What Paddy Shot At

It is already a week since I last wrote; I don’t know how that happened.
Last Tuesday, I had my discussion group with the senior citizens and our topic was “Changes in the Church”. We discussed the rules about cremation, what the church asks if you want to have a child baptized, can you attend a single sex marriage ceremony, and attitudes towards Catholics who don’t obey church laws. It was very interesting and I ended the discussion with the invitation to learn the why of church law and then to be evangelizers to others about why Mother church has rules and how she applies them like all good mothers with loving and accepting care. It was a good morning.
Then I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. Went home and soaked my foot.

On Wednesday, I had the 8am Mass. I must have asked for it but I don’t remember why because I had nothing scheduled the rest of the day. So I got my haircut, soaked my foot, and spent the day in my suite. I did join Mary Bergman, her Mom, her aunt, her cousin, and Mary’s baby, Molly for supper at Clyde’s. Jim, her husband joined us late. We had a great time and made connections as we know some of the same people. I baptized Molly a couple of months ago and we promised to get together for a meal. Jim is a Good Counsel grad.

On Thursday, I picked up Joan Beall and we drove up to visit Betty Neary. It was a nice, sunny but cool day – Just the kind of day I like for a long ride. Betty was delightful and full of news. We caught up on lots of people. We went to lunch at the Mason/Dixon Line, our favorite diner; and then we went to the Amish market. That night, Betty called to update me on Fr. Bob Nugent. He is Salvatorian, who use to help at her parish. He bought a horse and moved to Florida. We had talked about him at lunch. She called to say that he has moved back to Wisconsin because he has cancer. I think he has been one of the Prophets of the church. Please keep him in your prayers.

On Friday, I had the 8am Mass. It was for John Mulholland on what was his 90th birthday. He is my friend, Brian’s dad. I was away on my cruise when he died and so I talked about him and his faith as part of my homily.
Then I went and soaked my toe. It looks terrible because a big piece of skin came off and it’s very raw but I can see it is much improved. I took a nap and then I went and picked up Barb Ostrye and she and I met Barry Fitz at an Italian restaurant. As we always do, we laughed and enjoyed being together. It was a great evening.

On Saturday, I met with a couple who is getting married to do some paperwork. I think it’s funny that I am doing a lot of paperwork for weddings I will not participate in, when I use to hate the paperwork part. Now, I am not up to doing the wedding but am happy to help the priests by doing the paperwork for them. Ah, the mystery of God’s plan!!
That evening, we had a special liturgy at 5:30. We call it the Ruppert Mass but it really is a Mass for people with disabilities. Blessed Sacrament is truly a parish that welcomes and has participating in its liturgical life, so many different people. I concelebrated with my oxygen.

On Sunday, I had the 7:30am Mass. I didn’t have to preach as we had a Father Gulliermo, from the Phillipines preaching at all the Masses. So after Mass, I went bad to bed and listened to the Sunday talk shows. I met Susan Cassidy for lunch at RIP’S in Bowie and it was fun to catch up on her, her family, and many from St. Mary’s county. I soaked my foot again and went to bed early. I was tired but I watched British TV.

Today, I came over to the office because I expected a man to come by and talk around 10. He did. Now, I think I’ll finish this up and take a nap. I have exposition at 3 and Mass at 5:30. I hope to get some of this desk cleared after Mass. We still don’t have a cook – he comes back tomorrow. I miss not coming together for supper and seeing the guys.

On Saturday, the 19th, I had the 8am Mass and then I drove to California, Md to have lunch with my TEAM (Teams of our Lady). There are 5 couples and me – as chaplain – and we join together for prayers, sharing, and comments on a wonderful book we are reading. The book is called When the Rain Speaks by Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND. It’ such easy reading and yet full of things to think about.
I tried to go shopping for a stool to give out Communion but the parking lots at Walmart and Target were crowded and came home to rest.

On Sunday, I had the 10:30 gym Mass and I gave Communion by leaning against a chair (Didn’t work very well but I was glad to be giving Communion. Then I met with a young couple who are being married by another priest but wanted me to help them with paperwork and Pre-Cana. She is the grand daughter of Beth McCoy, so I am happy to help if I can.
I got an email from Janet and Patrick Kennedy (friends from St. Bernard’s) to see if I would be able to join them at Cylde’s. I took a nap in the afternoon and met them. We spent three hours talking and laughing. It was delightful.

This morning as I was putting on my socks, I noticed that the big toe on my left foot was all red. Not painful but it looked like a had an ingrown toenail. Surprise, surprise, I called the doctor and she told me to come right down. It is infected, so she gave me some antibiotics and I am to soak it in hot water for a couple of days. Did that this afternoon.
Tonight, I had the 5:30pm and now I am dropping off Joe Stout’s new book as a gift for all the people in RCIA. It is called Introduction to the Catholic Faith and it is the best and most readable and under-standable thing out there. I am proud of him. Then off to soak my foot and get something to eat and then early to bed.

