Hello again,
I love “unexpected holidays” like today. I’ve gotten so much done yesterday and today at my desk. Almost no one is at the office and I get some serious cleaning done. But I need to bring you up “to speed” since last Friday morning.
Dec. 6th
With the feast of St. Nicholas, I was busy by going to the school at 8am and we had a nice little prayer service and I distributed the coins. Then I came back to the office and then drove over to Holy Redeemer for an 11 o’clock service. It was very nice and we sang two St. Nicholas songs. Then I went to AAA and got some books and maps for my January drive to Florida. Then I had the Mass at the Chevy Chase house. I took the Mass kit but there wasn’t a missal; so I had to do it by memory – I think I did the old Mass, Oh well! Then as we were expecting bad weather; I drove over to the Dominican retreat house. I got there around 4pm as the traffic was bad. I had dinner with the sisters who run the house and the retreatents came around 7:30. We introduced ourselves and then we entered into a silent retreat. I had Mass at 9pm and then we all retired. I slept well and I used the oxygen.
Saturday, we rose and had morning prayer and then breakfast. It was so strange to be in the dining room and hear only the sound of knives and forks. It reminded me the operating room in Mash when no one is speaking. I had to resist a temptation to jump up and begin to sing – Oh, I did resist. I gave 4 conferences and I used a wonderful book called “When the Rain Speak”. We are using it in our TEAM group and it is a series of essays about seeing God in all that is around us. It fit in well for a “Quieting Advent” retreat. Also I was available for private talks and for confessions and that was great.
On Sunday, the weather took a bad turn and so it was decided to move things up. I had Mass at 9am and so I was able to be back to the parish in time for the celebration of Msgr. Duffy’s 60th anniversary of ordination. Cardinal McCarrick presided and preached. Fathers Beattie, Ranieri, Enzler, and the house concelebrated. There was an orchestra and our choir. It was lovely. There was a reception afterwards but I didn’t go as I had a baptism at 2pm. Please Keep Ryan Roisin (it’s Gaelic) and her family in your prayers. Her Dad, Tim is the nephew of Mike Sindall, so she’s his great niece. Lots of the family were there and it was great to see them. I was suppose to have the 5:30pm Mass but God love him, Fr. Percy offered to take it. I was ready for an early bedtime.
On Monday, I was suppose to have the school Mass at 9:15am but with the snow, there was no school. We were going to have Fr. Kyle Ingle over for a lunch but that got cancelled also. I did a lot of work at my desk and went back to the room and went to bed.
Today, is another free day because we had more snow. I was suppose to hear confessions for the school and for Stone Ridge but both are closed. I did meet with Kevin, who is receiving Communion and being confirmed soon. He is a fireman and so kind and good. Pray for him.
Now back to the rectory, a little food and rest.