What Paddy Shot At

On Saturday, I drove from Knoxsville to Memphis. I arrived at Dan and Stephanie’s around 4pm ( I had forgotten I would change time zones and so I arrived earlier than I expected). We just sat and talked and then went to supper at a nice Italian restaurant nearby and then we went to the local theatre and saw a great production of “A Chorus Line” We really enjoyed it and then we just sat up and talked (and drank Drambuie) till 2am (1am their time). It is something we haven’t had a chance to do in years (when they came to visit me at Ridge!) and we had a ball. I slept like a baby and almost as soon as I hit the bed.

We got up around 8 and had a lite breakfast and then went to the Cathedral, which is their parish, for the 10:00am Mass. They know lots of people and we stayed and talked to just some of their friends. The rector presided and it was nice to see him after all these years. Then we went to a brunch with some long time friends and I learned a lot about life in Memphis. Also we went riding around and saw Dan’s high school and college and a massive Episcopal property that has about 15 buildings, where Stephanie teaches. AND lots of beautiful old homes. I do need to come back and enjoy more of the cultural life of the city.

I left there around 3pm and got here in Baton Rouge by 7pm. I’ll just relax and get up tomorrow in enough time to drive to Houston for a 3pm check-in. The trip has not been hard in terms of driving but I will be glad to finally go to a hotel where I’ll stay for a few nights.

Prayed for all of you at Mass today. Hope you had a very happy Easter Sunday.

I left the parish at 6:15AM and it was an easy ride. The sun shone all day until I crossed over into Tennesee. I am now at a hotel near Knoxsville and ready for bed. I stopped in Roanoak and visited Madonna House. What a gift that was for Good Friday. I knew all three of the ladies there and a deacon stopped by. I had met him about 5 years ago at the Blessing of the Fleet near Leonardtown. A small world!
As you can see, I don’t know how to correct the spelling that (at least on my view) are underlined in red. Sorry.

Will go to Stephanie and Dan’s in Memphis on Saturday afternoon and spend the night with them. Looking forward to that visit.

Will write on Easter.

Tuesday, the 26th, I hung around the place since I didn’t have wheels. I started to think about the trip and what I’d need to take. I have the 5:30pm and then heard confessions till 8pm.

Wednesday, Mark took me to pick up the car. It drives so nicely and I don’t have to keep turning up the radio to cover the wheels screaching. I met someone for confession and then I had the 11am Mass. After Mass, another confession and then I drove over to meet my cousin, Ann O’Connell for lunch. I had also asked Jean Denny to join us but I must have fowded up the message. Ann and I had a good time and caught up on our families. I took a nap because I had the 6:30 to 8pm confessions. Again, they were great. Then I drove to Georgetown hospital to see Msgr. Beattie. He is still in intensive care but that is just to monitor him closely. He did have surgery on his leg and he has had a lot of different test. He may stay there for awhile and then has to go to rehab again. He cannot walk. I hope he goes to another place that has more re-hab.

Thursday is Holy thursday and I spent most of the day having the car packed. I was planning to leave after the evening Mass but I forgot that I had to go visiting churches after Mass. So the car is all packed and I’ll leave early on Friday.

The Mass was beautiful and to almost a packed house. The choir and the musicians were terrific. Fr. Ron gave a great homily and I was able to help with Communion, which I have missed! I didn’t process afterwards; I just went through the sacristy and met them in the chapel. The altar of repose looked great.
Right afterwards, I drove over and pick up Joan Beall and we went visiting churches. We went to 9 but only got in to 4 but I think you get credit for trying. At one church, we met two ladies who had been at Blessed Sacrament and were in front of me in the chapel. They didn’t recognize since I had a green shirt on. They too were having trouble finding churches open.

It was a good Holy Thursday and I’m going to bed and setting the alarm for 6am. I hope to get on the road and spend Friday night in Knoxsville or Nashville.

