What Paddy Shot At

Today, I am spending the day in my suite “recovering” from my Saturday trip to St. Michael’s in Ridge for the 5pm Mass celebrating the 100^th anniversary of the school. It was great and the weather was a typical blue sky St. Mary’s county kind of day.  I spent most of Friday night and Saturday morning “getting ready”.  Whenever I am away from my “comfort zone”, I have to anticipate what I might need. I got all 4 of my small canisters of oxygen filled and Fr. Alec made sure that three of them were taken down to the lobby.  I had a large canister down there as well. I had a bag with my alb and cincture ready to be able to concelebrate.  My red cart was over in the parish center and poor Patty had to lift it up into the van as I couldn’t get it to close up. As she loves to say, “Don’t worry, strong woman can pull the plow” Once we had the van filled, the ladies and I headed south. Lots of traffic as everyone was enjoying the sun! It took us about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get down to Ridge but we got there a half hour before the Mass was to start. As we pulled up, Colleen and Jeff Smith came up to the car. They are dear friends whom I have not seen in a while and they were just driving home from vacation and came by to say hello. I was so glad to see them and it was the beginning of a great “coming home” day.  They and two other couples have met me for lunch a few times and we set up for a “picnicking in” day soon.

Once I got inside the sacristy, one of the young servers said hello and I asked her last name – she looked familiar. When she said, “Muir”, I said, “Oh Rachel”. She said, “No, that’s my sister and she got married last month. I am the youngest. You baptized me just before you left the parish. I am 11 now.” Oh, I really am getting old!! The room was filled with old friends.  Fr. Lee Fangmeyer, who was pastor after me, and Fr Peter, the pastor now, concelebrated. The main celebrant and homilist was Bishop Mike Fisher, our newest auxiliary bishop.  I didn’t go up into the sanctuary; I stayed in my cart and they brought me Communion. It was so good to see many familiar faces and after Mass, many came to say hello. The music was great and I told them how much I enjoyed hearing the parts of the Mass sung in tunes I always liked. I will not mention everyone but let me say how nice it was to see many of Sister Mary Rita Cullison’s siblings and one lady, who made an alb for me when I was at St. Michael’s. She told me then that she chose the material very carefully because she knew I often through it in the back of my car and this material would not let it looked crumbled. I told her that the sacristan at Blessed Sacrament use to tell me how she could see why I liked one alb especially because it never showed the wrinkles.  Thanks, Ann!! There was a dinner afterwards; but I didn’t go over.  It took me (and my angels) some time to get all my accouterments into the van and I wanted to be home by dark. When I got home, Fr. Bill and Fr. Alec met me and I told them all about the day. I was “wound up” like Liza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” – I could have danced all night!! I finally let the priest go to bed and so did I. I slept well!

When last I wrote, it was September 14^th, and I had the 11am Mass on Saturday, the 15^th – because of the rain, Carolyn drove me over and back.  On Sunday, the 16^th, she came and brought me over to the sacristy for me to get my cart and go over to the gym for the 10:30am Mass. It was great to be there again. I think the last time may have been in May.

After Mass, I met in my office with the mother and the sister of a 21 year old who had taken his life on Saturday. I taught him in 6^th grade religion and have kept in touch with him. He came to see me in August. He had some psychological problem in high school and was being helped. He seemed to be happy as he was going to Maryland University in the fall; but we never know what’s going on inside. Please remember Seamus and his family in your prayers.

In the afternoon, I rode back for the parish “town meeting”. About 250 people came and it was a good session. We had a facilitator and a panel of psychiatrists and lawyers and one man who worked for years at the Bishops’ Conference. There were some emailed questions and then people could speak from the floor. There is a lot of hurt and anger, and it was shared. People were very respectful and listened. After an hour and a half, we planned to end but people asked to continue and we went for another 40 minutes. It might happen again but I think some healing and understanding occurred.  I was glad to go to bed.

Monday, it rained, so I got a ride over and back for the evening Mass.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and then we had our first “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” session.  It rained on and off but I got to the Manning center without getting wet. Our topic was “What I did on my summer vacation” and lots of people contributed. Some traveled and some had family events and others – like me – hid inside from the heat and the rain. Afterwards, I came to the rectory (and Peter took the cart back for me) and we had about 1`2 priests and deacons meeting in the fireplace room. It was good to see old friends as I don’t usually go to the deanery meeting but as it was in our house, I joined in. We talked about this mess of the church and what many parishes were doing – like our town meeting. I’m glad I went.

