What Paddy Shot At

Our heat wave stayed and stayed and finally broke on Thursday, so last Tuesday and Wednesday, I only went from the rectory to the parish center for Masses. The rest of the time, I stayed in the air with a fan. I did read three chapters of the book: The Archbishop wore combat boots. I’m enjoying it.

On Tuesday, I did go to have lunch with the priests but Fr. Beattie wasn’t feeling well, so I came home and took a nap. I felt badly because Frs. Hill and Duffy came looking for me but couldn’t find me. Maybe the four of us will go out to lunch in August.

One good thing I did while confined to my room, was I finished my taxes and on Thursday, I dropped them off at the Beall’s to pass them on to Mary Rose.

Thursday was a nice day (and my Day Off) so I went and had a nice lunch with Sharon Laurich, an old friend (she is not old – our friendship is) from St. Bernard’s. We went to Red Lobster in Annapolis and then I visited her new home. It is perfect (all on one floor) and she is getting settled in. We had a great visit.
Then I went to see Maggie and dropped off the Redskin tickets, which had arrived. I got a chance to see Keri and Marie as well.
Then I stopped at Joan’s and visited with her family. It was a great day and the heat stayed away!!

Friday was also cool (relatively). I had the 5:30pm Mass and then the last session of the marriage prep, which started 4 weeks ago, was held in our living room again. I do so enjoy that ministry and the lead couples as well as the engaged ones.

Saturday, I met a young couple to discuss their wedding in 2014. I told them I’d help them with the paperwork but that they might be thinking of another priest for the wedding. I had officiated at her sister’s wedding two years ago in North Carolina (she told me that they are expecting, which is very nice!!)
I also got a message from Dwight and John that we should have a reunion in Wisconsin as in September it will be 50 years since we met each other at St. Nazianz. So now we are looking for some of the 54 who started with us. I may try to use facebook to find some of them.
Then I went out to Barnesville to celebrate the 5pm Mass on Chicken Dinner weekend. It was the 138th annual dinner and full. Afterwards I went to the rectory and visited with Vince, Fr. Kevin’s dad, and Kathy Schwartz, another old friend (again the friendship is old, she isn’t!!) and Patrice and others from Holy Face parish who still support Fr. Kevin. Had a great time.

This morning, I had the 7:30am Mass. Martino spoke after Communion as this is his last weekend here. I will miss him – as will the parish – and the school kids and teachers. Keep him in your prayers as he heads back to Mt. St. Mary.

I am at my desk and about to leave for Latrobe. Tuesday is priests’ day and I will see lots of old friend. This evening, I will go to Forbes Road, where I taught CCD 45 years ago and have an Italian dinner with the Merenda family. It’s sure to be fun.
I’m staying at a hotel and then tomorrow, I’ll meet Fr. Tom Kredel, (who is staying at the abbey)and he and I will meet Tish Rossi, with whom we taught CCD at St. Paul’s in Greensburg and go to lunch. I might join Keith and Sheila Morris for supper.
Tuesday will be a full day (maybe some card playing??)
I will get on the road early Wednesday as I will visit and anoint (in Spanish) that 97 year old lady at 2pm back here in Chevy Chase. Then I think a nap will be in order.
I am NOT TAKING THURSDAY OFF, so I will have the 11am Mass.

Also, Barbara Ostrye’s sister, Jane is gravely ill and I ask you to pray for her, her family, and Barb.

Have also learned of three deaths, Bob Morse, Michael’s brother. You might remember that less than 2 weeks ago, we buried Michael’s father, so please keep all his family, especially his Mom in your prayers.
Also Mary Mencarini Campbell, a good friend from St. B’s called to see if I might be able to have her Dad’s funeral. However, I will be away, so please keep her, her Dad, and her family in your prayers.
Lastly, I just heard that Lindy Boggs, who was a member of congress for a long time and was the Embassodor to the Vatican and the mother of Cokie Roberts died yesterday. I met her and she was a wonderful and gracious lady. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
And now I’m off to Latrobe. Will write again after Thursday.

The heatwave has lessened but it is still hot.