I will try to write “on the road”

Let me bring you up to date:
Thursday, March 21 was my “day off” and so I slept in and in the afternoon, drove to Maggie’s. That night was the wake for Jim Clarke. He and his wife, Joan were best man and maid of honor at Maggie and Mac’s wedding. We’ve been like family for years. Their two children, Wayne and Valerie are like niece and nephew. The wake was very nice and crowded. Jim was originally one of 10 children. On the way home, Maggie and I stopped at Mama Lucia’s and had a great meal of crab soup and salad carese.

Got up early on Friday, the 22nd because Kerri is ill and can’t go to work so she made breakfast. It is one of my favorite things – breakfast – but often the first thing I eat is around 1:30pm. So that was a real treat.
The funeral was at Jesus, the Good Shepherd and again well attended. Then we went to the fire house to eat. Jim will be buried with military honors next month. I didn’t stay long because I had the 5:30pm Mass back here. Then we had the Stations of the Cross, which I love and then we invite everyone for pizza. Lots come. Then I met with someone from RCIA for first confession. I was ready for bed!!

On Saturday, the 23rd, I got word that Msgr. Beattie had been taken by ambulance to Georgetown hospital and was in intensive care. I wanted to go but I had a full day. So I called the Favrets. Their youngest is a doctor there and Loretta said she contact her and ask to stop in to see Msgr and let him know we knew he was there and that we were praying for him.

Then I met with a scout to be interviewed for the Ad Altare medal. He had been ill when the other scouts came a few weeks ago. It went well and then I met with a couple to arrange about their baby being baptized in May. At noon, I had a baptism, Mae Elise. She was darling and much of the family was from Louisanna and I was able to tease them about their accent. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Then I met someone who wanted to talk about the church. Then at 5:45, I picked up Marie in the parking lot of St. Michael’s in Silver Spring and we went and picked up Maggie. She was visiting Judy Ash, whose family lived across from us on 62nd Avenue. She is in an assisted living home nearby and the girls went to see her. She was happy to see me also.

Then we drove to our cousin, Lauren’s house where she was hosting her family from Virginia and New York. We had a great meal and laughed as we shared (and corrected) stories that had been passed on to us by grandparents and parents. Our newest cousin is an adorable 4 year old named Alexander and he was the hit of the evening, especially when he said to his aunt, Lauren, “Well I have to go now from your birthday party, do I have a “goodie bag”? Very, Very Manhattan child!!!!

Sunday, the 24th was the 33rd anniversary of the assasination of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvadore. When will Rome declare him a martyr ???
During Masses, the seminarian drove me to Georgetown to see the Monsignor. He is much improved and made me the butt of many of his comments; so I knew he was well!! He had to have two pints of blood put in him and they worked a long time to get his blood pressure up. His one leg is wrapped and so he’ll have to go back to rehab to be able to walk again. I think they’re keeping him for some more test – but in a regular room. It was good to see him feeling good!!

Pat Daley, from St. Camillus but now in Florida was here visiting her family and came to the 10:30Mass, then we went to lunch and had a great visit.
I had another first penance for an RCIA person and then I had 5:30pm Mass. It was Palm Sunday and the church was standing room. Again, I was happy to get in bed.

Today, the 25th started off with a nice SNOW STORM. It closed schools and the parish center. I loved it because I got a lot of work done at my desk (stuff prepared for this article).
Also Carol and Bob Boston, with their son, Chris and his wife, Sarah, and the grandchildren, Brian and Ashley came down to see the cherry blossom and found SNOW! But we all met for lunch and “caught up”. It was delightful and then they headed down to sighsee. I came home and dropped off my car to have the new brake shoes. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and gave a talk to RCIA at 7:30 and then we had practice for Holy Saturday when the RCIA people will come into the church.

Keep Monsignor in your prayers. He is not use to being a patient and his isn’t very patient!!!

And now I am going back to the rectory, had a bite to eat and go to bed. Once again, I am ready for it.

