What Paddy Shot At

I had a good night’s sleep but I forgot to check and see what Masses I had today. I was sure it wasn’t the 6:30am; so I got up around 7am. I came over to the office and I did have the 8:30 Mass, so I made it. I worked at the desk because I knew I had the 11am Mass also. However, Fr. Jim stopped in (although he is on vacation, he is really hiding in his room) and offered to say the 11:00 Mass. That worked out well as I had doctors appointments at 2 and 3 pm and then went to Holy Cross Academy and said Mass at 5pm for the girls soccer team, who are in a tournament starting tomorrow. It was fun to be at the former convent of the High School because Sister Catherina, who was my 8th grade teacher lived there in semi – retirement and I went there to say Mass for the sisters and joined them for supper a number of times about twenty years ago. Claire Helms, who is now the president of Holy Cross attended the Mass. I knew her over thirty years ago when she was the assistant superintendent of schools in Washington. We had a nice visit afterwards.
Things went very well at the doctors. I was getting blood taken and just checking in. Both suggested that I should use the oxygen when I walk up the steps or do any exertion for awhile; so I am doing that from now on. It means that I’ll leave a bottle at the botton of the steps and use it as I go up. I’ll just have to remember to bring in it back down in the morning. I’ll try.

Tomorrow, I know have the 11am Mass, so I think I’ll head over and go to bed early.
Please keep a fellow, named “Boomer” who was a sad case when I was in St. Michael’s. He drank too much, and lived off the street, he use to come by the rectory before visiting his parents graves and I’d find a little food for him. (I found out later, he use to hide a bottle out there so he came to me first.)I couldn’t help but like him because he had the nicest smile. He died this week and Fr. Lee arranged for him to be able to be buried with his parents in the parish cemetery. They called him boomer because he was born on the fourth of July and was like fireworks, he lit up the place. His real name was Robert. May he R.I.P.

Today is the anniversay of the ordination of Fathers Terry Odien and Jerry Trancone. I think Terry’s is the 38th and Jerry’s is the 41st. I prayed for each of them at Mass today. I had the 8:00am Mass and then I took a long nap and went to the Jubilee celebration for the priests of the Archdiocese who were having special anniversaries. Cardinal Baum and Bishop Olivier were celebrating 60 years. Jim Beattie, Peter Sweeney, and Peter Aliata were celebrating 50 years. A number of priest including Jos Sileo were celebrating 40 years and a small group including Peter Daley were celebrating 25 years. Peter also gave the homily at the Mass and it was superb. I asked him for a copy.
There was a nice dinner afterwards and I sat with Jerry, Tom Kane, Bill Hines, Kyle Ingle and Joachin Bazan. I had a great time but I am tired so its off to bed early tonight. Have doctors’ appointments tomorrow.

Well, I guess I was reallly on a merry-go-round last week. I was confused, tired, and out of breath BUT I seem to have caught up on my rest since I got into bed around 7pm on Sunday and got out at 10:30am this morning. It’s good I got up since I had the 11:00am Mass. Since then, I’ve been sitting here at my desk in the office trying to “catch up”. I’ve made at least 23 phone calls and written about 15 emails. I will take a break at 2:50 to go up and put the Blessed Sacrament out for adoration and then come down and work again till around 5. Fr. Jim is on vacation; although I’m not sure he went away but may be hiding in his suite. So I have two Masses today and as I have the 5:30pm Mass; I think aftewards I’ll get some food and have a quiet evening at home.

Yesterdays Mass to celebrate Msgr. Beattie’s 50th anniversary was great. He spoke at the Mass and in his normal funny manner was able to make all of us happy for his years of service and friendship. There were lots of St. Camillus people there and at the reception later, I had a chance to speak with many of them. There was even a student from Good Counsel days who stopped and spoke to me – Steve Delucca. There were about twenty priests and Bishop Holley as well as a number of deacons. There had also been a Mass on Saturday night and another thiry priests were at that. Jim has had a wonderful effect on many people’s lives and especially priests. He will be retiring in June and will spend three days a week as spiritual director at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. He’ll be good at that.

After the reception, I met Pat Berry and Jose (oh dear, I forget his last name) who had come to sightsee in Washington. We met at the Shrine and then went to dinner. They left around midnight to go back to Chicago. They were lucky to miss most of the rain and saw a lot of DC.

I have decided not to wait any longer to write and send out my Christmas Missive for 2009. I have begun work in earnest and hope to get it printed before June 1st. We’ll see.

