What Paddy Shot At

Today is my day off and I only have one thing to do. I am going out to supper with Shep, who is a very nice parishioner and we try to get together two or three times a year for a meal and to talk about the church. He keeps up and is well read, so our discussions are always thought provoking. I’m looking forward to it.

I don’t really know why I haven’t written for two weeks. I’ll have to re-read this once I write it and then I’ll know what I’ve been doing.

On Sunday night, August 10th, I did have dinner with Barbara and Barry. We went to Mama Lucia and had a great meal. We sat and talked and laughed for three hours. I slept great!!

On Monday, the 11th, I had the 11am Mass and the rest of the day, I worked at my desk.

On Tuesday, the 12th, the feast of St. Clare, I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I gave a good homily on Clare and the virtue of poverty, which she loved.

On Wednesday, the 13th, I had the 8:00am Mass and at 11, Brian picked me up and we drove down to Assumption parish in Southeast. They got a large donation and they have renovated their former convent as an “outreach” building. It is named for Pope Francis and has their pantry, clothes shop, library, chapel, and rooms to have discussions and small meetings. It is lovely and we had Mass with Cardinal Wuerl and about 14 priests and a congregation of about 100. Afterwards, there was a reception in the center. I didn’t go but sat outside with Fr. Jim Bocabella and Brian and had a chance to speak with lots of old friends. Brian put a photo of him, Cardinal Wuerl and me on Facebook and I got lots of comments! Brian took very good care of me and saw that I didn’t have to walk much. I had a great time but went to bed early that night.

On Thursday, I took the 6:30am Mass so that I could go to Ascension church in Bowie and concelebrate Ernie Bergeron’s funeral Mass. I was glad I went and had a chance to visit his wife and family and to see lots of former parishioners from St. B’s. Ernie was on my finance committee at St. B’s and was a great help in getting things done there. Fr. Rob Walsh, who is chaplain at Maryland University was the presider and did a great job. I didn’t stay for the luncheon but I spoke to a lot of people outside the church. I was tired and stopped off at Joan Beall’s for water and cookies. I heard confessions from 2 to 5pm. Then I drove out to Leisure World and picked up Ginger Burch. She and I joined Pete Killeen at Tanya and Dennis Essig’s for supper. I met Tanya’s uncle, who is living with them and then we enjoyed about four hours of sitting on their veranda, drinking, laughing, talking, and enjoying a meal that was not cooked. (I don’t think I said what I wanted to say.) It was not a hot meal, everything was refreshingly cool as was the nice breeze we had. (I hope you understood that!!). I got home around 10pm and went quickly to bed.

On Friday, the 15 (Feast of the Assumption), I had the 8am Mass and there were lots of people. I talked about how old this feast is; although it didn’t become dogma till 1954, while it has been a holyday in the US since the 1850’s. Afterwards, I met with a parishioner. I was planning to go to Fred Tana’s funeral at St. Catherine Laboure but another person came in to talk and I didn’t get to it. He was another GC friend. Please keep his wife, Lucy in your prayers. They were married a long time.

On Saturday, the 16th, I went over to see Jerry Trancone at Holy Cross hospital. He was in Coronary Care. They don’t know what is wrong with him but they’re checking his heart. He didn’t want visitors but I’m glad I went. Keep him in your prayers. I had confessions at 4pm and the rest of the day, I spent in my suite – cleaning and organizing.

On Sunday, the 17th, I had the 7:30am Mass and the 12:30pm. I think I might have “shaken them up” by my homily. I told them that I don’t believe that Jesus knew that he was God. He knew and was convinced that he was the Messiah. I told them why I believe that and how the gospel of the day (the pagan woman, who said to Him, “even the dogs eats the scraps that fall from the table” when she wanted him to cure her daughter) and how he grew in knowledge that he was to help non-Jews as well. Some very interesting comments at the doors of the church. All positive!

