What Paddy Shot At

I had the 10:30 gym Mass and just finished the 5:30pm Mass. I love this feast. This is the first parish I’ve been in where we didn’t (deacons and priests) make ourselves available after Mass at the altar area to have families or groups come up to get a blessing for the year. I gave a blessing at the end of Mass but it wasn’t the same as looking down on the Ralph and Mary Kennedy family and many of their children who came home for the holidays. You could pray also for those members who were far away. I miss those sacramentals!!

I will go over to the rectory now and watch the Dallas/Washington football game (probably from bed) because I have the 6:30am tomorrow. But the rest of the day is free and maybe I’ll get more work done on the Christmas e-mail.
Know that this evening I will pray for you and all your family. Happy Feast Day.

I just finished the 8:00am Mass and now am heading to Mitchelville to concelebrate Tom Smith’s funeral Mass. Tom and Marie were married for 71 years. They were great friends from St. Bernard’s. They had nine children, many grandchildren, many many great grand-children, and one great, great, great grandchild. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

I will return right afterwards, as I am meeting a couple at 1:30, whose wedding I will have this summer back at St. Michael’s.

Then I have the 4pm Mass at Knollwood, the army retirement complex nearby. The Jesuits usually have the Mass, but we cover when they are on school breaks. I always enjoy it.

Now for the last few days:
On the 26th, I awoke to find almost 2 inches of snow and sleet had come during the night. I had a dentist appointment for 2pm but I called and he could take me early. As expected, the beltway was a mess but I got there, had my filling replaced and came back as quickly as possible. I then had the 5:30pm Mass and returned to the rectory to relax.

On the 27th, I had scheduled an appointment with Dr. Solomon, my pulmonary doctor but it was cancelled, so I slept in. I went to hear confessions and then stopped by and visited Joan, Ginny, and Mary Mudd. We had lots of laughs (at Fr. Beattie’s expense!!). Then I met Frs. John Enzler, Jim Boccabella, and Dave Werning at Ruth Chris’ Steak House for great food and even better company. I got home around 9pm and went to bed.

On Friday, the 29th, I had the 11am Mass and then Patrick Mullan came and got me and we went to see the movie, “Les Mis”. It is wonderful. It is a different genre from the stage play and the old movie but I was enthralled throughout. We went to the Avalon, which is an old movie theatre nearby and with a hugh screen. I recommend the movie – don’t wait for the DVD.
Then Patrick and I went to the diner and I had breakfast (my favorite meal) and he had a Reuben.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and went to relax in the rectory.
Lots of phone calls over the last few days and I have been working on a Christmas e-mail letter, which might go out before 2013 – we’ll see!!!
Also Sister Kass fell and hurt her wrist – she hopes it isn’t broken as she is so busy that it makes me look like a cloistered hermit. Keep her and her Dad in your prayers also.
Marie and part of her family are off to Myrtle Beach again and Maggie is at home surrounded by grandchildren “organizing” her life.
Oh, my cousins sent me my keys and life is back to normal – whatever that is.
I think I’ve “kind of brought you up to date”!!!

Sunday, I had the 12:30 Mass and then drove over to Ascension rectory in Bowie. Fr. Kyle Ingle’s mom, Judy, who had been undergoing treatment for cancer and who recently got a “clean” report, was here from Colorado to visit. I saw her and Kyle and some other friends who were at the “open house”. On the way home, I stopped to see Joan and Ginny Beall.

I had a nice long phone talk with Dan and Stephanie Poje and Mimi (Steph’s mother). They were all together in Memphis (having a great time!!!) I also spoke with Frances Sampogna. She sent me a lovely text that she wrote as a Christmas reflection. I asked if I might use it in my Christmas homilies and she agreed. We did so many wonderful creative things together in the liturgy when I was the assistant at St. Camillus.
I spent the evening relaxing in my suite.

On Christmas eve, I had the 11am Mass and then we heard confessions – there was a steady stream. Then I took a nap. I had the 4pm Mass in the church. I was amazed by the number of people that were there. Every pew was filled; we had extra folding chairs along the walls and across the front; people were lined down the center aisle – 5 across and 15 pews from the back and the lobbies were jamed. In all my years, I never saw such a crowd. I invited the children to come up into the sanctuary and that helped a little. I had everyone stay seated until the Our Father. I sat in the priest chair till the offertory. I read Frances’ account of the birth of Jesus as a Gospel and a homily. (People loved it!!!). Afterwards I took a nap and then concelebrated the Midnight Mass. All of you, your families, and your needs were remembered at that Mass. Got to bed around 2:30am.

