I've just finished a long conversation with Mick Wheeler, I hadn't spoken to him for some time so that was good and now I'm heading for bed - a little later than I had intended but in time for a good night's sleep anyway.
Monday 18th
Today was been an interesting day. After Mass this morning I worked on the things that needed to be done after the weekend before heading down to St Brigid's to see the staff and some of the children on their first day back after the holidays. They all seemed in good form and ready to tackle the new term.
I then dropped off the letter requesting permission to use the RSL Kitchens for our Christmas Pudding making - hopefully we will get a positive response. The couple who have just left, Bernadette and Rod, are able to help us get some of the things we need that are extra's for the preparation of the food and the protective clothing to be worn. Rod will also be able to help with the supply of lemons. I'll be sending off a fax to Bernadette tomorrow to let her know what we need which she will then take to her boss so that will be helpful.
After lunch I headed for town and caught up with Dad to wish him Happy 76th Birthday. While I was there his brother Noel also arrived so that was good. I took with me photo's of their grand parents which Ruby had shown me last week and managed to get some copies made later in the afternoon so that I now have one to keep for myself, one for both of them and one to give to Ruby, as well as returning the original to Therese, Ruby's daughter.
I then headed off to see the family of the late Claude Revell to prepare for his funeral which is to be celebrated on Wednesday afternoon. I managed to get all the information I needed and a photo but it was a copy so they have emailed the original to me and I have managed to produce a web page with all the information on it so that they can check it out from home. I will look in the morning to see what response they have made to the program.
Bernadette and Rod have just left so that means that I can head for bed - there is nothing on TV tonight so I will have a quiet read and, hopefully, a good sleep.
Tuesday, 19th
Today has been an interesting day with lot's of different things happening.
Besides printing the funeral leaflet for the late Claude Revell, I have baptised the tiny twins born to Derek & Tania Burns - Fletcher Ryan and Zachary William are in the Neonatal unit of the Royal Hobart Hospital, born at 25 weeks and weighing just over 500 gms and just under 500gms respectively. I then visited Calvary Hospital to see the family of Ann Reeves, the mother of Ann Donaghy who had a cardiac arrest in the ICU Unit after surgery for Gall Stones.
Before going to Calvary I did some temporary repairs on the computer at Glenorchy Parish but have recommended that they look seriously at replacing their hard drive which is struggling to work at the moment. I spoke to my friends at Computer + More and Shelly will drop the computer off their after work tomorrow to have it checked.
I've just returned home from having a meal with Sandy and Daniel Cowling after setting up their new computer and spending time getting them set up on the internet.
All in all it has been a tiring day and I'm ready for bed but it has also been a well spent day with lot's of things done but very little can be seen for what I've put in - but that is the way of the work of the Priest today and that's OK.
Wednesday, 20th
Today was the first Wednesday when Mass was a midday by design and not by necessity - it made life a little interesting as various activities took place around the house but the people still came.
I made a few more phone calls re the arrangements for our Christmas Puddings and hopefully things are now almost all in place - I just have to call Kerry Pinnacle this morning to see if the person I dealt with last year is still available for the orders.
After lunch I headed to town to get some card for the Christmas Pudding labels as well as for extra tickets for the Wood Raffle before heading to the Crematorium for the funeral of the late Claude (Tex) Revell. The crematorium was comfortably full and the reception afterwards at the home of his grand-daughter and her husband was a pleasant little event with lots of stories and family reminiscences.
I then came back to New Norfolk and was just about to walk out the door to go to the meeting of the St Brigid's School Board when the phone rang and it was the School Secretary saying that it had been postponed one week. Unfortunately not all the Board members were informed as I received a phone call 10 minutes later to say that there were Board members down at school waiting. Luckily I hadn't gone out and was able to solve it fairly quickly.
I am now ready for bed and an early night - hopefully all this extra sleep will soon start to pay dividends.
Thursday, 21st
Today the Pastoral Team (or at least the four in Tasmania) met at Oatlands. Sr Lorraine arrived at 10.30am and we headed off. When we got to Oatlands we stopped at the Cassaveen Knitting Mill to order my jumper - given to me as a birthday present by Michael & Linda Callinan and Michelle Searle. The range and colours are quite wonderful and I'm looking forward to being able to collect it shortly.