I don’t know where the times goes. I don’t think I’ve been that busy but I don’t seem to roll as easily as I use to when change occur. I had last week all laid out and then Becky Lindberg died. She was a parent of a child in the school at St. Michael’s. She discovered that she had a brain tumor about six years ago. She came to see me as the pastor and we had a very strong prayer relationship. She had great strength and as she went through the treatment, she was an inspiration to the parish and me. Unfortunately, the cancer came back and she was dying. Her sister called me to see if I would do the funeral. I told her yes but I had no idea it was that close. So in addition to going to Maggie’s for the first anniversary Mass for Mac, which was a very nice celebration and a good time for all the family to be together – I changed my schedule and ended up doing the wake for Bec on WEdnesday night and stayed at Maggie’s that night and then had the funeral on Thursday at St. Michael’s. I missed Cardinal Baum’s 60th anniversary celebration at the Shrine and got home in time for Exposition and the 5:30pm Mass.
Friday was the 39th anniversary of my ordination and I had made plans but they changed to and suddenly the week was almost over. On Saturday, at 10:00am I had a very nice Mass for two students whose families were away last week and could not have First Communion with their classmates. The Mass in the chapel was lovely and the new seminarian, Ryan Pineta helped me. Afterwards we went to a brunch with the families.
Two friends from Chicago were in town to sightsee and so I tried to be with them sometimes and again suddenly the week was over.

Today is Fr. Jim Beattie’s 50th anniversary of ordination and so I have the 10:30am Mass and then will go to St. Bart’s for his Mass at noon. I promise to try to be more faithful to writing next week.

I didn’t even realize that I didn’t write yesterday. I slept late as I had wanted to and didn’t come to the office till about noon. I spent most of the day doing all the “little things” I had put off like sending emails to my wedding couples for information I needed to finished up the paperwork – which I still don’t like!! I did a lot of phonecalling as I had lots of messages from last week. I had exposition at 3pm and the Mass at 5:30. Then I had a light dinner and was in bed by 8:30pm. I slept great and think I am caught up. It was what we senior priest call “a day off”.
Today is the first anniversary of Mac’s death (my sister, Maggie’s husband). We are having a Mass at 6pm tonight at her church and then we’re all going out to supper. Getting together for Mass on the anniversary of a family member’s death is a great old custom that we have followed in our family for a long time. I plan to spend the night at Maggie’s, so I’m writing this very early and will write again tomorrow.

I just finished the 7:30am Mass and I have a baptism at the 10:30am Mass in the gym; so I thought I’d use this time to update you since I last wrote.
On the 4th, I had the 11:00am Mass and I did something I don’t usually do. I rushed!! I finished Mass at 11:22 and so I decided to rush to the train station. in hopes that I might be able to change my 1:02pm ticket for a 12:02 ticket. I didn’t get there in enough time but also I left my cell phone on the vesting case in the sacristy. I wasn’t able to call Joe and tell him that I would be on the 2:58 train and when I got to Philly, I discovered that I don’t know how to use a pay phone. I have become dependent on my cell phone. It took almost 2 hours for me to get Joe’s phone number from my rectory and when I called him, he told me that Terry and John would pick me up. We went to dinner and Joe joined us for desert. I went to bed early and slept till about 9:00am. Joe had to go to school and proctor an exam. I took a cab to the Chesnut Hill train station and took it to the 30th Street Amtrack Station, when John picked me up and took me to a movie theatre. I saw “Of gods and Men”. It is the story of 8 Trappist monks who lived in Algeria in the early 90’s and we murdered. It is in French with English subtitles (but it is so easy to watch). I recommend it highly!!
Then I went with Joe and John to a nice Italian restaurant. I didn’t eat much as I knew I was going to another Italian restaurant after the wedding rehearsal. Joe drove me up to the rehearsal and after dinner, Regina drove me to the Septa (like our metro) and I got to the 30th Street and caught the 10:30 train to DC. I got home to t he rectory around 1:20 and was asleep almost immediately.

