When last I wrote, I was frustrated about the snow. Well, it finally came on Tuesday, the 27th. It messed up stuff again because we had to cancel the interviews again and I had to cancel my dentist appointment, I also had to cancel Joan’s and my trip up to see Betty Neary. I just “hung around” and tried to “doctor” my cold, which was just hanging on.
On Wednesday, after the 8am and 11am Masses, I took to my bed so see if I could break up all this congestion. I also got a prescription from my doctor. Did not sleep well.
Thursday, I did the 11am Mass, and then returned to bed. I used the cough syrup with codeine and I did sleep through the night.
On Friday, the 30th, I was scheduled for the 6:30 and 8AM Masses but Fr. Ron stopped by my room and insisted that he would take the Masses; we finally settled on him having the 6:30 and my sleeping in and taking the 8. Well, the codeine was still in my system and so I was woozy all morning. I just stayed in my office and used the oxygen. It began to snow around the 11am, so I decided to drive over to the Dominican retreat center in Virginia. I checked in and went to bed for about 4 hours. The retreat didn’t start till around 6pm and I felt a lot better by then. The retreat was for Separated and Divorced Catholics and we were about thirty. It was a great retreat in that I just gave some thoughts for reflection and sharing and then the retreatents in small groups shared their experiences. I found it difficult to get around to the rooms because of the wires, etc. for my oxygen; but God sent a special “angel”, whom I’ve known for years to be on the retreat and get me up and down and settled in for every session. I went to bed at 10:45.
Saturday, the 31st was a full day. After the morning sessions and Mass, I drove back to Blessed Sacrament for the memorial Mass for Kevin. It was very beautiful and his family planned it so perfectly. I would say there must have been a couple of hundred people there. Brian spoke after Communion and it was excellent. Also as Kevin played the clarinet in St. John’s High School band, no Mulholland gathering was complete until at the insistence of his grandmothers, he play “Strangers on the Shore”. A neighbor played it after Brian spoke. I only knew it as an instrumental but the family put the words on the back of the program – and it was just right.
I returned to the retreat after the Mass and my favorite part was the afternoon and evening – when we have time for the sacrament of reconciliation or a chance to just talk. I went to bed around midnight.
Sunday morning, Feb 1st, we had a couple of large group sharing and Mass. I think it was a time of grace for most of us. I know it was for me as I learn more and more about a group in the Church, whom we have not served well and I hope we are now reaching out in a larger way to remind them – and all of us – that we are a family.
I came home and slept for about three hours and then had the 5:30pm Mass. I didn’t have to preach because it is the first of three weekends for the Cardinal’s appeal. Fr. Ron preached – and he was great.
I went to bed. I watched some of the game but mostly I slept. I didn’t use the syrup with the codeine on the retreat and so I just used Nyquil, there and Sunday night. I will use it when I can stay in bed and wake up when I want to.
Today, I had the 8AM Mass and was late coming over and getting ready. I sat for most of it. I had a stool at the altar and felt well enough to preach. It the World Day of Prayer for all in consecrated life and I talked about the great sisters and brothers and religious order priests who have served us so well – asking God to give them the reward of their works.
Now, I’m sitting at my desk, relaxing and waiting to finally have some of those Confirmandi interviews. I’m drinking soup and feeling a little better. Early to bed tonight as I am giving a day of recollection at Leisure World tomorrow.
Maybe we can go up to see Betty when I come down in March. Good luck with the cold. It’s gliing to dip to -20 up here tonight. Lots of flash Ice and high winds. Waves in front of the house are about 9 meters high (27 feet plus!)