Called to collect John Brereton at Glenorchy on the way through. Got to Melbourne in good time but there was a hold up with the baggage coming off the plane. I needed to take my bags upstairs to the Qantas lounge where the meeting was to be held and had to go through the security area - managed to raise a few eyebrows as I had a box of 10 x 1 kg puddings to go to Brisbane as well as half a dozen x 1 kg puddings, some 2kg and 150 gm puddings for the people at the meeting. I'm sure the fellow thought that they were bombs or something. Thankfully he took my word that they were really puddings.
The AGM Meeting that followed the Normal Board meeting went well and I managed to get re-elected for the next three years - I'm not sure that there were any other nominations so that made it a little easier.
I caught up with some friends in the Qantas Lounge at the end of the meeting but fell asleep on the trip home and as soon as we arrived in Hobart was in the car and headed back here - I'm really tired and need to go to bed in a hurry.
I was sent off at lunch time to have lunch with the clergy - at Claremont so that was easy to get too.
Then home and helped them clean up (after I'd wrapped some extra puddings before working on the newsletter for this weekend.
I know I'm tired because I'm making lots of mistakes so will finish so I can get to bed and have an early night. I still have some work to do on my homily for tomorrow so will do that now and then sleep.
Started with an early morning rise to finish off my homily - the latest I have completed it for quite some time.
Mass here this morning was really well attended with some visitors but just a good crowd so that made me feel good. After Mass a couple of people took some puddings home to wrap so that was good as well.
Mass at Ouse was a bit light on - one of the ladies wasn't there so will need to check to see if she is OK. Then back here for the first of two Baptisms before doing some work on the funeral booklet for tomorrow - not finished yet so will need to finish that tomorrow morning.
Then off to Kempton for the evening Mass and some preparations for the Confirmation Ceremony there next Sunday evening.
Then down to Blackmans Bay to see the family of the late Frances Morgan who died just days before I got home from my time on HMAS Tobruk in June. I blessed their home and had a bite to eat and spent time talking with them - it was really good and it was a pleasant evening but I'm realy tired now and I'm heading for bed.
Finish anything else tomorrow morning.
People arrived before Mass and worked at moulding the 150 gram puddings and by the time I'd finished the funeral service in the Church all of the puddings had been moulded and when I got back from the graveside the house was cleaned and polished. Some people will be back tomorrow to wrap the last of these puddings so I will need to get some labels made so that they can be added to the pile to get finished without double handling.
Then it was off to town to see the family of the late Ellie Webster and collect a photo for her funeral on Thursday. I think that I'll need to get a bromide done but that's OK.
From there I went to see mum and caught up with Sean and Caitlyn and spoke to Michele and we have organised to come here for Christmas Day - that solves one problem.
Came home and spent time with a couple preparing for Marriage next year and did some work with them before heading out for a meal.
Just got home and it was a pleasant night and still early enough to have a good sleep - lot's of the burden has been taken off my shoulders so that is good.
After Mass this morning the final puddings were wrapped and labels added to some of the extra's and enquiries made from a couple of places who normally get puddings from us and things put in motion.
A couple of people came in after lunch when, last week, we expected that we would still be working on the wrapping to find that except for some corporate labels we were all finished so they wandered off home to watch the cup by themselves and I got ready to go to town for the TCC EWG Meeting.
I dropped the photo off to get a bromide made and an ink cartridge to get refilled before the meeting which went much longer than expected.
I'm now home munching on some toast and will then head for bed and enjoy a reasonably early night as tomorrow is going to be a long day with a trip to Launceston tomorrow afternoon, returning after 10pm tomorrow night.
The day started with prayer at 6.30am then a quick bite to eat before heading off to New Town to Sacred Heart for Mass with the Grade 2's. Then into town to collect the bromide for the funeral leaflet, as well as the ink cartridge that was being refilled.
Called at the Church Office to check an account before coming home to prepare for Mass at midday. Then a quick bite to eat and I was back on the road for Launceston and the Executive Meeting of the TCC. It was a good meeting and lot's was covered but now I'm home I heading for bed.
