Where does the time go?
On Friday morning, I went to the doctor and he gave me the results of my MRI. I have a small tear in my minicus (sp?). It could heal with therapy so we’ll see. The pill he gave me that is perscription strength Aleve does help so that the pain is a lot less. I’m doing great at getting around – even steps!
After the doctor, I drove to New Carrollton and got the train to Philly. Joe met me and we went to a movie. It’s called “Bernie” and is a true story of an mortician in Texas. It’s different but I enjoyed it. Then we met John and Terry for dinner in South Philly. It was a very good Italian restaurant called ‘Paridiso”. Then we went to another place for gelato. It was so great to be with them.
Since I had a baptism at noon, I decided to take the 10:30pm train back. I was in bed by 1am and had a good night’s sleep.
My baptism was Hunter Patton, the grandson of Brian Mulholland, a parishioner whom I have known since he was a teenager answering the phones at St. John Baptist de la Salle parish in Chillum in the 70’s. His family is very close to the Caruso family, who are my cousins and lived in Chillum. He has been a good friend since I arrived at Blessed Sacrament. Such a good friend, that since he asked me to, I wore my Monsignor robes and a surplus for the ceremony. I don’t use them much but it was good to see that I have lost enough weight that the sash needed to be pulled in a lot more!!
Afterwards, we went to Arugala, another Italian restaurent for a nice luncheon. I sat with Brian’s mom, who lives in Leisure World, and with two other sons. It was delightful.
Then I went to Knollwood, the military retirement community nearby for the 4pm Mass. The Jesuits serve there but all of them were going to be away this weekend, so they asked us to cover. I know a number of people, including the lady I went to anoint a few weeks ago and had such a nice visit with, and so I am very comfortable there.
Afterwards, I drove to Timonium, near Baltimore and visited Nick and Tara McCoy, one of Beth McCoy’s children. She had invited me for dinner and surprised me by inviting three other of the children and their spouses. Also three of the nephews were there. We had a great meal (I guess it is even more amazing that I’ve lost weight; since I seem to be having great meals all the time!). And we laughed and talked till 11pm. Two of the couples live far away in Annapolis and in St. Mary’s county and I had to return to Washington, so we called it a night but we really had a good time.
This morning I had the 7:30am Mass and since it is Corpus Christi, our parish feast day, I preached about the Eucharist. I think it went well. It really is a wonderful gift that we receive the true Body and Blood of Jesus – not just a remembrance – but the actual Body and Blood!!! We can sometimes forget that. It’s good to recall it today.
I was suppose to have the 10:30 as well but Fr. Ron has asked me to go to the talk being given by Mark Shriver at 11am in our library. Mark has written a book about his Dad, Sargent Shriver, who was the first head of the Peace Corp and an outstanding Catholic of Maryland history. I was planning to go to the talk after Mass but Father recieved some calls and emails complaining about Mark speaking here from the some of the same loonies who came and protested when Chris Matthews spoke here. I’m afraid they are planning a similar demonstration and disruption. So I and John, the seminarian – and Marine – will be there just to see everything goes alright. Now, I know this was never discussed in my seminary preparations!!
I have a 3:30 baptism and I will write more later.
My friend, Sharon, had a torn miniscus and said the surgery was quick, painless and she has been without pain ever since. Something to think about if the healing is slower than you might like.