What Paddy Shot At

Joan and I did go to St. Martin’s and got my vestments and then my prescriptions and then I had the 11:00am Mass. Prayed for all those who have these Archangels’ names or celebrate today as a feast day. Of course, prayed for all the people at St. Michael’s parish and school in Ridge. Then I went to lunch and drove over to Social Security to try to get this Medicare B stuff cleared up. They had no record that I was retired so I got another form and got Fr. Ron to sign it and tomorrow I will take it back to the office and hopefully get this settled.
Ann O’Connell called me and was just too tired from a day of travelling around, to go to dinner tonight with the other cousins. I understood but I still went. We went to a Chineses retaurant and had great food, lots of talk, and lots of laughs. It was Jim and Eileen Denney, Jim’s sister Sue Rogus, and Jean Denney, whose huband was Tom. Jim, Sue, and Tom are all grandchildren of my grandfather O’Connell’s sister, Aunt Mamie. We swapped lots of stories and some genealogy material. We also each order a different entre and shared. I had some “hot” stuff that I would not normally have ordered but I enjoyed the experience. I’ll probably stay up late tonight because I don’t have Mass till 1:30pm at Chevy Chase House. Might do some work on genealogy. “Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle……”

Today’s saint is the protomartyr of the Philipines. I learned about him at one of the saints’ processions that the first grade at St. Bernard’s school use to do every All Saints’ Day. They use to dress up like a saint and had a little talk to give about their saint. A Filipino boy told us about St. Lawrence, who had recently been canonized. He was so proud and I think of him and pray for him every September 28th.
I had two doctors appointments this morning. I hadn’t seen them since May and so I received a wonderful surprise. I knew that I had lost about 20 lbs since I went to Structure House but today I learned that since I was last weighed at the doctors, I have lost 30 lbs. Just the word of encouragement I needed. So I am going to try to keep doing what I have been doing. Keep me in your prayers as I am not a good patient and I do miss the Snickers!
I spent much of the day working on getting dates and information settled for Baptisms and Masses for October. I called Maureen and Rick and had a great visit. She is trying a homapathetic medicine that she heard of and it is too early to tell if it is helping. We are all looking forward to the cruise in November.
The Cash Bash at St. Michael’s has moved its date from October 1st to November 5th. We will be on the cruise then but I am sending in my tickets next week.

Tomorrow, I have the 11:00am Mass and Joan (Ward) and I are going to drive around 9am to St. Martin’s to get my vestements and then the CVS to pick up prescriptions and drop off some new ones that the doctor gave me to help figure out my blood sugar. Good health is a lot of work.

Today is a special day for all those in the Vincentian family so I asked everyone to pray at the 11:00am Mass for those living and dead members of the Vincentian Fathers and the Daughters of Charity.
I went to the Hebrew Home and brought Communion at Marie Wallace and I also visited Deacon Bob Connelly, who is recuerating from carrotted arties surgery at Surburban Hospital. I also met his daughter, Heather and her husband. Boy, parking is really hard there. And I had left my wallet home and had to tell the cashier that I had no money. He told me just to write my name and my phone number on the ticket. I was dressed like a priest so maybe that’s how they do it for clergy or maybe he just thought I was a deadbeat and let me go.

I had lunch then a nap and then I met with Andrea for the RCIA material. I also spent a lot of time on the phone today. I discovered that I had 24 saved messages, so I tried to contact all those people – and I did a decent job! Around 4pm, Jim Beattie called to say that he, Fr. Duffy, and Fr. John Clark were meeting for dinner at DiCarlo’s. So I went over about 6:30. It was a nice evening and now I’m going to bed. Have two doctors’ appointments tomorrow and the 5:30pm Mass. Should be a “quiet day” and I hope to get through all those CDs and the books and tapes for the Library. I’ll let you know how I do.