Mass in the Church for the School community which went very well. The Grade 6's are on Camp so there a few less than usual but all it all it went well.
Then off to town for the funeral of the late Ellie Webster. That also went well and I managed a bite to eat at the end before coming back here to get ready for the Crazy Sale in the High Street. It was an interesting experience - made all the more difficult by the fact that it was really windy and we lost one card table because of the gusty winds and, at one stage, looked like losing the Parish Tent as the wind picked it up and moved it (that was how the table was destroyed).
After pulling everything down I headed back here to collect things for the wedding rehearsal at the Cathedral and from there I went to the Jane Franklin Council Meeting and learned of developments regarding the appointment of the new College Principal.
Now it is time for bed and sleep - I'm really tired but looking forward to this weekend which is going to full of great experiences.
Just after Mass and before I'd headed out to take Communion to the couple at the District Hospital I got a phone call to say that the gentleman I'd arranged to see in the Hobart Private this morning had died at 8.30am. I immediately headed out to the Hospital then to town and said the Prayers for the Deceased in the presence of a number of his family.
Then home for a bite to eat and I was preparing to do the Confirmation Booklet for Sunday when the phone rang and I was asked if I might be able to do a funeral on Monday. Knowing what the weekend was going to be like I headed for the funeral home to see the family and have made arrangements to set up a web page so that they can see what the leaflet will look like as I will not have time to get back to them over the weekend.
On the way home I felt really drowsy and, at one stage, almost fell asleep so I have rung Oatlands and apologised for not being able to attend the gathering tonight with the Archbishop. I had hoped to be able to be with them but common sense has prevailed.
Having made that decision it is now time for bed - a much earlier night than I had anticipated.
Mass at Hayes was a bit different. One of the guys who has been really supportive of me being there is being paroled before I get back there again so that was good but a little sad for the others who have been encouraged by his support.
Then back here to finish off the certificates for the Baptism and the Wedding this afternoon. The Baptism at Lutana went well but I got a call mid way through having a drink at the gathering which followed and I now have three funerals next week - one each on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
I then decided to go to lunch at the Salesians at Glenorchy and had a pleasant meal with the assembled brethren before continuing onto the Cathedral for the wedding. It is still blowing a gale and it was a little difficult for the bridal party to arrive with any decorum. Add to that the fact that the rings had been left behind and one of the witnesses signed the wedding certificate in the wrong place and it was really interesting.
Called to see mum in her new, larger, room at Rosary Gardens and she seems settled so that is good.
Then off to Rose Bay to see the family of the late Tony Blanton and get the material for the leaflet for Wednesday's funeral. All that went well with lot's of laughter midst the sadness.
I've been working on the leaflet for the funeral of the late Jack Badenach since arriving home and have prepared a web page for the family to view so that they know (basically) what it will all look like.
Now bed - there is still heaps to do but I'm getting closer to the end of the tunnel and I think I can see a light.
I finished off the certificates for the baptism today as well as the certificate for Confirmation tonight. I'd also completed the simple leaflet for the Confirmation ceremony as well as reprinted the Newsletter after I'd noticed that there were details of next weekends First Communion Mass that had been omitted.
The country Mass this morning was at Maydena and there was a good turn up there with a parishioner who had been away visiting family overseas back which has boosted the numbers.
Then back for the Baptism and some work on the funeral booklet for tomorrow before heading off to Kempton for the Confirmation Mass. Everything worked well there and there was a good gathering to support Anna so that was encouraging as well. Called round to the family home afterwards and learnt that the English Cricket team had been dismissed for 79 in 74 minutes in their second innings for an Aussie victory. That was better than the news that the Wallabies had been beaten by Ireland in a Rugby Test.
Home and I've finished the funeral leaflet for tomorrow - I'll need to do the Big Book in the morning but that's OK.
Bed.
Started the day with Mass and then headed off to town for the funeral of the late Jack Badenach at North Hobart. After the service at the Crematorium I dropped off some things to Graham's on the way home and checked about the availability of the organist for the funeral on Wednesday and then stopped off at the Bottle Shop on my way home to get some wines for next week.
