I have been very busy and that’s why I haven’t written. I will try to “catch up”
Saturday, Feb 9
I drove down to Leonardtown and had a luncheon/meeting with my TEAM. We caught up on the highs and lows of our life. I only had highs. We just began a book, “When the Rain Speaks” by Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND. It is a series of short reflections on nature and we all love it.
I stopped in to see Maggie and picked up my coat, which I had left when we went swimming. She is in the midst of three bathrooms being created or repaired. We had a nice visit.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and it was the last of the three sessions on the Cardinal’s Appeal, so my homily was short.
When I came back to the office, there was a message that my cousin, Eileen O’Connell Ballenger was very ill and might die that evening. I had gone to see her a week or so ago but I asked if I could come over that night. Phil, her husband, said, “Oh you could come tomorrow. It’s late” but I said, “Do you mind if I come” and of course, he assured me they’d love to have me and that lots of the kids and grandkids were there. So I went and anointed her.
But it was more than that! It was one of the best evenings I’ve ever spent. Eileen was aware of us but most of the time, kept her eyes closed. But people sat on her bed and held her hand and told her they loved her. We prayed and laughed and told stories that made her laugh. Her favorite prayer is the Memorare and we said it (Actually one of the grand-daughters, who knew it by heart led us).
I think I left around midnight It was the best example of having your prayer to St. Joseph about a “happy death” answered. She didn’t die that night.
Sunday, Feb 10th, I met with a young man who wants to get married here. He lives in NYC so we had some paperwork.
Then I had the 12:30pm Mass. Same short homily but I also had a baptism – keep William Shaderson and his family in your prayers! It was just lovely and our people are so supportive of Baptisms at Mass.
Afterwards, I ask Martino (the seminarian) if he would drive me to Stone Ridge, a school nearby. Our 8th graders were playing basketball against St. Peter’s in Olney and Eileen son coaches. We went and had a ball. Both teams played hard and we saw lots of people. Came home, ate soup and went to bed.
More to follow!
Happy to hear your blog silence was due to busy-ness and not ill-ness. BUT, I was sad to hear that Eileen Ballenger is failing. I remember her very well and the fun times around her kitchen table!