What Paddy Shot At

I last wrote on Saturday and I did have a baptism after my meeting. Please keep Avery Grace and her family in your prayers. She was to have been baptized in December; but her Dad was ill and then it went through the family. We had a great celebration. I didn’t go to Maggie’s.

On Sunday, I drove down to St. Mary’s and met with my TEAM at a restaurant called the Ruddy Duck. It was a brunch and we had a good time. Then some of us went to the home of one of the couples and had a meeting. We tried to leave before dark. Then I drove to New Jersey. I had hoped to meet up with Marlene and Don Munson but didn’t get to the Deleware bridge till 7pm. I told them to go on home. I got into the hotel around 9pm, said Mass, and went to bed.

The hotel was near Carmen’s, so I drove over and we had a great visit. I didn’t realize that he is still recovering from his heart surgery and tires, even though he keeps up an amazing schedule. It was nice just to sit and talk and “catch up”. I got a chance to see June and to talk with Joyce, which was nice.
I drove down to Atlantic City since I had a comp room at the Plaza. I took a nap, got something to eat and then played at the tables for a couple of hours. The place was almost deserted but I heard that it was full and rocking over the holiday weekend. I lost “my limit” and went upstairs. They kept talking about snow and so at 9:30pm, I got my car and headed home. I didn’t run into snow until about a half hour before I got home but I’m glad I left. I love to sleep in my own bed!!

On Tuesday, there was snow everywhere and my interviews for Confirmation were cancelled. I did say the 5:30pm Mass and then went to the play group. It was a strange one but interesting.

It snowed again on Wednesday morning and school was off. We had a small crowd at the 11am Mass. It turned nice afternoon and so I had two interviews and then had dinner out with an old friend, Dennis.

On my day off, I went out to visit Barb Ostrye and Dot Witte Furnary. It was good to see them both. Both have some health issues, so keep them in your prayers. Then I went to Riderwood to visit another lady. It was a sunny day but I was tired and cancelled out on dinner and a movie with Fr. Jim Boccabella – I felt lilke such a wimp!

Friday, I had the 11am Mass and then relaxed all afternoon. At 5:30, a parishioner, Ann picked me up and we went to the “Club”. First time, I’ve been and it is elegant. It use to be a hunt club and Ann’s grandfather was one of the founders. We had a good time but I was ready for bed by 9pm.

On Saturday, I had an interview that had to be cancelled because of the snow. The rest of the day was free, so I spent the day watching TV. I had the 5:30pm Mass but didn’t preach because it was the Cardinal’s Appeal and Fr. Ron spoke. Quiet night

On Sunday, I had the 10:30 in the gym but again did not preach. I did give out Communion from my stool and it went OK. Our new deacon (ordained last Saturday) who is a student at TC was on with me. He is from Spokan, Washington.
At 12:30, I picked up Fr. Beattie and we went looking for breakfast. We tried a few IHOPs and the Pancake House but all were crowded. We ended up going to Timpano’s (Italian) for lunch. We had a great time.

On Monday, I had the funeral of a 97year old Communion call of mine. Please keep Rosalie and her family in your prayers. I had just seen her last week but she was ready to go. They called Fr. Ron, last Thursday and he went and anointed her. All her family were around her praying. They planned the funeral and it was beautiful. Lots of people and lots of good music. They had a reception at her house immediately; and then I met them at Gate of Heaven for the interrment at 2:30pm.
I had the 5:30pm Mass but Father Justin took it for me. I met with my niece and a friend over in the rectory at 6pm to plan a retreat that the seperated and divorced group will have in May. It was a great meeting and we got a plan!!

On Tuesday, the little snow shower that we expecting turned out to be 4 to 6 hours and dumped 1-3 inches of snow. Messed up everything. I was suppose to go and meet a couple in Virginia but I “wimped out”. I don’t trust myself to walk on ice. We’ll reschedule.