On Friday, I got up around 10:00. I didn’t get to the funeral that I had hoped to attend of the husband of a good friend of my siters and myself from our St. Martin’s days.
I did have the 11:00am Mass and then I dropped off the paper work from my cousin’s wedding at St. John’s and then headed over to Arlington Cemetery for the burial of Anne Kehoe. We had her funeral in January but as she was a dependent and not active duty, May was the earlist day we could have the interrment. I love Jim Kehoe, her dad, and all of her siblings and their families, so I was happy to accept an invite to come to Jim’s house for some food and fellowship. Between the cemetery and the gathering, I stopped at the barber in Eastpines and got my haircut and my beard trimmed. Both we very long overdue.
I was in bed by 7:30pm and slept till about 7:30am on Saturday. I presided at the 9:30am First Communion and Fr. John preached. Fr. Bill George, SJ joined Fr. Testfaye and Fr. Jim in concelebrating. At the 11:00am, I concelebrated with Fr. Testfaye and John presided and preached. Jim had a burial.
As soon as Mass ended, I add a very brief but lovely meeting with Matt and Kathy Monahan, old friends whose niece received her First Communion at the 11:00 Mass. I have been a guest at their home many times and they’re good friends. I REMEMBERED my cell phone and caught the 1:01 train again. Joe picked me up and we went to a nice diner that we like and then he took me to the wedding.
The wedding was great and the rain held off – although there was a beautiful rainbow outside of the reception hall afterwards! I stayed long enough to pray and eat and then again Regina drove me to the Metro and I left the train station at 10:30 for DC. I got in around 1:00am and was asleep immediately.
This morning I got up at 6:15am and came over for the 7:30am Mass. I had the congregation sit and listen as I read the long Gospel about the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. I reminded them that Jesus wants to “walk with us” and take away our doubts or hurts and that we meet him in the breaking of the Word and the breaking of Bread. That’s why we come to church.

I am almost ready for the 10:30 Mass and the baptism, so I will close because as soon as Mass is over; I am going to the rectory, eating some breakfast, taking Tylinol PM and going to bed. I’ll get back on schedule tomorrow.

Yesterday, I had a few last minutes changes in my planned schedule. I got a call that a lady who only spoke Spanish was dying in a nearby nursing home; so I went down. My Spanish is rusty but I think I did it right. Also, the son of one of my best teachers at St. Bernard’s killed himself on Monday of Holy Week. I heard about it at the wedding; so I called her in the afternoon. We had a good talk and as he suffered from many mental problems; we both know he is finally at peace. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Today, I had the 8:00am Mass. It still continues to be well attended – as it was during Lent. There was an article in the Washington Post about Fr. John’s new appointment and people are still processing it. He seems to be sad but OK and that helps the rest of us. I spent most of the day at my desk and got a lot of loose ends taken care of. I’ll go to bed as soon as “The Good Wife” is over as tomorrow, I’ll take a train up to Philly for dinner with the guys and a wedding rehearsal on Thursday night. I’ll take the late train back that night as I hope to attend a funeral on Friday at 9:00am. Then I have the 11:00am Mass on Friday and then a burial at Arlington Cemetery. Then First Communion is Saturday morning and I’ll take the train up to Philly for the wedding at 6pm and then the late train back as I have a baptism at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday. Then I have the 12:30 Mass and then I think I shall just go to bed. So I probably won’t write again till Sunday or Monday. I know you’ll understand.

I thought the best way to celebrate this feast would be to call Fr. Bob Norton, pastor of St. A’s in Pittsburgh and “catch up”. We did and now I know much of the Pittsburgh news.

But let me continue with my update:
Saturday, April 29th was a beautiful day and the wedding went very well. Then we had a reception at the Marriott center at Md. University. They had a nice garden for cocktails and I spent much of the time with Jack and Rose O’Brian, my cousins who are “snow birds” and spent 6 months in Annapolis and 6 in Florida. They are actually my Dad’s first cousins but as we are closer in age, we feel like first cousins. I also met a nice couple who are friends of the groom and they asked me if I knew any priests in Baltimore. I said, “only one, Fr. Mike Roach”. They said that was enough as Mike was their cousin. I think his name was Tom McGrath. And I also knew many of the bride’s father’s family and I was friends with many of their friends. It was a great time and I got home around 10pm.

At the Sunday Masses, Fr. John spoke and let the people know that he is leaving the parish in July to become the director and CEO of Catholic Charities for the Archdiocese. He didn’t want to leave but he was asked and we all feel he is perfect for the needs of that agency. No talk of who might come BUT it won’t be me!!! While I was away, I recieved a letter from the cardinal allowing me to retire. I hope to stay here but that will depend on the new pastor.

Fr. Jim had to go and hear confessions nearby and asked me to go to an Eagle Court of Honor upstairs in the chapel. I did not know the young scout but his name was Nick and he spoke very well. I was glad I went and said an opening and closing prayer. I went to a number of them at St. Michael’s and always found them impressive. This one was as well.

