What Paddy Shot At

Today I will be hearing confessions for the Confirmandi who are having a retreat day.

I just returned from confessions and had a great time. James was at the 11am Mass and he walked me back to the confessional near the lobby. I had water and my oxygen, so I did fine. Maybe about 12 confessions. Grace met me and helped me back to the sacristy. I had used my motorchair to come up and used it to get back to my office. I will stay here till I go up for the 5:30pm Mass and then go home; eat something, and go to my suite. I don’t have Mass tomorrow and it is supposed to rain all day, so I’ll just stay around my suite, nap, and watch TV

I last wrote on October 14th. On the 15th, I had the 7:30am Mass and then was going to relax and take an Uber to meet T, Gail, and the Degenhardts for supper. But Gail called to say T wasn’t feeling good, so we postponed it. I just relaxed.

On Monday, the 16th, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards two people came for spiritual direction. I went back and spent the day in my suite as the weather is strange and I miss the “pure” air of my room. I called Marilyn to see how Frank’s 90th birthday went. His sons came up and they all had a special dinner and cake in the dining room of the home with Marilyn. I call her every evening to see that she is taking care of herself as well as visiting him each day.

On Tuesday, the 17th, I had the 11am Mass and then rode my chair to the apartment for Tuesdays with Fr. Maury. We did the rest of the first three centuries of the church history. It went well but next session, we’ll get back to sharing more.

On Wednesday, the 18th, the Petrones came by and picked me up after they get  T. We went to motor vehicals and he got an ID card as his driver’s license will run out on the 21st – his birthday. Then we went out to lunch to celebrate his birthday. We had a great time.

On the 19th, I had the 11am Mass and then took a Uber to the dentist. He worked on a tooth he took an X-ray last time. I must say, I enjoyed the novocaine and after I Ubered back, I took a nice long nap.

On the 20th, I talked with the family and decided not to attend Jean Pizza’s wake. I’ll be at the funeral on Saturday. I said the 11am Mass for her and the family.

On Saturday, the 21st, I had the 8am Mass and then took an Uber to St. Ambrose in Cheverly. I sat in the sanctuary but I did walk out at the end to bless her body with Holy Water as she left. The Petrones picked me up and we went to Cusco and got stuff for the Mass and covered dish dinner Saturday at 4:30pm. Carolyn came and helped me get stuff set up and it all went very well. We had about 14 people and we sat and talked till I went upstairs around 7:30pm.

On Sunday, the 22nd, I just hung around the suite till 5pm and then came over for the Mass at 5:30. Maggie called to tell me that Tim and Kerry’s house has mold and they and the baby are now in her house.   I was in bed early.

On Monday, the 23rd, I had the 11am Mass and took a Uber out to Our Lady of Grace rectory in Leisure world. Our group (Fathers Jim, John, Regis, and Michael) met there. So they could see Jim’s and Paul’s new digs. then we went to GrillMarx, a nice restaurant nearby. We had a great time with lots of laughs and talk. John dropped me off as he lives nearby. Good time.

On Tuesday, the 24th, I had the 11am Mass and at 2pm, the Petrones picked up me and Fr. Ray Fecteau and we all went to Southern Maryland. We ate at Outback and then he and I concelebrated Fr. John Mattingly’s vigil Mass. He was our classmate and I was so glad we could go. We got home around 10pm and I was ready for bed.

Wednesday, the 25th was my DAY OFF and I stayed in my suite and tried to straighten it up. That night I learned that Rose had collapsed and that  T had fallen down the steps at the house and that ambulances came and took both her and him to the hospital. She had to stay overnight; he came back to the house. Both are in a lot of pain.

Thursday, the 26th, I had the 8am Mass and then I took an Uber out to Our Lady of Grace church. The wonderful man I mentioned last when I was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help whom I anointed; died and his funeral was at 11am. I preached and Fr. Jim presided. We rode together to the cemetery and then he drove me home. I spent most of the afternoon trying to learn about a scooter for here and for a cruise. I also talked with Marilyn and learned that Frank now has “hospice care”. Keep them both as well as T and Rose in your prayers. Please keep Jack Lynch and his family in your prayers.

