Hello again,
It is Saturday morning and I have 11am Mass, a baptism at 1:30, and a wedding at 4:30; so I am relaxing in my office and decided to bring Paddy up to date:
On Wednesday, I picked up Sister Natalie at the Villa and we drove to Perryville, Md. There is a casino there and it is about half way between here and Philly. Terry drove John and Joe down and we all met at the restaurant at the casino around noon. We had a nice visit and I know the guys were happy to see Sister and me. After the visit, I tried to get her to “play” a little in the casino but she isn’t much for gambling. She told us at lunch that she has cut down the stipend she get each month from the order because she really doesn’t need it. She really is an “old fashion” nun and I love her. I drove her back to the Villa and was home in time for the 5:30pm Mass.
On Thursday, I pick up Fr. Beattie around 1pm and we went to Mr. George “Pat” Morse’s wake at Gawler’s. Joan Beall and Sharon were there as were all the Morse kids and grandkids. Mr. Morse was 95. He and his wife, Margaret were married for 74 years. They were founding parishioners of St. Camillus parish.
In the evening, I joined Fr. Bill English and Matt and Kathy Minahan for dinner at a very nice restaurant in Kensington. Bill is retiring this week and Matt and Kathy were celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary. I think we’ve all been friends for close to 40 years. We don’t get together enough but when we do, it’s like we’d been together two weeks before. We had a great time.
On Friday, I picked up Fr. Beattie at 8:30am and we drove down to St. Matthew’s cathedral for Mr. Morse’s funeral Mass. We sat together on the altar because there are lots of steps and concelebrated from the chairs. Fr. Ron Jameson, the rector (and one of the earliest deacons we had a St. Bernard’s) could not have been nicer to us. He even came and unlocked the back door, so Fr. Beattie, who is using a walker, could get right into the sacristy. The Mass was in Latin – my first con celebration in Latin and only my second Mass in Latin. I think I did OK. One of the Morse children is a sister of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, and so there were a number of the sisters that I know, present. I saw Sr. Janet Stoba, who was from St. Camillus also. She’s one of my favorites and kindly brought Fr. Beattie out to the curb to meet the car. It was so hot that as soon as I took Father Beattie home, I came back and took a nap in the air-conditioning. I had the 5:30pm Mass and preached on how good it was of Jesus to touch the leper before he healed him. It must have felt great to be touched again after years of isolation. I joined the guys for supper and had a great time as always.
I made a number of phone calls this week. Sr. Kass is much improved and home (with therapy) and Eileen will begin some treatment on July 9th. So keep them both in your prayers. Also, talked to Pat Watters, who still wants visitors in Newfoundland. Pat Berry would enjoy visitors in Chicago. Also I was considering a cruise but it was just too short notice but there is still the future!!
And that brings you up to date.