Most of the rest of the day, I spent working on Paddy or cleaning my desk. I went to Ledo’s for dinner and watched TV late enough to see the President’s announcement of the death of Ben Ladin. I had many conflicting feelings but perhaps this will give some victims a sense of closure and bring about a failure of the terroist activities.

Fr. John had a funeral at 11am and as I had been scheduled for that Mass, I switched with him and am taking the exposition at 3pm and the Mass at 5:30pm. Then Delores Wilson is giving a presentation on Bethlehem House, where adults with special needs live in community. I have a friend there, Mary Horan, so I think I will go and listen to her talk. I have the 8:00am Mass tomorrow so I hope to get to bed early.

Hello, I just finished the 10:30am Mass in the gym and since I also have the 5:30pm Mass; I figured that I’d start a long update and keep it going most of the day. So here goes…

NEW ORLEANS: I got up at 3:30am and started packing for the trip. I left by 4:10 and was at Charlestown in Baltimore by 5:40am and met up with Sr. Kass Collins. She was representing Renew, International as an exhibitor. She travels a great deal and was more than a lot of help in getting me to N.O. I left my car at her house and we drove to a parking lot at BWI, where a very nice van driver picked up our luggage and put it and us on the van. He took us to Southwest Airlines terminal. There Kass checked us in and got me a wheelchair. (It was so against my pride but I really am out of breath if I walk 10 feet) We went through security and got to the gate so easily and then we boarded first and got seats in the first row – with lots of leg room! When we got to N.O., a wheelchair met us again and got us to baggage pickup and then a taxie to the hotel. She was just wonderful and I’m sure it was the first time I arrived at a hotel rested. We had lunch and I went and relaxed. At the airport, I met up with Denise from Deleware, who was the leader of our Middlestates evaluation a few years ago at St. Michael’s. Also talked with Patty Wietzel O’Neil, who was the superintendent of school for the Archdiocese of Washington and now is at Boston College. At lunch I talked with Kathleen Schwartz and her husband. She was on the Archdiocesan School board with me and is now the superintendent of schools in Venice, Florida. One of the things I enjoy about the convention is the chance to see and “catch up” with old friends.

I had to leave my oxygen at the airport in Baltimore as I didn’t have the correct type of machine. I didn’t really think I’d need it and I didn’t but I had taken my c-pap and that worked very well to help me to sleep and keep my oxygen level good. I used it Monday night and slept great; so that I was up around 7:00am and decided to go over to the convention center for morning prayer at 8:30am. I took a cab.

Tuesday: The opening service was enjoyable and Fr. Michael Hines, who is a Diocesan priest who teaches at Boston College, gave a great talk of encouragement to the 8,000 participants. Then we had the opening Mass and the Archbishop of N.O. gave a great homily. I met some nice teachers from Florida who sat around me. After the Mass, Fr. Dwight called my cell and he and Fr. Floyd, another priest from Whicita that I know joined me and Pat Berry, who had arrived that morning from Chicago, for lunch. We had a great time.

That night, I attended a Award dinner with most of the St. Michael’s crowd. Mary Van Rsywick, who is the kindergarten teacher was one of only twelve teachers from all over the country, who was honored as Outstanding Teacher. Her father, her sister, and her husband came as did Lila, the principal, Robin, the office manager, Caroline, the new 5th grade teacher, Donnie, who represented the Home/School, which was also honored, and Regina, the former principal and Maggie, who was the middle school Religion teacher and got married and now teaches in Georgia were joined by me and Dwight, Floyd, and Tish, who is the president of Carroll High school in Wichita at the dinner. We closed it off with a visit to the Casino!!

Wednesday: I went to the exhibit and saw Jeff, who is the saleman for Joe’s and my history book. I went to a couple of talks that I enjoyed and then met Dwight, Floyd, Pat, Tish, Kass for a great dinner at Mother’s. It was different! then we ice cream outside and went to the casino again.

On Thursday, Lila and I gave a presentation about how to deal with the problem of school cost and how to win! It went well. We had about 70 people and closed with paper bag auction!!!
Then I went to a presentation given by Kevin Shearer, who was in my first teen club and is now a teacher at Mt. St. Joe’s in Baltimore and Sister Catherine Williams, SND, who taught at St. Martin’s when I was a student there and is now the president of Trinity Prep.

Had dinner with Kass, Pat, and Lila and then went to bed early as we had to get up at 5am. We got up, packed and watched “The wedding” and caught a cab to the airport. Left around 8am and got back to Baltimore around noon. Then the stopped home before I headed off to the rehearsal at St. John’s.

And that brings you up to Friday night. I think I’ll pick up with Saturday tomorrow on May 2nd.