Today is Thursday – my day off but I seem to have “been off” for a couple of days.
On January 1st, I went to the open house, saw my cousin, Lauren, ate some black eyed peas – so I’d have a good year. Met some very interesting people and came home and went to bed.
On January 2nd, I had the 11am Mass and preached about St. Basil and St. Gregory. It went over well and then I rushed out to attend the “old priests” meeting that we have on the first Wednesday of the month. I always enjoy seeing these guys and talking with them.
I left right after lunch to get back and meet with a couple about their grandchild’s upcoming baptism. I also met with a lady to arrange for a memorial Mass for her brother, who died in Florida. We’ll have a Mass later this month for his family and friends from this area.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and again spoke about ST. Gregory. St. Nazianz’s was the town where the seminary was located in Wisconsin. 50 years ago this year, I went there in September and met some of my best friends. So I called Dwight in Wichita, John in Camden, and Pat in Chicago to let them know that they were prayed for twice in Masses. then I wrote to Roger in Wisconsin and Dave in Florida because I didn’t have phone numbers. I write all this now because I “remember” writing about this yesterday but I either erased it or sent it out into “space” because I can’t find it anywhere.
I know I wrote it but this abreviated version is not as good as what I said about St. Gregory on his feast day – Sorry!
I went to bed early and as today is my “day off”, I slept late. Found a phone message from Sister Kass, who was also taking the day off. We decided to meet for lunch and had a nice “catch up” time. Her elbow is fractured but she seems to be doing well without a cast or sling. Keep her in your prayers.
Tonight I had a wake service for Frances, the nice lady that I went to anoint a month ago who made a great recovery and whom I brought Communion too later. She was a sweetheart and we laughed and talked. She was a Washingtonian and we both remembered the city when it was smaller and everybody knew everybody. She died peacefully in that recliner she liked. I have her funeral tomorrow and it will be easy to preach about her wonderful living faith. Her four sons will speak after Communion about her faith as well. I think it will be an old fashion Irish celebration. Keep her family in your prayers. She will be missed.
And once I check to see this is being published, I’m going to bed.