What Paddy Shot At

March 20^th, I spent the whole day in my suite – relaxing, taking naps, and catching up by watching episodes of TV that I had missed. Came down for meals and to visit the guys.

On Tuesday, the 21^st, I had the 11am Mass and then Tuesdays with Maury. We talked about our Lenten programs and customs. It was very good. Joan, then picked me up and we went to see a Neurologist. He was v aery nice and I will see him and have some test done to try to find out about the problems with my right foot. In the evening, Brian treated me to the soup bowls project in the gym. We pick out a bowl and pay for it. They are made by art students in the area and other volunteers. You get some delicious soup and bread and visit. It is a great project and one I’ve supported for years. It helps the SOME (So Others May Eat) project in the city. We must have had over 200 people who participated. I saw lots of old friends – including Sister Rosemary Mangen, who went to St. Martin’s many years ago.

I can’t remember why but I took the 5:30AM Mass on Wednesday, the 22^nd. I must have had an important meeting at 11AM but I don’t know what it was. I did First Communion interviews in the afternoon and then I met a couple from SDC.

On Thursday, the 23^rd, I had the 8AM Mass and then went to have blood taken and had the 11AM Mass. Then I took Uber to St. Luke’s to hear confessions. Gail B works there and she offered me a ride home and we stopped for supper. It was a good day.

On Friday, the 24^th, again I had the 8AM Mass then someone came to see me about Spiritual direction. I had an important meeting in the rectory and then came over for another Spiritual direction appointment. Then some interviews for First Communion. I was ready for bed around 8PM.

On Saturday, the 25^th, I had a baptism at noon. It was the great grandchild of a couple who were in my first parish, St. Camillus. The woman has died but the husband, who is 97 still lives in the parish. He wasn’t able to come to the baptism but I knew a lot of the kids and grandkids and we had a great visit. Please keep Matthew St. Clair and all the Sindall family in your prayers. I had the 5:30PM Mass but the deacon preached. After Mass, a fellow from GC and his teenage son stopped in for a visit. Great to see them. I went to bed before 8PM.

On Sunday, the 26^th, I had the 9AM Mass and again the deacon preached. I had another baptism at 11:30AM in the chapel. Again, old friends whom I married and baptized their first child. It was great to see their families again. Please keep Mary John and all her family in your prayers. Then I took Uber again. I made a mistake in putting in the address I wanted to go to. I put NW when I meant NE. It turned out to be more expensive but I learned something. I went to the Franciscan Monastery Hall for the 50^th anniversary of dear friends, Maureen and Rob. I got a chance to see their children and grandchildren and friends from St. B’s. It was a great party. Then I took Uber to Joan Beall’s house and had a nice visit with her and her kids (whom I don’t get to see often enough). I had a good time and they offered to take me home; but I knew I could be home in 20 minutes by Uber and they wouldn’t have to deal with Sunday night traffic. I was home in 18 minutes and I was ready for bed.

I took my DAY OFF as time to straighten up my suite and just relax.

On Tuesday, the 28^th, I was supposed to have the MRI but their machine was broken, so I worked at the office. My 16 page Christmas letter is at the printers and should be in your hands by Easter. That will be so nice to have done. I had a few First Communion interviews and then the evening Mass. In bed early.

On Wednesday, the 29^th, I had the 11AM Mass and was supposed to have lunch with Fr. T and the Petrone’s; but they were ill and we have reschedule to next week. I spent the evening talking on the phone to lots of friends. I was in bed by 9PM.

Today, I had the 8AM Mass and will have the 11 as well. Then Brian is picking me up so we can meet my cousin, Michael Caruso for lunch. Saturday is his birthday and the three of us try to get together and celebrate birthdays with a luncheon. Always fun.

I had a great talk this week with Kevin Shearer. He had a health issue and is now home. Please keep him in your prayers. Also have increased the people on my prayer list. Please keep them on yours too.

Tomorrow, Fr. Alec and I will ride together to hear confessions at Stone Ridge. Please keep all those students and us in your prayers.

It’s hard to believe that April is about to start. I am planning a lot that month and I hope to settle things with the doctors. Keep that in your prayers also.

Although the feast will be celebrated on Monday, March 20th because the 19th is the third Sunday of Lent; I shall spend my day praying and reflecting on St. Joseph, which is my Confirmation name. He and all the Josephs I have known are remembered today.

