I just took a nap and I have time before I say the 5:30pm Mass, so I thought I would begin a message.
On Monday, the 21st, I had a very relaxing day. Because Fr. Justin is away on the last week of his vacation, I had both the 11am and the 5:30pm Masses. I also had exposition at 3pm but the rest of the day, I actually cleaned up part of my office. It was so nice to finally see the desktop again. I just get so much paper. I waited in the rectory for an appointment (who put the wrong date down – something I understand) but since she didn’t show, I ate and watched TV and went to bed early. Nice day!
On Tuesday, I slept in and had the 11am Mass. Afterwards, I picked up Fr. Beattie and he and I went to Sergio’s for lunch. Then we drove to Little Sisters and had a delightful visit with Fr. Duffy. We met in his suite and had a great talk. He recently had a pace – maker put in and what a difference it makes. I guess it moves his blood and oxygen more easily around and to his brain. He never repeated a question and according to questions Fr. Beattie put to him, he remembered priests long gone. It was so good to see him back to his old self.
I met with a couple who want to have their children baptized. We met around 5pm in the rectory. It is so much easier to meet over there once the office is closed at the parish center. We had a great time and I think we’ll be able to do the baptisms in the Fall.
On Wednesday, the 23rd, I met with Ann about the Baptismal program and it keeps getting better and more organized (not due to me but the rest of the team). Then I had the 11am Mass and then I met a friend for lunch at Chadwick’s. I had exposition and then the 5:30pm Mass.
As soon as Mass ended, I headed up by car to Philly. Terrible rainstorm almost all the way and I didn’t get to Joe’s till almost 10pm. We visited and I went to bed.
On Thursday, Joe drove me over to Christ Our Light parish in New Jersey to participate in the funeral Mass of Fr. Pat Lavin. He is a priest of Camden diocese but we went to school together at St. Vincent’s. He has been ill for awhile but I’ve seen him over the years and was glad that my plans, which were made weeks ago, gave me the opportunity to concelebrate his funeral. Fathers John Bohrer and Terry Odien were there but we didn’t visit as we were getting together for supper. After lunch, Joe and I returned to Philly and I took a nap. We all went to a nice Italian restaurant for supper. It is always great to be with them.
Today, I got up around 5:30am and drove down to Baltimore to pick up Maggie and her grandchildren, who were returning from the cruise, which I dropped them off for, last Friday. They had a great time (although how 4 women could need so much luggage is confusing!!). I drove down to Maggie’s and dropped them off, then I went and got my hair cut and my beard trimmed. I came back to the parish center and caught up on email, exposed the Blessed Sacrament, took a nap and now am ready for Mass. I am meeting a couple for baptism after Mass, then home for supper and early to bed.
Tomorrow, Saturday is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Ann, grandparents of Jesus. I have the 8am Mass and then at 11:30 will baptize twins, whose brother I baptized in 2011. Keep them and their parents in your prayers.
Then I’m driving to Baltimore for Adele Meyers’ 90th birthday luncheon. It will be nice to see old St. Bernard’s people. On the way back, I’ll stop in St. Mary’s, Barnesville for their chicken dinner and then I’m saying the 5pm Mass at Our Lady of the Visitation for Ray Fecteau, who is with the Scouts in Arizona. Again, I’ll be glad to get in bed early.
On Sunday, I have the 7:30am and the 10:30am Masses and then I will head out to West Virginia and see the Cavallaro’s. Frank fell and hurt his ribs and shoulder; so keep him in your prayers. Marilyn too, as I don’t think he’s a good patient!! I’m stopping there on the way to Latrobe for Priests Day, which is next Tuesday, so I probably won’t write until next Thursday or Friday. Know that all of you are in my prayers.
So, how WAS Priests’ Day?????