On Saturday, I did have the baptism. It was very nice. Please keep Evelyn Toril and her family in your prayers. Her grandmother, who died this year, was from Norway and her sisters came for the baptism. I asked them how they could leave the coolness of Norway for this heat and of course, their response was, “We couldn’t miss her baptism”. They invited me to the house but I begged off because of the heat. Two hours later, they generously sent the rectory a lot of food. It was delicious (especially eaten in the air-conditioning)

On Sunday, I went out to Ray Fecteau’s parish and said the 11am Mass. Doug and Kathleen Hanratty came and we went to a nice deli afterwards and had a great meal and good visit. I came home, took a nap, and did the 5:30pm Mass here at the parish. The air-conditioning in the church was off in the morning but was working again by the time I got here. Thank God!! I also welcomed back before the Mass, my friend, Brian, who was being “a nanny in Florida” for the last two weeks. He loved it but we both agree that God gives you small children when you are young and full of energy. The oldest is Hunter, whom I baptized a few years ago. I think he is almost 4 but Colin Patrick is only about 5 months old and although they both love grand dad, they kept him on his toes!!!

This morning, It was a little cooler and I went and got my hair cut and my beard trimmed. I had lunch with the guys and then took a nap. I had Benediction and the 5:30pm Mass. I spoke on the friendship that Jesus had with Mary Magdalene and how faithful she was. She was at the cross and the tomb. It was to her that He first appeared after the resurrection and sent her as “the apostle to the apostles”. I do like her and today, I remembered in a special way, Sister Mary Magdalene, who was the 7th grade teacher at St. B’s when I was in the 8th grade. She is a great lady.

Even though I’ve been staying “cool” in the rectory, I have been on the phone a lot and catching up with friends. Tomorrow, I have the 11am Mass and then I’ll go over and have lunch with Frs. Beattie, Duffy, and Hill. That should be fun!

We are having a heat wave!! A tropical heat way!! and I am doing very little movement.

Yesterday, I did have lunch with the staff (hamburgers!!)

I did go out in the afternoon to visit a 98 year old lady from Equador. Her family wanted someone who spoke Spanish to visit her as she was bothered by anxieties. I was very anxious myself as my Spanish is not so good since I don’t use it; but everything went well. We moved back and forth in English and Spanish and had a nice talk about her life. I ended with some prayers from my book ( in more than ‘decent’ Spanish ). I had practiced. I’m coming again in two weeks and then I shall look for a Eucharistic minister, who speaks Spanish.

I had the 5:30pm Mass. It was that beautiful line, “..there came to the throne, a pharaoh, who did not know Joseph”. I spoke about the great temptation to put our trust in men rather than in God. It went well.

I stayed home and enjoyed the air-conditioning.

Today, I got up early and went to visit Joan Beall. I took copies of the program for Mr. Morse for her and Mary Mudd.
Then I went to “Eggspectations”, a very clever and tasty restaurant in Silver Spring. I met Barbara Ostrye, Ginger Burch, and Tonia and Dennis Essig. We had a great time and recalled just some of the happy memories we have from our time together at GC.

I am here in the office to do exposition at 3pm and then it’s back to the rectory and a nap in the air-condiltioning!!

I have the 11am Mass on Friday and the rest of the time, I’ll be in the rectory, where it is cool!!!

Have an 11:30am baptism in the chapel on Saturday.

Today is such a special feast to me – Nuestra Senora del Carmen! I think of and pray for all the Carmelites I know; for St. Therese; and for Carmen Carlone. Happy Feast Day.

The retreat was great. It was the 25th anniversary of the first family retreat in 1988 at Camp Maria. There were some who have been there regularly since and some who came on and off. Over the four days, over 100 people were there. There were grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. Fr. Ray Wadas, Sister Rose, and Pastor Burns (all of whom have been there over the years) came and gave presentations. I am still processing the material, which was wrapped around the theme of “Celebration”.

On the way home, I stopped in Annapolis and met my cousins for crabs. We celebrated Peg’s birthday. I had a great time – even with the terrible heat!!

When I got home, I participated in our marriage prep program. It was held here in the rectory. Two mentor couples, three engaged couples and myself. I was so grateful that they had moved it here so that I wouldn’t have to go out again in the heat. The group ( without me) will meet in homes two more times and then have a last meeting here again on a Friday night, which I will attend. It’s a very good program.

I went to bed around 9pm and slept till 9:15am on Monday. It was nice to be in my own bed again.