Today, I went to the hospital to visit a cousin but the doctor’s had let her go home for Christmas. I was happy to hear that and being up early got me going. I tried to be around for the morning Masses, so I could see some of the parishioners. I had the 10:30 Mass and again used Frances’ meditation as part of my homily. Again, it got good reviews.
The music here at Blessed Sacrament is always good but it was more than inspiring yesterday and today. It just made Christmas even more special. Then i came and took another nap. I seem to need and enjoy them!!

I received word that Pat O’Connell McMahon, my cousin in New Hampshire died peacefully this weekend. Please keep her, her husband Jim ( 60 some years of marriage), and her family in your prayers. May she rest in peace as she celebrated her first Christmas in heaven.

The last few days have been a whirlwind.
On Tuesday after the 11am Mass, I led my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” group on a sharing about “a less than happy Christmas”. It was very interesting and many different stories. Afterwards, I met Katherine and Ceil Mattingly for lunch. Ceil is recovering from surgery and Katherine came for a visit. Our fathers worked together as U.S. Marshall and our families were like one big family. It was great to be with them and catch up on the other members of the family.
Then I drove down to Maggie’s and took a nap. Maggie made supper for Tim and Kerri, Mike Jenkins, AnnMarie, Bradley, Cathleen and me and we had a nice visit. I went to bed early so as be up early for our trip on Wednesday.

We caught the bus to NYC the next morning in the Jesus the Good Shepherd parish. It was a sunny day and the trip was great. Lots of goodies for the trip and a nice long talk with Fr. Paul made it go quickly. That evening, we went to see “Nice work if you can get it” with Matt Broderick. It is full of old songs but was delightful.
On Thursday, we met our cousins, Sharon and Amy for lunch. Again, it was fun being together. Their son, Alexander was in school so he couldn’t join us like he had last year, when we first met him. He is 3 and a half and adorable!!
For supper, we met Bill Donahue, whom I worked with at Good Counsel. He is now the superintendent of the Bryan Hills, NY school system. He looks great and is very happy. I tried to get together with him whenever I get to NYC.
Except for a walk up to see the tree and a few walks around the theatre district, Maggie and I just relaxed and talked. We did have a very extensive talk with a maid, Marietta from the Philipines about the church but mostly we just relaxed.
I relaxed too much and left my keys in the hotel room and did not find out till we got back to Maryland.
I borowed Maggie’s car and came home to the rectory (the seminarian had to let me in) and went to bed.

Today, we left around 7am and went to Maggie’s. I worked on the ornaments I give each family in my family for Christmas and the calendar from St. Michael’s, which I give to each member of the family. Then, we went to pick up my car and then I stopped at a post office and bought and paid for the postage to mail my keys back in a mail pouch. My cousin, Lauren, who lives here in Silver Spring, is going up to NYC to visit her sister and she will send me my keys. I dropped off the couch at her house. I got lost!! LIFE IS NEVER EASY.

I had the 11am Mass and then I met with a couple whose wedding I will celebrate in April. Their parents and a grandmother took us all to lunch and we had a wonderful time. The father of the groom is Joe Villani, who was with me at St. Vincent’s.
I came back and had confessions and now I’m about to go to the rectory and relax.

Till tomorrow!!!

Sorry about yesterday. Patience was not in large suppy and I just ate some cookies and went to bed.

Some of those cookies were ones I decorated on Saturday night when Fr. Trancone and I joined Patty and Rose Petrone and Molly and Philip at Patty’s house for a great Italian meal and then cookie decorating. We started doing this a few years ago and it is such a delight and is the official Christmas time for me.

On Sunday, I met with the couple whose child will be baptized next week in Brazil. Then, I baptized a happpy little boy, Declan Paul and met his large and enjoyable family. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Afterwards, I had the 12:30pm Mass and asked (although it wasn’t necessary, as they already were) the congregation to join in prayer with the families in Newton, who were at prayer in their homes and places of worship.
I didn’t watch the service and the president; I think I am cried out.

Today, I had the 8:00am Mass and then tried to get some order into this desk. I just finished hearing confessions and when I am done with this (I am using the center computer rather than my office), I’ll go back to the rectory and watch TV.

I will write again tomorrow but then I’ll be in NYC with Maggie till Friday night.

Yesterday was a very easy day.
I had a memorial Mass for a lady who grew up in the parish but has lived in Florida for a number of years. She was a Montesorie teacher and trainer. She had a wonderful, long, and productive life. Her sister spoke after Communion and it was very impressive. There were a lot of people who came.

The afternoon was spent mostly working at my desk and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. I changed my homily and used the second reading because it told us “do not be anxious”. With the terrible events in Conneticut, it is hard not to be anxious and not to be overwhelmed by the pictures and reports of the suffering of those families. We must keep them in our prayers.

