Sunday, Feb 3rd, I did have that Baptismal class. There were 6 couples and three babies. It was fun and I finished in 45 minutes and told them to go have a sandwich together before they went home (kind of a spontaneous date!). I went home and went to bed early. I forgot to watch Dalton Abbey.
Monday, Feb 4th, I slept in and only came over in time for the 11am Mass. I went and had soup and then from 3 to 5, I had Confirmation interviews. I really enjoy them and its fun to learn why those chose their Saint’s name and their sponsor. Also to hear about the service projects they have done. Today, one girl helps children with special needs to ride horses. It sounded wonderful. Had more soup for supper and then taught a class at RCIA on Holy Orders. We had a big discussion on Women priests. I think I threw them all when I said, “The reason we don’t have them is that the present leadership does not believe he has the authority to change a 2,000 year tradition”. Even the seminarian looked up in the Catechism and read that Pope John Paul II says it cannot change. I said, “Yes, and Church History authorities have said that never before in 2000 years has a Pope tried to tie the hands of a successor.” So time will tell. The candidates didn’t look too upset.
Tuesday, Feb 5th, I had the 8:00AM Mass. It was the feast of St. Agatha and I told them about her. Then I had the 11am Mass and then after soup, I went to take a nap. I worked on my presentation on Vat II and read about 20 pages of a book I am reviewing for the Washington Catholic Historical Society. It is about Daniel Rudd. He was the owner, publisher, and editor of the largest Black Catholic newspaper in the US in the 1800’s up till the 1930’s. It is very interesting. It’s called “A Cry for Justice”. After supper, I went to a parishioner’s house and met with 2 married couples and 4 engaged couples for Pre-Cana. Now, that was interesting and fun! There are four sessions and I’ll come again for the fourth one.
Wednesday, Feb 6, When I got home from Pre-Cana, I sat down to relax and play Spider Solitaire; next thing I knew it was 3am. I slept in and came over just in time for the 11AM Mass. Then I went to my first Wednesday luncheon with the other retried priests. Had a great time and we got Bishop Olivier to tell us funny stories of his priesthood. We laughed a lot. When I came home I had Exposition and then some interviews and then the 5:30pm Mass. I went to bed early – no solitaire.
Thursday, Feb 7th was my day off and I think I stayed in my pj’s in my suite for most of the day Humberto brought up soup!!
Friday, Feb 8th, I had the 11AM Mass and went home for lunch, soup. I took a nap and then I read some more of the book. Just finished the 5:30pm Mass and now I’m heading over to St. Elizabeth’s for First Confessions.
I did have lots of phone calls and caught up with lots of friends. Spent time looking at the maps for the trip to Milwaukee and the one to Houston. I think the driving will be fun.
I’ll try to be more faithful to writing every day as part of my Lenten program. It starts this coming Wednesday. Hard to believe.
You will be a shadow of your former self if all you are eating is soup!!! Are you feeling better?