What Paddy Shot At

On Friday, the 23rd, I had the 8AM Mass and then drove over and picked up Fr. Jim Beattie and we went to IHOP in Wheaton and had a great big breakfast. He had some kind of coupon and we really did eat a lot (he had scrapple!!!) but the bill was very small. We caught up and had a great time. Then I had exposition and the 5:30PM Mass. Waiting for the snow, but it didn’t come.

On Saturday, I drove out to Darnestown for First Confessions. Of course, it was delightful and worth the ride. I kept waiting for the snow. I came home and met with an appointment around 11 and then a very nice couple from Virginia came to make arrangement for a funeral sometime next week. She was in her 90’s and we talked about the great and long life she had. Please keep Lorraine and her family in your prayers.
I drove down and picked up Maggie and Marie and drove to Chesapeake Beach for a Mass and cover-dish with the SDC’s (Separated and Divorced Catholics). It was so nice and the sun actually came out for the Mass on a glassed in patio.
Then we three went to BINGO. I know that’s hard to imagine but it was nearby and it passed the time. I even won twice in the “early birds” and Marie won once. Maggie didn’t win at all – very unusual! Went to bed at Maggie’s around 11pm.

On Sunday, we three drove up to Blessed Sacrament. I had the 12:30PM Mass. Marie came to it but since we had already been to Mass the night before (and Maggie is using a scooter to get around), she stayed in my office and CLEANED!!!
Then we drove out to Mama Lucia’s in Olney and met Peg and Phil Caruso (our cousins) and their daughter, Jackie and her husband Hugh and their daughter, Megan. Also one of their sons, Michael was there. It was great to see them all. I think the last time we all got together was Megan’s high school graduation. She is now graduated from college and grad school and is in Sports’ medicine. We were a little loud but it was like Sunday dinner at an Italian family and everyone enjoyed themselves.
The “girls” and I came back to Blessed Sacrament and I had the 5:30PM Mass. The girls stayed in my office and continued CLEANING. Three of my stacks of paper are now in Recycle!! Then we went back to Maggie’s. Afterwards, I drove back to Blessed Sacrament because they were talking about a lot of snow and I didn’t want to get caught in Calvert county. I was home by 9:45 and went right to bed.

Today, Monday, I had the 8AM Mass and although it did snow, it didn’t affect school or anything else. I spent the morning on the phone and at my desk and I had exposition. Since the county is closing the school for activities, we are not having our Confirmation interviews, so I may go back to the rectory. Have supper and relax. I am annoyed by the snow forecasters who get us all worried and nothing comes of it. Years ago, we had a weatherman named Louis Allen, and his nickname was “Lying Louie” because if he told you the sun would shine, you’d better take an umbrella. He was never right but we all loved him. Now they have dobler and never are right!! Oh Well!!

Over the weekend, I received a lot of sad new. Marge Bergeron, whose husband Bernie died last year, died over the weekend. Kathy Giddins, another St. Bernard’s stalwart also died. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
Also Kevin Mulholland, Brian’s brother had a stroke just before the weekend. He was only 61 and lived in Arizona. He was on machines and over the weekend, the doctors told the family that he could not return and so the machine should be turned off. He was an organ donor and they have been able to give his kidney already to someone in need and other organs will also help others. It doesn’t lessen the pain but some good will come from his death. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Today is Thursday and usually my DAY OFF and I was planning to pick up Joan Beall and go up and visit Betty Neary in Pennsylvania; but Betty called last night and said that with the weather, we should move it to next week. So I spent today hanging around my office in the rectory. I tried to “organize” the rooms and put stuff aside to give away. I got a lot done. I also went over to the office to deal with a few baptismal questions; but mostly I stayed in my suite. I also decided I needed to bring you all up to date on Paddy, sooo

On Friday, January 12th, I did head out to West Virginia for the retreat. I got there early in the day because I wasn’t sure about the weather. It turned out to be sunny and cool. I got there with time for a nap. The ladies arrived by supper at 6pm. I think there were fifty some. After dinner, I gave a talk called, “Why did you come?” The theme was “Come away with me to a quiet place”. They had a social but I made myself available for talking or confessions. I was in bed around 10pm.

