1st June 2008: FAREWELL FOR NOW - a personal note: I have certainly looked forward to having a holiday. As you know, my last one was in 2006, so it’s definitely time! I am disappointed that I won’t be here to see the completion of the renovations at Holy Family and the work at St Francis Xavier’s. I’ll have to wait till I get back. We have fantastic and highly competent staff who will watch over progress.  I'm also disappointed that I'll miss the Days in the Diocese prior to World Youth Day.  Our young people have beeen preparing with gusto for both big events.  As I've mentioned before, the most senior visitor we will have here for DITD will be Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, Austria.  I wil be will you in spirit through all the excitement, and I'll see you again at the end of July.  You will be in fine hands with Father Martin Wallace O.P. while I'm away. 

24th May 2008: HOLIDAYS: As most of you know, it has been almost two years since I had my last holiday. The unexpected departure overseas of Fr John Kennedy in April 2007 meant that there was no possibility of my finding a priest to look after the parish while I had a holiday. The growing shortage of priests has made it very difficult for me to find a priest since then. As I told you recently, we have ten less priests on full parish duty than we had in April last year. Aware of my difficulty with having a holiday, Bishop Jarrett has very kindly found a priest to come here so I can catch up on holidays. I only found out on Wednesday afternoon, so it’s happened a bit suddenly. The dates offered to me by the Bishop are from 2nd June to 31st July. Yes, that’s Monday week – and I’ll be away for most of this week at the retreat. The priest who will come to be with you for this time is Father Martin Wallace O.P. (Dominican). Fr Martin is the brother of Deacon Chris Wallace who works in the chancery with the Bishop. I am very grateful to our Bishop for his assistance in making this holiday possible.

16th May 2008: heat extraction system in St Francis Xavier Church: I'm sorry to have to say that there is a delay with the installation. The scaffolding inside the church will not be erected until Monday (19th), so the church will be unable again next week. There is no problem on this weekend or next weekend. But Masses on Monday to Wednesday and Friday next will take place again at Crowley Chapel. Thursday Mass (22nd) is at Holy Family, Lennox Head. At least the disruption is temporary. It will be a much more comfortable church when the work is finished.

7th May 2008: A personal Note: I would like to offer a sincere thank you to those who wrote or otherwise contacted me to wish me well for my cataract operation yesterday. All went well, and, while I had some pain yesterday afternoon and evening, I have been feeling much better today. After a couple of days getting over it all, I will be 'back on deck' for the weekend. Thank you all for the much appreciated support.