I ended up staying up and watching the ball come down at Midnight. I didn’t go to bed when I came over from the parish center; instead I called a number of people like Dan & Stephanie Poje, the Cavallaro’s, Pat Berry, Joan Beall, Sister Natalie, Fr. Dan Morales, my nephew, and my sister, Marie to wish them Happy New Year. It was a nice way to close out the year.
I also went on Facebook and welcomed a whole bunch of people who wanted to be my friend. I hope they still feel that way when they discover I really don’t know how to use Facebook!
Today I had the 11am Mass and as today is Mary, Mother of God, I spoke about her title of Theotokas. It seemed to go over well. I also mentioned that it is the feast of St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianz – which was the seminary that I went to in Wisconsin 47 years ago. I heard a few confessions and then went back to bed.
At 3:45, Fr. Jim and I went to Anne and Richard Sheridan’s house for a “southern New Year’s Day meal”. It seems that you must have black eyed peas on this day in order to have good luck in the new year. I will let you know how I did on my Virginia Lottery tomorrow.
My cousin, Lauren Werner was there and lots of interesting people. Anne is like “Auntie Mame” in that she loves to give parties and introduce people. I met a fascinating episcopal priest names Alistair from Frederick; a mother of nine who is now a grandmother of 23, assorted military and CIA or NSA people and other people some of whom, I had to take out a small notebook in which to write some of the words I didn’t understand.
It was delightful except that Fr. Jim had the 5:30 Mass and deserted me. I was able to bum a ride from a couple who live near Blessed Sacrament. I was disappointed because my mama aways said, “Go home with the fella, what brought ya!”
All day long I have been thinking it was Sunday and so tonight I must work on my homily for tomorrow. So I’ll close for now.
Happy feast of Epiphany….at least as it is celebrated in the “new” church calendar. I’m heading to Annapolis to celebrate with the community that has been part of my life for over 30 years!