What Paddy Shot At

It is a quiet time (If you are not a parish priest and getting ready for Easter with all the many people who work on the liturgy) and I am “resting” in my suite. I just had some company – Fr. Regis and our seminarian, Conor. They brought me some flowers and we visited for a few moments. Fr. Regis will spend the night as he has the 7:30am Mass tomorrow. Conor is a sponsor for a young man whom he taught in 4th grade and he will be at a neighboring parish tonight. I will probably watch the Mass from Rome as I can sleep in tomorrow. I have the 5:30pm Mass on Easter.

I had a good week. I talked to Dwight, John, Fr. T, Pat Berry and Carmen. On Tuesday, I said Mass over in the senior center ( a custom Fr. John began a few years ago and I have continued). Joan arranged for the new machine to be there. Also, I got 16 E tubes of oxygen that day and I’ve been using them so my level doesn’t go below the 90’s. Also all 6 of my little tubes have been filled. I also have had that large machine over in the church and I’ve used it to keep my levels up during Holy Thursday and Good Friday services. It has been nice to have it to depend on.

During the week, I have met with a number of people in the parlor and a few came up to see me in my suite. I saw Pat McGrath and Kevin Collins. Brother Elliott, from St. Vincent’s  came and spend a few days on his way to Richmond to give some talks. It was great to see him and he visited with me and Fr. Bill and Fr. Alec in our “community” room. On Thursday, we had a special dinner with the priests at 1pm and then we had the Holy Thursday Mass together. I sat in the choir stalls but I was glad to be there. On Good Friday, I joined them again at 3pm and then I met someone in the parlor at 5pm. I was glad to get in bed. Today, I just have felt tired and will stay in my suite and try to get this message out and to make a few phone calls.

On Monday, although the office is closed, Joan is going to arrange for me to ride over on my cart and see Nora Walsh, who is coming from the nursing home to the 11am Mass and to see some of the senior citizens for a little refreshment. Also I think Fr. Mike Roach may come for a visit. That will be very nice. We have been friends since 1964.

I will have Colleen and Monty’s wedding next Saturday. I have the 12:30pm Mass next Sunday. I will stay in my suite next week. Know that all of you and your needs are in my prayers. A Happy and Holy Easter.

Today is the day before Psalm Sunday and as I have the 5:30pm Mass on Sunday, I thought I would begin a message as I plan to spend the day in my suite.

When last I wrote, I was going to our parish town meeting. It was very good and well attended. Two people from the Archdiocesan staff spoke and answered questions. I think it will help in the healing process. On the following Tuesday at our session with the seniors, we continued the discussion because some people were not able to come to the Town Meeting. Those that did come, we able to add their impressions to our discussion. It was one of our best.

Also, it was announced this week that Archbishop Gregory of Atlanta will become our new bishop in May.He is a good guy and I’m sure he’ll help us to heal.

A lot of people took me up on the offer to come over to the rectory parlor for confession or just to talk. Also had a lot of friends stop in. I saw the Ostrye family (I married Billy, who was at GC,  about 25 years ago) His oldest daughter is looking at colleges. I  really am old.Mrs Casey and her daughter, Marsha and friend, John came to last week’s Mass as did, the Darias, and  many others who just wanted to say they miss me at daily Mass.  My cousin Jean, Doug and Kathleen Hanratty, Barry and Barbara, and Colleen and Monty (whose wedding I will have in two weeks) also came to visit. I’ve also phoned and talk to Bob Norton (whose is making a slow but steady recovery from his surgery), talked to the Munson’s in New Jersey, Jean Morere in Florida, and John Haag in Pa. Mary Lynn (whom I went to my senior prom with) and Dolores Maranacio who was a very active parishioner at St. May’s and now is at St. Anthony’s in North Beach.  We had great conversations full of lots of laughter and memories. Today is also the first anniversary of the death of Father Beattie. Hard to believe, it was a year ago. Today is also Anne Lee’s birthday. She moved from Florida but I don’t have a new address yet but I saw it on Facebook and sent her a greeting. Brother Elliott, from St. Vincent is coming and stopping by on his way to Richmond.

I have alternately clean my desk and made phone calls and I am tired. I think I’ll close and take a nap. Have a very blessed Holy Week. Know that you and yours will be prayed for and have a very Happy Easter.