Yesterday was a wonderful full day. I had the morning Masses at St. Mary’s in Barnsville (8 – 9:30 – 11am). I always enjoy going there and allowing Fr. Kevin O’Reilly to get some time away. I remember how hard it was, in a one-man parish, to get away; so happy to help. La and Andy Favret came to the 11 (Claude Fecteau was also there as this is his parish. It was a nice surprise to see him) and after Mass I went to their new house, which is about 20 miles away. They have a lovely house that is very roomy and has great little patios off of almost every room. We had a nice lunch and then we “sniped” their son, Thomas. He and his family are in Brussels where he is in the foreign service. It was neat to see him as well as hear him. He could see us too. I do love the technological age! I couldn’t visit around the complex they live in but I will return soon. I had to leave because I had two Baptisms back here at MBS at 2:00pm. They were so cute and both less than 5 months old. One was Caroline, and she turned out to be the great niece of Helen Tanis, who lived on 59th Avenue, next to Diane Leach’s family. The other was Isabella from Texas, whose 92 year old grandfather lives in our parish, so they came here to have her baptized.
When all this over, I went to bed. I woke up around 5pm and spent the rest of the evening doing Sudukos, reading, and watching TV.

Today is the feast of the twin doctors, Cosmas and Damian. They were Greeks and martyred in the third century. They and their three younger brothers all died for the faith. This morning, I had the 11:00am Mass and then I spent the rest of the day trying to straighten out my medicare – I think tomorrow, I’ll just go to the office. I spent a lot of time on the phone – visiting people – and I tried to continue clearing this desk. Now I am waiting to stop in to the RCIA and then head home.

I thought I’d let you know what the rest of Saturday was like. I got up around 8am and went over to the office. I had a Baptism in the Church at 10:00am. She was darling. Her name is Mary Margaret and she has a large clan. Her great grandfather, 92 year old Doctor was there as were lots of relatives from various states.
Then I had the 11:00am Mass, which was well attended and the reading today reminded us that the Cross is always part of a disciples’ life. I think I gave the congregation hope that it leads to Resurection.
Then I had a Baptism in the chapel at noon. She was adorable. Her name was Rory Elizabeth and she had an equally adorable 3 year old sister named Bridget. Again, a nice large clan.
Then at 1pm, I had another Baptism in the church. She couldn’t take her eyes (which were beautiful, brown, and large) off of me. She was Audra Karen and smiled at everything I said. She had relatives from Michigan and Ohio. I love when I welcome a child from a large family into the larger family of the Church.
Then I had lunch and took a nap.
Had confessions at 4pm and the 5:30 Mass. And now I am going to bed early as I have three Masses at St. Mary’s in Barnesville tomorrow and a visit with the Favrets and then two Baptisms at 2pm back here at Blessed Sacrament. Again, I’ll go to bed early and sleep in because I have the 11:00am Mass on Monday. I feel like this weekend I really have been “priestly”.

I was very surprised to receive a message from Sr. Kass wondering about the blog. Where were Wed, Thurs, and Friday? I went on line and was wondering myself what happened? Then I remembered!

Wednesday was a very full day. I had the 8:00am and 11:00am Masses. It was the feast of St. Matthew and also Fr. John Bohrer’s birthday. I offered one of the Masses for his Dad, who is deceased and his Mom, Rose, who lives in assisted living in Denver. After the 11:00 Mass, I joined my cousin, Lauren Werner and our friend, Ann Sheridan for lunch at Chadwick’s. We had a great time and many laughs. Last Tuesday night, I had a message from my cousin, Eileen Price, that she, her sister, Betty, and our cousins, Helen Marie O’Brien Nolan and Mary Hayden dePaul, were all having lunch at the Cheesefactory, which is about five stores up from Chadwick’s. They were meeting at 12:30. It was too late to call Eileen but I knew I could stop by after Chadwick’s and “surprise” them. I did, and again, there were many hugs, kisses, and lots of laughs.
In the evening, I met with Andrea about RCIA and watched some of the new TV shows.

