I slept in and had the 11am Mass. We prayed for Barbara Locke, and all those recently deceased.
I spent the afternoon getting the ornaments arranged to take to St. Michael’s and met with a couple whose wedding I have in January and I went to bed early.
Today, the feast of St. Nicholas was busy for me. I met, prayed with, and gave out gold covered chocolate coins to all the students in K thru 5. Sister Mary Ann had a very nice prayer service and the kids (and I) had a good time. I explained that I was Fr. O but like they do on Halloween, I like to dress up like one of my favorite saints and do what he did. Give gifts and encourage people to do things for one another.
Then I went to Holy Redeemer School in Kensington and we had another service that was very clever and in which the children sang about St. Nicholaus. They gave me a gift too – some Snickers! someone must have talked.
For the services in both school, I wore a white alb and cincture, red chasable and a white miter. I left the chasable and miter in the car, and went to Resurrection parish in Beltsville.
It was the funeral Mass for Fr. Charlie Brown. A really nice priest of our Archdiocese who died at 90. About 30 priests were there and the church was mostly full with people from the parishes he had served. At the end, all the priests sing the “Salve Regina” and it is very moving.
I didn’t stay for the luncheon. Instead I drove to Annapolis and stopped in at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish and did my “St. Nicholas” routine for Sister Kass, Terry McConnell, and their staff.
Then I headed to Maggie’s. She, Marie, JoAnn, and June (the newest “adopted” sister) and I went to St. Michael’s in Ridge for their annual (55th year!!) Christmas dinner for seniors. We had a great time (and, of course, great food). Children acted out the Nativity and afterwards they stopped to see me and get some coins for St. Nicholaus Day. One of them, whom I baptized played Mary and told me she’s now in 7th grade – where does that time go???
I got a chance to speak to lots of people and that made the trip worth it. I did forget to take the ornaments with me – sad when the mind goes!!! but now I have to find time and a reason to make the trip again. I do love and miss those people.
Well, I’m home now and going to bed. I learned today that a lot of people read this blog and when I don’t write they worry that I’m in a hospital. So for the rest of Advent, I shall try to write each day.