It is hard to describe the retreat except to say, it was a wonderful experience of Grace. Saturday, we kept a kind of “Sacred Silence, which meant no talking in the building and at meals. It was interesting – and a little un-nerving but I think it helped set a tone for things. I gave a number of presentations and the retreatments were in discussion groups and had questions on which to share. I was available for talking or confession most of Saturday evening. On Sunday, we had Mass and large group sharing. It was a great time together.
On the way home, I visited the Cavallaro’s and baptized Anthony Joseph. Keep them all in your prayers. I had a good to time seeing them all and visiting. I drove home and was in bed by 10pm.

Monday was Martin Luther King Day and I had the 11am Mass. As the office was closed, I just stayed in my suite and relaxed. A priest friend of Fr. Ron’s was visiting from Scranton and the three of us and he went out to supper at Tavernina’s and had a great dinner and much talk and laughter.

Tuesday, I had my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. It was a small group but we talk about Dr. King and also about the new Cardinals. Very interesting discussion. I had the 5:30pm Mass and spent the evening in my suite.

Wednesday, I spent most of the day getting baptism information set up and corrected. Had the 8 and 11am Masses.

Was weather is so changeable and so I was hoping to get to the hospital and see some people but it didn’t work out because things got changed at the hospitals also. Please keep both Mary Lou Jones and baby Eli Merkle and their families in your prayers.

I just finished the 6:30am Mass and since I will leave later this morning for West Virginia, I thought I’s write a message.

On Tuesday, January 13th, I spent the morning doing little projects. I got my hair cut and beard trimmed. I went to the post office and mailed a package. I went by and visited Joan and Ginny (unknown to me, Ginny had made me some cookies and I had a treat to bring home for my room!) I went to the dentist. I hadn’t been there for two years and although they didn’t hurt, I realized I should call and make an appointment. He took some x-rays and I am to call next week and see if I have a cavity. He cleaned them and said I should floss more. Not too bad a report! Then I had exposition and 5:30pm Mass and supper at the rectory.

On Wednesday, the 14th, I had the 8am Mass and then a funeral at 11am. Please keep Janette and her family in your prayers. She lived a wonderful and faith filled life and it was so good to hear her children talk about her. A cousin, a Jesuit from Marquette concelebrated and went out to the cemetery. I worked on cleaning my desk and did exposition and then took a nap.

Thursday was my DAY OFF and so I really straighten out my desk. You can see wood. I also packed for the retreat and got the baptism schedule finished. I also called and talked to Mary Lou Jones, a dear friend from Camillus. She is going into Washington Hospital Center on Tuesday for a heart procedure. I hope to get over to see her when I return on Monday. Please keep her in your prayers.
I went to the last session of our marriage prep program. I really enjoyed that and hope I can do that again.

As I began, I had the 6:30am Mass and now will get the car packed and head out to Priest field for the retreat. I finished on Sunday; but will stay and baptize Andy and Shanna Cavallaro’s son. I may stay overnight but it depends on how I feel. I do like my own bed. I have the 11am Mass on Monday, which is Dr. King’s Day and since it’s a holiday, there shouldn’t be a lot of traffic.

I know you don’t mind my asking for your prayers for some many people’s needs. Please remember Msgr. John Madigan, a retired priest of our diocese and his family. Mr. Bill Fitzpatrick, Barry Fitz’s dad, who died this week and his family. and Paul Bielewicz’s dad, Stanley, who also died this week. Paul and Ellen are part of TEAMS. And keep me and all the ladies of St. Peter’s parish who are on retreat in your prayers as well.

I will write Monday or Tuesday.

Sorry about not writing in 2015; don’t know why I couldn’t find time. But today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day (according to the TODAY show) and so I am going to try to clean my desk and bring you up to date.

