What Paddy Shot At

Today is the feast of St. Joan of Arc and so I want to wish a happy feast day to all the special “Joans” that God has placed in my life. I hope they know how grateful I am to know them. They are prayed for daily but today especially.

I haven’t written lately because the days just go by quickly. I decided that it is best for me to only do two things a day. I just don’t have the energy.

On Monday, Memorial Day, I had the 5:30am Mass. Because it was a federal holiday and we didn’t have a 6:30am Mass, there were lots of people. As soon as it was over, Fr. Jim picked me up and we drove over to Ruth Chris’ in Bethesda and met Fr. John, and Fathers Mike and Regis, who teach at CUA. We use to get together for dinner and haven’t done it for while. We had a great time.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and then that evening, I attended the wine and cheese meeting of the committee on people with special needs. It was very informative and two members of the L’Arch community came and made a presentation. Again, very interesting.

On Wednesday, I had the 11am and then in the evening I met with a couple whose marriage I will bless in a couple of months once we get all the paperwork done.

Today is my day off and I had intended to go to a casino but my companion isn’t feeling good, so we will reschedule. Since I was going to be home, I offered to say the 11am Mass. Fr. Lucas would have had three since Fr. Ron is away on retreat.

At all the Masses this week, I preached about the book of Sirach, which was the first reading. It’s a book full of good advice. I’d forgotten but I suggested to the people they should get familiar with it as it had given me a lot to think about.

I spent a lot of time in my office writing emails and making phone calls. I used the oxgyen while I was over there, especially at Mass and when I fit come back to the office. It’s been fun to “reconnect” with friends – and I can do that as long as I don’t move around.

I will learn to re-adjust my life and still get to do what I want to. As they say, “Let go and let God”.

Had the 10:30am Mass today and have spent the rest of the day cleaning up my office and my emails. I am now in my suite watching the concert in front of the capitol for Memorial Day.

I had a good week and stayed around the parish mostly. Went and got my oil changed at JiffyLube and did drive down to Sunny’s 5th birthday. I got a chance to see a lot of the family and to say “Goodbye” to Rick and Shirley. I spent a lot of time on the phone about insurance and Medicare. I spent a lot of time “on hold” but I got some things settled. I talked to Fr. Beattie and he is doing well and walking with his walker up and down the hallway. His chairlift will be put in this week.

I am in my suite so I don’t have my appointment book nearby but I know I didn’t do too much this week. I am trying to learn to say “No” to all the activity. I did do a home Mass on Saturday for the Veith family as after 47 years, they have sold their homestead. Ann, the Mom died late last year. She and her husband had 16 children and they all lived in that house. The Mass was very nice and about 40 of the family came. It was full of good memories that were shared in the dialogue homily. I had confessions, so I couldn’t stay for the “open house” they had for neighbors and friends. BUT, they brought up a lot of food and left it here for the priests. It was very good and made meals for Saturday and Sunday!!

I did talk to Eileen and she is feeling much better and waiting for information about if there is need for treatment. She is most grateful for the prayers.

Isabell, the nice lady from Philly who works a couple of days a week as a receptionist, fell and is in the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers.

I will write this coming week and will try to be more detailed. Have a nice holiday and remember to pray for and remember all our vets.

On Tuesday, I did have the 11am Mass and “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Both went well but I didn’t have crabs with my family. I drove down to Maggie’s but returned to the rectory as we couldn’t arrange for the crabs till the next day. So it was a quiet night at home and early to bed. I did talk with Eileen and all went well with the surgery. She thanks you for the prayers.

Wednesday, I had the school Mass at 9:15am. It was very nice and also the crowning of Mary was part of it. When I was done, I drove to Maggie’s and she, Kerri, Rick and Shirley and I went to Abner’s for wonderful crabs. They were very “meaty”. I drove home because I need to get the oil changed in my car.

Today, I am just “bumming around”. I’ve stayed in my suite and kept warm. I think I have a little cold and I am wrapped in a blanket in my chair. I’ ve watched TV and eaten crackers. I will go down to supper. I had planned to attend the “Apples for the Teacher” award ceremony tonight at a hotel but I think I shouldn’t go out in the rain. Phil McQuilkin, who is the 4th grade teacher at St. Michael’s is getting the award and I have always been proud of the great job he does. Also it would have been nice to see the gang but I have a full weekend and I need to be up to it. So!

I’ve talked to a lot of people on the phone and done some emails but I am “behind”!! Maybe later tonight.

On Friday, May 17th, I had the 11am Mass and then just relaxed in my suite. I was very grateful that I didn’t have to drive over to Virginia for the wedding rehearsal due to the thoughtfulness of my cousin and her husband to be.

On Saturday, I slept late and got over to the chapel for a baptism at 11am. Please remember in your prayers Capri Conchetta. She was a cutie!!

