What Paddy Shot At

Today is the 26^th of June and my day off; so I thought I’d try to get something out to you. I last wrote on Maggie’s birthday, it was the 15^th. We were all on “baby alert” as Kerry went into the hospital on Thursday at 5:30am. The baby didn’t come till Friday at 6:30am. They always have their own schedule. She and Mommy and Daddy are doing fine. I think Grandma is resting up but also happy. She was 7 lbs. 3 ounces and her name is Quinn Margaret Keith. Keep them all in your prayers.

Friday went by quickly and so did Saturday morning. I had twin baptisms at 10am. Please keep Louisa Dammen and Mae Bailey and their parents and Godparents in your prayers. I then had the 11zm Mass and took a nap. Mike, Sue, and Maggie picked me up around 4:30 and we went to Fishbone Grill in Annapolis for Maggie’s birthday dinner. Kass joined us and we had a great time. I was glad to get back in the oxygen.

Sunday, the 18^th, I had the 10:30am Mass and then Patty and Rose Petrone brought Fr. T out and we all went to an Italian restaurant for Fathers’ Day. It was fun and then we took Molly to work and stopped for ice cream. I was glad again, to be in the AC and went to bed early.

Because Fr. Ron and Fr. Alec are both away, I told them I’d be happy to take a few extra Masses. On Monday, 19^th, I had the 6:30am Mass. They were surprised to see me. I went back to bed and relaxed all day. That night, Fr. Jim picked me up and we drove to Silver Spring for our “every 4^th month” dinner with Father John, Regis, and Mike. We had a great time and solved the problems of the church and world.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am and evening Masses. A lady came to see me for some help with the annulment process and I went to bed early.

On Wednesday, the 21^st, longest day of daylight. I had the 6:30am again. Regis came for the 8am and we had coffee together. I worked on information with Rosalie about the baptism program. I had the evening Mass and then I met with the baptismal team and we had dinner in the rectory. I just enjoyed being with them so much but went to bed by 9pm.

On Thursday, I had the 6:30am Mass and then joined some of the seniors after the 8am Mass. Bill Mullan, two of his sons and his daughter-in-law joined us for refreshments and laughter. He looks well and is living at Rider Wood. His grandson, Patrick is still in Guatemala studying  Spanish for the summer. The young lady came to see me to ask some questions about the devil. She wondered why she’d never heard about him!

On Friday, Joan dropped me off at the barber to get my hair cut. She picked me up afterwards and she took me to visit Fr. Beattie. He is in a rehab place and wants out!! We had a nice visit. I also saw Meredith, a parishioner who is also taking rehab.

On Saturday, I slept in and just lounged in my suite till 5pm when I came for the 5:30pm Mass. The deacon preached and I went home quickly.

On Sunday, the 25^th, I had the 7:30am Mass and again the deacon preached. I went home and had a big breakfast. I returned at 1:45 and had the group baptisms at 2pm. Only one baby. Her name is Quinn Grace. I had baptized her older brother Jack who is now 2. They were adorable. Please keep them, their parents and Godparents in your prayers. Long phone talk with Fr. T.

Today, My day off, I slept in and shaved and showered. Miss the pickup for the pantry by 15 minutes. We got a lot in the collection. I’m pleased. Someone who is thinking of joining the church, came to see me and we will make arrangements to bring him into full communion soon. I am going upstairs for the Benediction and the 5:30pm Mass.

Starting tomorrow, all the services will be in the chapel for three days. The pews in the church are being worked on. It is supposed to be nice tomorrow – not too hot and not humid. I may take an Uber to the O’Boyle residence and visit the guys.

Today is Maggie’s 75th birthday. We will celebrate on Saturday.

I have not written lately because the weather has been so hot, I’ve tried to remain in my air conditioned suite as much as possible. I’ve also been to see my two doctors because my breathing has been difficult. I am on steroids and antibiotics for two weeks and then we’ll see how I’m doing. I will need to increase the amount of oxygen I’m getting, the present “purified air” machine are not sufficient. So enough of that.

Let’s see

On Thursday, June 1st, I had the evening (3pm Exposition & 5:30pm Mass) services and then went home.  Our rectory is being painted and so Humberto leaves dinner upstairs in my room. Bed early.

On Friday, June 2nd, I got up early to attend the men’s group meeting after the 6:30am Mass. Father Alec was speaking and he gave a great talk about how he came to be a priest. It was very well done and I learned some more things about him and his family. Then I went to Kindergarten graduation in the gym. It is always a delight. The children sing a number of songs about things they’ve learned like dinosaurs, ABC’s and counting, and they sing a couple of songs in other languages. The last song is to the tune of New York, New York and it says to “spread the news” to first grade because they are on their way. There isn’t a dry eye in the room. Then I went to lunch with a couple who are planning to get married. I saw the young friar, Will and gave First Communion to Helen with her family in the chapel.  Then I was ill and instead of Mass, I led a Communion Service at 5:30. Brian helped me get home to the rectory and I went right to bed and sleep. I don’t know what made me ill but I felt OK once I slept.

On Saturday, June 3rd, I had a few appointments and the 5:30pm Mass. I went back to the suite and early to bed.

On Sunday, the 4th, Maggie and MaryAnn came to the 9am Mass and then we headed to Patapsco State Park for a family reunion. It was the branch of the family that is my cousins, whose father was my grandfather’s youngest brother, Ed and Aunt Kathryn. They had 4 girls and one boy. I think there are 70 some descendants and many were there. It was great to see people of my generation and to be updated on the children. Some I had last seen when they were 7 or 8 and now they’ve graduated college. The weather was great and I had no problems with breathing. Got home before dark.

On Monday, the 5th, I sat at the front desk for Joan and around 11, tried to get an Uber to go to Fr. Trancone’s. It wouldn’t work – first time ever. So the Petrone girls picked up Jerry and then came and got me. We went to the Red, White, and Blue (a ribs place in Laurel) for a great lunch. Then my cousin, Rick came and installed new batteries in my chair. I had wanted to go out to dinner with him; but begged off because I still didn’t feel well.

On the 6th, after the evening services, I met with a couple from the Separated and Divorced group who got their annulment and I will marry in late July. Those people are a bright light in my old age.

On Wednesday, the 7th, I switched the 8am Mass for the evening Mass because one of the priest needed to be free in the evening. So after Mass, I came home and went to bed early. I can sleep so easily and quickly in the AC.

On Thursday, Joan dropped me off at the Shrine and I met a young man, Jeremiah. He had been staying at Madonna House in Canada and one of my friends there encourage him to meet me and talk. We had a good meal and conversation. He will let me know once he is settled. I took an Uber back and I learned why it didn’t work for me on Monday. My driver ( a retired DC police officer) told me that on Monday in Indiana, a woman called an Uber. Once she got in, she slashed the driver and he died. The police put the Uber system off line till they could find her name and credit card information. What a tragedy.

Friday,the 9th, there was a school Mass and I concelebrated. It was also to say “Goodbye” to Sister Marietta, a Holy Cross Sister who has been in the school since 1961. The community has been here for 90 years and as she is the last, a number of the sisters came to the Mass. I knew some of them from St. Bernard’s days. Sister Vivian and Kathy Johnson, who lived up 62nd Avenue. I was good to see them all and to remember all of the great Holy Cross sisters. I had the 11am Mass and the evening Mass, so I was glad to get home to bed and the AC.

On Saturday, I had the  11am Mass and then a nice Baptism. Please keep Ariella Brooke and her family in your prayers. I had the 4pm Confessions and went home early.

On Sunday, the 11th, I had the 10:30 Mass and Maggie, Mike and Sue showed up. What a nice surprise! they wanted to take me to lunch; but I had a baptism at 11:30. So they came to it. It was the grandchild of Maureen and Art Raimo, great friends from GC. I had baptized Anne, their daughter while I was there. I baptized Anne’s daughter 4 years ago and now William Arthur. Do keep all of them in your prayers. I really enjoyed the service and being with them all. I said, “Now get out of here, I know you are planning a party and William Arthur is looking forward to it.” Then we O’Connells headed to Clyde’s nearby. And the Buss party was on the other side of the restaurant. I stopped over and said hello! It was hot outside and I was glad to get back to my suite.

On Monday, the 12th, I went to see Doctor Lucas. I reported on my arm, which feels fine; so I guess the therapy was what it needed. She took blood and we’ll see what that says about  She suggested I go see Dr. Solomon, my pulmonary person. He is right next door. He was there, he was at Sibley. I just wanted to get back to the AC so I called in the afternoon. I couldn’t get an appointment for two weeks. I told Joan that because she wanted me to go to Sibley but I wanted to go home. Later that night, I got an email from her saying I had an 11am appointment with the doctor on Wisconsin Ave on Tuesday. She is like a dog with a bone but I was grateful.

On Tuesday, Joan drove me to the building and let me off. I had my oxygen on but by the time, I got to the office it was reading 67. A lady in the elevator was worried about me, I was breathing so much but I assure her I was OK and on my way to see the doctor. I sat in his office and got the reading up to 74. When the doctor came in – he is so funny! He said, “my nurse said that your number was so low, you really be in the hospital. I said, ‘ you don’t really know Father O’Connell; but there is no way, he’d go the hospital!’. So let’s see what’s going on.” I wasn’t getting oxygen because I had a sinus infection and blockage. He gave me steroids and antibiotics and I was to stay indoors. I’ve been trying and I think I am getting more oxygen. He says that my concentrators may not be enough, I may need straight oxygen but we’ll wait to see once the infections clears up. I went to my Tuesdays with Maury session because it was the last before Summer break. We discussed some topics for next year and then I went home. Joan brought me my prescariptions and I went to bed. I did get up for the deanery cookout but by the time I got down, only three guys were left. I hear it was a big success and I was sorry not to see the priests of the deanery.

On Wednesday, the 14th (Tish Rossi’s birthday), I stayed in the AC until the afternoon. I did the services and then had an appointment. I came home after 8pm and went to bed

I began this message on Thursday didn’t finish it because I had the evening services and then Carolyn drove me three blocks down Quesada to the home of a parishioner. They were hosting a “pot luck” supper for the Parish Council and a farewell for Father Ron. I was glad I went. We sat on their patio and the weather was clear and cool. Had some nice conversations with people. Pat dropped me off at the rectory and I was ready for bed.

I’m going to leave this message as listed for Thursday because it is Maggie’s birthday but as I write it is Friday and I waiting for our IT person to help with my computer. Then I have a 2pm appointment and the evening services. I’ll be ready for the AC and my bed tonight.

Barbara is doing well with her recovery. Joan B has that cough that hangs on for weeks, Peanut is not doing well and is resisting going to the hospital and we are all waiting to hear about Kerri and the baby. So keep all those intentions in your prayers. Know that all of you are in mine.