On Thursday, I had the 8:00am Mass and then went to Union Station and took the train to Philly. I walked – yes walked over to a near by office building and met Mary Jane, Regina Housel’s niece, whom I married to Steve in May. I have been carrying their marriage license around and so I finally gave it to her. She works so we could only meet for a few moments in the lobby but it was great to see her and marriage must agree with her as she looked wonderful. The John met me and I went to see a movie. It is called ” ‘somethng’ hedgehog”. It was in French with subtitles and was about a consierge “building super” in an apartment in Paris. It was just lovely and although slow at first, it lifted my spirits and I was glad I saw it. John had already seen it but sat through it again. Then we had a drink (he, coffee and I, hot chocolate) at a little cafe and then we met Terry and Joe for our annual Fall Birthday dinner. Terry, who knows every nice restaurant in Philly, chose a nice French Bistro with great view of the river and unusual but delicious food. It had skate, a white fish with a fin like bone that fell off the bone and had a great sauce. They dropped me at the train station. I got the 9:28; finished reading my book (Tuesdays with Morrie) and was home and in bed by 12:15am.

On Friday, I had the 6:30am Mass. I had asked for it, so that I could head to Southern Maryland and arrive in Solomons in time for an 11:00am retirement luncheon. It was for Pat Hall, a dear friend whom I got to know well while at St. Michael’s. She and Beth McCoy were close friends and we had great times together. Her son, Steve, (a St. Mary’s country police officer), his wife, Faith, and his sons, Trent and Clay are also good friends and we all went to Alaska together a few summers ago. Her dad, Bill, who is 96 was there as were her sisters from the Southwest and her brother and his wife, who live near Annapolis. There were also about 60 co-workers and Muffin and John Padukiewicz and the Commander of Pax Air Station, Admiral Marr, who gave a great talk. I also saw parishioners for St. Michael’s and had a great time. It was a very rainy day but the sun was shining in doors.
Afterwards, I drove to Maggie’s and took a nap. Good thing I did because we all went to BINGO at the fire house. I didn’t win but I enjoyed being with my sisters and my nieces. I drove home and was in bed by midnight. So that’s why no blog for the last few days – I’ve been increasing my memories and having lots of laughs! As it should be.

I checked and the blood did liquify. Also the soccer team from Naples beat the team from Milan. They also got a new Bishop today; so it was a triple miracle for the people of Naples.

I didn’t have a morning Mass today, so I slept in and came over around 10:00am. I worked on the discussion I was to lead over in the Manning center, our senior group meets there. Rita, the moderator asked me to lead some discussions based loosely on the book, “Tuesdays with Morrie”. We had about 28 people and after going around and introducing ourselves; I told them about Mitch, a former college student and his decision to meet on Tuesday with a former professor, who had made a difference in his life and now was dying. I suggested some topics and we started today with our earliest memory of family. It was very interesting. We’re going to meet every first and third Tuesday till Christmas. We are calling it “Tuesday with Father Maury”. I enjoyed preparing for it.

As there was a Mass at 4:10 for the beginning of SOR (School of Religion), we moved adoration and the 5:30pm Mass into the chapel. The place was full. Then we three had supper and now I am over here waiting for a 7:30pm meeting about our inclusion program for those with special needs. The parish and this committee do a lot. Tonight, I think it is early to bed. I have the 8:00am and 11:00am Masses tomorrow.

I have liked this saint since I learned about him in the seminary. He is a Bishop/Martyr who died around 310 in Naples. There is a vial that contains his blood and is exposed for veneration of his feast day. It is dried but becomes liquid during the veneration. I like miracles and I will go on line later to see if the blood liquified today.

I didn’t write on Saturday or Sunday because each night I was so tired, I went right to bed. Saturday, I got up around 8:00am and picked up Joan Beall and we drove up to Hickory, Md which is above Baltimore. I was to baptize Elijah Carter Coppney Mullican at St. Ignatius Church. Almost 30 years ago, I married his grandparent in that church and I had baptized his Mom, about 22 years ago. It was no nice to see all the family. His great grandparents, Bill and Mary Lu Jones had been parishioners at St. Camillus and worked with me and the teen club. We went back to the house and had such a nice visit. It was great also to see his Godparents, who are also his aunt and uncle, and to learn how they were doing. His great uncle, officer Mike Jones, was treasure of the teen club and is 8 months from retirement as a police officer. It was so good to see him. Mrs. Beall and I had a great time. But we decided on the way home, while we’re not old, how did all these kids get old enough to be grandparents.