On Monday, I went to Clyde’s to meet, three of the members of the Teen Club from St. Camillus, a spouse of one, and the mothers of the members. Ann Lee, a mother was up from Florida and two of her children, (Twins Eileen and Doug) and Eileen’s husband, Jay joined Joan Beall and her daughter Sharon. We all haven’t been together in a long time and really enjoyed talking and laughing. It’s hard to believe that it was over 40 years ago we all met. The mothers have known each other for almost 60 years as they went to the same high school. I really am blessed in my friends!!

I came home and took a nap and then had the 5:30pm Mass and met with a man, who was at GC when I was there. He is Jim Bergman and came with his wife, Mary and their baby, Molly Carol, whom I will baptize on August 4th. It was nice to see Jim and catch up on his life.

Today, I was “bumpted” from the 11am Mass because of a funeral that Fr. John came back for. I worked at my desk and tried to catch up on email and phone messages. I met with the DRE and we checked on all the baptisms being planned for the next two months. We have lots of them and we meet regularly to be sure all the paperwork is done. I came to lunch and took a nap. Now I’m getting ready for supper and I hope to work here in the rectory all evening. I try not to go out into this heat.

Again, happy special feast day of our Mother and Queen.

I am sitting at my desk, preparing to go to Camp Maria for the Family Retreat from Thursday to Sunday. I have been on it for the last three years; but many of the group have done it from the beginning. It is the 25th anniversary and so they invited Fr. Ray Wadas ( classmate of mine), a minister, and Sister Rose to be a team. So I won’t have a lot to do but I will enjoy being with them all and relaxing. I won’t have internet, so I will write on Monday, July 15th.

As for this week, Msgr, Patrick, and I had a great time going up to the Mount. It was made even more special by the “red hots” that Patrick brought me from Lila and Robin.
I will have to call Msgr and see how he is doing. He is staying there while they re-do his bathroom at the rectory.

On Tuesday, we had a big funeral. Ellen was in her 90’s and a vaery devoted parishioner. I sat on the side because it continues to be very hot. I had the 5:30pm Mass yesterday and had to come right down to the office because I had not taken the oxygen up with me. Stupid!

We welcomed our new associate, Fr. Justin Huber. He is ordained 3 years and seems like he’s fit in very well.

We have another big funeral today and I will act as MC because Martino is away. There are two Jesuits presiding and preaching. They are friends from high school. After all is done, I’m going to Maggie’s and take her to lunch. Then off to the retreat. Pray for all of us and know that you’ll be in my prayers. Happy Feast of St. Benedict – prayers for all the monks and sisters.

When last I wrote, I was waiting for the Cardinal to visit SBS. He was, as always, a delight. Our microphones in the church were out but with his usual charm, he said, “I’m glad that Fr. Potts explained about the mices, otherwise people would be saying ‘why is that old priest yelling’?”. Afterwards, I went with Rick and Peg to see, “White House Down”. It hasn’t gotten great reviews but we enjoy it. It had great special effects and plot twists. As I planned, I came home; ate the hot dogs that Humberto had left me and I watched the concert and fire works on the Mall. I had also watched the Mass at the Shrine and Cardinal Wuerl gave a good talk.

Friday was a “quiet day”. The office was open but no one came by. I had the 11am Mass and surprisingly there were about 80 people there. I spent much of the day, here in the rectory because it is in the 90’s outside.

Saturday was also quiet and I stayed here in the room most of the day. Again too hot outside. There was a service for Jamie Pendergraph, who died suddenly at 48 years of age, in Annapolis but I couldn’t go to it. I talked with his mom, Mary and we’re going to get together in a couple of weeks. Please keep Jamie and his family in your prayers.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and my homily was about the sending of the 72 disciples out and how we are being sent out to proclaim the kingdom is at hand. It went well but I used the oxygen for the whole Mass. Again the heat and humidity affect me. Martino drove over to Ledo’s and got us pizza, which was very good. I stayed in the rectory all evening and went to bed early.

I got up today at 6:10am as I had the 7:30am Mass. Fr. Peter Ryan, SJ, who has just been appointed the theological head of the Bishops’ conference and who often comes here for Mass when he’s in town, came to concelebrate. He offered – and I accepted quickly – to preside and preach; so I concelebrated – again with oxygen. I was soaking wet after Mass. I went and relaxed in the office and then drove out to Darnestown to have the 11:00am Mass. Fr. Ray is at the scout camp in New Mexico and Fr. Matthew says the Malabar rite Mass for the Indians at noon at another site; so I told Ray I’d could cover it. It’s a great parish. The deacon said, he was scheduled to preach and so I didn’t have to give my talk again. After Mass, a former student from GC came up to introduce his wife and three children. As soon as he came up, I said, “You were at Good Council” but I had to ask his name. Nice kid and great family.

