What Paddy Shot At

Have been busy.
On Thursday, I had the 11am Mass, then stopped into visit Joan Beall, we haven’t had a chance to talk lately and I had a nice cold drink of water and a nice visit.
Then I heard confessions. During the confessions, when no one was there, the fire alarm went off. I was on the second floor, so I looked out and couldn’t see smoke. Then I looked out the window and lots of people were standing around. I decided it wasn’t worth walking down the steps and so I went back to my rosary. After 20 minutes, the bell stopped ringing and sister came and checked on me. She said it was a fire drill but she didn’t tell them I was there (because she didn’t want me to have to walk down the steps!!) and so they pasted the test.
I came home and met with a lady who is in the RCIA but has a conflict for the weeks of October. We covered three classes and will do that again in late October. It was fun.

On Friday morning, I drove around to two parishes to get baptismal certificates for weddings I’m doing. It was easier than the phone. One of my stops was St. Bernard’s, where I am happy to say they have restored the lobby of the rectory (we had to put up walls for office space in my time). It looks elegant!!!
I also learned that the charter school that was there has left and so the school is not being used except for Religious Education. Too bad.
Then I stopped to see Marie and then headed home to go to the nursing home for the 1:30pm Mass. Martino went with me; he is such a help!
Then a quiet night of TV and reading.

On Saturday, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards, a baptism. Please keep Thomas Hunter in your prayers.
Then I had confessions at 4pm. Talked on the phone to my cousin, Mary, who was celebrating her 80th birthday and wanted me to come to dinner on Sunday but I was already engaged. We had a nice talk. I also had a great talk with another cousin, Helen Marie. I also talked with my brother-in-law, Rick who is being kept very busy by his family. He sounded good.

This morning I had the 11am Mass out at Our Lady of the Visitation, Ray Fecteau’s parish. He had something with the police, of which he is the chaplain. After Mass, I met Eileen, Joe DiJanni’s sister in law, which was a very nice surprise as I have lost touch with Joe, whom I went to grade school with. Also Jay Horman, who was a GC student and whose parents I really liked, stopped and introduced me to his wife, Stacey and their children, Jane and James. It was so nice to see them and catch up on family and friends.
Maggie had a pre-cruise meeting at the rectory at 2pm for some of her classmates from Notre Dame, who are going on a cruise from Baltimore up to New England. They leave Thursday and go for nine days. It is to celebrate their common 70th birthdays. I horned in on the meeting since I know a lot of them. Kerri and Tim provided wonderful food and drink and I think everything went well. Marie came, even though it is not her class. She knows lots of them also. She is going on the cruise!
I had hoped to go down to St. Mary’s county today for a farewell for Kevin Norris as he heads off to training as a Marine; and to get to a TEAM meeting with my married couples but the schedule got changed because of my being away and I ended up having the 5:30pm Mass today.
Now I am getting ready for the Mass, then some food and another relaxing evening of TV. I finished the book on Sister Therese and Tom Merton. It was great and it brought back wonderful memories of my days at Mount St. Paul, where Sister taught. It also awakened in me a desire to re-read some of Merton’s works. Maybe for Advent.

Tuesday was a full day.
At 10:30am, I had a funeral Mass for Josephine, who was 100 years old last week. She died two days after her birthday. I had seen her many times when I came out for Sunday Mass. She had a great smile.

I couldn’t do the burial, so the deacon did. I had the first of my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” around noon. I think I was 8 minutes late but we had a great discussion about Summer.
Then I met with a young couple who will get married here next Fall.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass
Then I met Frs. Beattie and Duffy for supper
And went to bed early.

This morning I had a wonderful phone conversation with Steve Bleistine. We went to the seminary together 49 years ago. He had a mini reunion with some of the guys up in Philly and just called to “catch up”. We had lots to laugh about.

