Monday was Mrs. McManus’s funeral. She was 97 and a great lady. Even though she outlived many of her friends from her youth, her funeral was full because she kept making new contacts and friends up till her death. We went to Mt. Olivet cemetery for her burial. As I too, will be buried there, I stopped by my paternal grandparents grave and said a prayer and tried to figure where my name could be added. On the way home, I stopped to see Msgr. Beattie at the National Rehab Hospital. He is SO improved and is doing very well with his therapy. Relaxing evening with reading and TV.
On Tuesday, I switched Masses with Fr. D’Silva. He took the 11 because he had a funeral. I took his 5:30pm. I usually have the 11 on Tuesdays because “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” are after it in our senior citizen rooms. Since I didn’t have the Mass, I came over a little early (around 11:30) and had a nice “pre-talk” with a small group. The rest came in as the funeral ended because they went to the Mass. Our topic was “Marian devotions” and it was great to hear people talking about processions, and rosaries, and May altars in the home. As always, it is great to remember our growing up as Catholics.
On Wednesday, after the 11am Mass, I drove up to Philly. It was a beautiful day for a trip. I got to Joe’s about 4pm and just relaxed. Then he and I went to Marco Polo to meet Joanie Hinkel and Mary Black for dinner. Joanie has been a friend for over 40 years and we don’t get together often enough but when we do, it’s like we’ve been together the week before. Mary and Bernie (her husband who died late last year) are friends from the days when Joe lived in the apartment before he got married. We (Terry, John and I) use to go there for Thanksgiving dinner and then it was an “open house” till all hours and neighbors and friends from LaSalle came by. We sang and talked and laughed. Those were great day and those friendships have endured.
On Thursday, Joe and I went to a nearby cafe and had a wonderful breakfast (with pork roll!!). The as he was going to the university for a meeting; I drove down to Grevetti’s, a store that specializes in clerical clothes. I got my Monsignor outfit here. When Martino, our seminarian heard I was going to Philly; he asked if I might pick up a collar for him there. It is in South Philly, so I stopped at the Melrose Diner, where John spends a lot of time. He wasn’t there but I left a message with Marge, the waitress. She got it to him!!
I was proud of getting to downtown and back on my own. Philly is not like downtown DC, where there is a plan how it’s laid out. When I got home, I watched “on demand”, which is really neat. I got too update myself on “The good wife” and “Blue blood”, both of which I really enjoy but had missed the last shows – and now I saw them.
At 7pm, Joe and I went to the restaurant and met Terry and John, who had been at a wake at the sisters at Chesnut Hill. They do a great wake that is the sharing of stories – like the Trinitarians do – and people love it. Supper was great and we had delicious food. – I just realized that this blog is full of me having meals out – that might explain my girth!!!
I did a lot of reading of books that Joe had gotten to judge for a publishing company. It was very relaxing at Joe’s house, which some call “the retreat”. It is on a cul-da-sac and full of trees.
On Friday, Joe and I drove over to Ponzio’s, a diner in Jersey, where we met John and another nice visit. Then we headed to DC. I dropped Joe off at Union Station, where he met up with his son, Tim, who works for CCN. They were going to supper and then Joe was taking the train back to Philly.
I went over to see Msgr. Beattie. Maria, who was the cook when he was at St. Bart’s, was there. I use to love to come there for pasta. We haven’t seen each other for a couple of years. Msgr was greatly improved and walking without assisance. I think he might be there another week and then he might go home. Thanks for all those prayers – keep them coming.
On Saturday, we had three First Communion Masses – about 30 children at each Mass. I concelebrated them and presided and preached at the last one at 1pm. It was so great to see them – and to hear the other two priests preach. I don’t get a chance to do that often and there are always ideas to steal!!!
Afterwards, I had a 3:30 baptism. Nice big family and of course, I knew some of the relatives because of GC.
Please keep John William and his family in your prayers.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass. I think I had a good homily on Ascension. When I got home, I ate soup, watched TV and was in bed by 8pm.
This morning, I woke very refreshed and came to do the 10:30pm Mass. Fr. Peter Ryan, SJ was home visiting and concelebrated. His brother, Bill was a seminarian at Queen of Peace, when I was stationed there. He is now a missionary in Africa, even though a priest of our Archdiocese. Brian Mulholland was also there, even though he had inadvertently gone to the 5:30pm on Saturday; he said my “Pete and Tom” homily was even better than last night. He is such a support to me and always helps me at the altar.
Happy Mothers’ Day to all those special women who give us life and/or make our lives worth living.
I’ve been sitting here since Mass and getting this article together so I can go back to my room, defrost my refrigerator, finish my taxes, watch some TV, and go to bed early. I’ve had a busy week.
You certainly DID have a busy week! Thanks for the update. Happy to hear Jim B is doing better!!!