On Thursday, the 9th, I did have a group of about 40 young 3rd and 4th graders from the Jewish Day school with three of their teachers for a tour of our church. They had wonderful questions and enjoyed going into the confessionals and the sacristy and seeing the vestments and utensils that we use for our services. Later in the week, I received a number of thank you letters from students and almost all of them mentioned the confessional visits.

Later that night, I took my first Uber trip. It was so easy. I got notices on my cell phone that my car was coming in five minutes; then that he was at my door. I had to use the 3630 address and I just walked out of the parish center and got in the car. We drove up Connecticut Ave in the midst of commuter traffic and I just relaxed. He drove me right to the door of the restaurant. It took about twenty minutes. I had a great time with Cathy, Matt, and Bill English. I was planning to use Uber home but Bill, who lives out this way, insisted of dropping me off.

On Friday, the 10th, I had the 8AM Mass and the Patrick Mullan picked me up and we went to St. Bernadette’s for the funeral of my cousin, Cal. He is a 20 year old who had a heart issue when he was born. He and his family monitored it very carefully and he lived a normal life as a Catholic grade school student and a high school student at Gonzaga. He was  home from West Virginia U. for spring break. He had a heart attack and died immediately in his Dad’s arms. It was a a beautiful funeral and the church was standing room. Everyone said he had a great smile and that’s how I remember him at family gatherings. Please keep his the parents, his brother and sister, and all his family in your prayers. I spent most of the rest of the afternoon, working on the newsletter. At 5PM, I took another Uber to Leisure World and met Barry Fitzpatrick, who drove me to the Sofia family’s house for a great Italian supper. Domenico and Bob were students at GC and I’ve stayed in touch with them and their families over the year. Their wives and children as well of the mothers of each joined Barry, Pat Davis, and me for a sumptuous meal. I was lucky enough to take home a lot of it home with me and eat over the next two days. Lots of laughs and good friends – can’t beat that combination. Barry drove me back to the rectory and I hit the bed quickly.

On Saturday, the 11th, I had the 8AM Mass and then a Mass at 11AM in the chapel to honor the year’s anniversary of Jack O’Connor’s death. We had about 80 people and it was a really nice celebration. There was a reception afterward in our room across the hall; but I didn’t go because I met with a young couple who want to get married. I have know him since before he was born and I want to help the. Keep Eric and Erica in your prayers. Later that evening, Mary and Brian McGreevy, Marilyn and Frank Cavallaro came and picked me up and we went to Clyde’s for a lot of laughs and good food.

On Sunday, the 12th, I had the 9:30AM Mass and Joe and Mary came. Then we met Tim and Allison at Clyde’s for brunch. Tim is job hunting in DC and Joe was on Spring break so they drove from Philly to visit Mary’s family. Again, I just had a good time “catching up” and enjoying the company of friends.

On Monday, the 13th, I slept in and learned that it was going to snow that evening. I was supposed to give a talk to the Mary knights. So I just stayed in the rectory and worked on the newsletter. It was my DAY OFF.

On Tuesday, we did have snow and it cancelled most things, so I stayed in my suite and relaxed. Exposition was cancelled but I did have the 5:30PM Mass. The staff had cleared a path – even across the street and I got over and back easily.

On Wednesday, I had the 8AM Mass and school had a delayed opening. The day was quiet as I guess many people stayed close to home. I had the confessions that night as part of “The Light is On For You”. Some people came. it is a great program in that every parish in the Archdiocese of Washington, the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and the Diocese of Arlington there is a priest available for confession from 6:30PM to 8PM on the Wednesday nights of Lent.

Thursday, the 16th, Brian met me at the door and made sure I got across the street as the snow has been melting but freezing again at night. I had the 8AM and it was full. So many people are coming to daily Mass. I had three servers from the school. At 4PM, Colleen picked me up and we drove to Virginia for a dinner with the Separated and Divorced Catholic group. We had a great time and on the way home, we called Sister Agnes, who use to be our convener and now is up in New Jersey.

On Friday, the 17th, I had the 8AM Mass and preached on the saint. Again, a nice crowd. A priest friend brought a college student by to meet me and he wants to be confirmed. We’re going to get that done. At 4pm, I had a Baptism. Someone asked me how I could do a Baptism on Friday at 4PM; I explained his name is Patrick Andrew O’Neil. That seemed to settle it!! I was great. I had baptized his older brother, Rory three years ago and it was good to see all the family.