At the meeting we looked at plans for the rest of the year as well as looking at information for the Calendar as well as material for the BEACON so that it can be put together early next week. It was a good meeting and a number of positive things were presented and will be further developed at the local area over the coming weeks. One step we took was to invite Archbishop Doyle to formally inaugurate the Parish during his visitation here at New Norfolk in July - but all that will need to be developed over the next week or so.
On the way home from Oatlands I received a call to say that little Zachary Burns, whom I had baptised on Tuesday had died and that the family would like me to conduct the funeral on Monday, early afternoon, at the Cathedral. I also received a call not long after arriving home from Graham's asking if I might be able to celebrate a funeral on Monday morning but have not been able to contact the family yet regarding a suitable time to see them - it might be increasing difficult to spend any time with them over the next few days but I'll wait and see.
I've just returned home after attending a meeting at the Cathedral looking at the question of how best to provide a format and process that will enable/empower the laity to celebrate funeral liturgies in areas where we have prepared the community to take the next step in pastoral care for the people. It is probably more important for smaller rural areas but will also have some impact on larger city communities for people where there has been little contact with Church but they want the Church to be part of the funeral rites. It was a good meeting anbd steps will be put in place over the next few days to make it all happen.
I'm heading upstairs in a minute to put labels on envelopes and fixing the next three months Planned Giving envelopes so that they can be put out to be collected this weekend.
Then it will be time for bed and I think that I'm going to enjoy it.
Friday 22nd
First thing this morning I finished a draft letter to be checked out by the people who were at the Meeting at the Cathedral last night in relation to the Funeral Liturgy Program. I sent it off to each of them for comments before it is sent out next week to people involved in Parishes and Pastoral care of the aged and sick.
After Mass I headed off to visit Eileen Taylor and take her Communion at the District Hospital and then over to see Doris Hastie and took her communion as well. I then printed the Big Book and the marriage papers for the Wedding Rehearsal at New Town tonight before heading to Lindisfarne to have lunch with Phil Green. Before we went to the Mornington Inn to have a Beef and Guinness Pie we looked at his computer and phone needs. I made a couple of suggestions and a couple of phone calls to see what were the best choices and then enjoyed a beautiful meal in Devine's Restaurant.
I then came back to New Norfolk to print the newsletter and an appointment and managed to get everything done before printing off a couple of Baptismal certificates to take to Tanya & Derek Burns in the Hobart Private Hospital. Little Zachary, the smaller of their twins died yesterday, so I needed to see them to make some arrangements regarding the funeral for Monday. I had to do that after the wedding rehearsal because time was getting away from me but it has now all happened.
Before the rehearsal I called to see the Forster family who have asked me to do the funeral of the late Carl Forster (on Monday morning). I spent some time with them making the arrangements for the funeral which is to be celebrated at Graham's Chapel. Everything looks like it will all work out so I should be able to print off the booklets tomorrow.
I've just spent some time preparing the two puddings for cooking tomorrow morning as well as ensuring the turkeys are ready and the stuffing prepared so that I don't have a lot of work to do early tomorrow.
Now it is time for bed so that the weekend is not too long.
Saturday, 23rd
It has been an early start this morning. The alarm went off at 5am so that I could put the water on to cook the puddings. Unfortunately the boiler didn't kick in so I had to clean a smaller urn to cook the puddings in. All the plans for the morning went off well with the food cooking at the right times (although the potatoes were little ahead of time so I took them out for a while. The tables were set but I needed to add another table at the last minute because a couple of people not counted in arrived so it would have made it a bit squeezy but it all went off well. The puddings tasted lovely but they were too big and broke up when I took them out of the bags so that might be an advantage if I make them in Ireland for Christmas.
Some of the guys were still finishing lunch when I headed off to New Town for the Wedding of Esther Manson and John Collavecchio. I thought that it might be a bit of a rush but it all worked out quite easily. The only problem was that I had left my glasses in the kitchen here so I was a little blind for the wedding. Luckily I had arranged for some friends to come in for a while this afternoon to clean up after the guys have gone so I was able to ring after the wedding and collected them as they came home and as I was heading north.
I then kept on driving to Oatlands for the evening Mass. It was a cold night and there were a few less than usual but I'll probably be able to catch up with a few more next Sunday morning. After Mass I had a cuppa with some of the people before heading off to Campbell Town for the night. It all went well but I couldn't find the key where it had been placed - eventually after making a few phone calls I was able to get in and settle down for the night.