On Friday, the 27th, I had the 8am Mass and the 11am Mass. I spent most of the day in my suite trying to find out how T and his sister Rose were doing. Rose came home but needs care.  T was driven up to the doctor and is now back at O’Boyle with steroids and a new schedule for therapy. Keep praying for them. Mary Alice called to tell me that Frank had died afternoon. Marilyn was doing respiratory therapy, so I told her to call me later. She did and seems to be holding up. The funeral will be next Friday, Nov. 3rd in the afternoon and I assured her, I’d be there. Please keep Frank, Marilyn, and their family in your prayers.

Today, I heard confessions and have stayed here to write this. I talked to T and he is in pain but hopes to get therapy on Monday. I am getting ready for the 5:30pm Mass. I forgot to mention that Msgr. Vincent Gatto died this week. I was hoping to get to his wake on Sunday night but it is expected to rain all day, so I think I will spend Sunday in my suite. Please keep him and his parishioners at St. Raphael’s in your prayers.

I guess my life has been very busy and since I can’t write and send a message from my suite in the rectory; I just get behind.

Today, I had the 11am Mass and at 3pm, I will baptize and confirm a man from the parish in the chapel. He was never baptized but married a lovely Catholic lass, 61 years ago in the church. All their kids and grandkids are Catholic. His brother-in-law was a priest, who died a few months ago. He said to his wife, “You nor your brother ever put any pressure on me to join the church. I should have done it while Dick was alive but I’d like to do it now. Why don’t we go see Father O?”. It’s been a delight and I’m looking forward to our service. Since I’m going to stay in the office for a couple of hours; I’ll at least start a message.

I last wrote on September 23rd.

On Monday, the 25th because we were down to two priests, I had the 6:30am, the 11am, and the 5:30pm Masses. They were fine. After the 11, I rode over to the senior center for a welcome back lunch. We had about 25.  I met someone for spiritual direction and I went to bed early.

On Tuesday, the 26th, I had the 8am Mass

Wednesday is my DAY OFF but I went to Dr. Lucas. Everything was fine. I just bummed around most of the day.

Thursday, the 28th, I had the evening Mass so I stayed in the suite most of the day

On Friday, the 29, I had the 11am Mass and then Rose and Patty came and took me to pick up the title to my car. I’m selling it to my niece and I will see her this weekend and give it to her, so she can get Md. tags, etc.

On Saturday, the 30th, I had the 11am Mass and then a baptism at noon. Please keep Quinn Carol Elizabeth and her family in your prayers. At 4:30pm, I said Mass in the chapel for a reunion of the class of 1952 from the 8th grade at Blessed Sacrament. It was lovely and about 70 people came. They had a nice reception afterwards in the large room but I was ready for home. Maggie, Mike, and Sue drove me down to Maggie’s, where we sat up too late visiting.

Early on Sunday, they drove me over to OLPH in Edgewater and I did the 8:30am Mass. Afterwards, I gave the Sacrament of the Sick to Jack Lynch, and old and dear friend from GC days. He has moved into an assisted living situation near by his daughter and son-in-law. It was great to see them all. Then we went to Jesus, the Good Shepherd church for the 1pm baptism of Quinn Margaret Keith. She is Tim and Kerrie’s new baby. We all went out to an Italian restaurant for lots of laughs and for great food. Mike and Sue brought me home around dark

I was glad I had the 5:30pm Mass on Monday, the 2nd as I was tired and glad to be in my AC.

On Tuesday, the 3rd, I sent flowers to Sister Natalie for the feast of the Little Flower. I called later in the day and the nurse told me they came and they were beautiful. Sister was napping! I understood. I had the 8am Mass and then I had my first Tuesdays with (Fr.) Maury for this year. It was church history and I think it went well.

Wednesday, I Ubered to the retired priests’ luncheon. It was nice to see the guys and learn how people were doing. Please keep Msgr Vincent Gatto and Fr. Beattie, neither was well enough to join us.

On Thursday, I had the 6:30am and the 5:30pm. I spent the “in between time” in my suite.

On Friday, the 6th, I had the 8am Mass and then Ubered to Stone Ridge for a Mass and presentation to some of the alumnae. It was on language in the Bible and in liturgy. It was lively and they want me back in November. Patty and Rose picked me up and we did a little shopping and I was back for the 5:30pm Mass.