On Monday, the 18th, I had the 8am Mass and then, a former student, who wanted to do community service, came and went through all the papers on my desk and helped me to throw things away. Two trash cans were full. He is off to a boarding school in New England, so keep Seamus in your prayers. I did the exposition for Fr Justin and he, Fr. Percy and I had supper together. Went to bed early.

On Tuesday, the 19th, I did a prayer service in the chapel for all the teachers. I had a chance to catch up with Sisters Mary Ann and Marita and many of the staff. Sister Mary Ann had planned the service and it was very reflective. I gave a little talk and there was a beautiful blessing that sister wrote and I gave at the end. Then I went and picked up Fr. Beattie to go have lunch with Fathers Duffy and Hill. I got there at Our Lady of Lourdes at 11:20 and was supposed to be there at 12:30. Since we had the time, we stopped in to see Fr. Trancone, who was home from the hospital and back at the Deaf Center. We also met a lot of staff. Jerry looks exhausted and has to wait for three weeks to have some heart test. I hope he just lays around and rest!
We did go to Fratelli’s for lunch and then after I dropped Fathers Duffy and Beattie off, I had the 5:30pm Mass. A very light supper with the guys and then to bed.

On Wednesday, the 20th (feast of St. Bernard), I met with a seminarian early in the day and then had the 11am Mass, where I told them a lot about the saint!. Then I went to get a haircut and have my beard trimmed. Came back and took a nap. The humidity was bad. I had dinner with the guys and went upstairs to relax. Late to bed after a lot of spider solitaire.

As I look this over, it doesn’t seem I did a lot of running around so what was I doing? I was on the phone a lot – trying to get a hold of lots of friends having birthdays. And I know I worked on the baptism program but aside from being able to get around my room easier because I got rid of stuff and being able to see the wood on my desk, I don’t know where the last two weeks went. BUT at least you are up to date now!

Tuesday, August 5th, I had the 8am and the 11am Masses. Then I drove to Bowie and met my sisters, Marie and Maggie, and Gail Douglas for lunch at RIP’s restaurant. It was nice to be with them. I stopped by Joan Beall’s to drop off more mail I got from the DC government about taxes. I am still fighting them!! Early to bed.

Wednesday was a “quiet” day in the office, so I did exposition and the 5:30pm Mass, had supper with Fr. Justin and again early to bed.

Thursday is my DAY OFF and so since I was supposed to go out to summer with some friends and it got cancelled; I stayed in my pj’s all day in my suite and got a lot of it cleaned up.

Friday, August 8th was a “strange” day. I had switched the 8am Mass for the 6:30 so that I could go to court with a lady and be “moral support”. But the weather was terrible – very humid! When I finished Mass, I was soak with perspiration and I realized that if I went to the court, I’d have to park a ways and then walk to the court. I figured that by that time, I’d be struggling for breath and they would probably have to call the EMT’s. So I called and told her I couldn’t come; then I went to my office and used the oxygen. I had the 11am Mass, exposition at 3, and the Mass at 5:30pm. I had signed in for supper and Fr. Justin noticed I was alone, so – even though it’s his Day Off, he joined me and we had a nice time and talked till 8pm. Again, I slept well.

Saturday, August 9th is my niece, Mary Ann Pearson’s birthday, so I called her. Then I had the 11am Mass and afterwards Fr. Mark Smith, who is pastor of Holy Redeemer parish in College Park and whom I taught at Good Counsel, came and took me to lunch at Arugula, a nice Italian restaurant nearby. We sat outside and had a wonderful time and “caught up”. I took a nap and then had the 5:30pm Mass. The reading – Jesus calming the waters – was rich for reflection.

Today is Sunday, the 10th. I wrote Tom DuBusky an email because today is his birthday and then I had the 9am Mass. I’ve been relaxing here in my office because I also have the 12:30pm and a baptism at 2pm. Please keep Isabella Kingsland and her family in your prayers. Then I’m off to supper with two of my GC buddies and an early to bed.