Tomorrow, I have “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”, exposition and 5:30pm Mass. An easy day and I’ll soak my foot a couple of times.

Sorry for the long delay. I am amazed that it is a week.

Last Saturday, the 12th, I had Andrea and Stephen’s wedding. It stopped raining and she was beautiful. Then I took a nap and I had confessions at 4pm. Then I drove over and picked up Barb Ostrye and we went to Good Counsel High School for the reunions of the classes that ended in 3 or 8. Barb’s son, Paul is from the class of 1978 and she knew many of them. I knew the students from 1983 the best. The had a good number come and we “caught up”. A number of the faculty (past and present) were there and I had a great time.

Sunday was very easy for me – and I needed it. I was very tired. I had only the 10:30am Mass in the church and the deacon preached. After Mass, I got some food and went back to bed. I stayed there all day and night. I had no trouble sleeping, so I may have still had a little bit of what I had earlier in the week.

Monday, I slept in until I had the 11am Mass. Then I went and met four of my cousins, Eileen Price and Betty Borowski, who are the daughters of Margaret O’Brien Brown; Mary Ann dePaul, who is the daughter of Ann O’Brien Hayden, and Helen Nolan, who is the daughter of Johnny O’Brien. These were Nellie O’Brien siblings and my dad’s first cousins. I guess we are second cousins. I can’t get that straight! We get together every so often and always have a great time. Fr. Donald Brice was also there. He’s a long time friend of theirs and mine. We ate too much but I hear that you lose calories for every laugh – and we had a lot!!
I went to bed early.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and then met with a mother and her adult son, who was baptized but hasn’t recieved other sacraments. We’re going to take care of that. We had a great visit.
Then I went and had supper with Fr. Beattie at an Italian restaurant. Then my play reading group met. It was a nice session – although the play was kind of racy; but we had a great discussion.

Wednesday I spent the morning on paperwork at my desk and got a lot done. I also made plans to take the train out to California in March. It was involved but I think it will work.
I had exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. Afterwards I met with a nice young couple who are getting married in the Spring. She is not a Catholic but interested in learning about it and maybe joining, so we’ll meet for a couple of sessions.

On Thursday, I went to Arundel Mills Mall and met Sister Kass for lunch and we had a great visit. I did play at little in the casino (I broke even!!!). Then I went to Jiffy Lube and then the library, where I read about five books (written for children) on John Kennedy. I was very amazed that my great nieces and nephew don’t know much about him. They think of him the way my generation thought of Lincoln. I think that is sad.
Then I went to Leisure World and had dinner at the rectory with the pastor, Msgr. Don Essex and Jay Rader, who is our liturgy minister. We had a great time and many laughs.

Today, I spent the whole day trying to organize my desk and room – half way there!! Had the 5:30pm Mass and afterwards met with a lovely couple who want to have their marriage blessed. I love working on those kinds of things.
I got an email from a friend who wanted to know if I was ill or OK; it was just the little kick in the butt that I needed to get this done. Keep helping me because I don’t want to go this long in the future.

When last I wrote, I was going to join Maggie and Marie and drive up to visit our cousin, Margaret on Wednesday; but I woke up with a terrible head cold. I was stuffed up that I called them and “wimped out”. I came and did the 11am Mass, then got some soup and tea and went to bed. I stayed there thru the night and felt a lot better in the morning.

Thursday, the 10th was my Day Off and I slept in till 10am. Then I drove out to Leisure World and had lunch with Fr. Ray Fecteau and his parents, Paul and Cecile. Ray’s birthday was on the 6th and his parents have been good friends over the years, so we met there to celebrate. It was great to see them. They are in their 90’s and the last of my 5 ordination classmates parents to be living. Some health problems but they do well; keep them in your prayers.
I had a very nice time with Patrick Mullan, who was up here to make arrangements for the confirmation retreat that he is giving in November.
Then I went to Shanghai Village in nearby Bethesda to have supper with my cousins, Jim and Eileen Denney, Susan Rogus, and Jean Denney. We don’t do this often enough but we always have a great time. It’s so nice to catch up on their families. I have a great family.

Today, It’s raining still and sometimes very heavy so I slept in again this morning. It seems to affect my breathing a lot. So I just “hung around”. I had the 11am Mass and was ready to go back to bed until I remembered that I was to meet Ann for lunch at Chadwick’s. I went but I got soaked even with an umbrella. I always have hated rain and most often just stay home if I can.
I just finished a wedding rehearsal. It went well but keep Andrea and Stephen in your prayers – especially that it isn’t raining at 10am tomorrow. Now, some soup and early to bed.