Today, It snowed again for a couple of hours and stayed on the ground. I had the 11am Mass and had no help putting things out and then I knocked over my water glass and I “suffered” through the Mass. I just couldn’t relax and move on. Fortunately, two people did help with Communion, so I just sat down. I was glad to get back to my room and take a nap.
At 2:30, Sarah, a sophomore at St. John’s came by to help me with my office. She needs to do “community work hours”. Some of the staff came and told her, she’d do better to join a chain gang; but she and I went through piles of paper. We threw a lot away and filed a lot. She’ll come again next week. Who know, maybe my Christmas letter 2012 might get out before Easter!! Who knows????

Tomorrow, Thursday, I will go to hear confessions at Visitation High School and then to St. Luke’s. I’ll come home and sleep.
On Friday and Saturday, I will be at the MAC2014, a convention of religious educators and publishers that is being held in Baltimore. So I will write again on Saturday night. I have the 5:30pm Mass.

I did go up to New Jersey last Sunday night

This week just flew by: It is already Saturday again. Where does the time go?

On Sunday, I did sleep in and watch the talk shows. I also watch TV for most of the day. I did have the 5:30pm Mass and I preached on what the Pope preached on about how we are Salt and Light for the world.

On Monday, it was bitter cold and I stayed in the rectory most of the day. At three pm, I had exposition and two interviews. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass.
Immediately afterwards I drove out to Our Lady of Vietnam church on New Hampshire Ave. Fr. An Vu, who was sent to St. Bernard’s as a newly ordained, died this weekend of cancer. He had been ill for a couple of years but he would respond to treatment and get back to being pastor of OLoV, then it would show up somewhere else. He was only 55 but had an interesting life.
He was born in South Vietnam and after the Fall, he escaped in a boat, was captured by pirates, ended up in an orphanage in Thailand, and finally came as a refugee to the US. He went to college, joined the Trinitarians, left and went to Mt. St. Mary’s in Emittsburg and was ordained for our Archdiocese and came to St. Bernard’s. The Mass was beautiful and bi-lingual. The church was full and about 30 priests were there. I didn’t stay for the reception, I wanted to get home and be warm.

On Tuesday, I got a lot of work done at the desk and then had two interviews. I also went out and bought some food for the snow we’re expecting. I had the 5:30pm Mass and went home.

On Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then went to the “retired priests” luncheon at John Vianney House. Saw Tom Kane, Jim Beattie and the other regulars. Frank Early was there for the first time, and it was nice to catch up on him. He lives in Leisure World and helps out at St. Patrick’s.
On the way home, I took Communion to a very sweet lady, Ida, who has had to move in with her son. We had a nice visit. When I got back to the office, I met with one of the people involved in the baptismal prep program and we got some stuff put in a drawer for the couples running the sessions. That was a lot of the paperwork on my desk.

Thursday is my day off but everyone was. We had a big snow storm during the night and much of the day. The office is closed and life is at a standstill.
Ron made eggs, bacon, and toast for me, Lucas, and himself. It was very good. TV all night.

On Friday, the funeral was cancelled so I did have 11am Mass. About twenty people came. I didn’t preach and was back in the office by 11:35. The office is closed, so I just went back to the rectory and watched TV and played Spider Solitaire.

Today, Saturday, the office is still closed but I had an appointment to meet Carrie about a baptism. Then I met with another couple who can’t make any of the baptismal prep meetings. I went up to set up for a 2pm baptism but Fr. Ron says that Grace is coming, so I decided to come down here and try to finish this message.

I am supposed to go to Maggie tonight but I don’t know. I’m comfortable in my own bed and with the big oxygen.
I am supposed to meet my TEAM down in St. Mary’s tomorrow for lunch and a meeting. Then I’m supposed to drive up to New Jersey and try to see Carmen. On Monday, I have a comp room at Trump Plaza and hope to see some friends. I just don’t know if I want to drive to Jersey.
You’ll learn what I decided when next I write.

