What Paddy Shot At

Hi there,

Another very busy two weeks.

When last I wrote, it was April 21st. On the next day, I had the 11am Mass. At 3pm, Colleen picked me up and we drove to the Dominican Retreat House in Virginia. We attended a dinner and meeting of the SDC. It was very enjoyable and edifying. I also met two religious sisters – Sister Charlotte and Sister Loretta. They were from Big Bend, Kansas and they knew Fr. Dwight from Wichita. I’m always saying, “If we Catholics could agree on something, we could change the world because we all know each other”.

On Thursday, April 23rd, I picked up Fr. Beattie and we went to breakfast at IHOP. We had to go to two of them, they were so busy and filled up. We ended up in Rockville.

On Friday, the 24th, I met a lovely man whose family is in Qatar and coming here in the summer for a visit. We are going to baptize his grandchildren. They cannot do that at home.
Then I went and got my haircut and beard trimmed. Went to Jiffy Lube. Did exposition and the 5:30pm Mass and had a First Communion interview.

On Saturday, the 25th, I had someone in for an appointment and had the 11am Mass. After Mass, a man and his two sisters came to see me in the chapel and we had a blessing of the ashes of their mother. It was a very lovely time together. Please keep Frances and her children in your prayers. I then had a baptism, keep John Calix and his family in your prayers. I had confessions at 4pm and then Brian and Rowena picked me up and took me to the Wardman hotel for the Catholic Charities Dinner. I really was too tired to go but they insisted and I’m glad they did. I had a great time, learned more about CC and met and talked with a number of nice people.

I slept in on Sunday till 9am and then had the 10:30 Mass in the gym. It was so nice to be back with the families and the children. I used my stool and gave out Communion and blessed the kids.
I used the afternoon, to catch up by phone with Maggie, Dan and Stephanie, Joe Stoutz, Gail Douglas, and others. It was very relaxing and I went to bed early and slept well.

Monday, the 27th was a full day with appointments, and 11am Mass and supper with the guys – but it was fun and relaxing.

Tuesday, the 28th was another full day with lots of laughter and good memories. I started off by attending the funeral of Mary Claire Daly at Our Lady of Lourdes. She is the aunt of Fr. Tim Daly and I’ve known her for years. She was 93 years of age and lived a wonderful and full life of faith. She was also the aunt of Chris Daly, the husband of Denise Embry Daly, whom I knew at St. Camillus and at St. Bernard’s. They live in Frederick and I haven’t seen them in over 20 years. I know this because their son, John, whom I’ve never seen is 21 years old. Their daughter, Colleen, who was a student at St. B’s and went on to become an Opera singer was there and sang the “Ave Maria”. It was magnificent. She also has an adorable little sixth month old boy named “Christian Michael”. Chris and Denise’s first grandchild!!
It was not a sad funeral; it was a celebration of life, faith, and family!

I had to rush back because I had the 11am Mass and then Fr. Beattie and I went to Little Sisters’ and had lunch with Msgr. Bazan, Msgr. Duffy, and Cardinal Baum. What a great two hours that was!!
Then when I got home. Pat McGrath, one of my favorite students from GC had come by to visit and we sat and “caught up” for another hour. Then Joan told me I had another visitor. It was Nera Brown Lersch. She was the year ahead of me at St. Bernard’s and we’ve stayed friends all that time. She lives in Illinois but was here to visit family and stopped by. Again, we laughed and “caught up”.
That evening, I finally caught up with my sisters (who had been at the Shore!) and I caught up on them and their families. I was ready for bed.

On Wednesday, I drove over to Wheaton and had lunch with Joe Hickson and his daughter, Colleen. Joe and his family were a big part of GC and so I was glad to visit him. He is going to be 90 in June and we celebrated the Anointing of the Sick and had a great time talking about the past. I had the 5:30pm Mass and was in bed before 8.

On Thursday, the 30th, I led a day of prayer with lots of old friends at St. Camillus. I had a great time and I think they did too.

On Friday, May 1st, I had the 6:30am Mass and afterwards said the opening prayer at the Christ in the Marketplace gathering that is held after the 6:30 Mass on the first Friday of the month. It’s just men and a speaker. Today’s was Andreas, who was a member of the Swiss Guard for Pope John Paul II. His talk was marvelous and really touched many of the men – including me!
Then the second day of prayer at Camillus. It was so like going home and I loved it and the gang who came.
Did have an appointment about Baptism with a lovely couple when I got home and again, I was in bed by 8pm

On Saturday, the 2nd, I picked up Jerry and Fr. Kane at the O’Boyle residence and we went to St. Thomas More parish in Southeast for the funeral of Father John Kinter. He was the chaplain at Greater Southeast Hospital for about 35 years. He was the assistant at St. Teresa’s on Minnesota Ave, where I did my Deacon Summer in 1971. We’ve stayed friends ever since. He died of cancer at 72. The church was full and there were about 25 priests there. Msgr. Pope preached and he was great.
We three went to lunch at RIP’s and then I drove the guys’ home. Early to bed.

On Sunday, I slept in and then went to Maplewood and joined Jim, Susan, and Bunny for the brunch. We had a great time. Antonia and John could not join us, as John is in the hospital. Keep him and her in your prayers.
I stopped in to meet some of the couples that I email with about baptism. They were here for the parent – led session.
I had the 5:30pm Mass

Today, I had the 11am Mass and spent all day at my desk getting things organized. There is a dinner for RCIA tonight but I might slip away and go to bed early.

That’s what has been happening from day to day.
Here’s some updates:
Steve Bleistine was back in the hospital after a short time at home because of pneumonia.
Sister Kass’ dad, Ed did have his foot taken off and is back at Charlestown for recovery. Her birthday was on Sunday.
Had a nice long talk with Betty DeLuca and while she misses Norm a lot, work and the boys keep her going.
Loretta Favret is doing well (although bored) in her assisted living situation. Andy is recovered from his surgery and after some time at rehab, he is back at their cottage. Hope to see them soon.
Sister Natalie (Ann Christine) is quite content in Cincinnati at Mt. Notre Dame Health Center. I’ve called her but she doesn’t seem to stay in her room much. I pass messages through the staff and she sends her love.
Joe Stoutz is having hip surgery on the 18th, keep him in your prayers.
My oxygen concentrator’s battery went and so I hope to have another tomorrow. I have a large machine in the rectory and can use that at night.

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