On Saturday, the 18th, I had the 11AM Mass and then had a Baptism in the chapel at 11:45. Please keep Brandon Joseph and his family in your prayers. His grand dad is a doctor at Hampton college and knows Marty Favret, who is the football coach there! Small world.  Then Mary Ann came and drove me to Chesapeake Beach for a home Mass with the SDC from Calvert County. It was again a great time and we had four new people who came. I felt badly that she had to drive me all the way back and then go to Waldorf; but we talked all the way and “caught up”.

Today, I have the 12:30PM Mass and afterwards a man whose daughter wants to be Baptized and it going to Stone Ridge next year will stop in to see me and we’ll talk. I happed to see Domique ( from GC and whom I married) and his son, Luke, whom I baptized walking to the 10:30 gym Mass and I tapped on the window to say HI. Then stopped in after Mass and we had a nice visit. Nice way to start the day.

And now you’re up to date.

Today is my Mom’s patron saint day. If you don’t know about her look her up on the internet. She is a wonderful model. The only Mass I have celebrated in Latin was one that I offered over the body of the saint in 1977. I went to her tomb in the basilica in the Forum in Rome and the only book they had was Italian and Latin. It was said facing the wall and I think I read everything on the pages (including the rubrics). It was a thrill but I was exhausted.

Let’s bring you up to date.

When last I wrote (on Sunday, February 26th) I told you that I was having lunch with the gang. We had a great time, although the service wasn’t very good. But the chance to be with family and friends was great. Mike and Maggie dropped off Patrick at his hotel and then drove me home. I went to bed quickly and didn’t watch the Oscars – although I woke up just before the confusion about the Best Picture. Then right back to sleep.

On Monday, the 27th, Patrick decided to take the Metro out and we met for lunch at Clyde’s. I really enjoyed his visit and the people we got together with. That night, I met my four priests friends and we had a good meal and lots of laughs. I didn’t use Uber because I messed it up and Fr. Jim came and drove me.

On Tuesday, the 28th, Dwight called to tell me that Roger, our classmate and friend had died in Wisconsin. I will try to speak with his family later. John Bohrer called to tell me that his Mom, Rose died in Colorado. She is the last parent of our group to died. She was so much fun to be with. Please keep John and his siblings and Roger and his family in your prayers. Barry and Barbara picked me up and we went out to supper to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Today was Ash Wednesday. I had the 8am Mass and gave out ashes. Every Mass was full. I hope I have a good Lent.

I had the 8am Mass on Thursday and spent the day working on the newsletter.

Friday, the 3rd, I had the 11am Mass and was scheduled for the evening Mass also but I called Cardinal McCarrick, our retired bishop and he came and preached at the 5:30pm Mass. It is called “The Hunger Mass” and we use it to help support the Foundation and the pantries. He stayed for supper and we enjoyed being with him.

On Saturday, the 4th (Marie’s 76th birthday!), I had the 11am Mass and then went to bed. I’ve not been feeling good this week. It may be the weather. The pollen is high.

On Sunday, I concelebrated the 10:30am Mass from the choir stalls and then a couple whom I will officiate at their wedding in September and I returned to bed. Fr. Percy was kind enough to take my 5:30pm Mass and I stayed in bed.

On Monday, the 6th, a young man came to see me at the rectory and we had a nice long talk and then (except for meals) I stayed in my suite. I ache all over – but it’s not the flue!

On Tuesday, we began our Tuesdays with Maury again with a great discussion about Lent and what we might do during it. I saw someone for confession and I had the evening Mass. After supper, went to bed early.

On Wednesday, the 8th, I had 11am Mass and during it, I broke the arm of the presider’s chair and my oxygen ran out of battery and beeped all though the Canon. Afterward, I met with someone to talk about a problem in their apartment building. Then I asked Joan to take me to the barber. I looked like the Wild Man of Borneo (as my Mom use to say). I feel much better with my hair cut and my beard trimmed.

Father Hilary, a Trinitarian that  I’ve known for years and Msgr. Richard Hughes, a golf buddy of Msgr. Eckert’s, both died this week. I won’t be able to get to their funeral but please keep them in your prayers. Also, we learned yesterday that one of our priest, Roy Campbell has been named as our auxiliary bishop. Good guy and good pastor; please keep him in your prayers.

Today the 9th, I have Masses but also am giving a tour of the church to the children from the Jewish day school a few blocks from here. Their ladies’ group and ours meet for discussion and prayer and they asked me to show the kids (I think 3rd and 4th graders). Pray for us too.

Tonight I will take my first Uber ride and join Cathy and Matt Minahan and Fr. Bill English for supper in Kensington. I’ll report later on my experience.