On Monday, the 2nd, I had the 6:30 & 8:00am Masses and then drove over to pick up Fr. Trancone at O’Boyle. We crossed over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge about noon and then stopped in to the Pizza parlor and took some with us to visit Marie Smith. She was a very important part of our lives at St. Bernard’s and we hadn’t seen her lately. We laughed and told stories and had a great time. She lives in Centerville. She is recovering from foot surgery and two of her daughters have been staying with her. They too (and one’s husband) joined us for “remember when…..” We stayed for a couple of hours and then headed on to the priests’ convocation in Cambridge. We relaxed and had a nice supper and then went to our rooms to sleep.
The hotel we stayed at for the convocation was beautiful and each of us had a room (which was nice to go up to and nap). There seemed to be about 250 of us, three bishops, two cardinals, and our main speaker was the priest who translates papal documents and speeches. He was fascinating and told us lots of “behinds the scenes “at the recent synod.
I also attended a workshop on annulments in light of the Pope’s recent letter. Again it was fascinating and helpful. I enjoyed seeing old friends and “catching up” on their lives. Many are in different assignments and it was great to hear them talk about them. We had supper together in small tables of 6 or 8. Guys came from all over; Julio was here from Florida, and some guys who have retired to West Virginia. It was very relaxing.
On Wednesday, we offer Mass for all our confreres who died this year. I always enjoy that Mass because it is brings to mind so many of the priests I have served with over these 40 years. Today is also Cardinal Wuerl’s 75th birthday, so we sang Happy Birthday. He told us that he had submitted his letter of resignation (but we don’t think the Pope is going to accept it very quickly), we retired priests made ourselves available as confessors. It was a good day.
After Mass, Jerry and I headed home. I dropped him at O’Boyle and then came home and took a nap. I had soup for supper.
On Friday, the 6th, I had the 8am Mass and then just cleaned up mail and stuff on my desk. I took a nap because Ron was taking John Dillon, Deacon Keith, and myself to the Italian embassy for an award ceremony for Bishop Curlin. It was sponsored by SOAR, which is support our aged religious. I ran into lots of old friend and enjoyed the evening. One thing I didn’t think about was the amount of distance I would have to walk. I didn’t think to bring the oxygen and I was very tired on the way home. I went to bed and used my oxygen and slept soundly
On Saturday, the 7th, I slept in because I was really tired. After the baptism, (please remember Emilia Josephine and her family in your prayers), I was very tired and went back to take a nap. Around 3:15, Fr. Ron came in and woke me up to say that Margaret Mary was here to put in my drops. (I had forgotten!). I had told her I’d be in my office after the baptism and she had gone all around the property looking for me. I felt so badly as she and the other nurses have been so good about coming to me and putting in the eye drops. I’m hoping that the left eye is done, we’ll see. I had the 5:30pm Mass and the deacon preached. Went to bed early.
Sunday, the 8th, I had the 9:30am Mass, again the deacon preached. After Mass, Karen puts the drops in and I said the 12:30pm Mass and I preached. After Mass, Margaret Mary put in the other drops. I forgot to mention that I only have drops twice a day and so at the Convocation, I put them in. I’m hoping when I see the doctor that he’ll say they are done because starting tomorrow, I have to have drops in the right eye too. Went to bed early.
Monday was my DAY OFF but I went to the office to meet with some ladies about ministry to those with special needs. I am involved but may get more as I drop the baptismal program. I’ve been slowly passing request off to the deacons and the new director of Faith Formation. Margaret Mary came at 4pm for the drops.
On Tuesday, the 11th, the school nurse did the early drops; then I had Tuesdays with Fr. Maury. We talked about saints. One lady brought in a statue of Our Lady, Untirer of Knots. It was very interesting. She is a favorite of Pope Francis.
Margaret Mary came and started the eye drops for the right eye and did the second one for the left eye. I’ve had to make a chart and labels each of the bottles. It is like organizing the invasion of a country. I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass and then Bob (a friend of Mary’s) picked me up and drove me to the pastoral center for a meeting about Divorced and Separated Catholics with the director of Family Life for the Archdiocese. It was a very good meeting and I was glad to be a part of it. Both Marie and Mary were there and they drove me home.
On Wednesday, the 11th, the office was closed for Veterans’ Day but I came over because school was in session and today I needed to have drops in the right eye, every two hours from 6am to 6pm. I did the 6 and 8am in the rectory, then an Irish nurse who is a parishioner and was here setting up for the bazaar, did the 10am, the school nurse did the Noon, Margaret Mary did the 2pm and I did the 4pm in the rectory. I had a bad cough all day also and so I took some medicine around 9pm and went to bed. I slept but woke up at midnight and was awake most of the rest of the night. Nerves???
On Thursday, the 12th, Brian picked me up at the rectory around 7am and took me down for the surgery. He is so good to me – as are many in the parish. My surgery was over by 8am and Marty came and picked me up. I got some cereal and went to bed. I had planned to stay there all day but I forgot I had to have some more drops. I called Joan and she got the Irish nurse to come over to the rectory from the bazaar set up twice. I did the one at bedtime.
On Friday, Rita drove me to the doctor’s and he said I would have to continue with the drops in the left eye till he saw me on the 19th. I was sorry to hear that but I can see out of both eyes, so I must not complain. My schedule is now on a spreadsheet because it is very confusing to me!! I had the 11am Mass and then I just relaxed at the parish center as people came and put in drops. Fr. Carmen, Joyce and Tom are here from Jersey and are staying at the National Harbor. I can’t drive at night so, I’m going to see them on Saturday.
Today, the Jerseyites will sightsee and we’ll get together for supper around here.
That’s brings you up to today. My life has been mostly – eye drops and making phone calls – and I will be glad when my schedule gets some regularity to it – but I don’t think that will be until Thanksgiving! Keep praying for me – what little patience I have is running low!