Today I don’t have too many things to do; so I’ll try to get this done and “catch you up”.

I last wrote on Friday, the 31st of January.

I did have Mass on Saturday, February 1st at 11am and then at 1pm I presided at a Mass for Milt “Mac” McGreevy in the chapel. Mac was the father of Regina McGreevy, who has been my friend since grade school. Sadly, she died too early in 2006. Her family took me in (literally and figuratively) and Mac was like another Father to me. He died out in Colorado at the age of 93. Since much of the family are out here, we had a memorial Mass for him. It was a nice little crowd. Mary and Brian, two of his children were there; as was Donna, Brian wife and Carlo, Regina’s husband. Marilyn and Frank Cavallaro, (Regina’s aunt and uncle), three of Mary’s children, Chris and his wife, Corinne, and their son, Aiden were there. Her daughter, Sarah and her daughter, Bella were also there. Her son, Anthony wasn’t able to be there but his wife, Christie, and their children, Roman and Grace came. My sister, Marie and our friend, Danny Schmidt also attended.

On Sunday, I had the 7:30am Mass and I watched the Sunday Talk Shows since I was up so early. At 11am, I had a ceremony to give Kevin the first Eucharist and to confirm him. It was very nice and in addition to his parents and girl friend, some of his firemen buddies were there.
Right after, I had a baby baptism; please keep Grace Jane and her family in your prayers. It was a nice crowd and among them, a couple I married last year and couples who has a home in Dameron and were at St. Michael’s when I was there.

On Monday, I went out and got new glasses. When I fell, I scratched my lenses but I just ignored it; but it has begun to bug me. It took most of the morning and I have to pick them up next week. I had my eyes examined and got both regular glasses and sunglasses (I think I lost my other ones on the cruise of the Queen Mary). Maybe I shouldn’t go on cruises?! Then I had exposition, three interviews, and the 5:30pm Mass. Quiet night.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and went home and took a nap. I had 5 interviews in the late afternoon. Had supper with the guys in the house, which was nice.

On Wednesday, I had exposition, two interviews and the 5:30pm Mass. Then I went and picked up Joan Beall, and we drove out to Ellicott City for the wake for Dr. Eugene Kinerney. Gene and Anna Marie were great friends from St. Bernard’s. I’ve kept in touch with them and especially since Gene had a stroke about three months ago, we talked every couple of days. Gene was improve and go to rehab and then have to come back to the hospital. Illnesses like that can sap a person’s energy (and the family’s also). That’s why I pray daily for the sick and their caregivers.

On Thursday, we had a very nice service at the funeral home for Gene. Members of his family, neighbors and friends shared thoughts. The music (and the cantor) were excellent and lifted up our spirits as we gave Gene back to God. We had a nice repast at an Italian restaurant and I had the chance to sit and visit with Delores and Orly, old friends. Then we had the internment at Ft. Lincoln. And then I took a nap. Again, had a nice dinner and talk with Fathers Ron and Lucas. Early to bed!!

On Friday, I presided at the funeral of a 91 year old lady from the parish. I didn’t know her but she had worked on Capitol Hill in the great days of JFK and LBJ. She never married but had lots of friends and a special nephew, who arranged everything. Please keep Agnes Louise in your prayers. After the internment at Gate of Heaven, I had lunch and then took a long nap. I wanted to be wide awake for the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I stayed up and watch all of it. It was very moving and exciting.

Slept in today (Saturday) but have been here at the desk since about 9:30. I used the “quiet time” to call Bob and Anita Green, dear friends from St. Bernard’s. Bob is seriously ill but I got a chance to talk with both of them and some children and grandchildren. I also spoke with Adele Meyers and Fr. Mike Roach, and Fr. Trancone and Anna Marie, and Betty Neary. I just had a meeting with a young couple for the paperwork of their wedding and I have confessions at 4pm. Tomorrow, I don’t have Mass till 5:30pm, so I guess I’ll watch the talk shows and any of the Olympics that are on.