When I got back I went straight to the New Norfolk Hotel for lunch with 'The Pudding Club' as a celebration of another years great effort in making and getting the puddings ready for sale. It was a pleasant meal (15 of us) and great craic.
During the meal I spoke to Mick Wheeler who headed off today to Italy for a holiday with Terry Curtain - hope he has a good time.
Then it was off to chat to the people charged with arranging the funeral of the late Keith Carter for tomorrow.
From there I came home and worked on both of the funeral booklets before heading off to the AGM of the Derwent Valley Economic Renewal Group, the oversight group for Valley Vision.
Then down to Jenny's and now that I'm home it is time for bed.
Started with Mass followed by a trip to town to take puddings for the Flower Room and Graham's as well as dropping off copies of the funeral liturgy to the family of the late Tony Blanton - his funeral is tomorrow.
When I got home there was time to have a bite to eat before heading off to Malbina for a Graveside Service for the late Keith Carter. There were quite a number of former residents of Willow Court there who had come to farewell a mate - it was really good to see them all gathered together from the various parts of the south.
Then home and some printing off of information for the PPC Meeting at Oatlands before collecting some puddings for Launceston that Lorraine will take later in the week when she heads up there to see her dad. The Team and PPC Meetings both went well with some lively discussion about how things are perceived within the Parish and the need for better communication of what is happening as well as discussion about the future.
Arrived home safely and heading for bed.
I woke early this morning, in plenty of time for prayer, and the day became more interesting after that.
Headed off to Lindisfarne for the funeral of the late Tony Blanton and got to the garage to fill the car with petrol and suddenly remembered that all the leaflets for the funeral were sitting on the top of the photocopier here at New Norfolk. After a brief (!!!) panic I rang the family and they brought the copy that I had taken to them yesterday so we managed to get things right just before the Gospel Acclamation.
Then, after spending a short time with the family at the wake, I headed back here to pack the puddings for ITIM. 80 x 1 kg & 80 x 150gm puddings filled 10 boxes comfortably and weighed in at almost 100 kg in total. After adding labels etc I packed the car and then came back here and typed the Certificates for the First Eucharist Celebration for Sunday to check that details were correct. Luckily I did because there were several that needed to be changed before the weekend.
After taking the puddings (and Lexie who kindly agreed to take them as accompanied luggage) to the airport I headed home and arrived here just in time for the Reconciliation and Rehearsal for First Communion.
That has just finished and now I'm ready for bed - thankfully tomorrow does not look as busy so will be able to get a few things done.
After making arrangements to see the family of the late Nolly Sluyters this afternoon I tried to get some things finished for the newsletter and had trouble emailing it to Lorraine - my ISP connection kept dropping out so it took quite some time to get done.
Then when I went to copy the First Eucharist Certificates I found that there were only a few sheets of the card left so I made a list and headed for town to get the things I needed. That took a lot longer than planned because the place where I have always got the card no longer stocks it and I went to about 5 places before I finally found the right place.
In the meantime I also headed out to see the family of the deceased and collected the information for the funeral but unfortunately I have not had a chance to do anything about it as I have been out for a meal with some friends as well as packing to go to Sydney for the next few days.
Anyway, after the meal I'm ready for bed and a reasonably early night as it will be a long day tomorrow.
The CWS Meeting went well. There are lot's of issues that will need to be further discussed over the next few months but there are good things happening that should make a difference.
I was tired by the end of Friday and almost fell asleep during a report back of International Monitoring visits and headed for bed as soon as they had finished.Unfortunately I was woken early this morning (now Saturday night) by a car alarm at 5am so nothing really changes.
When the meeting finished at 4pm I joined three others in heading for the airport and spent some time in the new Qantas Lounge in Terminal 2 - nice place but really no facilities. I had hoped to be able to do some work on the computer but there is nothing there so that is a bit ordinary.
