Today is such a special feast to me – Nuestra Senora del Carmen! I think of and pray for all the Carmelites I know; for St. Therese; and for Carmen Carlone. Happy Feast Day.
The retreat was great. It was the 25th anniversary of the first family retreat in 1988 at Camp Maria. There were some who have been there regularly since and some who came on and off. Over the four days, over 100 people were there. There were grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. Fr. Ray Wadas, Sister Rose, and Pastor Burns (all of whom have been there over the years) came and gave presentations. I am still processing the material, which was wrapped around the theme of “Celebration”.
On the way home, I stopped in Annapolis and met my cousins for crabs. We celebrated Peg’s birthday. I had a great time – even with the terrible heat!!
When I got home, I participated in our marriage prep program. It was held here in the rectory. Two mentor couples, three engaged couples and myself. I was so grateful that they had moved it here so that I wouldn’t have to go out again in the heat. The group ( without me) will meet in homes two more times and then have a last meeting here again on a Friday night, which I will attend. It’s a very good program.
I went to bed around 9pm and slept till 9:15am on Monday. It was nice to be in my own bed again.
On Monday, I went to Clyde’s to meet, three of the members of the Teen Club from St. Camillus, a spouse of one, and the mothers of the members. Ann Lee, a mother was up from Florida and two of her children, (Twins Eileen and Doug) and Eileen’s husband, Jay joined Joan Beall and her daughter Sharon. We all haven’t been together in a long time and really enjoyed talking and laughing. It’s hard to believe that it was over 40 years ago we all met. The mothers have known each other for almost 60 years as they went to the same high school. I really am blessed in my friends!!
I came home and took a nap and then had the 5:30pm Mass and met with a man, who was at GC when I was there. He is Jim Bergman and came with his wife, Mary and their baby, Molly Carol, whom I will baptize on August 4th. It was nice to see Jim and catch up on his life.
Today, I was “bumpted” from the 11am Mass because of a funeral that Fr. John came back for. I worked at my desk and tried to catch up on email and phone messages. I met with the DRE and we checked on all the baptisms being planned for the next two months. We have lots of them and we meet regularly to be sure all the paperwork is done. I came to lunch and took a nap. Now I’m getting ready for supper and I hope to work here in the rectory all evening. I try not to go out into this heat.
Again, happy special feast day of our Mother and Queen.
I was hoping for a post from you and was not disappointed. It HAS been hot! Glad you are able to spend most of your time in air conditioning!