Then I had the 11am Mass; joined the staff for lunch and then took a nap.
I just finished a nice visit with a young woman, whom I had met with last year to “makeup” for the RCIA meetings that she couldn’t attend. We had such a good time that she contacted me because she is engaged and wants to get married here. I liked her fiance and we had a nice long visit. They’ll probably get married next Fall.

I’ve been trying to contact my brother-in-law, Rick in Georgia but keep missing him. I’m sure the family is keeping him busy and comforted.

I’ve been getting a lot of cards and messages and yesterday, a lovely flower arrangement arrived from Dan and Stephanie. I talked to them last night and thanked them. It brightens up the office. Friends are such a joy.
Time to go home.

I guess I have been busy since last Thursday. Let’s see.

On Friday, I had the 11am Mass and then drove over to Baltimore. Sometimes, it is very difficult to arrange a meeting in advance but on the same day, you can sometimes find yourself or the others being free. So I called a nice couple, whose wedding I will officiate at in about a month and we have not been able to get together to fill out paperwork. I called and we met at a diner in Baltimore. It wasn’t the perfect enviorment to ask questions like, “Do you intend a marriage that can only be dissolved by death?” but we got through it and had a nice visit.

I also was able to stop in and have a nice visit with Sister Natalie, my kindergarten and 1st grade teacher. I also visited with other Notre Dame sisters that live at the Villa. It lifted my spirits. See how God keeps on giving – especially when you need it.

On Saturday, I had a full day of doing things I love. In the morning, I had a baptism – John Joseph Casper! Keep him and his large family in your prayers. Then I blessed a marriage in the chapel. There were only about 8 people there but it was lovely. I had baptized their son a few months ago and they hadn’t been married in the church – and now they are. How good is the good God!!

Then I had the 5:30pm Vigil Mass and after a little supper, I went to bed early.

On Sunday, I went out to St. Mary’s church in Barnesville. The pastor, Kevin O’Reilly is a good friend and he was on a pilgrimage to Fatima with parishioners; so I took the 8, 9:30, and 11am Masses. I was a little tuckered out with all the standing but I got the chance to give Communion, which I still don’t do here at Blessed Sacrament yet.

Afterwards, I had lunch with Doug and Kathleen Hanratty. It was a nice visit with them, the daughter and grand-daughter and some future in-laws. I had a great time and then drove back to meet with a couple about a wedding next year. So far, I have 10 weddings between now and next June. I was planning to stop doing weddings (I’m not good at paperwork) but each couple is so nice, I couldn’t say NO. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass, got some supper, and was in bed by 8pm.

This morning, I had the 8:00am Mass and am back at my desk – I think it is looking much better – I think I saw wood early today and even JoEddie says she noticed the recycle bin is full of paper, so I must be accomplishing something!!!

Everything was beautiful in Warner Robins. Maureen looked lovely and peaceful – the struggle to breath was over. The wake was from 5 to 8pm – but lasted beyond 9:15pm as there was a constant stream of visitors. About 1000 people came and many stood for hours to pay their respects. So often you heard, “She was the kindest person, I ever met”; “She always had a smile and a friendly word”; “She welcomed me when I came here, I thought she was born here” At the funeral, the preacher spoke about how many people had told him, “I never heard a negative word from her about anyone”. He said, “She preached her own funeral homily by the way she lived her life”. The readings and music were things she had chosen and her bible looked well worn and with things underlined and comments in the borders. She was buried walking distance from the church and at the end of the service, a nephew played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. There was a very full luncheon in the hall afterwards and again people came up to tell us how much they loved Maureen. We told them how much she loved them.
It was also a time to spend with family – especially children who keep growing up too quickly. They enjoyed the company of their cousins and the newest grandchild, Hannah Rose, about 3 months old, liked her great uncle Maury big stomach and large shoulders to rest on. He liked it too!
Please keep Rick, the boys and their families in your prayers. She left a large hole!!
There were lots of flowers, card, and prayers from so many different groups. Please know how much strength and comfort they were to all of us.
Marie, Maggie, and I flew back on Wednesday. Most of their children and grandchildren had left on Tuesday.
Now, I am back to work and trying, once again, to clear my desk.