Today, I met with a couple who are having their child baptized in Brazil and needed permission from our parish. the

THE COMPUTER FROZE UP AND I LOST THE REST OF THIS. I’LL DEAL WITH IT TOMORROW FROM THE PARISH CENTER. SORRY!!

Yesterday was a lovely and full day. It was my day off, so I did some things that I’ve wanted to do.

From 9:30am to noon, I participated at Temple Sinai, which is a couple of blocks from here, in a dialogue about “Light” in Jewish and Catholic practices and thought. The Rabbi, Mindy Portnoy, is like me, retired and we have done presentations together in the past for our two congregations. This was the first time, it was held at the temple and I found it beautiful and prayerful. I think both our presentations went well (I learned a lot!) and we had very good questions and discussions. There has been a group of women who meet monthly together from the temple, Blessed Sacrament, and, I think, two other Christian churches for almost twenty years. It is very interesting and educational.

Then I stopped to see Joan Beall for just a few moments. She gets my insert for my appointment book for me every year and I was able to get it and replace this years. Had lots of messages to hold things open in 2013, so I wanted to transfer those notes to the pages.

Then I went to a Penance Service and heard confessions till 5pm. When I got home, one of the parish groups, “Landings” was have a dinner in the rectory, so I joined them for awhile. By 7:30, I was ready to mount my chair and ascend to my suite. Asleep by 9pm.

Today, I picked up Fr. Ray Fecteau at his parish and we drove to near Frederick to meet Loretta and Andy Favret for lunch. We went to an Italian restaurant that I had visited and we had spagetti carbonara (the spagetti of Rome). The chef made it especially for us and it was just like Rome!! Also we just laughed and talked. We’ve been friends for 40 years and have lots of memories – One of them about an early Mass on the feast of St. John 40 years ago that didn’t have a homily!!!!

Then I came home. Went and picked up prescriptions at CVS and now I have the 5:30pm Mass. The school is having their Christmas party in the rectory and I’ll stop in after Mass but I see an early to bed in my future.

Called Dwight and John for the feast. Didn’t get through to John but talked with Dwight. He is covering a parish till June and seems OK about it.
Also contacted my cousin, Sharon in NYC. Maggie and I hope to see her when we go up there next week.
I was busy all day but don’t know what with. I did say the 11am Mass and wore the vestments that the Spanish community at St. B’s had given me as a gift.

Went to St. Mary’s, Barnesville for afternoon CCD confessions. Then had a great supper with Fr. Kevin, Fr. Louis ( a Jesuit from Baltimore), Fr. Jack McFarland, and Kevin’s dad, Vince. The food was superb and so was the company. I haven’t seen Vince in awhile and he seems to be doing OK. His wife, Joan, was a dear friend from GC days and died suddenly in the Spring, while I was on my Suez cruise. She was missed tonight.

Then there was a parish penance service and I heard confessions again.

Just got home and am ready for bed – No nap today!! – I have a full day tomorrow.

Had a very nice day. I went to St. John’s High School and met with two classes of “scholars”, who have been studying philosophy and reflecting on God and evil. They had great questions and good insights. I really enjoyed being with them.
Through some miscommunication, I missed the 11am Mass, which I was scheduled for (Fr. Percy covered for me!).

Then I went to hear confessions at Stone Ridge. I had a great time but I always do when I go there. The Madams of the Sacred Heart do such a good job of educating young women to make big contributions to the world.

Then I took a nap and went down for supper with the guys but we ate in the kitchen because the parish council was having their Christmas do in the rectory at 7pm. I skipped it and came up here and have been relaxing.

I didn’t have plans for our usual Tuesday supper with Fathers Beattie and Duffy because they had other committments. So I’ll be rested up for tomorrow. I have the 11am Mass and in the afternoon, I’ll drive up to Barnesville for CCD confessions, supper with Fr. Kevin and others, and then the parish penance service.
It’s a good thing I enjoy confessions because this time of year, that’s my life.

Confessions were great today and then I called my cousin, Eileen and had a nice talk. Then I had the 11am Mass. Afterwards, I drove out to meet with Father R. He and I met Jerry Trancone at the Olive Garden for a wonderful luncheon. We had lots of laughs and great food. It’s a Christmas tradition for us, we all missed Mrs. Mother R.

I came home and had a meeting with a young man who is getting married to a Catholic and wants to learn more about becoming a Catholic. He is so nice. Keep Greg in your prayers.

I just finished RCIA, where I spoke on Baptism. They are a nice group and we had a good discussion that led us also to confession.

I’m going home now. I am suppose to have a discussion with two classes at St. John’s High School tomorrow about how one can believe in a loving God with all the evil in the world. I came last year and I found the student very interesting and their questions enjoyable. Keep all of us in your prayers.

More tomorrow.