I had the 5:30pm Mass when I got home and I went to bed early.

On Sunday, I got up early and drove over to Baltimore to pick up Sr. Natalie (formerly Sr. Ann Christine, SND) and we went to St. Martin’s on North Capitol Street for their 110th anniversary celebration. My sisters were there as were a number of their classmates. About 12 Sisters of Notre Dame were there and three priests who had been stationed there also came. There must have been another 200 former and present parishioners. At 12:30, we had a lively and Spirit filled Gospel Mass. Only one bad thing is I still have the problem I had at Queen of Peace, I cannot sing and clap at the same time. It must be an Irish thing.
On the way home, Sister and I stopped in to say hi at the first birthday party of a young man, C.A. whom I had baptized a couple of months ago. Our seminarian, Ryan was there and it was great to see him. They made us take a plate of delicious looking food and I made Sister take it to the Villa. Sister and I stopped for dinner as neither of us ate all day and I stayed “Structured”!

As I was driving home, I noticed on my dashboard, I had driven 360 miles over the last three days! I need to slow down and take a day off. I think tomorrow I’ll do that.

Today, Monday, I had the 11:00am Mass and spoke about St. Januarius and then I went to lunch. Took a nap and just finished meeting with a lady who was in our RCIA program last year but broke her leg and didn’t come into the church at that time. We met to see about her being confirmed and being able to receive Communion. That will be another fun activity for me.

As I have just discovered I have a full day tomorrow, I think I’ll go to the rectory, have a light supper and go to bed early. Hope you have had a good weekend.

I had the 6:30am Mass this morning. It wasn’t as hard to get up as I feared. There were about 40 people there and they told how nice it was to see me. I told them I’d come again next Friday.
I like to talk about martyrs from long ago and remind myself and the people that there are martyrs today in so many places throughout the world.

After Mass, I took Communion to Marie Wallace and had a nice visit. She hopes to go home to Delaware on October 1st. She is making great strides in her therapy and is using a cane. I told her I’d be back next week.
Then I went to use my gift card at Barnes and Noble. I had planned just to buy one book but then I saw the new book based on the tapes made by Jacquline Kennedy, and I splurged.
Then I headed off to Baltimore to meet Sr. Kass for lunch. We had a great visit and caught up on the news. She leaves tomorrow for Springfield, MO for do some more of her Renew work. She loves working as Pastoral associate at her parish near Annapolis.
I came right home and its good I did.
I had a message from the groom of my 4pm wedding. I called him and in our conversation discovered the wedding was at 3pm. Fortunately, I didn’t stop to get my haircut on the way back from Baltimore.
The wedding was great and we had 20 people. There was music and the couple were so cute. We had a Mass and both sets of parents were there as well as some friends.

Since I had time before dinner, I looked up on the computer and discovered there was a barber shop nearby on Conn. Ave. So I went and got my haircut and my beard trimmed. It’s closer than I’m use to but Fr. Ron says it looks good.
He and I had supper together and now I am preparing to go to bed. Tomorrow I am driving up above Baltimore to baptize the child of a young woman, whom I baptized and whose parents I married. I really am old.

Today was a very easy day for duties, so I did a lot of personal work. I had the 11:00am Mass and spent most of the day, working at my desk catching up on mail and paperwork. Patrick Mullan, the seminarian, came to visit and joined us for lunch. He looks great and is very busy at his parish – St. Catherine Laboure.
After he left, I was on the phone a lot and again caught up with people. This evening we had supper together, which is always fun and now I am up in my room, working at the computer. I have the 6:30am Mass tomorrow (Doesn’t happen very often!) and so its early to bed. I will write tomorrow.