Thursday, January 1st, I slept till about 10am even though I’d gone to bed early. Am still tired from being sick. I had hoped to go to a baby shower (I think my first) but I was too tired. I just “hung around” and then went to Knollwood and said the 4pm Mass. I saw Fr. David Mudd, who is a retired priest of our diocese and retired navy chaplain. It was great to see him and we’ve made plans to have a meal with Fr. Beattie soon. I rushed back because I had a baptism at 5:15. Please keep Isaiah James and his family in your prayers.

On the second, I went to see my pulmonary doctor and take some test. My breathing score has gone down a bit but as he reminded me, “Father, I told you that you wouldn’t just wake up one Tuesday and not be able to breath, it will be a slow progressive decline”. I have learned to “pace myself” in my activities and I still can do most of what I want – like baptisms, etc. I am using the oxygen more at Mass and of course, all night long.
I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass and I helped arrange for a visiting priest to do a baptism. Went to bed early.

On Saturday, I had the 8am Mass and some appointments Then a 11:30 baptism and a 12:15 baptism. Please keep Samuel August and Hannah Luisa and their families in your prayers. I also anointed someone who is having surgery next week.

On Sunday, the 4th, I had the 7:30am Mass and although I was suppose to have the 9am Mass also, Fr. Justin came home early from vacation (he was ill most of the time) and offered to take the 9.
I went to have brunch with a couple who use to be in TEAMS with me and live nearby. I had a good time.

Monday, the 5th was cold and so aside from the exposition and 5:30pm Mass, I stayed near the rectory.

On the 6th, I had the 6:30am Mass and I was suppose to meet Marie and Mary at the doctor’s but we had a snow storm (suppose to be .5 inches, I think it was 3) and Mary rescheduled. I had driven down
the road and was about to get on the beltway, when Mary called. Her gps said that with the snow and the accidents, it would take her 7 hours to get from Southern Maryland to Virginia. I turned around and came home and went to bed.

On the 7th, I had the 11am Mass and then Joan drove me to the DC courthouse to be a character witness. It was cold and windy and after my testimony, she drove me home. I had exposition and the 5:30 Mass and went to bed.

Msgr. Jim Gillen died. He had been Cardinal Baum’s secretary and pastor of St. Jerome’s in Hyattsville. He had been very nice to me as a seminarian and young priest. I wanted to go to him funeral but it was at the Little Sisters and the parking lot is a long walk. Brian – God love him – said he would drive me down, stay for Mass and bring me home. I was so pleased to be able to go. Saw lots of priests and came home to nap.
Then I had exposition and the 5:30 Mass and then at 7pm, went to a parishioner’s home for the pre-Cana meeting with 6 couples. It was so enjoyable to see the 4 couples who are planning their marriages and the 2 other couples sharing their marriages. I was home in bed by 10pm

Friday, the 9th was the birthday of Msgr. Adam Kostick. I don’t know how old he would be; but he died too young! I died saying the parish Mass. I miss him.
I had a full day with the 8am Mass, exposition, and the 5:30pm Mass. I just realized it must look like I do a lot of Masses, etc. but Fr. Justin on break from school and Fr. Percy has gone to India and so Fr. Ron and I are sharing the duties. I like being busy.

On Saturday, the 10th, I picked up my bi-focals. They take some getting use to but I can read the prayers in the altar books, which I couldn’t do before. I just have to adjust to the floor, which looks closer than it is’ I had the confessions at 4pm and the 5:30pm Mass, at which the deacon preached.

On the 11th, I gave a presentation on the role of Maryland in religious freedom in America. It went well and about twenty people came. We had a good discussion afterwards.
Then I had the 10:30 Mass (again the deacon preached) and then my cousins (Rick and Peg Jensen) came and we drove out to the cemeteries to pick up the wreaths they had put on our family graves. I couldn’t go with them to put them out because that was the weekend that Maggie and I were in NYC. I was glad to go with them. We pray at each grave and tell funny stories. We ended up by going to supper at Magiano’s. And we ran into Anna Marie Kinerney and her family celebrating her birthday! A nice surprise!