I am waiting for Joan Ward to come by and meet me and we will drive over to the Port of Baltimore to meet Marie and Maggie at 8:30am, when they disembark from the cruise. Then we’ll go to BWI airport and wait for a plane at 1pm and then fly to Atlanta, Georgia. We should get there around 3:20, rent a car and then drive to Warner Robins. The wake is from 5 to 8 pm and we may be a little late in arriving but many other family members and friends will be there to support Rick and the family. The funeral is at 10am on Monday, with burial afterwards. Marie, Maggie and I are staying until Wednesday but many others will leave Monday and Tuesday. We retired people will stay and visit with Rick.

Again, a big thank you to all who have contacted us with condolences and prayers. We are blessed in our friends.

First, let me thank so many of you who have written on this blog or on facebook or called or sent emails about Maureen. You can not imagine how helpful and comforting they have been to me and all our family. I have spent a lot of time, talking with Rick and I know he and his boys and their families feel the same. What do people without family, friends, and faith do in the face of death????

I’m not going to write much tonight. I just returned from supper with Fr. Jim Boccabella and Msgr. John Enzler. We all miss being together as we were for a year (seemed longer – so many great memories) and so we try to have a meal together at a restaurant so we can just sit and talk and catch up. It was great.

I’m going to bed now because I have the school Mass tomorrow at 9.

I relaxed this morning and just stayed in my suite. At 11am, I headed out to Leisure World to pick up Barbara Ostrye and Addie Luftus, two old friends of mine who live out there. We went to lunch and talked and laughted and had a great time. We solved many of the problems of the Church.
Martino was kind enough to take exposition for me and so I didn’t have to rush back. I didn’t get back till almost 4pm.

I had the 5:30pm Mass, which was for Michelle Heidenberger. She was a parishioner who was a flight attendant on the plane that flew into the pentagon. I didn’t know her but I know her husband and some neighbors and they were at Mass and it went well. It really was a day – all day – when we thought of that horrible day 11 years ago. We pray that such horror may never come again.

Since I was out for lunch, I had turned off my cell phone and didn’t turn it back on until after Mass. I had lots of missed calls.

When I was in my office, Fr. Ron came in and closed the door. He said, “While you were out, you had some phone calls. It was sad news from the South. It was from Georgia. Jesus came and took your sister, Maureen home to heaven” He was very kind and although I was shocked, he helped me a great deal.

God is very good. Yesterday, Rick, her husband, called me from a parking lot – because he didn’t want her to know he was calling. He told me that she was having real difficulties breathing and he was worried about her. I called her – not letting her know Rick and I had talked – and we had a wonderful converdation. She was going to Atlanta for a treatment and said she’d call me on Tuesday night and let me know how it had gone. We closed with what has become – since September 11, 2001 – not “Goodbye” but “I love you”

Tonight, I spoke with Rick, who was with her in Atlanta. He said, it was going badly when she got there. She just couldn’t get her breath. The doctors later told Rick that she was on 100% oxygen but that the fibrosis of her lungs were so harded, she just couldn’t breath. It is hard for all of us, expecially Rick and the boys and their families, but all of us believe that she is with Jesus and that brings some comfort.

Don’t know what arrangements will be made but I know it will be in Georgia, her home. Keep everyone in your prayers.

As I forcasted, Saturday was a full day. I had a baptism at noon, another at 1pm and a third at 2pm. Keep in your prayers:
Virginia Ann
Rocco Samuel
Christian Elieso

Each was so good and each had lots of family from as far away as Boston, New York, and North Carolina. I bet some of the parties are still going on.

I didn’t go to the parties because I was suppose to go to Gina and Anthony Gugliemo’s 50th wedding anniversary party in Alexandria at 5pm. If you live around here, you already know that at 4pm, there was a tornado forcasted for Alexandria. I was driving down the road at 4pm and it became black and the wind bent over the trees. And the rain was torrential. I wimped out and came home. Later on the news, I saw parts of NW Washington with trees and power lines in the street.
I hated to miss the celebration but glad I’m older and wiser now!!