Then I drove over to St. Mary’s in Alexandria. I went early and was there around 1pm. The wedding was at 2:30. The pastor, Fr. Kleiman, could not have been nicer and was near me on the altar for the Mass and ceremony. I was very grateful as I was totally “out of steam” by the end. I did get a chance to speak to some relatives (especially Helen Nolan – the grandmother) but I didn’t go to the reception.

I stopped in to see Rick and Peg Jensen (more cousins) and I intended to go right home but after I sat for awhile, my breathing was normal. Peg made spagetti carbonara (my favorite!) and their daughter, Kate came by as did Rick’s brother, Russ, who was up because his mother in law, Pat is in the hospital. Please keep her in your prayers. We had a great visit and I drove home feeling much better.

I had the 7:30am Mass on Pentecost and had a very good homily. Afterwards, I drove over to Stone Ridge school to have the 10:30am Mass to welcome new families to next years’ student body. I drove over early and rested before and after. I was tired but didn’t want to go back and take a nap as I had been invited to a 3pm birthday party for Carlo Mancuso. It was down in Herdon; so I decide just to drive down and I got there around 1pm. I said, “I know I’m early,I’ll just sit here and do all the work I’m sure you have”. But Donny made Carlo and I just sit and talk and we really “caught up”. Later a couple of others arrived (among them Doug and Kathleen Hanratty) and we all had a great meal and good conversation. Around 5pm, I headed home and was in bed by 7pm. It had been a very nice day.

Today, I had the 11am Mass and except for lunch and supper downstairs, I spent most of the day up here in my suite, just relaxing and reading.

Tomorrow, I have the 11am again and then “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Then I plan to drive down to Maggie’s for crabs with Rick and Shirley and the gang.

I was mistaken about Eileen’s surgery, it was today and I haven’t gotten any news; keep her and Jay in your prayers.

As I went to bed last Sunday night, I opened my frig and seeing it clear of the pile of ice that had been on it; I felt like I had accomplished something.

On Monday, I had the 11am Mass and took the rest of the day off. I worked on my taxes and cleared up my bedroom. I even went to supper downstairs.

On Tuesday, I again had the 11am Mass and then I took a nap because I knew I would be tired and wouldn’t feel like going to the pastoral center and I wanted to.

After the nap, I did drive over to the center and I was glad I did. I vested for Mass but sat in the back row for the whole Mass. It was the annual jubilee Mass for priests celebrating 25, 40, 50 and 60 years since ordination. I knew a number of the guys and so I wanted to be present. After the Mass, there are cocktails (which I didn’t go to) and a very nice dinner. I sat with Fr. Trancone and Fr. Ingle, Fr. Kevin O’Reilly, Msgr. Jack McFarland, Fr. John Hurley, and Fr. Joe Perkins. We had a great time but I was tired and so I went home immediately afterwards.

On Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then drove over to Columbia and met Eileen (Lee) and Jay Baughan for lunch. It has been too long since I last saw them and we had a great time. Keep them in your prayers as Eileen will have surgery on the 22nd because of cancer. We are all very hopeful!

On the way home, I stopped to see Msgr. Beattie who had returned to Our Lady of Lourdes rectory earlier that day. He did very well at the rehab and can walk (with a walker). He is glad to be home and will go up and down the corridor to continue improving his legs. He can not do the stairs yet but they are planning to put in a chair lift like I have that will help him with the 9 steps. I’m just so glad he’s back and walking. Keep him in your prayers.

Today is my day off and so I had arranged with Msgr. Tom Kane to meet him in Annapolis and go over and take Marie Smith out to lunch. She is living now on the Eastern shore. The bridge traffic was terrible and it took a long time to get over but we had a great time and laughed and “remembered when” about the days at St. Bernard’s. Fr. Tom and I had a chance to talk about the church going over and back and that was fun.

I had planned to go to Maggie’s. Rick (my brother-in-law), and a friend, Shirley (whom I met at Easter) were coming up for a reunion and we were planning to get together for crabs. That didn’t work out and so I came home and tried to clean up my desk again.

I just finished with “Jeopardy” and now I’m heading to bed. Very tired.

Monday was Mrs. McManus’s funeral. She was 97 and a great lady. Even though she outlived many of her friends from her youth, her funeral was full because she kept making new contacts and friends up till her death. We went to Mt. Olivet cemetery for her burial. As I too, will be buried there, I stopped by my paternal grandparents grave and said a prayer and tried to figure where my name could be added. On the way home, I stopped to see Msgr. Beattie at the National Rehab Hospital. He is SO improved and is doing very well with his therapy. Relaxing evening with reading and TV.