On Monday, the 12th, I had the 8am Mass. We had a freezing rain in the morning but I went out and met a lady for lunch to talk about the retreat I am giving this coming weekend for women. I learned of a very nice little restaurant in nearby Garrett Park that I can add to my list.

As I looked this message over, I realized that I forget to mention the many wonderful phone calls I have had and people I’ve seen. On Sunday after Mass, Jay Long, who was a teacher at GC when I was there stopped in. I met his wife and 4 beautiful young women who are his daughters (one of whom is getting married here at SBS this summer). I have not seen him in 20 years.
Also I talked to my brother-in-law Rick Thompson and caught up on that branch of the family tree and Betty Neary and Adele Meyers and Sister Kass and Dan and Stephanie and Keith Morris and Carmen Carlone and Pat Berry.
I just don’t want you all to think that I just lounge around, do church stuff, and nap. I keep very busy – because I enjoy it.
And so now my desk is a little cleaner and now I must do some filing!!!

On Friday, the 26th, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards I went by Joan Beall’s house. I had a nice visit with her and Ginny (who gave me some freshly made cookies – to eat and to take home). Also, Santa had come by and filled my Christmas stocking, which I also took home. I took a nap when I got back.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and then drove to West Virginia. I went to Ledo’s with Marilyn and Frank Cavallaro and Mary Alice McGreevy. Some more of the family stopped by (but didn’t eat). We had such a nice visit and after Mary left, and Frank went to bed around 11pm, Marilyn and I sat up and talked till 3:30AM. We are good at that and “caught up” on everything. I slept well.

On Saturday, I went to Bill and Kate Berry’s house for a brunch (that was delicious and had egg nog French toast!). Pat had driven from Chicago with two friends, Jose and Rod and arrived on Christmas. Bill is recovery from surgery and stayed home but after eating and visiting, the rest of us went to see their parish church, which is beautiful and not completed yet. After we took Kate back, Pat and I (in one car) and Jose and Rod in another came down to Blessed Sacrament. We made good time and so, after a tour of the place, we all got in my car and I gave them a tour of DC. I got back for the 5:30pm Mass (the deacon preached!) and then we drove over to see the lights at the Mormon temple and had supper. They headed out to West Virginia and their hotel and I went to bed.

On Sunday, I had the 10:30 and again the deacon preached. I also had the 12:30 and I preached. It was Holy Family Sunday and I have always loved this feast. I talked about our blood family and the many wonderful “families” that we also belong to. I told them about Christmas in Philly and about how they use to tell us in the seminary that “your first parish, is like your first girl friend; it has a part of your heart that no other assignment will ever have.” That is so true of St. Camillus parishioners.

On Monday, the 29th, I had both the 11AM and 5:30PM Masses. We only have three priest this week so I’m doing some extra duties.
The rest of the day, I worked in my office. Called a number of my friends. Early to bed.

On Tuesday was another easy day except for two Masses. I stopped to see Jane Mulholland, Brian’s mom. I filled up the car because I think the gas taxes go up on January 1st. Caught up with some friends by email and phone calls. Please keep Ed Collins, Sr. Kass’s dad as he struggles with health issues.
Early to bed.

I got up early on Wednesday and went to visit Dot Witte Furnary. It was great to see her. She is living in a retirement community off of Bel Pre Rd.
Then I went and got my eye prescription filled. I need bi-focals. Then I went and bought some more medicine because I think I’m getting the sniffles. I called some friends – among them Fr. Dan Morales. Please keep him in your prayers. He is doing well and we had a great talk but his tumors have returned and soon he will have to make some decisions.
I had the 5:30pm Vigil Mass. I spoke about the name of Jesus on this the day of his circumcision when he was given his name. I watched TV but fell asleep before the ball came down.

God bless you all in the new year.