Friday, the 22nd. I had the 11am Mass, Exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. I also had a nice surprise. Mary Ellen Safchick Black, who went to school with me at St. Bernard’s, stopped by to visit. She lives on the Eastern shore but was here in DC for a funeral and she and a friend, whose brother is in the parish, came by to see me. We took a trip down memory lane and it was fun!
Saturday, the 23 is the feast of St. Rose of Lima and also was my 70th birthday. I concelebrated the 8AM Mass and offered it for my parents (a long standing custom). Fr. Percy announced it was my birthday and the congregation was kind enough to sing, “Happy birthday” to me. Then I had a baptism, please keep Sophia Ashley and Olivia Ashley and their family in your prayers. Then I drove my niece, Mary’s house where I had Mass for the Separated and Divorced Catholic group. It was very nice about 28 people and we had a pot luck supper. I got home around 10pm. Then I went on line to Facebook and read all the greetings that I got for my birthday. There were a lot – and many from people I haven’t been in touch with for a while. That was delightful. It was a very peaceful and relaxing birthday.
On Sunday, the 24th, I got up early and went to the center and read my birthday cards. Again, they were from lots of different people and many were very funny. I enjoyed being up early and laughing. I had a baptism of two sisters at the 10:30am Mass in the church. Their parents are deaf and so the Mass and ceremony were signed. They had a group of deaf friends who came as well. So please keep Claire Emma and Sophie Bryn and their family in your prayers.
Then I went to Our Lady of Lourdes and said the Spanish Mass at 1:30pm. It was well attended and the music was great. I preached in English but the rest was in Spanish and I think I did well. At 4pm, I picked up Joan Beall and she and I went down and met Maggie, Marie, JoAnn, Tim and Kerri for supper at Stoney’s. We had a great time but I was glad to get home and go to bed.
On Monday, the 25th, I offered the 11am Mass for my Dad. It was the 51st anniversary of his death. Then I met some for spiritual direction. Had exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. It was very hot and humid, so I stayed indoors near the air-conditioning.
I wanted to go to the wake of Sister Rita Cullison’s brother-in-law; but it was in Baltimore and to far to go in this heat. Please keep Harry, his wife “Tink” and all their family in your prayers.
Tuesday, the 26th, the heat continued so after the 11AM Mass and a conference in my office; I went back and stayed in my suite the rest of the day. I only came down for meals.
On Wednesday, the 27th, I ventured out in the heat to be on the altar for Art McKnew’s funeral at St. Bernard’s. I limited my movements on the altar but I was exhausted when it was over. I saw lots of old friends but I left right afterwards. It was well attended and no wonder; Art and his wife, Margaret were examples of a great Catholic family. He will be missed by his family, the parish, and his many admirers. Keep them all in your prayers, please. Since I was out, I joined Jerry Trancone for lunch at the Diner in Greenbelt. I came home and had exposition and the 5:30pm. After supper, I stayed in my suite and enjoyed the AC.
Thursday, the 28th was my DAY OFF and so I slept in and didn’t come to the office. I met Ray Fecteau for lunch and then went to hear confessions from 2 to 5pm. Then I drove down to Southern Maryland and went to BINGO with Marie and Maggie. I didn’t win but I enjoyed the company. I spent the night at Maggie’s
On Friday, the 29th, I went shopping at Kmart. I hate shopping but I needed some things and to be honest, the prices are good. Then I went across the bridge to St. Mary’s county. I checked into the Hampton Inn in Lexington Park and took a nap. I went to supper with a friend and then I came home and READ till about 3AM. I got a lot of my two books read.
On Saturday the 30th, I went to Jiffy Lube around 11am. Around noon, I ate lunch and then returned to the AC and read and napped. It was very relaxing. At 6pm, I went to Muffin and John Padukiewicz’s house. I thought it was just supper but it was a big spread with lots of family and friends and we celebrated my birthday. It was so great to see some of the McCoy family and have a chance to talk with them and catch up especially the young adult – whom I saw at the party and wedding but didn’t get a chance to talk with. I came home around 11pm and once again, READ till 3AM.
On Sunday, the 31st, I went and sat in the sacristy at St. Michael’s during the 10:30AM Mass. As people came out, I saw lots of old friends and families. The altar servers was Clair, whom I baptized. She told me she was in 5th grade but I had to doubt her; she couldn’t be old enough. I asked her if she “skipped” some grades but assured me, she didn’t. Two families invited me to join them at the college brunch. I did and we had enough time to laugh, talk, and catch up. Then, I went to the Spelz’s house. The reason I planned to come down here was to see Judy Spelz and Carl, her fiancé. She was a young woman from the area who had gone to St. Michael’s grade school and then went to St. Vincent’s college in Latrobe, where I went. I use to send her mail (before email) and kept up with her when she graduated. Now she and Carl will be married away but she wanted her family and friends to meet him. He is very nice and they are so in love!!! Being there, gave me the chance to see her family as well. It was a great day – a little hot! I drove home and had the 5:30pm Mass. I read some more and stayed up late as the 1st is Labor Day and I don’t have Mass.
(I THINK I’LL PUBLISH THIS AND DO SOME MORE LATER!!)