Had a pleasant chat to Paul Prichard in the lounge and then an interesting companion on the way home but I'm now very ready for bed. Held up a little by a slow internet connection as I try to collect my emails but it wasn't going to beat me. Now bed.
Both of the Masses this morning were well attended and things seemed to go smoothly both times - especially the First Eucharist Mass where the children were wonderful.
Then, after the reception down at School, I came back and met up with Maria Goretti and we headed for Westerway where we caught up with Lorraine and then headed off to the Styx Valley to be part of the Styx Valley Liturgy of the Forest. Some of my parishioners were concerned about it all but it seemed to be less political than I had expected and more centred on care for the environment and responsibility for creation. There was a 'green' presence but there was also a strong spiritual emphasis.
Then back home and loading some things into the car and heading off to Kempton for the evening Mass which was also well attended.
Then back to the airport to collect my friend who had so kindly taken all the puddings to Melbourne last Wednesday and dropping her off home. On the way I got the car washed as it was filthy after being up the Styx Valley - covered in fine dust - and now I'm ready for bed. I'm really tired and tomorrow (early) is going to be hectic.
I also needed to do some work on the GST Statement which took some time before I was happy - it was a bit of a rush to get it done before the funeral but it all happened.
The retreat started well with dinner and an input session tonight by +Adrian who is the Retreat Director. He has based his talks around the material from the Holy Thursday Letters of John Paul II.
Bed.
Today has been a good day with a session in the morning followed by another this afternoon and Devotions this evening.
I did cheat during the day and headed back here to collect the Christmas Puddings for a number of parishes but it was only a quick drive and no stop off's on the way.
Time for bed - hopefully a better sleep than last night.
The talks followed the same themes - further developing the Papal letters which makes me want to go back and download as many as I can find to have a read through at some later stage.
Took some little pud's back yesterday and we had them for lunch today and they were winners so I now have a few extra orders so I decided to come back to New Norfolk for the night to collect the puddings and will take them back to Maryknoll first thing in the morning.
Bed (my own) and, hopefully, a good nights sleep.
When I got back to the Retreat +Adrian asked could he see those people who missed the last session last night (there were 4 of us) and told us the same story but without the extra comments so I'm not certain what it all means.
The rest of today has gone well and now I'm ready for another early night.
After the Retreat I headed off to the Launch of the Christmas Bowl in the Hobart City Mall. It was an interesting experience with lots of people stopping but not that many staying - however I felt that it was better exposure than simply a Church setting as it has been in recent years.
Then home here to work on material for the weekends newsletter as well as the BEACON for December. There is still work to be done on both of them but that will need to wait until tomorrow.
Bed - tomorrow looks like being a long day.
Mass at Hayes this morning was different with only one fellow there now although I did manage to meet up with another fellow and there will be some follow up for that into the future.
Then back here to finish work on the BEACON before heading to Moonah for a Baptism. This was followed by a visit to Mum who had had a fall during this past week and was a bit sore and sorry - nothing extra major - just all bruised and shaken - again.
Then to lunch at Bridgewater - there were no other cars there when I arrived at 12.35pm which made me a little anxious but by the time 1pm arrived there were 15 of us so that was good. I'd said to Michael Tate that we should have the meal even if it were the day after the Retreat so I was pleased people came.
Then it was back here to print the BEACON and put it all together before heading off to Dysart to be with the Archbishop & Richard Ross as they worked with the young pilgrims who had attended the World Youth Day in Toronto. It was a great night but longish and now that I'm home I really need to go to bed and get some sleep - the sleep benefits from the retreat have disappeared.
Then it was home for a few minutes before we (Sandy & I) headed for Granton to collect Lexie and we all headed off to Bothwell to Mass. It was a little bit fortunate as the numbers there were down a little but we still had a good congregation.
After having a bite to eat at Mary Bale's we headed back home, dropping Lexie at Granton and Sandy at home and now I'm ready for bed - I'm exhausted and need some sleep.
This morning was working with the Christmas Puddings and waiting for a consultant to come but who didn't arrive so then I headed off on a great big loop around the place loaded with puddings.