Wednesday was my day off and Colleen and Monty came for a visit and then I took a nap. In the evening Carolyn got me and I rode my cart into the church for Seamus’ wake. Fr. Bill did the prayers and then there was a slide show of wonderful pictured of Seamus and his family and friends. Lots of the parish family came and many of his classmates – one flew in from Demark, where is spending a semester – shared great stories of their time together.  I was glad to be in bed.

Thursday was the funeral.  Fr. Bill and Fr. Rob Maro, who use to be out faith formation person before he went to the seminary, concelebrated with me. Deacon Pat Mullan came and was a great help in making it possible for me to greet and bless the coffin, get me up to the chair and altar and get me back to accompany the coffin out of the church. The music was beautiful and we said the Irish blessing – which was on his holy card – before we left. Deacon Patrick went to the cemetery for us. I went home and went to bed.

On Friday, Joan brought me the cart at 7:30am, and I had the 8am Mass and then returned to my suite.  It rained again and so I stayed in my suite Saturday morning. I met someone from Separated and Divorced down in the parlor.  At 4:30pm, Carolyn picked me up and took me to the sacristy. I had the 5:30pm Mass and then she brought me home. The rain is so annoying.

On Sunday, the 23^rd, I walked over to the parish center as it was not raining. I was having trouble even though I had on a small canister. I got my cart and soon was breathing OK.  I had left another full canister in the sacristy; so between the two I got through the 9AM Mass.  I forget how I got back because I stayed for a while after Mass and talked with Fr. Regis and some friends. In the afternoon, Rose and Patty came and we picnicked in.

On Monday, the 24^th, I had the 11AM Mass and came back here. Around 2PM, Deacon Gary and his wife Diane came and we visited in the parlor. They are members of Fr. Bob Norton’s parish in Pittsburgh and have a son who lives nearby. They will visit him for a few days. We met last summer on another visit and I enjoyed seeing them and “catching up”.

On Tuesday, in the morning, I met a lady in the parlor and in the afternoon, Fr. Mike Dolan came and we had a great visit. He is retired but lives in Georgia and helps out in a parish there. We laughed and talked.  Around 4:45,  Carolyn picked me up and drove me over for the 5:30PM Mass. Afterwards, the young man whom Fr. Regis confirmed here last Spring before he graduated from Catholic U, came to visit me in the parlor. Fr. Alec was going over to lock the church and I invite him to come back and join us, which he did. Billy works in a startup coming that helps you with apps and he and Father really talked about stuff that I didn’t understand at all. But all three of us had a great time.

Wednesday was my DAY OFF and I just stayed in my suite (and tried to straighten up). They brought me two large tubes of oxygen and took away the ones I had used.

On Thursday, the 27^th, I was scheduled for the 11AM Mass but it was a funeral and Fr. Alec took it, so I was in my suite all day. I was able to watch the hearings of the Judiciary committee. I cried through both Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh.  Nothing more to say; I am just praying more.

On Friday, the 29^th, I had the 5:30PM Mass. It was the feast of St. Lawrence Ruiz, the first martyr of the Philippines.  I had a good homily on him and then Carolyn drove me home. I spent the evening getting things ready for the trip to St. Michael’s on Saturday.

So now you are up to date and it is 4:15PM, Carolyn will pick me up in a few moments and I will have the 5:30pm Mass. I think we’ll pick up some supper and picnic in. I will be glad to get to bed as it took a long time to write this. Hope you enjoy.

Today is a special feast because the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who staffed St. Bernard’s always told us about it and it was always a day of special prayers. This year, I wrote an article for AT THE WELL, which is the Archdiocesan newsletter for the Divorced and Separated Catholics group that I am chaplain to. I asked them to join me in front of a crucifix and pray for healing in our Church so that we can prayerfully begin healing what has torn our church apart. I invite all of you to join in such a prayer and to include the intention of our parish “town hall” meeting that will be this Sunday at 2pm.  ‘The Cross is our Hope’. The motto of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

