Now, it is two weeks later, although you wouldn’t know it because I misidentified the last Paddy as the 15th Sunday when it really was the 14th. I was off in my breviary also. I am back on track now.
On Monday, the 7th, I had the 11am Mass. I had the 8am Mass on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the 9th I had exposition at 3pm and then the 5:30pm Mass. So, it was three days in which I really relaxed and did little. On Monday, I wasn’t feeling so good but overcame it.
On Thursday, I had an appointment at 10am and then drove to National Airport and picked up Dan and Stephanie Poje and took them to their hotel in Bethesda. They are dear friends from Memphis, whose wedding I was privileged to witness 16 years ago. They’ve been on cruises and know lots of people in the area. They are on vacation. I picked up Joan Beall and we picked up Dan and Stephanie and joined Rick and Peg Jensen at Clyde’s. We had so many laughs and a great evening together.
On Friday, I had the 11am and the 5:30pm Masses. The rest of the day I just relaxed.
On Saturday, I had a baptism at 1pm, so please keep Helen Mabel and her family in your prayers. Then I picked up Dan and Stephanie from their sightseeing and took them to spend time with Mary Mudd and her family; while Joan and I went to help celebrate the 90th birthday of Frances Sampogna. She and her late husband, Nick and their family were great friends in St. Camillus. It was so good to see all her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their spouses. We laughed and took pictures and told stories. I was so much fun.
When Joan and I got back, I had a chance to visit with the Mudd’s (always a delight!) and then Dan, Stephanie, and I went to a nice Italian restaurant and relaxed and talked.
On Sunday, the 13th, I had the 9:30am Mass, which Dan and Stephanie attended and then we headed out to Latrobe, Pa. It was an easy trip and only breaks for food. We checked into the Wyndham hotel, where I usually stay when I go to priests’ day. We had a leisurely dinner at Denny’s and early to bed.
On Monday, I slept in, while Dan and Stephanie took the car and went to visit Falling Waters, a Frank Lloyd Wright house. I was picked up by Tish Rossi to go to Joanne, her sister’s house. However, during the night, Mike, her husband had a heart attack and was in the hospital with Joanne and their daughter. Tish and I still went to the house and had lunch and talked. I came back to the hotel and took a nap. We met up with Fr. Bob Norton and Keith and Sheila Morris and went to dinner at the airport, which has a great restaurant. I really appreciated the Morris driving out from Pittsburgh and getting a chance to meet Dan and Stephanie. Bob stayed overnight with me.
On Tuesday, we had breakfast together and then Bob left and I took Dan and Stephanie to show them St. Vincent’s. They loved it, especially the Abbey church. Then we headed east and we stopped to visit Betty Neary in Shrewsbury. She showed us her new apartment and we had lunch together. We had a great visit.
On Wednesday, the 16th, I slept in while Dan and Stephanie went sightseeing and I picked them up at the Metro and we headed for Southern Maryland and picked up Maggie. We went to Stoney’s in Prince Frederick where we had delicious crabs – and some soup and other stuff! Rick and Peg joined us as did Sister Kass, JoAnn, Ann Marie and her four children, and Marie. Except for a little problem with my wallet, it was a great evening.
Thursday, July 17th was quite a day. It’ too long a story but two cousins of mine died and we had a memorial Mass for them at 8:30am at Holy Cross parish. Marie and Maggie, Rick and Peg joined some of my cousins’ neighbors and afterwards, they had us to their home for a little refreshment. Then I went to hear confessions and went to bed early.
A dear friend, Brian took Dan and Stephanie to the airport, so that I could do the morning Mass. I was so grateful and so were they.
On Friday, the 18th, I had the 8am Mass; then went to my doctor, had some blood drawn, and found out that I’m doing great. Then I drove to Maggie’s and took her, Kerri, two grand-daughters (Amanda and Darcy) to the port of Baltimore, where they got on a ship for a week cruise to Bermuda. Then I came home and met with a young lady who wants to get married. Then I had the 5:30Mass. I had received an invitation by email that morning to join Pat and Janet Kennedy. They are friends from St. Bernard’s (in both my teen years and when I was pastor) and I was glad to go and we sat and talked from 6:30 till past 10pm. I had a great time.
On Saturday, the 19th, I had the 8am Mass then relaxed. At 11:30, I was picked up by Barbara and Peter Dove and we drove down to Beth McCoy’s farm in St. Mary’s county. The McCoy family has a family reunion around the 19th, because its her birthday. She and Fred had 12 children and many of them and/or the children and grandchildren were there. The weather was perfect and we sat outside and ate crabs, oysters, and other great foods. There were games and one of the sons gave a great talk (not long) showing the history of St. Gabriel’s Manor from the days of the Calverts in 1649 to the McCoys coming there and building the house. It was very interesting. Barbara is the daughter of one of Beth’s sisters and is a special cousin. She lives in Blessed Sacrament. It was a wonderful time!
I slept in on Sunday, the 20th and watched the morning shows on TV. I came and had a great baptism at 2pm. Please keep John Blake and his family in your prayers. His grandparents are from Philly and Cherry Hill, NJ and we had lots to talk about. I have been here at my desk to get this Paddy report done. I have the 5:30pm Mass and then back to the rectory to relax.
I have done a lot lately but it didn’t exhaust me. I guess being with friends is what I need! It certainly worked this week. I shall try to be more responsible this coming week about Paddy.