I went to town to drop some off at TAFE with my brother Sean before heading to Richmond (I had thought that I might be able to do Richmond first but Sean was finishing work at 12.30pm).
After Richmond it was Bellerive and Lindisfarne then a shop in town before going to the Cathedral, then St David's and finally to Glenorchy. Then I headed down to Northgate to drop off a pudding for a regular and ran into two other people who took puddings off me so that was good as well.
I arrived home and fixed the delivery file and had a few minutes before the first of the couples arrived and we worked on their papers and booklet for their marriage and the second couple arrived just as I finished with them and they have just left after a good chat and some sharing on what they are planning for their ceremony.
Now, however, it is time for bed as I'm bushed.
Then another lady came to see me about a baptism and we chatted about some other issues for some time.
Then invoices for the deliveries I was doing and loading the car and heading off to town to drop them off. I managed to be going in the right direction and getting things done nicely when I suddenly realised that I was also supposed to be seeing the family of the late Jack Boucher at 2pm (at that stage it was, thankfully, only 2.15) so after completing the next delivery I headed back to Moonah and spent time with the family making the arrangements.
From there I headed off and completed the deliveries and came home. On the way I got a call from Sandy asking if it might be possible for her to come by for a short time. I said yes and wondered if there might be enough time to see her before my couple came for marriage preparation. Thankfully she also wanted to chat with Lorraine who was calling in to collect a phone book she'd left this morning so the two of them were able to chat when my couple arrived.
They have just left so I have I started work on the leaflet for the funeral on Thursday - will finish it tomorrow - now it is time for bed.
The morning seemed to get lost as I did some more work on the funeral leaflet for tomorrow and answered phone calls and did some work on the newsletter for this weekend.
Mass at midday and then off to the High School for their Graduation Ceremony. The Parish has given an award to one of the students for many years now and I make an effort to be part of the presentation process.
From there I came home and printed off some material I had received from forceten re the water bottle promotion for next year - the International Year of Fresh Water. I'm hoping that we might be able to involve all of the local schools in the project - if we can see 421 water bottles it will provide a village in Zambia with a water pump for their village.
Just got home from New Town where I joined with John Williams in celebrating the Grade 10 Graduation Mass - my nephew Sam was part of the group so it was good to be there with them.
Bed - I'm bushed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day as I'm heading for Launceston to see a couple re their marriage tomorrow night.
This morning didn't go too badly as I finished off the Big Book for the funeral and then headed for town and did a few things before the funeral. At the completion of the ceremony I went and delivered some puddings and then joined the family at the wake.
Then back to town to deliver some more puddings before heading up here to Launceston. And you know the rest.
I'm now going for bed as I will be heading back to Hobart first thing tomorrow morning and it will probably be an early start.
The trip down went ok - I remembered to drop some stuff off at Campbell Town - puddings and a tape deck - so that was good.
Worked away here at updating pudding lists and other parish activities including finishing the newsletter before heading down to school at lunchtime. Then called to see a parishioner and worked through a couple of issues with them and then headed for town to drop off some things at the Church Office and chat about one or two areas of interest/concern before calling to see some people on the way home.
This evening I found out, via a text message, that our phones were/are out of order so I've spoken to Telstra and calls are now diverted to my mobile - I'm not sure for how long but I've also lost the use of the fax line so uploading the Parish pages, including the newsletter might not happen for a day or so.
Quiet morning with some watching TV and relaxing before I helped Sandy get started on the Advent Wreath for tomorrow. That took some time as she had trouble trying to get the branches into the wreath mould - a wire frame on a base. Luckily it worked but she came back with Mary this afternoon to put the Advent Banner up and had a different sort of ribbon to use and seemed happier about that.
I dropped some puddings off on the way to lunch at Kingston and then some more on the way home before calling to see Mum - spent ages trying to get into the complex - there are now tighter security arrangements so you have to go quite some distance to get in and out of the complex.
Back home, helped Mary & Sandy, and now I'm ready for a quiet night. I'm not even going to stay up to watch the Bill, I'll tape it and, hopefully, sleep all night.
Farewell November.