I had nice long talk with Sharon Beall today and she made a very good suggestion – that I look into going to California by train in March. I might do that. I went by train a number of years ago and loved it. I’ll keep you informed.

I don’t know where the last few days have gone. I last wrote on the 1st of October and now it is a week later. I haven’t been doing much except going through the bookcases and getting things together for the library book fare and the Sodality Bazaar.

On the 2nd, I attended the funeral of Luise but I didn’t go to the senior priests luncheon instead I went to bed for a couple of hours. I did do the 5:30pm Mass but skipped supper and went to bed early.

On the 3rd, I drove over to Marie’s and picked up my cell phone. Maggie had given it to her at Bingo. Maggie and Kerri had doctors’ appointments, so Marie decided to come back up and get her mail. I was glad to get the phone (even though it was dead).

On the 4th, I had the 11am Mass and met with a very nice couple who are in need of your prayers. She has ALS and of course, that will only get worse. We had a great visit but please keep Pat and Bill in your prayers. I spent the rest of the day in my suite.

On Saturday, the 5th, I had the 8:00am Mass and then I drove over near Baltimore for Dot Witte (Furnary)’s 86th birthday. It was at Bill’s house and we sat on the dock and watch some of the family be pulled along on a raft. Dot and I sat in comfortable chairs under roof and enjoyed the activities. We’re both glad we’re too old to try some of those things. All of her seven children were there as well as some grandchildren and nieces and nephews. I was so glad I went but I had to leave early as I was saying Mass for the Holy Cross Sisters at 5pm.

Sunday, I just hung around my suite and watched the Sunday talk shows. This “shutdown” is so stupid and it is really effecting so many people. I didn’t preach about it because I am so angry. Actually I preached about seeing a few hundred children at the Shrine on TV. They were participating with other children through out the world in praying the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament.Cardinal Wuerl preached and answered questions from the children. It as very good and lightened my spirits.

Yesterday, the 7th, I had the 11am Mass and then prepared to be the speaker at the RCIA meeting that evening. I spoke on Scripture and Tradition. It was my first meeting with the new catechumenes. I think we have 6. I enjoyed it but I think I was a little dry – not much humor in my presentation.

Today, I stayed over in the rectory till around 2pm and then came to the office. I had exposition at 3pm and will have the Mass at 5:30. The rain we had has helped to clean out the air and I am not struggling for good breathes like I was earlier. Probably early to bed tonight. I have 11am Mass and then I’m driving to Annapolis to meet Marie and Maggie and we’ll go up to Salisbury and visit our cousin, Margaret and see Jean Pizza, who has moved up there. We might see Jordan, Maggie’s grand daughter who is a freshman.
And that is that!!! I am very tired.

On one level, I still celebrate this feast on Oct 3rd but it was moved to the 1st during the time of Pope Paul VI; but I did send roses to Sr. Natalie today in Cincinnati, so I guess I have capitulated. (It is now 4 hours later)
I had the 11am Mass and then met with the seniors for “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was our favorite saint and of course, I spoke about St. Therese. I also told them about St. Uplio.
Then couple who is being married here at Christmas came to speak with me and fill out papers.
Then the phone rang and it was Sister Natalie to tell me how beautiful the roses are and they are on the altar. She sounded great and I told her I would be out again before Christmas.

I need to report that last Saturday I had a wonderful experience. I joined Joan Beall, Sharon Beall, Doug Lee, Eileen and Jay Baughan, and Mike Jones for a lunch at the home of Theresa and Michael Morse. We were there about 5 hours and laughed and talked (I heard some stories I didn’t know about when they were in the teen club). Mark Gribbin phoned from Seattle (his bill will be huge since we each talked with him). We just decided we needed to be together for a “happy” occasion and this was it!!!
Afterwards I drove down to Maggie’s and spent the night.

On Sunday, we drove to St. Michael’s for the 10:30 Mass. (We were very early, about 9:20) I thought the Mass was at 10:00am. It was to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the school. The Mass was lovely and the superintendent of schools gave a great homily. Local and state politicians made presentations. Afterwards there was a delicious luncheon and the opportunity to see so many old friends. I have been away longer than I realize when children I baptized are now in the 11th grade in high school. Although I great to see the young men and women they have become.
I was tired out and did use the oxygen. I came right home afterwards.

I took Monday off as I wasn’t scheduled for Mass because I had planned to stay at Maggie’s. I left photos for them to look through and talke what they wanted. Also Maggie tried to call me on my cell and it rang in her purse where I guess she had put it. So I have to figure out how to get it back

My couple is gone and I think I’ll head to the rectory.