Sunday, 24th
There was a good gathering at Mass at Campbell Town this morning although the weather turned bad just as Mass was about to start so anyone a little late might not have made the effort. There was a cuppa after Mass and I met up with a few people - there will be some other people to catch next weekend so that will be good. I am hoping to be there for lunch on Saturday and see a few people during the afternoon.
I then headed back south and came back here for a short time because I was a little early. I used the time to finish off the funeral leaflet for the late Carl Forster whose funeral is to be celebrated tomorrow morning at Graham's Chapel.
I then headed into Hobart for the Baptism of Lachlan Steele at St Joseph's. The heavens opened while I was travelling into town and the rain kept falling during the ceremony - there was a couple of very loud bursts of thunder, something we don't have very often here in Tassie.
Then I came back home to prepare for the afternoon Mass by finishing off the booklet for the funeral of baby Zachary Burns which will happen tomorrow afternoon. The evening Mass was light on but I heard that there had been a good number of people at the morning Liturgy of the Word with Communion. After Mass I enjoyed a light meal before working on a couple of the FOCCUS results that I need to have done for couples who will be here during the week.
Now it is time for bed - am I going to enjoy being able to read for a while and having an early night.
Monday, 25th
Today was a very busy day .
After Mass this morning I folded the funeral leaflets and then headed into town for the funeral of the late Carl Forster at Graham Family Funeral Home. There was a good crowd although I felt that I was not working well and came away afterwards without any feeling that I had helped - it just seemed that I was too tired and easily distracted. The family were happy but I was sad.
After the funeral I went into town to arrange to buy my plane tickets to Ireland and managed to get all the things I needed so that was good. I then headed up to the Cathedral for the funeral of the late Zachary Burns. It was a family affair so there were just a small number of people present and that made it all the more difficult. Thankfully the bad weather held off so we were able to get to the graveside without being drenched. I will be in touch with Tanya and Derek tomorrow to find out how Fletcher is getting on.
The first of my Marriage appointments was waiting at the door when I arrived home - they were a little early so that was good. The first appointment always last an hour and a half so that meant a reasonable finish. While we were working away at their FOCCUS program the phone rang and the second couple asked if they could come early so that was even better.
While working with them the phone rang again and I was asked to do a funeral on Wednesday here at New Norfolk - for the late Victor Browning. I have spoken to one of his sons and the family will be getting back to me tomorrow morning to arrange a time to see them during the day.
Now it is time for bed - am I going to enjoy it.
Tuesday, 26th
Things don't always work out as we plan but today hasn't been that bad a day. I've managed to complete most of the work for the BEACON as well as print off most of the pages for the funeral booklet for tomorrow and almost all of the newsletter for this weekend. That leaves the minutes for the meeting on Thursday as the major task to be completed tomorrow - I still need to do the Big Book for the funeral and the last few leaflets but that will be OK.
After Mass I headed off to see the family of the late Victor Browning and found that the outside covers were being printed by Millingtons, the funeral directors, so that meant that this afternoon I had to go to town to collect the covers - sadly they were already folded so that meant I had to unfold each page and hand feed it through the copier because they wouldn't pick up because of the heavy paper and the fold. I also needed to collect some extra music for the family so that all worked out alright. There were a couple of other jobs I needed to do while in town but I ran out of time so I'll have to do those tomorrow on the way to the TCC Meeting.
I've done most of the things I needed to do today so now I can head for bed and an early night - it has been a rush and there are some issues about tomorrow that have not been completed and won't be resolved before the funeral but they are out of my hands.
Wednesday, 27th
If yesterday was supposed to be a quiet day and got busy - today was much busier.
I had hoped to be able to work away at the minutes for the Police & Community meeting tomorrow but I have not been able to find my notes. I have searched everywhere but - I will look again tomorrow morning.
I have almost completed the material for the BEACON - I've spoken to both Judy Gregg in Campbell Town and Sr Marjorie and will work on their material in the morning.
I went down to school and checked on the material for the the Board Agenda for tonight and dropped off the Raffle Books which will go out with the newsletter today.
Then I came back for Mass and got ready for the funeral of the late Victor Browning. The funeral went well but I had no time left between the committal and when I was due in town for the Executive Meeting of the Tasmanian Council of Churches. I did have time to drop off monies to the Church Office for the Sick and Aged Priests Fund (I'd spent some time this morning completing the phone calls to people who hadn't paid their money yet and arranged to get it from them next week at the Pastoral Conference).
