I do apologize again that it has been so long since I wrote. I don’t know where the time goes!
When last I wrote, it was Christmas day and I was heading over to the rectory to get some food and hang out in my room. I did go and have my sandwiches but I didn’t open any mail; I just laid on the bed and watched movies: The Robe, Ben Hur, the greatest story ever told, and the Bells of St. Mary. I’d nod off and wake up to find a different movie on but since I know them all backwards and forward, I could pick up where the film was. I got ready for bed around 9pm and slept through to 7am.
On Thursday, the 26th, I had the 8am Mass and then headed to Maggie’s. She, Kerri and I drove down to the Ridgell’s for what was described as “just left overs” for supper. If the 16 things we had were “leftovers” than the Christmas meal must have been a “doozy” !! Friends and neighbors were there as well as her family (whom I use to love to play cards with, when I was at St. Michael’s) and we had a great time and visit. We left around 9:30 and I dropped off Maggie and Kerri and came on home. With using the oxygen, more and more, I like to sleep in my own room. I was in bed before midnight.
On Friday, I came over and did some more organizing of my desk. I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I called a lot of people just checking in; then I had a wedding rehearsal at 6pm. This is the very nice couple that I told last Spring that I might not be up to doing a wedding in December. We had such a good time together and neither of the other priests was available, so I told them I would officiate. Mary Tull did the rehearsal and I met the families. I didn’t go to the dinner and was in bed very early.
On Saturday, I slept in and came over for the wedding. James, a young man from the parish who helps me a lot at Mass, came to be my assistant at the wedding. He was a great help and I didn’t have to use the oxygen at all. Stephen and Courtney looked radiant and everything went well.
I was a little nervous because Mary called in the morning and had the flue. I told her not to worry and things, as I said, went very well. Then I had the 5:30pm Vigil Mass. It wasn’t too much because the deacon preached. Again, early to bed.
Sunday, the 29th was the feast of the Holy Family – one of my favorite feast. In all the other parishes I’ve been in, we (priests and deacons) would gather at the communion stations during the recessional and bless as the families as they came to us in small groups. I had the gym Mass and preached about family life and love and invited people to come up after Mass for a blessing. I didn’t have the children up around the altar because of the manger and the poinsettia; but I did use the stool and give Communion. It was a very pleasant Mass.
Afterwards, I went to my room and defrosted my refrigerator. It was a lot of work but very satisfying after it was done. Then I sat and opened all my cards and read each letter. I loved “catching up” on people I baptized (now in college) or married (now living far away and doing interesting jobs) and seeing the pictures of happy events in their lives. I will work on my Christmas letter in earnest now!!!
Today, we had Joan Mullan’s funeral. Fr. Duffy came and preached as they had gone to grade school together. Fr. Francisco, who use to work in the parish and now is a priest of our diocese studying in Rome, and Fr. Ron and I concelebrated. It was a beautiful Mass and the music was stirring!!
I went over and took a nap because I have this 7pm wedding in the chapel.
Tomorrow, I will pick up Fr. Beattie around 9am and we’re going to IHOP for breakfast. I have afternoon appointments and then I have the 5:30pm Mass and I’ll probably watch the ball come down in Times Square from my bed. I think last year, I slept through it but I do enjoy seeing it. Happy New Year to all of you and may 2014 be a blessed one for you and your loved ones.
Glad to read you used the rainy Sunday to some productive work 🙂 Good decision to stay home. The drive from Edgewater to Catonsville rivaled the Ark’s voyage…minus the animals.
It was so great to be able to visit with you last week. Take care.