What Paddy Shot At

Sorry that I’ve not written lately but I have had a busy week. When last I wrote, I had a very relaxing Sunday as I only had the 5:30pm Mass.

On Monday, the 12th, I drove over to Villa Julie to see Sister Natalie. We had a nice visit and went to Mass together. I didn’t concelebrate but sat with her. She fell a few weeks ago and it was decided that she should move to their health care center in Ohio. I told her as I left that I would not say “Good bye” as I will stop to see her on my way back from Wisconsin around the 13th of September. We have known each other since 1949.

Tuesday, was Bob Beall’s anniversary of death. I said the 11am Mass for him, Joan, and the family. I also had the 5:30pm Mass as Fr. Lucas didn’t return till the next day. By next Thursday, we will be back to the 5 priests.
Fr. Beattie and I went to Positano’s for dinner (pasta must be the reason Mrs. B didn’t recognize me!! – that will make sense later in this article!). He is doing very well and is even driving – although I drove that night.

On Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then I went to bring Communion to my 98 year old Spanish lady. Then I headed off to New Jersey.
Since I was dressed like a priest, I decided to stop in the nursing home in Jersey where Mrs. Bleistine lives. She is the mother of Steve Bleistine, who is one of the 50 guys I met on September 8, 1963 when I entered St. Nazianz’s seminary in Wisconsin. In the early years, I saw her often as she lived near Carmen in Penns Grove but I have not seen her in over 45 years. I told that to the nurse because I didn’t want to shock her. She went in first and said, “Margaret, you have company. A visitor”. She said, “I have a visitor, who is it?” I said, “Mrs. Bleistine, it’s Maury O’Connell from Washington, DC.” She said, “It is not!!”. and I went and hugged her. We had a nice hour long visit. She brought me up to date on the family. She was as funny as ever.
At one point, I said, “You haven’t changed at all. I would have recognized you at a Mall” She said, “Well, I wouldn’t have reconized you!” I said, “Oh the beard has changed to white” and she aid, “Yes, that’s true but I meant your body. Now you need to get that weight down”. It was still a great visit!!!
Then I drove over and visited her son Steve, his wife, Carol and their son, Stevie at their house. I officated at their wedding in 1974. We had such a nice “catch up”. Although I did too many of my stand up routines about life in the seminary. It sounded like a combination prison and insame asylum. It was so good to see this great family.
Then I drove to Philly and met Terry, John, and Joe for dinner at a nice Italian place. We had, as we always do, a lot of laughs. I stayed the night at Joe’s.

On Thursday, we went to breakfast (maybe all these meals out are why Mrs. B wouldn’t have recognized me??) and then went and saw a great move, “Way, way back”. If you get a chance, go see it. Slow start but I loved it. Then I drove home to DC.
It was also Mr. Milton McGreevy (Mac’s) 96th birthday. I called him in Denver and we had a great talk. I hope to see him when I drive to California next Spring.

On Friday, I went to a cemetary because they had buried someone in the wrong gravesite. It was very strange to watch them bring up the coffin in the vault. It was my first dis-interrment but saying the prayers as it was put in the right grave was strangly consoling.
That afternoon, I was feeling ill and cancelled going to the nursing home. I went to bed.

Since I didn’t have Mass till 5:30pm on Saturday, I spent the day in my suite and bed. I watched a Matlock Marathon – there was one I had never seen before.

On Sunday, I came over for the 12:30pm Mass and then had a baptism. Please keep Penelope Marie and her family in your prayers. She is also the grand daughter of Doug and Kathleen Hanratty. It was great to see them, Carlo Mancuso, and other family members.
I still was feeling funky, so I didn’t go to the party and went back to bed.

Monday, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards, I drove down to the Little Sisters and visited with Cardinal Baum. It was lovely to be with him and although he says he forgets; as soon as I start a “Lorenzo” or “Msg. Eckert” stories, he remembers them. We talked about genealogy and he said the nicest thing, I asked him if in addition to the cousins in Texas, and Pennsylvania, he had any other relatives out East. He touched my arm and said, “Only your family”. My sister, Maggie was married to his cousin, Mac. He was on the altar for their wedding in 1966.
I was visiting the Cardinal because I was driving Msgr. Tom Duffy out to meet Fr. Beattie and the three of us were meeting Fr. Paul Hill out in Laurel for dinner (Oh, pasta again!!). We had a great time as we always do. I was ready for bed at 9pm.

This morning is the feast of St. Bernard. I have the 5:30pm Mass and will offer it for all the wonderful people that I came to know and love through St. Bernard’s school and parish. Today is also Diane Leach Flanigan’s birthday. She is older than me.
I came over to the chapel at 8:30am and we had a prayer service for the faculty and staff of the school. I was pleased to be ask – but I know also that the pastor is on vacation. I think he returns tomorrow.
After Mass tonight, a couple who couldn’t make the baptismal prep meeting are coming to see me for a “mini-course”. I loved those kinds of thing.
I hope another early to bed evening is in my future.

Again, I am sorry for the long delay in writing. I’ll try to do better

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