What Paddy Shot At

I had a great trip to St. Mary’s county on Thursday, the 17th. I stopped in to see Marie and Maggie on the way down and had a nice visit. I slept well and on Friday got on the road to visit people. I went to see the Robrecht’s but no one was home. I visited Dameron Day Care II and had a great time. I caught up on the Norris family and the Slade family. How can these kids get so old and I am still the same. I went to St. Cecilia’s and got a chance to see Fr. Scott, the pastor and Mrs. Spelz, the secretary and caught up on her kids. I went to the Smith’s but again no one was home. I must learn to let people know when I am coming down. I did surprise Judy Raley with a visit and she was home and we sat and talked and “caught up”. I went to Lila and Dan’s for the faculty party for the staff at St. Michael’s. It was great to see old friends and meet new faculty. They play a “gift exchange” and it is always fun – as it was today. I went by and spent a lovely time with Muffin and John Padukiewicz’s. Their two boys are home and we all had a great visit. Then I went to Brenda and Heavy’s for cards. It was like old times and I had a ball. I haven’t played cards in over a year and I miss the fun! The Fenhagens, Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Clark were there Mrs. Clarke and I were – I think – the winners. We played for about 4 hours. I got back to the hotel around 11:30 and was asleep almost at once.

On Saturday, the 19th, I drove up and had a family baptism at noon. Keep Reid Patrick and his family in your prayers. It was great to see my cousins and I felt badly that I couldn’t join them at The Dubliner but I needed a nap. I had the 5:30pm Mass and the deacon preached, so I went to bed early.

On Sunday, the 20th, I drove out to visit an elderly gentleman, named Bill. He use to come here and I know his son-in-law from St. Camillus days. Unfortunately, he seems to have dementia but I was glad I went and gave him a blessing. Keep him and his family in your prayers. It is so sad to see bright people get “lost” and confused. I came home and got in my PJ’s and spent the rest of the day relaxing in my suite.

On Monday, I came to the seniors’ luncheon and it was great to see and talk with them. I didn’t stay to eat as I was taking the stuff for a baptism down to Knollwood. A baby is coming from Singapore and will be baptized by a Jesuit in the chapel there, so her great grandmother can be there. I think it will happen on the Saturday after Christmas. I had supper with the guys in the rectory.

On Tuesday, the 22nd, I tried to get my desk and office cleaned up. Had the evening Mass.

On Wednesday, the 23rd, I had the 6:30am Mass so I could get on the road early. I met Maggie, Marie, and Mary Ann in Columbia at Toby’s dinner theatre. We joined Linda, Mary Ann’s college roommate and two other lady friends. We say “A Wonderful Life – the Musical”. It was great. I had planned to go to Frederick and meet some friends but the fog and rain made me decide to cancel out. I was in bed early.

Thursday – Christmas eve – I had the 8am Mass and “napped” much of the day. I had the 6pm Mass. It was mobbed and they were standing 3 and 4 deep on the sides and back. Must have been about 900 people there. Maggie, Mike, and Sue tried to attend but couldn’t get into the church. They came back for the 8pm and I got a chance to visit with them before Mass. Then I took a nap and came back to concelebrate the Midnight. Fr. Alec, who came back from Rome preached and it was excellent. I had a great day. I went to bed around 3am.

As I write this, I am getting ready to say the 10:30am Mass. I will stay around the house today – eating turkey sandwiches and watching TV. I have 4 baptisms this weekend.

I prayed for all of you at the Midnight Mass. Hope you are having a blessed Christmas with family and friends.

I am feeling fine and I think I’m back to OK.
Let me bring you up to date:

On Sunday, the 6th, I did go to brunch and had a wonderful visit with my friends at Maplewood. Then I returned for the 1:45pm baptismal prep session. It was lovely and I met a number of couples that I had been emailing with. Got some baptisms settled, which is good because I’m handing over the baptismal prep to our new director of faith formation in January.

On Monday, the 7th, I went to Holy Redeemer school and played St. Nicholas for the pre-school to 3rd grade. I stopped by and bought a smaller size pants as I’ve lost a lot weight during my illnesses. Then I did St. Nick for the senior citizens and the pre-school from All Saints church. Then I went to see my doctor and then I gave the presentation for RCIA on the sacraments. It was a full day and I was glad to go to bed.

On Tuesday, I had the school Mass at 9am. We celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sister Mary Ann. She is a member of the congregation of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and organizes the liturgies for the school I found out she’s been here for 35years. I went to a brunch afterwards with some of her sisters – and ran into some old friends. Then I went and got my hair cut and the beard trimmed. I was looking “scruffy” Then I went home and went to bed.

