I can’t believe a week had passed but it has!
On Friday, May 30, I had an appointment at 10am; and then the 11am Mass. Then I went and picked up Tom Duffy; and he and I went and picked up Jim Beattie. Then we drove to Fratelli’s, an Italian restaurant near St. Bernard’ and had lunch with Paul Hill. I do so enjoy being with these guys and we decided at our retirement meeting that we needed to get together. I dropped everyone off and got home for the 5:30pm Mass. Fr. Justin is on vacation and so we take turns having two Masses. I don’t mind but I went to bed during Jeopardy!
On Saturday, May 31, I had four baptisms and then graduation. I went and took a nap and then had the 5:30pm Mass. Then I just sat around and watched TV because I only had the 5:30pm the next day.
On Sunday, June 1, I watched the TV talk shows and then I had the “clergy-led baptismal class” at 1:45. I think I did a great job and making them feel welcomed and not to be nervous at the ceremony. I knew many of them through emails as we scheduled their dates. Grace, the sacristan was ill and so I set things up in the chapel. After the meeting a lovely couple (Kathleen Rosemary’ parents) spoke with me and told me that their baptism would be in New York. They asked me to write to the pastor and tell him they had taken classes and had permission to have the baptism at his parish. They gave me to envelopes – one addressed to the parish and one to send a copy to them. I said “sure”! And I went and said the 5:30pm Mass
Well, on Monday, June 2, I spent most of the morning retracing my steps to see if I could find those two envelopes. Had Mass at 11; exposition at 3pm and Mass at 5:30pm. I went to bed early because I was so annoyed with myself.
Got up early on Tuesday, June 3, since we were having the last session of “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was “Graduations I remember”. There were wonderful stories of their graduations. I leaned that in France and Venezuela, there have no graduation ceremony or party. One lady told us of the tradition her Mom began when the first of the nine children graduated from high school of a special party that all the relatives came to. The cooked for days before and cleaned the whole house. She lived out on a farm in the country and relatives travelled over 40 miles but each child felt special on their graduation day. It was very touching! I came home and took a nap; had supper and watched TV.
On Wednesday, June 4, I had the 11am Mass and since I still couldn’t find those envelopes, I cleaned and cleared my desk! They were not there! I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I had an appointment and I sent an email to that nice couple telling them that an old priest should not be in charge of stuff. Would they send me the address again – not an envelope!
On Thursday, June 5, I drove up to Arundel Mills and had a late breakfast with Kass. We caught up and laughed and talked. I left around 1pm and went to St. Luke’s and heard confessions. Then I came home and had supper with Fr. Ron.
On Friday, June 6, I realized that from previous emails I had the names and addresses; so I got the letters typed and ready to go – and Fr. Ron, who was doing a Friday morning baptism, came and said, “Are these your envelopes? There were in the baptismal rite book!” I hugged him and finally sent those letters to the proper places and continued cleaning my desk. Afterwrds, I had an appointment and then the 11am Mass; then another appointment. I took a nap and did exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I had supper with Fr. Ron and went to relax with the TV
Today is Saturday, June 7, 2014. I went to a graduation party for Abby’s 8th grade. I would like to say I married her parents but it was in Wisconsin on the weekend of the Thank You Party at St. Bernard’s and I couldn’t go. They have forgiven me and I am faithful for First Communions, Confirmations, and graduations. I had a great time because I know and love the grandparents. One lives nearby and I see more often but the other two are in Wisconsin so I always enjoy catching up with them. Lake Michigan froze over this winter and even the ice breakers got stuck!!! Oh I don’t miss that part about Wisconsin! I just finished the 5:30pm Vigil Mass. Oh, Keep the Pope, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the President of Israel, and the President of the Palestinians in your prayer as they meet on Pentecost in Rome.
And that was my week – Oh I spent a lot of time on the phone. Betty Neary is much better and in re-hab for her shoulder. Pat Watters is in Maine and doing fine on the car trip. Kerry is in the hospital – keep her and Tim (whose father had heart surgery) in your prayers. My cousin, Margaret Stoner is recuperating at her daughter and I hope to get by to see her. David and Kathy Haas are grandparents for the first time. Mozeltof!
Lastly, I learned that Father Barry Gross, who was a teacher at Good Counsel, when I was there and for many years has been the chaplain died peacefully in his chair in his living room a few days ago. Please keep him and the GC community in your prayers.
Have a very blessed and Spirited Pentecost!
Happy Pentecost!!! I’m watching the Tony Awards and thinking of you….