It’s almost two weeks since I wrote, so I decided that I might be at my desk in the parish center for most of the day; I would begin today (Saturday) and maybe finish on Sunday.
On Tuesday, the 12th, I had the 8am Mass and afterwards, I put all the papers that were stacked and scatters around my desk into 4 large bags or boxes and asked the facilities’ guys to take them to my office in my suite in the rectory. I find that I can work better in the air conditioning in my suite. I will stay there all day Wednesday as well and maybe I can get my taxes from 2016 done. I have an extension till October. I had a couple come to see me but I met them over there. I am going to officiate at the blessing of their marriage on September 22nd. She grew up in St. Bernard’s and her mom was one of my Communion calls.
On Thursday, the 14th (the feast of the Holy Cross), I had the 8am Mass and returned to my suite. I go down for meals with the guys but I’ve thrown away three bags of trash and put a lot to be filed.
On Friday, the 15th, I came over for the 5:30pm Mass and was in bed by 8pm.
On Saturday, the 16th, I had the 8am Mass. Then at 10am I had a baptism in the chapel. I had another at 11am. Please keep Owen Joseph and John Callan and their parents and Godparents in your prayers. Around noon, Barry Fitz picked me up and we drove to Baltimore. He has a co-workers whose grandmother has been having anxieties about dying and he told his friend that a priest friend of his could calm her fears. (I don’t know how he could promise that; but he did). We had a nice visit and stopped for pizza on the return. (Oh, I had a great visit with Sarah – and she just needed to know how loving and merciful God is. I told her about Pope Francis’ quote that I have on my bulletin board “The mercy of God will always be greater than any sin”. and we had a great time and prayed). I asked Barry to drop me off at St. Andrew’s church in Wheaton as there was going to be a Mass in honor of Venerable Fr. Aloysius Schwartz. He was a priest of Washington, grew up in Holy Name parish, was ordained in St. Martin’s church on North Capitol Street, and went to South Korea and began Boys and Girls town for the orphans and poor. He founded a community of sisters and there are now towns in the Philippines, Mexico, and another country. His family moved to St. Bernard’s and when he came home to visit, he said Mass there. I remember that Msgr. Dade said to me, “He is a saint and will be canonized some day!” He is “on the way”. I am so glad that I went to the Mass. Saw Delores Vita, who is his sister and other people from St. B’s. I sat next to a lady, who turned out to be the aunt of one of our priest, Drew Royal. She comes to Blessed Sacrament sometimes and she and her sister brought me home. I was ready for bed but had a great “priest” day.
On Sunday, the 17th, I slept in since I was only scheduled for the 5:30pm Mass that day. However, Rose and Patty picked up Jerry and then me and we went “shopping” and out to lunch. Great time and then they dropped me off and I had a good homily and Mass at 5:30. I know it was good because I got an email telling me that I was doing a dis-service to the people by telling them how merciful God is. We need more discipline! I didn’t response.
On Monday, the 18th, I had the 11am Mass and then did some more cleaning. I returned for the 5:30pm. My room is looking very good.
On Tuesday, I didn’t have Mass as the 11 was a funeral. I did ride my scooter over to the apartment and had “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. We shared on our summer and they had a delicious birthday cake (I ate two pieces!) and gave me a nice card and gift. This birthday has gone on a long time!!! I had an appointment and then returned to my suite. More cleaning.
On Wednesday, the 20th, I took an Uber to Joan Beall’s house and then Patty and Rose picked us up and drove us to Shrewsbury Pa where we visited Betty Neary. She showed them her home and then Mary Elizabeth (her daughter) joined us and we had lunch at the Mason Dixon dinner. Was so good but their bathrooms were out of order. Mary offered her home, which is two minutes away and we all to advantage. Then they headed back to Betty’s and we headed home. We must have just missed “rush hour” in Baltimore and DC because I was back by 5pm. I was ready for bed.
On Thursday, the 21st (Fr. John Bohrer’s birthday), I had the 8am Mass and preached on St. Matthew’s call by Caravaggio. It is a powerful painting and Pope Francis loves it. It went well. It was also the first anniversary of Nabil Boctor, a wonderful man who was a Coptic Catholic, married to a Roman Catholic and with whom he came to church every Sunday for 42 years. Last year, he asked to come into full Communion, so he could receive the Eucharist. He came in and within the year, he died. We had a great funeral and his wife and sister-in-law were at the Mass and afterwards, we visited. God is so good. I did get to talk with John Bohrer on his birthday.
On Friday, the 22nd, I had the 11am Mass and ate lunch at the rectory. Then I took a nap. Actually I think I neglected to mention I take a nap every day when I can. It is so nice to be in the cool (64 degrees) air conditioning and wrap up tight in the blanket with my oxygen on! After the nap, I took an Uber to Our Lady of Lourdes church. I was there around 4pm, so I went up and visited with Fr. Beattie. We hadn’t seen each in a couple of months, although we speak on the phone often. His leg is still not cured, so he has an attendant to be with him at night. He hates it but I think that was required if he wanted to come back to the rectory. He does use the chair to go up and down and he does use the walker for Mass and Confessions. He joined me in the sanctuary for the wedding of our friends, Daria and John. The seminarian, Patrick Mullan came from CUA and led us around the altar. He was a great help and we could not have done it without him. The couple wanted us to join them and their friends but Fr. Beattie was ready to go up and Patrick kindly drove me to Blessed Sacrament. I was ready for bed.
Today, I had the 8am Mass and began this missive. I had a baptism at 1pm with a darling baby, Charlotte Susan, who is the great grandchild of Albert and Ruth Sindall, who were the parents of 8 children at St. Camillus and a family I dearly loved. Albert’s funeral was at Camillus in July. He was 99. So keep him and Ruth and Charlotte Susan, her parents and Godparents in your prayers. I decided to stay here and work on this missive. I have 4pm confessions and then I’ll go back to the rectory. I’m so glad I did decide, since Jane Delgado, a parishioner walked past my window with Msgr. Duffy. He had been to her house for dinner and thought they’d stop in. Msgr was pastor here for 25years and now resides at the Little Sisters’ Home in DC. I had told him about a book and it was here on my desk, so I was able to give it to him. It’s called “The Good Bishop” and is the story of Walter Sullivan, who grew up here in the parish and was the 10th bishop of Richmond, Virginia. A great book. So I will close this out and get ready for confessions at 4pm.
I have been on the phone a lot. I call some people every day to see how they are doing. Frank Cavallaro isn’t getting better and I worried about Marilyn. I call Jerry. HIs eyes are still not perfect. Dave Hallas, Sarah Jean’s husband was back in the hospital. JoAnn seems better – she’s back at the center. Peanut is on the waiting list for an organ transplant. So keep all of our sick friends and relatives in your prayers. Know that you are in mine.