On Wednesday, I was sick again and went to the emergency room. I had to cancel hearing confessions at St. Mary’s and a visit with a classmate from St. Bernard’s grade school, who lives in Oklahoma and was out visiting family. I came home with more medicine and went to bed.

I had the 11am Mass on Thursday and then went back to my room

On Friday, I saw my doctor again and also saw the eye doctor. I am through putting drops in my eyes and I am so glad that’s over with. My eyes are good and I can see distances. I have to get some reading glasses from Cosko.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and then went to bed.

On Saturday, the 12th, we had first reconciliation and I enjoyed both sessions in the morning. Then I went back to my room.

On Sunday, the 13th, I had the 9am Mass and then Rick and Peg picked me up and we went to Mt. Olivet, Arlington, and Gate of Heaven cemeteries and put wreaths on the graves of family members. The weather was great and we prayed at each grave and told stories in the car about these wonderful people. I ran into the Petrone girls, who were also grave visiting. Their mom is cross the rode from my grandparents. It was nice to see them. They are the family I visit for Italian food and to decorate cookies. Then Rick, Peg and I went to Crisfield’s (an old fashion sea food place in Silver spring) where their family have gone for years and about which I’ve heard great stories. The crab Norfolk was delicious. I slept well that night.

On Monday, I went to Stone Ridge school for confessions. I’ve had trouble with my oxygen so they are suppose to bring me a replacement. I stayed close to my suite.

On Tuesday, the 14th, I had someone in for spiritual direction and then I had the evening Mass. It was our parish luncheon but I skipped it and went to bed.

On Wednesday, I had the 8am Mass, then saw someone in my office. At 11, we had a funeral for a lovely lady who was in her nineties. 12 priest concelebrated and an elderly priest preached and it was very good. She use to send me zerox copies of prayers and on feast days, stories of the saints. she was a delight! Afterwards, I saw a lady about an annulment and then my classmate, Pat from Oklahoma came by with a friend from high school and her husband. It was so nice of them to drive her over. We laughed and looked at pictures – and laughed some more. My oxygen is working and I went to bed early.

Today, I have the 11am Mass and then I’m going to hear confessions and go down to St. Mary’s county to spend a couple of day visiting old friends. I’ll be back on Saturday as I have a family baptism and the 5:30pm Mass. I might go visit Maggie and Marie on Sunday.

I am feeling well and I think that bout with illness is over. Thank God!

Am sitting here on Saturday night, Dec 5th getting ready for the 5:30pm Mass; and I thought I’d begin a message. I may finish it after Mass.

I am feeling so much better. I am a little tired but that may be because I have only had soup and Jell-O for the last week. I think my stomach might think my throat is blocked but I want to give my intestines time to rest. Also I have kept a very slow schedule this week. I’ve had Mass each day but then I return to the rectory. I have been on the phone a lot but that is not tiring. I talked to Betty Neary for an hour and a half. Thursday was her birthday – I’m sure she won’t mind my telling you – she is 89. She is as lively as ever and we had a great talk. I’ve called Joan, Maggie, and Jerry Trancone every day and just let them know I’m improving. I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday and I have a sheet of questions for her. I guess it is time to change my eating habits!!!

One thing I did was make a new miter for myself. I’ve had one since St. Bernard’s days but the last two years I wasn’t feeling well enough to do my St. Nicholas giving out chocolate coins covered in gold paper – so I threw it away. The school art department sent me some white construction paper and I made a new one. I think it came out nicely. On Friday, the 4th, I participated in Morning Prayer at the school and told them about St. Nick and then gave out the coins. I gave them to the teachers to give out later. The first time, I did it with each student and it took a long time. We did it Friday because the feast is on Sunday this year. I am going over to Holy Redeemer School on Monday for the K – 3rd grade students there. And I will go to the senior group around noon when we have a little party with the pre –K students. Then I will go to the barber and get my hair cut and the beard trimmed. I look, as my Mother use to love to say, “like the wild man of Borneo!”

Time to go up for Mass, be back to finish.

Back!!

My homily went very well tonight and with Brian’s help, I walked to the front of church after Mass and said Goodbye to everyone. I was told my voice was strong and that I looked very relaxed. Which I am!

I’m on my way home and tomorrow, I will join friends for brunch – don’t know what I can eat – but we’ll see. I also am going to take the Baptismal session at 1:45 as Fr. Percy is taking a Mass for me in the morning in addition to his assigned one. I love doing the session and meeting many people that I’ve been in touch with by email. It won’t take a hour. I’ll get to bed early as Monday is a full day.
So as you can see, I am on the mend. Keep praying that I will do what I must do to be well.