It’s been a long time since I wrote. It was August 25th, the anniversary of my Dad’s death. I don’t feel like I’ve done much lately as the weather has been very hot and damp or very hot and rainy or cold and damp. In any case, I have stayed close to the rectory. I go over for Mass but come right back.  I didn’t do that on Monday because my cousin, Aidan House came to my office and made 4 nice piles of all the paper, books, and magazine scattered around the desk. He was great and offered to do it before he started school at BCC.  My desk is actually wood under all the papers. I had the facilities guys bring the piles over and I sat in my chair and went through them. Was able to throw away two trashcans full. I met with a few people but asked them to come to the rectory and we met in the parlor downstairs. I only had to ride down on my chair. I did have an “outing” on Wednesday,, August 29th. My cousin, Rick Jensen came and took me to my barber in Wheaton and then we stopped for pizza. But most of the week, the humidity was just too tough and I stayed in my suite . On Saturday, Eileen and Jay Baughan came and we “picnicked in”. We caught up on lots of things and people.

Then the rains came. Carolyn picked me up in her car at 6:30am on Sunday, September 2nd and brought me back after I said the 7:30 Mass. I stayed in the rest of the day and all day on Labor day. I didn’t go to the Labor day cookout for priests that I think I’ve attended for nearly fifty years. I just didn’t have the strength. I did the 8am Mass on Tuesday and then came home. Had two appointment in the parlor in the afternoon. Wednesday, I just stayed in. Had 11am Mass on Thursday and home again. Joan was able to bring the cart over between the rain spells. Friday, the 6th, I met with a nice couple about end of life issues and then that night I was driven over and back from Fr. Foley’ healing Mass. It was good for me and I asked for healing of my spirit because of all the terrible  things we are learning about sexual abuse. I was glad I went. Again, I had to be picked up for the 8am Mass and then driven back. The girls came by and brought me some groceries. It was good to see them as Rose had a slight stroke and was hospitalized. Keep her in your prayers. They say she is recovering but she can’t drive and she doesn’t like that. I was driven back for confessions at 4pm and afterwards, it was pouring again and I was driven home. Sometime, around 6pm, Pat Berry and two friends from Chicago stopped in with pizza and we had a great visit. They had been in Hilton Head for the week and stopped to see me on the way to West Virginia (to visit Bill and Kate Berry) and then drive on Monday back to the Midwest. I was glad to see them and catch up on their activities. I do enjoy visited from friends.

On Sunday, the 9th, I was again picked up and driven to say the 10:30 Mass in the church. I think my homily was good but it was emotional for me. Fortunately, God always has a blessing for you. I baptized Amelia, the newest addition to a family I have gotten close to here at Noon in the chapel. It was fun to see them and laugh and talk.  Before the afternoon rain, I was driven home. That night at 7pm, I was part of a phone in meeting about the day of recollection we will have here in late October for the Divorced and Separated Catholic groups. That will be great.

On Monday, the 10th, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards rode over to the apartment for the Welcome Home Luncheon for the seniors. it was great to see them and a couple came great distances. Colleen and Monty came by the rectory and we visited.

On Tuesday,  which was September 11th, I offered Mass for Michelle, a member of the parish who was a stewardess on the plane that went into the pentagon. I came to know her family and the neighbors since I came here and I am always honored to celebrate her anniversary Mass. People come because she is a part of our parish family that was touched by that violence. I stayed over in the parish center most of the day. It was also Maureen’s anniversary and I called people . I stayed in my suite on Wednesday and although I just couldn’t ride downstairs, Mike Morse, who was in the teen club at Camillus called and asked to come by. I was thrilled and he brought pictures of children and grandchildren whom I know and love. We visited for 4 hours and then it was time for a nap. On Thursday as there was a funeral on Thursday and Fr. Foley took the 11, I just stayed in my suite and worked on the day of recollection.

Today, I met a parishioner in the parlor as we work on having her marriage blessed. Then I had the evening benediction and Mass. Joan brought me over on the cart and Carolyn drove me home. I am blessed in all my angels.

Tomorrow I have the 11 and Carolyn will drive me as the hurricane rains are expected this weekend and next week. How annoying.

So now you are up to date. Keep praying for all the sick and discouraged – and JoAnn who had a heart attack and still went with Maggie and the gang to Myrtl Beach. God was good and led the governor to demand they evacuate and so they are home playing cards. But do pray for the sick and for our parish meeting this Sunday. Know you and yours are prayed for.