Sunday I had the 12:30pm Mass and the 5:30pm Mass, so I just hung around and read and watched some TV.

Today, I got up early because the school was getting a proclamation as a “Blue Ribbon School” at 8:15am. There was a nice crowd of parents and parishioners who joined the school community in the gym.
Since I was up, I made a number of phone calls and caught up with some friends. I really have not been very social while this leg heals. I had the 11am Mass and then I had lunch and took a nap.

This evening, a man who had spoke to me yesterday about coming to visit his father-in-law called to say he had died. I had offered to go yesterday but he said that he just got hospice and to wait till his wife got back in town. One should never hesitate to do something. I went over after supper and prayed with the family. I think we’ll have a memorial Mass on Saturday. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Also I learned the David Villani, the younger brother of Joe, whose house I visited last Sunday and had that great reunion, died in his sleep. I called and their mother, who remembered me from the seminary, answered. We had a very nice talk. She reminded me of a quote the President Kennedy said once, “It’s a sin against nature for a parent to bury a child”. So true, please keep all the Villanis in your prayers as well.

Am just returning from the first meeting of RCIA. I hope to get to many of them this year. Each person who spoke tonight of their life and journey was fascinating. And now to bed.

Yesterday, Thursday was another hot and humid day in Washington. I had the 8:00am Mass and then drove out to therapy at 10:00am. I did well (I had to walk up and down stairs 20 times without using the railings) but it still hurts. When I got home, I took a long nap.
After that, in todays mail, Terry Odien had sent me a book as a gift. It is written by Robert Nugent, a Salvatorian priest and it is about Tom Merton and his friendship with Sister Therese, a Salvatorian sister, who taugh all of us English at Mount St. Paul Seminary. I started it this afternoon!

At 6pm, I went to the house of Tom and Julia Heidelburg, parishioners who I had the priviledge of officiating at their wedding when I first got here (3 years ago). I had met them a number of years ago when I brought Beth McCoy up to visit her niece, Barbara. She and her husband, Peter lived next door and I had a great time that first time – and last night being with the four of them was a great time as well. I did have one problem. They have steps up to the house from the street and again to the porch. There is a rail to the porch but none from the street; so I had to climb bent over with my hands and feet for those three steps. I tried upright but couldn’t make it. Tom met me at the door and said, “We’ve had people who had to leave our house on all four but this is the first time someone came that way!” He led me out a side door and down the drive way when I left.

Barbara lent me a book on old Washington written by another parishioner about his family. I started it last night! I will have lots of time to read, now that the conventions are over. I actually prefer reading to TV.

This morning, First Friday, I got up early and came over to join the men’s group, Christ in the Marketplace. They meet every first friday after the 6:30, have some refreshments, and then a speaker. Today was Patrick Kilner, a realitor, who also has a 9 month old with very serious health issues. He shared about his family and the blessing that this little boy is to his wife, three other children, and himself. He also spoke about running a big company and how to balance the work with his life as husband, father, and caregiver. It was very impressive.

Then I went to Knollwood to hear confessions. They wanted me to take a stipend but I told them to send it to St. Michael’s school. On the way home, I stopped at a nursing center near St. John’s High School and visited Katherine Peake, the mother of two of my students from GC. She has altzeimer but is as sweet as ever. I don’t know that she knew who I was but I went for myself. We laughed, hugs, I gave her a blessing and I’m glad I went.

At 1:15, Joan drove me and Martino to Chevy Chase House for Mass. It was great as always and they just loved Martino.

I am trying to get a prescription renewed but it isn’t easy. Remember when you just called the doctor’s office and his friendly nurse or receptionist would call it in for you??? Well I think those days are over. So I just ate half a cantoloupe to give me some potassium to make up for my dierectic. Oh the joys of old age!!!

I’m off to the rectory for a nap and then I’ll join the brethren for supper and then an easy evening of reading. Have a full day on Saturday.

