Yesterday, I had a lovely day during which I thought of and joined in with the Communion of Saints. I concelebrated the 9:15am school Mass, which was so beautiful and the school choirs sang the modern Litany of the Saints. I was glad to hear it as it reminded me that I want that at my funeral. When I was cleaning up my desk, I discovered the form that I had sent to the Archdioces years ago for my funeral. I think I asked for it back when I came here and I had forgotten to update it and send it back to the Pastoral Center. I will try to do that during November.
Then I had the 11am Mass and preached about the wonderful custom that the first grade had at St. Bernard’s school, where the children dressed up like saints and had a little 4 lines to tell us about their saint. It was always informative about saints who you don’t know much about and the master of ceremonies, a first grader would always close with: “We hope you have enjoyed our presentation and we hope that you have learned something about our saints. We want to remind you that you are the saints of the new millenium. Someday young children will be dressed up like you and telling your story. Be the best saint you can be!!”
Then I finished the night with supper with the guys in the rectory and then came over to lead the Holy Hour from 9 to 10pm. There are about thirty people and it is deeply spiritual. We follow a program but there is lots of time for prayer and silence.
I came to bed tired.
This morning I came over to the Jesus in the Market Place talk. Our speaker was Major Garrett, who is a reporter and he spoke about the data driven election. It was most informative. About 50 men come to the 6:30am Mass and then stay for a talk and then head out to work by 7:45.
I had the 8:00am Mass and so I had to leave a little early. Good turn out at Mass and we prayed for all who have died since last October.
Then at 11am, I went down to Knollwood, which is our military retirement complex near by. I was available for confessions and had a great time and good discussions.
I had soup and took a nap.
Tonight we had four seminarians for supper (which was a lot of fun!) and then we had our annual Mass for the Deceased. We had an orchestra and a hugh choir. They sang Gabriel Faure’ Requiem in Latin. Joy Stevens, who was a child at St. Bernard’s and now is a concert singer, sang, Pie Jesu and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
There was a little reception but I’m skipping that and going home to bed. It is a good tired I feel.