I guess I’ve been in “recovery mode” since last Saturday. On Sunday, I had the 7:30am Mass and then went back to bed. Stayed there till 2pm, when I got up and had a wedding at 3pm. It was lovely and I ask you to keep Eliud and Cathleen in your prayers. I begged off the reception and came back to bed.

I thought I was caught up but Monday I had the 11am Mass and except to stops downstairs for lunch and supper; I lounged around here in my room. Joan did drive me up to see Fr. Beatie. I can gone but the parking is terrible. He was glad to see me but is having a rough time of it. He can’t really walk yet. Keep him in your prayers.

I did set the alarm to get up at 4am on Tuesday to watch the Pope’s installation. I do like his smile and his friendly ways!!

Then I had the school Mass at 9:15am and afterwards I did my “Tuesdays with Father Maury” with the seniors. Then I took a nap because I was going out to Barnesville for a penance service. It was very nice and is part of a mission being given by a Paulist. His talk was just what I needed.

Today, I got up early and went out to a haircut. It took so long and also a water main broke and caused all kinds of traffic problems. I didn’t get back for the 11am Mass till 11:04. I called so the people would know and they were very understanding.

Then again a nap and I heard confessions from 6:30pm till 8 as part of “the light is on for you”. Had a number of people and I think Fr. Lucas was also hearing.

Afterwards I went to see the Monsignor. There was a handicap space right near the door. He and I had a nice visit but again he is discouraged by the slow pace. He is now keeping his foot moving and that is helping with the circulation. Pray for him, we Irish don’t handle being “held down” well!!

They say Spring is coming but it’s cold out there and now they are speaking about snow tonight!!!

I left on February 28th for a 13 night (1860 mile) car ride around the USA. I had a ball. Drove through snow and sunshine. Visited old friends and made some new ones in Wisconsin. Was on retreat and gave a retreat.

I tried to write something a number of times but sometimes I didn’t have service; other times, I write a long dissertation and it would go out into space!!

Let me just say what a great time I had and it culminated in learning (on the radio as I drove down Rt. 270) that there was white smoke and “we have a Pope”. Since then, I have been busy just unloading my car and getting stuff put away.

Yesterday, I visited Msgr. Beattie in a rehab home. He fell while I was away and the leg – while not broken – was bruised badly. He was forced to go to the hospital for a few days and now is – as he says “learning to walk”. Keep him in your prayers.

Then I said the Mass at Chevy Chase House and then went to a dinner theatre with my sisters and my niece, Mary. We had a good time – as we always do when we’re together.

This morning, I went to hear confessions for the Confirmandi from St. Ignatius parish. They and the team of young leaders were just great. As if I needed encouragement, Fran Werden had me afterward to her house for a great Italian meal. Her son in law, David (whose wedding I officated at!) and his daughter, Breanna and Ella were there as well. Mary (the Mom) was at a wedding in Philly. It was a wonderful afternoon!!!!

I just finished the 4pm Confessions and I have a wedding rehearsal at 7pm. Then I will hit the bed and sleep for about 10 hours. I have the 7:30AM Mass tomorrow – and probably will go back to bed. I have a wedding at 3pm. Then again, early to bed. I am really tired!!!

Probably too old for all this activity???
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all. Ireland Forever!!!

I am at Pat Berry’s in Chicago and will leave in the morning for Wisconsin. The snow has not slowed me and I am on track for the presentations on Saturday and Sunday in Pewaukee.

I’ve had a lot of trouble getting into this blog and don’t know why this time it worked. I hope to be able to write about the trip when I get some time. In the meantime, do keep Msgr. Beattie in your prayers. The fall he had last week has caused him more problems and trips to the hospital, so do pray for him.

Keep me in your prayers also.

I just realized that the post I worked on, only half worked. I’ll try later at Notre Dame.

Sorry! I just got on line. Am on retreat in West Virginia. Will bring you up to date tomorrow.