I looked at my appointment book and I have been busy.

On Tuesday, the 28th, I ended up going over to D’Carlos’ for supper after the 5:30pm Mass. I met Paul Hill and Jim Beattie and Tom Duffy and John Clark. We had a great time. I watched more of the convention and slept in on Wednesday.

I had the 11am Mass and afterwards, it was so hot that I just went for a ride. I didn’t want to go to bed early. I ended up going to Lenscrafters and having my eyes examined and got new glasses. I had bi-focals but I was having a hard time reading the altar book. It is much better now but it took almost 6 hours of waiting around and when I got home, I was beat. The heat is so oppressive. I sat in the airconditioning and watched TV.

On Thursday, I had the 8am Mass and then I picked up Tom Duffy and we went to visit the Little Sisters of the Poor Home. Tom is thinking about moving there. It is very nice and is right across the street from the Shrine. We got paperwork and we’ll see.
Then I went to hear confessions and it occured to me that I might feel better if I went to confession. Have no great sins but I don’t feel good about my relationship with the Lord over this very very long convalesence. I called a priest friend and we had a very nice visit, meal, and reconciliation service. I slept through the night.

On Friday, we had a school Mass and I concelebrated. It was so good to see all the kids and teachers again. Then I had the 11am Mass and spent the rest of the day trying to organize all the baptisms that I have scheduled for September and October. I also rode over and got my hair cut and my beard trimmed. It was look shaggy!

On Saturday, I slept in and did the 11am Mass. Then I did “desk work” until Confessions at 4pm. I just relaxed that night and watched a DVD I have of old Lucy shows. It was very enjoyable.

I had the 10:30am Mass and gave a very good homily about needing to trust God more and how going to confession really changed my attitude about my leg. Peg and Rick came and afterwards, we went to Sheila Reilly, a dear friend of us all and had brunch. She works and lives at Madiera School over in Virginia. It is a very famous and exclusive girls’ school on 440 acres. Her home overlooks the Potomac River and has deer all around it. We had a wonderful time. Rick and Peg brought me home (with a “doggie bag” of a delicious peach cobbler) and then I drove out to Germantown and visited the home of Joe and Pat Villani. Joe was at St. Vincent’s with me and after he left, he was superintendent of Schools for Montgomery county and now woks for the National Board of Superintendents of Schools. He and Pat had invited three other fellows from St. Vincent’s, Tom Clouse, Paul Rao, and Bob Maidoff and their wives and another fellow who had been with Joe at St. Charles seminary before he came to Vincent’s. He and his wife fit in very well and have known these group for years. I had such a good time!!!
I stayed late but knew that I didn’t have to get up early on Labor Day as I was not scheduled for a Mass. I did get up and ride up to Gaithersburg. I dropped off the stole for Fran Werden to embrioder the name of her newest grandson, Mac, whom I will baptism in October. Then I went to Doug and Kathleen Hanratty to do some therapy in their pool. I enjoyed it and my leg felt so much better. I visited with the family and had a great time.
I came home and took a nap and then Fr. Lucas, our resident and I went to Little Flower parish for the annual Priests’ cookout. I saw lots of guys I haven’t seen lately and we had a great time.
I was very tired with all the social things and slept soundly!!

On Tuesday, I had therapy at 8am and then the 11am Mass. I picked up Tom for supper and met Jim and John at D’Carlos’. I watched some of the convention and went to bed.

I believe that brings you up to today.

I gave a presentation to the Bible study group at 9am and then had the 11am Mass. Our new seminarian, Martino Chu, who will live with us this year was there and helped me. I also was able to introduce him to a number of people.
Afterwards, I went over to the St. John Vianney house and joined the “retired priests” luncheon. Saw Tom Kane and Bishop Olivier and the regular gang. It was good to see them all again.
I just met with a young couple and their son, John Joseph, whom I will baptize on September 22nd. He was just adorable!!
Now off to the rectory, a little food and the convention!!!