Some adjustments to last weeks

On Saturday, the 26th, I did have the 8am Mass and then I baptized Anne Frances and her twin, George Griffin. Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
Then I did drive to Baltimore for Adele’s 90th birthday. She looks great, as did her children and grandchildren. I sat with the Degenhardts and Gail and I really enjoyed myself. I saw Helen Horan, whom I think is 96, and her daughter, Beth and her daughter, Helen. I had such a good time that I had to “fly” over to Darnestown for the 5pm Mass. I got there at 4:55. There is no short direct road from Baltimore to Visitation church. I didn’t get to the chicken dinner at Barnesville – well maybe in the Spring!!

On Sunday, the 27th, I had the 7:30 and 10:30am Masses but decided not to go to West Virginia because they were forecasting bad storms. So I went to bed early and slept great!

I got up late on Monday, the 28th and headed to St. Vincent’s. It was a beautiful day and I got there around 4pm. I joined the monks for evening prayer and then Bob Norton, Tom Kredel and I went to a nice Italian restaurant and had a great time. When we returned, we sat on the porch of the seminary where a few others joined us and we laughed and talked till after 10pm.

On Tuesday, the 29th, we had breakfast in the refectory around 8:30. Brother Ben joined us and we had a good time talking. Around 11am, we congregated in the parish hall and processed into the Abbey church. There were about 70 of us, the preacher was a Benedictine, who is the retired auxiliary bishop of Cleveland. He was very good. Bishop Winter, retired from Pittsburgh and the Archabbot Douglas concelebrated. Doug, who is a classmate, is still recovering from surgery but it was great to see him and talk with him a couple of times that day. The luncheon was great and Bill Feeney and Joe Klepner joined us. Afterwards, I just sat outside – the weather was great, cool and no humidity! I spent a couple of hours just relaxing and talking with people.
The cookout began at 4pm and Richard Wesolowski joined us. It was so good to be with my four best friends from seminary and “catch up”. Around 7pm, I decided to leave and head home. It was an easy ride and I was home and in bed by 11:30pm

Since I wasn’t expected back, I just used Wednesday, the 30th to clean up my desk and my suite. I got a lot done. Around 6pm, I went to the Greek restaurant on Connecticut Ave and met a couple that I married a few years ago. They and their parents and I had met there before the wedding and has a great time. We sat outside as the weather continued to be so nice. They are expecting and we “caught up” and had a great time. I had lamb, which I really enjoy!

On Thursday, the 31st, I slept in and worked in my suite. I came to the office and heard a confession in Spanish and went back to my suite.

On Friday, the 1st of August, I had the 8am Mass and then went to see Dr. Solomon. He was very pleased with how I’m doing and I don’t have to come again till January of 15.
Then I heard confessions from 2 to 5pm, had supper and relaxed all evening.

On Saturday, the 2nd, I had the 11am Mass and then I insisted that Mildred, who is our receptionist on Saturdays, go out to lunch with her daughter and her two grandsons, who surprised her by driving in from Ohio. She told them she couldn’t go as she was “on duty”. She said the pastor asked her to come and do this and he is away, so she had to stay. I said, “Mildred, when the pastor is away, who is the most important person in the office? The Monsignor!! And he is ordering to go out with your family, who are thrilled to be able to spend some time with you!” And she went – and had a great time. I sat at her desk and I think the phone rang twice. Actually, since I was not near my computer, I made lots of phone calls and “caught up” with lots of friends. I slept great!!

On Sunday, I listened to some of the talk shows and then had the 10:30 and 12:30 Masses. I thanked everyone for their generosity to the food drive – we had two cars full for the pantries. Our people are so good.
Then I had the baptismal prep class. It was nice to meet some of the people, whom I’ve “met” on email as they made plans.

And now it is Monday, August 04, . I had the 11am Mass and preached about St. John Vianney, the only parish priest to be declared a saint – so far!!! I spent the day here in the office but it was quiet and now I’m going to get some food and relax, and go to bed early.