Another week without writing but I think that is because I still don’t have an Ipad. I will have to go to an APPLE store. I looked and there in one in Bethesda and I’ll try to go this week. I really do miss having it at my beck and call. Oh well!
So last time I wrote, I was going out to Barnesville to cover for Fr. Kevin, while he recovered from an operation. He’s doing well. When I got home I had the 5:30pm and went to bed early. Bob Norton called me to let me know that Fr. Demetrius, our rector and scripture professor at St. Vincent had died. I saw him last July at priests’ day and he was really failing. He was an important person for me in the seminary. RIP
On Monday, I met Jerry Trancone at Scanlon’s, where his car was being worked on; then we went to the Social Security office for him to file. It went very well and then we went to the Diner for brunch. I had a good time and it’s been too long since we visited. Then I came home and I gave a talk at RCIA that night on the Communion of Saints. I had a great phone conversation with Tish Rossi. I hope to see her in December when she comes to visit her great nephew, who lives in Silver Spring. I also learned that today is the 16th anniversary of her mom’s death. I have put it in my computer so I don’t miss it in the future. Rose and Uncle Nick were great friends. RIP
On Tuesday, I got a phone call that Fr. Beattie was in the hospital. I just couldn’t get over there but I found out it was something serious – just a precaution. I had “Tuesday with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was a realistic approach to illness and death. We had a great discussion and shared a lot of information about legal and moral decisions to make. Then I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass and supper with the guys in the rectory. I then, came and met with my Play reading group. It was delightful. I went home and worked on my talks for the retreat.
On Wednesday, I drove early in the morning to Priestfield in West Virginia. I was facilitating a retreat for about 20 DRE’s from our Archdiocese. I was there really just to give 5- 15minutes talks and then lead them into discussions and reflections. They were a great group and I learned a lot as they shared. I slept well as it is a dark as night and removed from any distractions. I did have to use the oxygen a lot but I put it on a little cart and dragged it around.
On Friday, after Mass and lunch; I went and visited Marilyn and Frank Cavallaro at their house. We had a great time and “caught up”. Then we met Bill and Kate Berry, Mary Alice McGreevy Perez, Brian McGreevy, Sarah, Mary’s daughter and her husband, Wolfi, and their daughter Isabella. We met at an Italian restaurant – good food and good company!!! I drove home that night and was home by 9pm.
On Saturday, I had the 11am Mass and spent the rest of the day cleaning up my room
On Sunday, I had the 10:30 Mass in the gym. I haven’t done that lately but I arranged for a stool to be placed where I use to give Communion. It worked well and someone helped me by carrying the Eucharist for me. I was able to give Communion and bless the children. I haven’t done that for about 3 months and it was great to be able to do it. I have another stool for the church and I’ll test it out on Thanksgiving.
Then I met with a young couple whom I am doing the paperwork for their wedding. Then I took a nap and drove out at 5pm to Darnestown to help with confessions at Our Lady of the Visitation’s middle school CCD. It was very nice and then Fr. Ray Fecteau and I went and had supper together. That was very nice and I was in bed by 10:30pm.
On Monday, I met with the family of a lady whose funeral I will have on Wednesday. They were so nice. Then I had lunch with Jim, a new friend I have developed through John and Antonia Bass. He has had a wonderful and fascinating life and I enjoy talking with him. Then I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass.
Today, I spent the day in my office and since I’m the only priest here, I got all kinds of things to deal with. I loved it. I had the 11am Mass, exposition, and the 5:30pm Mass. I had to use the oxygen most of the day but that will please my doctor. I was on the phone a lot and just hung up from Sister Natalie. She was born on November 24th in Sicily but her mom didn’t get recorded till the 26th. So all her documents to come to America had the 26th date and so do the Notre Dame Nuns and her Social Security, etc. I sent her some flowers yesterday (the 25th) and the card said, ”Happy day between your two birthdays”. She was thrilled and got the joke. I’m about to go home. Humberto made me some soup and so I’ll just sit upstairs and watch TV.
Tomorrow, I will have Monica’s funeral at 11. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. I will ride in the herease to the cemetery in Falls Church, Va and then just stay in the house. The weather and the traffic are too much for me.
On Thursday, I will the 8am Mass here and then go to the retirement house of the Holy Cross Sisters in Kensington and have Mass at 11am. They’ve invited me to dinner and then I’ll come home again and relax.
Know that I will spend all day Thursday thinking of the wonderful people that God has graced my life with and saying their names aloud and asking God to bless you. Happy and Safe Thanksgiving to you all.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend!