I last wrote on Saturday and I did have a baptism after my meeting. Please keep Avery Grace and her family in your prayers. She was to have been baptized in December; but her Dad was ill and then it went through the family. We had a great celebration. I didn’t go to Maggie’s.
On Sunday, I drove down to St. Mary’s and met with my TEAM at a restaurant called the Ruddy Duck. It was a brunch and we had a good time. Then some of us went to the home of one of the couples and had a meeting. We tried to leave before dark. Then I drove to New Jersey. I had hoped to meet up with Marlene and Don Munson but didn’t get to the Deleware bridge till 7pm. I told them to go on home. I got into the hotel around 9pm, said Mass, and went to bed.
The hotel was near Carmen’s, so I drove over and we had a great visit. I didn’t realize that he is still recovering from his heart surgery and tires, even though he keeps up an amazing schedule. It was nice just to sit and talk and “catch up”. I got a chance to see June and to talk with Joyce, which was nice.
I drove down to Atlantic City since I had a comp room at the Plaza. I took a nap, got something to eat and then played at the tables for a couple of hours. The place was almost deserted but I heard that it was full and rocking over the holiday weekend. I lost “my limit” and went upstairs. They kept talking about snow and so at 9:30pm, I got my car and headed home. I didn’t run into snow until about a half hour before I got home but I’m glad I left. I love to sleep in my own bed!!
On Tuesday, there was snow everywhere and my interviews for Confirmation were cancelled. I did say the 5:30pm Mass and then went to the play group. It was a strange one but interesting.
It snowed again on Wednesday morning and school was off. We had a small crowd at the 11am Mass. It turned nice afternoon and so I had two interviews and then had dinner out with an old friend, Dennis.
On my day off, I went out to visit Barb Ostrye and Dot Witte Furnary. It was good to see them both. Both have some health issues, so keep them in your prayers. Then I went to Riderwood to visit another lady. It was a sunny day but I was tired and cancelled out on dinner and a movie with Fr. Jim Boccabella – I felt lilke such a wimp!
Friday, I had the 11am Mass and then relaxed all afternoon. At 5:30, a parishioner, Ann picked me up and we went to the “Club”. First time, I’ve been and it is elegant. It use to be a hunt club and Ann’s grandfather was one of the founders. We had a good time but I was ready for bed by 9pm.
On Saturday, I had an interview that had to be cancelled because of the snow. The rest of the day was free, so I spent the day watching TV. I had the 5:30pm Mass but didn’t preach because it was the Cardinal’s Appeal and Fr. Ron spoke. Quiet night
On Sunday, I had the 10:30 in the gym but again did not preach. I did give out Communion from my stool and it went OK. Our new deacon (ordained last Saturday) who is a student at TC was on with me. He is from Spokan, Washington.
At 12:30, I picked up Fr. Beattie and we went looking for breakfast. We tried a few IHOPs and the Pancake House but all were crowded. We ended up going to Timpano’s (Italian) for lunch. We had a great time.
On Monday, I had the funeral of a 97year old Communion call of mine. Please keep Rosalie and her family in your prayers. I had just seen her last week but she was ready to go. They called Fr. Ron, last Thursday and he went and anointed her. All her family were around her praying. They planned the funeral and it was beautiful. Lots of people and lots of good music. They had a reception at her house immediately; and then I met them at Gate of Heaven for the interrment at 2:30pm.
I had the 5:30pm Mass but Father Justin took it for me. I met with my niece and a friend over in the rectory at 6pm to plan a retreat that the seperated and divorced group will have in May. It was a great meeting and we got a plan!!
On Tuesday, the little snow shower that we expecting turned out to be 4 to 6 hours and dumped 1-3 inches of snow. Messed up everything. I was suppose to go and meet a couple in Virginia but I “wimped out”. I don’t trust myself to walk on ice. We’ll reschedule.
Today, It snowed again for a couple of hours and stayed on the ground. I had the 11am Mass and had no help putting things out and then I knocked over my water glass and I “suffered” through the Mass. I just couldn’t relax and move on. Fortunately, two people did help with Communion, so I just sat down. I was glad to get back to my room and take a nap.
At 2:30, Sarah, a sophomore at St. John’s came by to help me with my office. She needs to do “community work hours”. Some of the staff came and told her, she’d do better to join a chain gang; but she and I went through piles of paper. We threw a lot away and filed a lot. She’ll come again next week. Who know, maybe my Christmas letter 2012 might get out before Easter!! Who knows????
Tomorrow, Thursday, I will go to hear confessions at Visitation High School and then to St. Luke’s. I’ll come home and sleep.
On Friday and Saturday, I will be at the MAC2014, a convention of religious educators and publishers that is being held in Baltimore. So I will write again on Saturday night. I have the 5:30pm Mass.
I did go up to New Jersey last Sunday night
Thanks for the update. See you at MAC!
Reading your schedule just exhausts me. I don’t know how you do it. Share the secret with us laggards!