On Tuesday, I switched Masses with Fr. D’Silva. He took the 11 because he had a funeral. I took his 5:30pm. I usually have the 11 on Tuesdays because “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” are after it in our senior citizen rooms. Since I didn’t have the Mass, I came over a little early (around 11:30) and had a nice “pre-talk” with a small group. The rest came in as the funeral ended because they went to the Mass. Our topic was “Marian devotions” and it was great to hear people talking about processions, and rosaries, and May altars in the home. As always, it is great to remember our growing up as Catholics.

On Wednesday, after the 11am Mass, I drove up to Philly. It was a beautiful day for a trip. I got to Joe’s about 4pm and just relaxed. Then he and I went to Marco Polo to meet Joanie Hinkel and Mary Black for dinner. Joanie has been a friend for over 40 years and we don’t get together often enough but when we do, it’s like we’ve been together the week before. Mary and Bernie (her husband who died late last year) are friends from the days when Joe lived in the apartment before he got married. We (Terry, John and I) use to go there for Thanksgiving dinner and then it was an “open house” till all hours and neighbors and friends from LaSalle came by. We sang and talked and laughed. Those were great day and those friendships have endured.

On Thursday, Joe and I went to a nearby cafe and had a wonderful breakfast (with pork roll!!). The as he was going to the university for a meeting; I drove down to Grevetti’s, a store that specializes in clerical clothes. I got my Monsignor outfit here. When Martino, our seminarian heard I was going to Philly; he asked if I might pick up a collar for him there. It is in South Philly, so I stopped at the Melrose Diner, where John spends a lot of time. He wasn’t there but I left a message with Marge, the waitress. She got it to him!!

I was proud of getting to downtown and back on my own. Philly is not like downtown DC, where there is a plan how it’s laid out. When I got home, I watched “on demand”, which is really neat. I got too update myself on “The good wife” and “Blue blood”, both of which I really enjoy but had missed the last shows – and now I saw them.
At 7pm, Joe and I went to the restaurant and met Terry and John, who had been at a wake at the sisters at Chesnut Hill. They do a great wake that is the sharing of stories – like the Trinitarians do – and people love it. Supper was great and we had delicious food. – I just realized that this blog is full of me having meals out – that might explain my girth!!!
I did a lot of reading of books that Joe had gotten to judge for a publishing company. It was very relaxing at Joe’s house, which some call “the retreat”. It is on a cul-da-sac and full of trees.

On Friday, Joe and I drove over to Ponzio’s, a diner in Jersey, where we met John and another nice visit. Then we headed to DC. I dropped Joe off at Union Station, where he met up with his son, Tim, who works for CCN. They were going to supper and then Joe was taking the train back to Philly.
I went over to see Msgr. Beattie. Maria, who was the cook when he was at St. Bart’s, was there. I use to love to come there for pasta. We haven’t seen each other for a couple of years. Msgr was greatly improved and walking without assisance. I think he might be there another week and then he might go home. Thanks for all those prayers – keep them coming.

On Saturday, we had three First Communion Masses – about 30 children at each Mass. I concelebrated them and presided and preached at the last one at 1pm. It was so great to see them – and to hear the other two priests preach. I don’t get a chance to do that often and there are always ideas to steal!!!
Afterwards, I had a 3:30 baptism. Nice big family and of course, I knew some of the relatives because of GC.
Please keep John William and his family in your prayers.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass. I think I had a good homily on Ascension. When I got home, I ate soup, watched TV and was in bed by 8pm.

This morning, I woke very refreshed and came to do the 10:30pm Mass. Fr. Peter Ryan, SJ was home visiting and concelebrated. His brother, Bill was a seminarian at Queen of Peace, when I was stationed there. He is now a missionary in Africa, even though a priest of our Archdiocese. Brian Mulholland was also there, even though he had inadvertently gone to the 5:30pm on Saturday; he said my “Pete and Tom” homily was even better than last night. He is such a support to me and always helps me at the altar.

Happy Mothers’ Day to all those special women who give us life and/or make our lives worth living.

I’ve been sitting here since Mass and getting this article together so I can go back to my room, defrost my refrigerator, finish my taxes, watch some TV, and go to bed early. I’ve had a busy week.

I got up early this morning and took some CheeseIts to Fr. Beattie. He called last night and said that he does usually eat them but there have been lots of adds on TV for them and he just a “hankering for m”. God love her, I picked up Joan W at her house and she stayed with the car while I was in the ReHab hospital. Parking is so far away that I didn’t want to show up at his room breathing heavy. It was before visiting hours but my collar got me in. As I left, I asked, “What time do visiting hours start?” The nice guard who had let me in said, “Noon”. Ah, the power of the collar!!