I stopped at the credit union and have been here in my suite enjoying TV, spider solitaire, and lots of ice water.

Tomorrow, Pat Mullan is coming up and he and I will take Msgr. Beattie up to the Mount. He is going to stay there while they tear apart his bathroom and put in a shower and handicapped hand rest. We’re taking two cars, so we can leave him one. He says he can drive and tried it out in the neighborhood. There is not a lot of traffic around the Mount and he doesn’t want to be “locked in”. It will be a nice chance to “catch up” with Patrick.

Was on the phone a lot this week and that’s always nice. I also signed up for something express, which means that my medicines will come in a ninety day supply and I won’t have to have someone go monthly to CVS and get them. God love her, Joan Ward arranged that for me.
Again, you are up to date.

Today is Mary Mudd’s birthday. I sent her an ecard but will call her later to be sure it got there. I’m not great with this computer stuff.

The office is closed today but I am over here because Cardinal McCarrick’s secretary called yesterday and asked if her could come and say Mass. I told him we only have two Masses on the holidays – 8:00am and 11:00am. He chose the 11 and since the sacristan is off, I came over to be sure everything is ready. Also I probably will concelebrate since I just love the Cardinal. Also my cousins, Rick and Peg Jensen are coming to the Mass and afterwards, we’re going to a movie. It will be great fun to be with them. Tonight, I’ll probably watch the concert on the capitol on PBS. I’ll sleep in tomorrow as I have the 11am Mass on Friday.

I was very busy this last week. When last I wrote, I was looking forward to a full Saturday. I had the 11am Mass, a 1:30 baptism and a wedding at 4:30 in the chapel. What I didn’t realize was that our sacristan, Grace, was on vacation. She always takes such good care of things but I had to do a lot of it and I am not as organized. Also we had 5 baptisms and three weddings, so it was like a merry-go-round. All mine were fine, keep Thomas Clayton and his family in your prayers and remember also, Bill and Pam and their families on their wedding day.

Sunday was going to be my day of recovery since I only had the 5:30pm Mass; but I got a phone call from Gregory Richards. He is the youngest of the three Richards children and I’ve been a family friend since GC days. He lives in Georgia but was coming up to Frederick to pick up his two children and drive them to North Carolina to spend time with their grandparents and him. I told him to call me when he was leaving Frederick and I’d meet him at Macaroni Grill in Gaithersburg for lunch. I loved his children. Ben is 11 and Michaela just turned 10. They live with their Mom but Greg is a very devoted Dad and it is so obvious how much they love him. We had a great time and then they headed South. I came home and took a nap. I had the 5:30pm Mass and then I met with a young man until about 9pm. Then I went home and slept.

On Monday, I drove over to Little Sisters and picked up Msgr. Tom Duffy and brought him to the parish. We concelebrated the 11am Mass and then we were suppose to go to the senior cookout. But it rained and rained. So we had lunch with the guys in the rectory. They were glad to see Monsignor as was Humberto, the cook. I took him home and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. Father Lucas has gone on vacation and so until the new priest arrives on July 9th, we may have to double up on weekday Masses.

On Tuesday, the cookout was rescheduled and we had a great time. It was over in Hillandale, near St. Camillus and Armelle Munoz was there – a TEAM member from St. Camillus. It was nice to see her. I drove Charlie, who lives at Chevy Chase House, where we have Mass on Fridays and so I dropped him off and then I had the 5:30pm Mass.

On Wednesday, I had the 8:00am Mass and spent most of the day working on genealogy. Then I had the 5:30pm. We had had some electrical problems and the elevator was out; so I had to walk up to the first floor to go to the church. I had a rough time at Mass and it took till after Mass and I returned to the office and put on the oxygen till I felt OK. The elevator is working again. Last night, Dan and Stephanie called to tell me about their trip to Ireland. They had a great time. Dan’s two brothers and their wives went also. It was their first trip and Dan was the organizer and did a superb job. They were there for 10 days and stayed for a while at (I think)Kildare House, an old estate. Dan has relatives and they arranged a dinner with 17 of them and it sounds like it was a great Irish gathering. I hope to hear more and see pictures when I go visit them this fall.

So now Paddy is up to date and I have to get ready to say hi to the Cardinal.