What Paddy Shot At

Today it was warm again but this evening there is a breeze. I spent most of the day in the office. My cousin, Jean Denny came and we had a nice visit. She is on Ancestory.com also and we looked at some of my family tree. Her husband, Tom, who is deceased is my 2nd cousin once removed. His grandmother and my grandfather O’Connell were brother and sister.
I also worked on recording my wedding from last Saturday and worked on the paper work for two other weddings. I really hate paperwork but I won’t be doing many weddings in the future.

I had the 5:30pm Mass and then drove over to Normandie Farm and had dinner with Msgrs Jim Beattie & Tom Duffy. That was pleasant also.

I was surprised today to discover that I hadn’t written on Saturday or Sunday – where does the time go???????
Saturday was a full day. Graduation was at noon and was very nice. Then I went to my office and worked till my wedding at 3pm. It too was very nice – even though it didn’t start on time and we had to improvise the schedule of things. We finished in time for me to go to the confessions at 4pm and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. We announced all the changes going on here. Fr. John’s leaving and Fr. Ron Pott’s coming as our new pastor. We also announced that Fr. Jim was leaving to be made a pastor and that I was retiring but staying here at Blessed Sacrament. We also announced that Fr. Percy de Silva who had been as assistant here was retiring from his parish and coming here to live. Lots of people were not happy with the bishop for taking two priest away. I am trying to stay out of it. I knew that I couldn’t get to Joey Chamber’s graduation party but I drove out after Mass – thinking I could at least put in an appearance. They live near Baltimore and I got there around 8pm – thinking the party started at 6 so I wouldn’t be so late. There weren’t too many car when I got there – and I think they were planning to go to bed – as the party started at 1pm!!!!! I had a great visit with the family and a few people from the school – St. Mary of the Mill -who were still there. I didn’t stay long but I was glad I had go out even for a short visit.

Sunday was Ascension and after the 10:30 Masses, we had a picnic on the parking lot. It was well attended and had lots of good food. I went and sat down at a couple of tables but the topic of the changes kept coming up, so I left around 1pm and drove down to Southern Maryland for a meeting with the Teams of Our Lady. We had a great time and I left before it was dark and was home and ready for bed by 9pm.

Today I got up early and drove over to make a deposit in the credit union and then got home in time to hear confessions from 9am till 11am. We were able to do all the day school children and – as always – I loved it. School closes on Friday and I’ll miss the sound of the children on the playground BUT there will be enough to keep us busy.
I did get a nap today and then had the 5:30pm Mass. there was a dinner downstairs for the parish council but I skipped it and have been relaxing watching tv and working on the family tree. Nothing too pressing for the morning so I won’t set the alarm and will just wake up when I do and then go over to the parish center.

Today was a very nice day. It was sunny but had a breeze and I decided to go to Social Security and check on signing up for part B of medicare, which I can have once I retire on June 30th. It was pretty easy and I have the paperwork to give to the office.
Then stopped by and visited Joan Beall and then Mary Mudd. I had a great time and visit. Then I had a wedding rehearsal and the 5:30pm Mass. I had a nice talk with Fr. Jim. He told me that slowly the word is getting out about his transfer and it will be announced this weekend.
I heard from David Haas today and he and Kathy might try to join us on the cruise in November. That would be very nice.
Tomorrow is graduation for the 8th graders at noon. Then my wedding is at 3pm. I have 4 o’clock confessions and the 5:30pm Mass. I might try to get out to Joey Chamber’s graduation from 8th grade at St. Mary of the Mill’s. Maybe I can get by for the party. Sunday, I don’t have Mass till 10:30, so I can sleep late.

Today was so much nicer than the last few days. There was actually a breeze. I went over to a school classroom and heard confessions. Many of my students from last year came to see me. It was amazing to see how much taller many of them were. I told them I would try to be an 8th grade teacher next year. Who knows? I may be up to it.
I spent most of the day in my office. I cleaned out all my saved voice mails and spent much of the day on the phone talking to people. Had a great conversation with my cousin, Ann Brown O’Connell. I had exposition at 3pm and then benediction and Mass at 5:15pm. I came over and ate and I’m watching “The Mentalist” and then I’m going to bed. I wanted to call Maureen and Rick – they are babysitting down in St. Augustine, Fl. for their 5 grandchildren, while Wayne and Valerie are at a wedding in Pittsburgh -; but I left my cell phone on my desk over in the center. Forgetting more!!! Tomorrow if the weather is still cool, I may go to Social Security about retiring June 30th.

Yesterday was not only a full day; it was the hottest day so far. It was 98 degrees but with the humidity it felt like 105. I did go out to have lunch with Fr. Patrick Riffle. He was with me at St. Michael’s for three months after ordination and before he returned to Rome to finish his studies. He has been the associate at St. Peter’s in Olney for almost two years. He is great and the parish is a good one for a newly ordained – much activity and lots of involved families. We had a very pleasant visit.

I returned to the office and stayed here till the 5:30pm Mass and then I met with some of the leaders of the retreat that I am going on with families the second weekend in July. It was so hot and the air was dangerous for people with breathing problems; so I went to the rectory and just stayed in.

Sleeping was hard because the room was so hot even with two fans, that I was tired when I finally got out of bed and came over here. I just finished the 11am Mass. I was suppose to go to “the old priests’ meeting” and lunch but it was just too hot to go out. I wanted to go to graduation at Great Mills tonight but again, I can’t face the ride and the heat. Quite a few kids from St. Michael’s are graduating but I guess a card will have to do. I hope the weather cools soon. I would not have made a good martyr!