I also called into the Catholic Education Office to collect the brochures for "Benincasa" - a facility at Old Beach were House Parents provide a weekday home away from home for country children wishing to attend High School and College in Hobart. These brochures will go with the BEACON together with the Calendar for July (printing as I type) and a newsletter from Frances Jackson, the Southern Regional Adult Faith Education Opportunities Co-ordinator. This means that this month's BEACON is going to be our biggest yet! At the same time I was also given the applications for the position of Principal at St Brigid's; it will take some time over the next few days to review the applications and make suggestions - I'll possibly have time on the plane and in the Qantas Lounge on Friday.
Then it was off to the TCC Meeting at the Salvation Army Citadel. It was a good meeting but needed to ratify the Partnership Agreement for funding from the NCCA/CWS for the next three years. After some discussion and explanation of what is happening and why the Agreement was passed and provides the basis on which the Job Description for the new General Secretary can be written up and then for applications to be called for the position.
I left at the meal time to come back to New Norfolk to attend the first session of the Combined Churches Alpha program at St Matthew's Church Hall. There were only a few there but it is a start. I didn't stay for the whole thing as I have twisted a muscle in my back and it is just a little painful at the moment so I am going to have an early night - it is going to be a long day on Friday so any sleep I get now is going to help.
Thursday, 28th
After Mass this morning I headed off to the Police & Community meeting without the minutes - they didn't bash me up too much but did let me know that I was slack. The meeting was a good meeting so that means I have a lot of notes for the minutes of this meeting but what the heck. I've also written a letter to the Mayor regarding the loss of the important position of Community Development Officer - not sure what will happen but we'll see.
I've managed to print the BEACON and have stapled most of the copies together - thought half way through that we should also include the Northern Parishes Adult Education Newsletter and have spoken to the coordinator about getting a copy but will have to wait until Saturday before being able to do anything about it.
Went to town after lunch and got a hair cut and managed to forget a baptismal appointment - managed to catch up with them later in the afternoon so that was alright.
I've printed the newsletter as well so that means that most things are finished for the day so now I'm heading off to bed and an early night.
Friday, 29th
Today started at 4am with a shower, writing Daily Notes & News and then a dash to the airport for the 6am flight to Melbourne.
I spent the trip over and the time before the ITIM Meeting reading through the applications from the candidates for the position of Principal for St Brigid's next year. I have finished reading all the material and I will be contacting the Chair of the Board of management tomorrow with my recommendations for him to check through so that we can inform the CEO by Wednesday of the people we would like to interview.
The ITIM Board Meeting was an interesting meeting with a new member (Bob Hayes - a Baptist from Victoria) and there was more than enough to keep us busy. The meeting finished just after 5pm which meant that there was a bit of time to chat before catching the 6.45pm Flight home. I also had a chance to ring Mick Wheeler so that was good.
On the way home I managed to contact a number of referees regarding some concerns I had about four of the applicants for the Principals position. I am happy about the material I will be able provide for Paul Cleary to read through.
Now it is time for bed and I think I'm going to enjoy it.
Saturday, 30th
I had hoped to be able to sleep longer this morning but still woke early - so I worked on some material for the Northern part of the Parish with extra paperwork for the Adult Education Formation Process so that it could be included with the BEACON for Campbell Town and Oatlands.
I had the Baptism of Jack Edwards at 11am and that was a great celebration of the family and the Church. It is always good when there is an active and obvious faith element in the family and that was there today.
I then finished of some work on the Principal Applications forms and took them out to Paul Cleary, the Chair of the School Board, for him to read through so that he can get back to me before we make any recommendations to the CEO by Wednesday of the people we would like to interview.
From there I headed off to Campbell Town for the start to the weekend Masses. I called to see Joyce Holmberg, the housekeeper when I was at Bellerive in the late 70's. Joyce has only recently come out of hospital after a three week admission and is not yet back into full strength. While I was having a cuppa, back at the Presbytery, the phone rang and I went back to the hospital to see Miss Gladys McShane. She is not well and will need to be checked up on in the coming days.
It was light on at Mass tonight - cold and not too pleasant - so people did not stay around for too long after Mass so I've headed back to the Presbytery and I'm heading for bed, to read and to have an early night.
Thus ends June 2001.
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