On Saturday, the 7th, I had the 11am Mass and retuned to my suite and relaxed. I think I took a nap. Around 4, I took the Uber to the Mellon Auditorium at 1301 Constitution Ave for Christopher Jensen’s and Halley Dodge’s wedding. It was done by a close friend and was very nice. The setting is magnificent. The weather has been tough on my ability to breath, so I just sat in the atrium as everyone went for cocktails.  In the meantime, it was like watching Disney change the scene. They had set up a complete dinning room and bar with about 60 tables and chairs and place settings. It was just lovely. My cousins and my friend, Sheila were very attentive and got my to my table. Food was spectacular and the dancing (which I did not do) was very popular. Everyone got me out and in to my Uber and I was home in a half hour and then to bed.

On Sunday, the 8th, I had the 10:30 Mass and then went to breakfast with two lovely ladies from the parish. They had me back in time for the clergy – led session for Baptism at 1:45. Again, I was glad to be home in the AC. I tried to pack.

On Monday, the 9th (Columbus Day celebrated), Kass came and picked me up and we headed to West Virginia. We and Marilyn Cavallaro went to see Frank, who is in a nursing home nearby. I had a great visit with Frank and he talked for almost an hour about being a little boy to his upcoming 90th birthday. That is October 15th. He and Marilyn will celebrate 61 years of marriage on the 13th. Keep both of them in your prayers. We met Mary Alice and Brian McGreevy and the kids for lunch. Then we headed off to Pittsburgh and arrived by dusk.

On Tuesday, the 10th, we had lunch with Keith and Sheila Morris and then I took a nap. I think Kass did a little shopping and caught up on emails. At 6pm, we headed to a restaurant nearby when we met Bob Norton, Rich Wesolowski, and Tom Kredel. Also Karen and Joyce, who are nurses and friends from a long time who have travelled with us. Sheila and Keith brought Betty DeLuca from St. Anselm’s. We had great food and lots of laughs. Bill Feeney didn’t come and when we finally got a hold of him, it seems I had asked him to come and which night, Tuesday or Wednesday would be better. He called me and told me either was good and then he never heard from me again. I can’t let Fr. Beattie know this because he loves to remind me that “you get like your ‘first pastor’!” and mine, Msgr Eckert had a two minute retention span!!! We broke up around 9pm and I was in bed and asleep quickly.

On Wednesday, the 11th after a nice breakfast, I went back to my room and read. I also called some friends from the area but only got through to Louise. We had a great talk. Then I took a nap and Kass went to the casino. Around 4:30 we went to Kerry and Ed’s house, which was about 10 minutes away – Although it took us almost an hour as we were at the wrong house. We all had pizza (and deserts) and all the Morris family came. It was fun to catch up on each person’s activities. And Bill Feeney drove all the way from his parish to join us. He is such a good person and excellent pastor. We met early because it was a school night and the kids needed to get to bed. We broke up while it was still light and this kid was ready for bed too.

On Thursday, the 12th, Kass drove down and I was in my suite by 1:30pm. I took a nap.

On Friday, the 13th, I had the 11am Mass. Then John came to talk about the baptism on Saturday. I went up to hear the Confirmandi’ confessions. Then I took an Uber to pick up Barbara at Leisure World and we continued on to Mama Lucia’s in Olney. Kind of a reunion for GC.  Barry Fitz met us, as did Liz Cahill, and Dennis and Tonya Essig. We had a great time and who should be walking by? but Richie Seal. He is still working at GC (as are Dennis and Tonya). It was such a great evening. Although rides were offered, Barb and I Ubered home. Good to get to bed.

And now here we are today.

The Baptism and Confirmation went very well and of course, I saw people I knew years ago. Fr. John Mudd’s parents were there. He is a retired priest of the diocese and was our first deacon at St. Bernard’s when I was in the seminary. He was also at Queen of Peace before me and is a close friend of Father Alec. Also a Dominican priest, who is a friend came and he was a great help to me. John’s grandsons were the servers and his children were sponsors and readers. It was a real family event. They went off to a party and I just wasn’t up to it. I had the 4pm confessions and after I finish this, I’ll get some food and go to bed. I have the 7:30am Mass tomorrow and in the afternoon, dinner with the Degenhardts, Gail Battle, and Father T. so I need to rest up.

Keep praying for Frank, Msgr Beattie, and JoAnn. And know that you and your intentions are in my prayers as well.