I just looked up my last “posting” and discovered that it was on the 7th. I don’t know how I got so far behind. I will try to “catch up”.
I am in the rectory with a small heater as the fan has “gone out” on the furnace. I had the 8am Mass, which was full and I did preach but my stomach was bothering me, so I received ashes and then sat down. The ministers did both ashes and Communion. I stayed in my office and worked on Baptisms and email and then came home. Humberto is making me some soup. I’ll go back around 3pm for a Confirmation interview that got messed up because of the snow. I’ll have supper with the guys
Let’s see what happened since the 7th. I had confessions at 4pm and then went home.
On Sunday, the 8th, I had the 10:30am Mass in the gym. It was so nice to be with them again. I think its been 2 months. I didn’t preach because we are doing the Cardinal’s appeal but it was nice to have the children up around the altar and to give Communion again. The put up a stool for me and helped me to get down from the altar. It was a lot of work for them; but they were very kind to me. I met with a young man who has been asked to be a Godfather and then at 2pm, I had a baptism for a great grand child of Mr. Sindall, from St. Camillus. It was great to see so many of the family.
On Monday, I was sick again. All this congestion. I did the 8am Mass and then went to bed till 2pm, when I came over for Confirmation interviews. Went to bed early.
On Tuesday, I had the 8am Mass again but went back to bed right after. We had snow and school was closed, so no interviews.
On Wednesday, the 11th, Feast of our Lady of Lourdes, I preached on prayers for the sick and then I had the 11am Mass, again I preached. Had an appointment and then tried to catch up on the interviews. I went to supper and think I’m feeling better. No Nyquil or pills and I slept fine.
On Thursday, I drove to Baltimore for a convention. I stayed in the Hilton and most of what I attended was in that building or across an enclosed walkway. I enjoyed it a lot and ran into lots of old friends who still go to religious Ed. conventions. I shared a room with Joe Stoutz and had a meal with Sister Kass. And I took naps!! On Friday night, there was a great liturgy and Archbishop Lori preached. He was excellent. There was night prayer and two uproaringly funny talks by Brother Mickey McGrath and Father Jim Martin. I enjoyed the whole thing.
On Saturday, feast of St. Valentine, I drove Joe and I up to New Jersey, where we had a great lunch with John and Terry. I drove back to DC afterwards and arrived in time to concelebrate the 5:30pm Mass. Then I went to bed – just as the snow started.
Sunday, I stayed in bed all day and took medicine, slept, and had soup. I was supposed to have a nice Italian dinner with the Werden’s and Monsignor Beattie but it was bitter cold outside, so I went to bed.
Monday was a holiday but I took the 11am Mass. Not many there but they were calling for snow again and I wimped out on dinner with some good priests friends. It turned out to be a good decision as it was cold and snowy.
No school on Tuesday. I had 11am Mass and lots of help but then I went home and relaxed. Our play reading group had to cancel because of the ice.
Now I’m back in the parish center. I’m not sure my 3o’clock will come as we are expecting more snow and Montgomery County has cancelled all afternoon activities. If she doesn’t come, I’ll go home. I think we have heat over in the rectory. tomorrow is my DAY OFF, so I’ll just relaxed around the rectory. I have a full day on Friday with a funeral at 11, exposition at 3, Mass at 5:30 followed by Stations of the Cross. I’m glad I’m feeling better.
Hope your heat is working…but then you always liked the cold.
Ash Wednesday on this end was busy with 2 Masses and a service for the kids (that had many many adults who didn’t want to brave the early morning or evening Mass times. The evening Mass was almost standing room only! I’m sure it was the contemporary music group 🙂