Today is Thursday and usually my DAY OFF and I was planning to pick up Joan Beall and go up and visit Betty Neary in Pennsylvania; but Betty called last night and said that with the weather, we should move it to next week. So I spent today hanging around my office in the rectory. I tried to “organize” the rooms and put stuff aside to give away. I got a lot done. I also went over to the office to deal with a few baptismal questions; but mostly I stayed in my suite. I also decided I needed to bring you all up to date on Paddy, sooo
On Friday, January 12th, I did head out to West Virginia for the retreat. I got there early in the day because I wasn’t sure about the weather. It turned out to be sunny and cool. I got there with time for a nap. The ladies arrived by supper at 6pm. I think there were fifty some. After dinner, I gave a talk called, “Why did you come?” The theme was “Come away with me to a quiet place”. They had a social but I made myself available for talking or confessions. I was in bed around 10pm.
It is hard to describe the retreat except to say, it was a wonderful experience of Grace. Saturday, we kept a kind of “Sacred Silence, which meant no talking in the building and at meals. It was interesting – and a little un-nerving but I think it helped set a tone for things. I gave a number of presentations and the retreatments were in discussion groups and had questions on which to share. I was available for talking or confession most of Saturday evening. On Sunday, we had Mass and large group sharing. It was a great time together.
On the way home, I visited the Cavallaro’s and baptized Anthony Joseph. Keep them all in your prayers. I had a good to time seeing them all and visiting. I drove home and was in bed by 10pm.
Monday was Martin Luther King Day and I had the 11am Mass. As the office was closed, I just stayed in my suite and relaxed. A priest friend of Fr. Ron’s was visiting from Scranton and the three of us and he went out to supper at Tavernina’s and had a great dinner and much talk and laughter.
Tuesday, I had my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. It was a small group but we talk about Dr. King and also about the new Cardinals. Very interesting discussion. I had the 5:30pm Mass and spent the evening in my suite.
Wednesday, I spent most of the day getting baptism information set up and corrected. Had the 8 and 11am Masses.
Was weather is so changeable and so I was hoping to get to the hospital and see some people but it didn’t work out because things got changed at the hospitals also. Please keep both Mary Lou Jones and baby Eli Merkle and their families in your prayers.
Thanks for the update!!!