I had an appointment in my office at 10:30 and then I went over to Maplewood, a very nice senior residence near St. Jane de Chantel church. My friends, Antonia and John Bass had invited me to join them for the Sunday brunch. It was lovely and we were joined by ‘Bunny’ a friend of Antonia, who also lives there. She was born in Hungary and was very interesting. Bunny’s daughter, Suzanne and her husband, Jim and their adult son, Nick, who lives in New York rounded out our table. Jim was a provost at Catholic Universitity and we had many friends in common. He is orginally for Alabama and actually knew the places that I had visited a few weeks ago. It was a delightful excursion. I did go and take a nap afterwards as I had the 5:30pm Mass tonight and the pollen is still terrible.

I just finished Mass and used the oxygen and I am going to DeVol funeral home to say prayers for Peggy. I have her funeral on Monday. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Where does the time go??? I was talking with Joan B last night and she told me that I hadn’t written anything in Paddy since Monday. I looked it up and discovered that I hadn’t written. I don’t know why; I have had the time. I think my introvert is working overtime and when I think about my day at night-time, when I am praying; I think I wrote about it. I will try to be more attentive and organized.

Having said that; let me bring you up to date on the week.

On Tuesday, I drove up to St. Mary’s school in Laurel to watch Abby Chambers and her classmates in the middle school march, run, and walk around the parish center in a “walkathon” to raise money for the school. She had sent me a flyer and I sent a check to sponsor her; but on Monday afternoon, I called the school to see when the walk was and if people could come and watch. They said, “Sure”. So I went and I’m glad I did. Her dad, Bob,whom I taught at G.C. was there as was the principal, Jim Pavlacka, whom I know, and the pastor, Msgr. Mike Mellone, whom I was stationed with at Queen of Peace and is a good friend. We talked and laughed as the students charged by to the sound of loud – very loud music. It was a treat!!

Then I went and got my haircut. I’ve needed one for over a month but just couldn’t fit it in. I can see why women love to have their hair done; I felt relaxed and clean and fresh with the hairs off my ears and the beard trimmed nicely. I had the 5:30pm Mass and I preached on the Acts of the Apostles, which I love to re-read. Early to bed.

On Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and preached about St. Joseph, on his feast as “The Worker”. I come to love him more and more. Also he is the patron of a happy death and I do desire that. After Mass, I went to the John Vianney House for the monthly “old priest” meeting and luncheon. I had a great time, as I always do. I had a chance to sit with Msgr. Tom Kane and we’ve made plan to get together and go visit Marie Smith, another St. Bernard’s friend.

When I got home, I called and talked to Msgr. Beattie. He is settled in at the National Rehab center and he is feeling good about being there. So am I!!

Thursday was my day off, so I drove to Live casino in Arundel Mill and met Sister Kass. We had lunch at the Cheesecake factory and caught up. She had knee surgery and will have another in June. She is making a great recovery. We played the slots a little. I lost about $6.00. Not bad!!

Then I drove to see Fr. Beattie. He did real well at the therapy and walked up two steps. They have him on a tough regiment but his therapist said, “He’ll walk out of here in 8 to 10 days”. That would be an answer to many people’s prayers. Paul Rao, who is head of the hospital came in to visit Father. Paul and I were classmates at St. Vincent’s. We’ve seen each other over the years but I had forgotten that he was at the Rehab place. He’s a good guy.

I was going to visit Fr. Trancone but the pollen was terrible and I needed to get home and use the oxygen; so I had to put that off. Was glad to sleep in the air-conditioned room with the oxygen.

On Friday, I met with a parishioner, who has been dealing with health issues and she brought me up to date. She is strong and has been a good example of faith and determination. Keep Ellen in your prayers. I had the Mass at Chevy Chase House at 1:30pm and Joan W. drove me over and back.
I did exposition for Martino as he was busy being in the “ducking pond” at the school’s mission fair. It was great weather for it and many people came. It is the 71st annual fair. The proceeds go to the Sisters of the Holy Cross missions in India. Sister Rose, whom I know through the family retreats, came by and we had a nice visit. She was principal here before I came.

After supper, I came and met with a young man for spiritual direction. It was a good visit and good discussion. Keep Stephen in your prayers. I read for awhile and went to bed around 11pm.

This morning, Saturday, I discovered that I hadn’t taken my pills yesterday. I have to find some way to make a routine for pill taking. I have a box – that’s how I noticed that Friday still had all its pills – but I need a routine that makes me go to the box. “Every day in many ways, I get more like Msgr. Eckert”.

I have a baptism at 1pm. Keep Maeve Marie in your prayers. I may go to the party as this is part of a big family that I love. It will depend on the pollen. I have the 5:30pm Mass.

This week I spent a lot of time on the phone talking with people and catching up. One of them was Eileen Lee Baughan, who has some serious medical issues. Please keep her in your prayers. I hope to see her next week and I’ll update you.

Well, I think that brings you up to date. I will try harder to be faithful to writing.