Some adjustments to last weeks
On Saturday, the 26th, I did have the 8am Mass and then I baptized Anne Frances and her twin, George Griffin. Please keep them and their family in your prayers.
Then I did drive to Baltimore for Adele’s 90th birthday. She looks great, as did her children and grandchildren. I sat with the Degenhardts and Gail and I really enjoyed myself. I saw Helen Horan, whom I think is 96, and her daughter, Beth and her daughter, Helen. I had such a good time that I had to “fly” over to Darnestown for the 5pm Mass. I got there at 4:55. There is no short direct road from Baltimore to Visitation church. I didn’t get to the chicken dinner at Barnesville – well maybe in the Spring!!
On Sunday, the 27th, I had the 7:30 and 10:30am Masses but decided not to go to West Virginia because they were forecasting bad storms. So I went to bed early and slept great!
I got up late on Monday, the 28th and headed to St. Vincent’s. It was a beautiful day and I got there around 4pm. I joined the monks for evening prayer and then Bob Norton, Tom Kredel and I went to a nice Italian restaurant and had a great time. When we returned, we sat on the porch of the seminary where a few others joined us and we laughed and talked till after 10pm.
On Tuesday, the 29th, we had breakfast in the refectory around 8:30. Brother Ben joined us and we had a good time talking. Around 11am, we congregated in the parish hall and processed into the Abbey church. There were about 70 of us, the preacher was a Benedictine, who is the retired auxiliary bishop of Cleveland. He was very good. Bishop Winter, retired from Pittsburgh and the Archabbot Douglas concelebrated. Doug, who is a classmate, is still recovering from surgery but it was great to see him and talk with him a couple of times that day. The luncheon was great and Bill Feeney and Joe Klepner joined us. Afterwards, I just sat outside – the weather was great, cool and no humidity! I spent a couple of hours just relaxing and talking with people.
The cookout began at 4pm and Richard Wesolowski joined us. It was so good to be with my four best friends from seminary and “catch up”. Around 7pm, I decided to leave and head home. It was an easy ride and I was home and in bed by 11:30pm
Since I wasn’t expected back, I just used Wednesday, the 30th to clean up my desk and my suite. I got a lot done. Around 6pm, I went to the Greek restaurant on Connecticut Ave and met a couple that I married a few years ago. They and their parents and I had met there before the wedding and has a great time. We sat outside as the weather continued to be so nice. They are expecting and we “caught up” and had a great time. I had lamb, which I really enjoy!
On Thursday, the 31st, I slept in and worked in my suite. I came to the office and heard a confession in Spanish and went back to my suite.
On Friday, the 1st of August, I had the 8am Mass and then went to see Dr. Solomon. He was very pleased with how I’m doing and I don’t have to come again till January of 15.
Then I heard confessions from 2 to 5pm, had supper and relaxed all evening.
On Saturday, the 2nd, I had the 11am Mass and then I insisted that Mildred, who is our receptionist on Saturdays, go out to lunch with her daughter and her two grandsons, who surprised her by driving in from Ohio. She told them she couldn’t go as she was “on duty”. She said the pastor asked her to come and do this and he is away, so she had to stay. I said, “Mildred, when the pastor is away, who is the most important person in the office? The Monsignor!! And he is ordering to go out with your family, who are thrilled to be able to spend some time with you!” And she went – and had a great time. I sat at her desk and I think the phone rang twice. Actually, since I was not near my computer, I made lots of phone calls and “caught up” with lots of friends. I slept great!!
On Sunday, I listened to some of the talk shows and then had the 10:30 and 12:30 Masses. I thanked everyone for their generosity to the food drive – we had two cars full for the pantries. Our people are so good.
Then I had the baptismal prep class. It was nice to meet some of the people, whom I’ve “met” on email as they made plans.
And now it is Monday, August 04, . I had the 11am Mass and preached about St. John Vianney, the only parish priest to be declared a saint – so far!!! I spent the day here in the office but it was quiet and now I’m going to get some food and relax, and go to bed early.
The line in this post that I liked the most was that your next doctor appointment is not until January. Ah, how good is the good God!!!! 🙂