On May 6th, I gave a talk on prayer to the Bible study group. They are a wonderful group that has been meeting for almost 26 years. I had a good time and according to them, so did they. i had planned to go to the retired priests gathering but instead spent most of the day waiting for someone to come about my oxygen – they didn’t come. I had the 5:30pm Mass and then went home to be on the oxygen in the rectory.
On Thursday, the 7th, I called Bob Norton as it was the 43rd anniversary of my friends’ anniversary. They are getting together in June but I’ll be on the Mississippi. I went and saw Dr Solomon, my pulmonologist, and I’m doing well. His assistant, Mike is going to see if I can get help about the oxygen. As it is my “Day Off”, I went back and spent the day in the rectory. In the evening, Rick and Peg picked me up and we went out to dinner together. It’s always great to be with them.
On Friday, the 8th, I had the 8am Mass and then I went to Casey House to visit Louise Lynch and her family. Louise worked at GC and when I directed the plays, she did the costumes. She and Jack have been friends ever since. She had a heart attack last week and went into a coma and was taken to hospice. We prayed aloud and I think she knew we were there. Then I went to see John and Antonia Bass John is ill and so we celebrated the sacrament of the sick. Antonia and I went to lunch with two nice ladies who live at Maplewood and are friends of hers. I had exposition and then Mass and went back to the rectory.
On Saturday, the 9th, I had the 8am Mass and then concelebrated the three Masses we had for First Communion. I stayed in my office and then had the 4pm Confessions. Was glad to go home and relax with the oxygen.
On Sunday, the 10th, I met with a couple at 8:30am about baptism. Then at 10 I had a baptism and another at 11am. Please keep Theodore Coleman and Delaney Kayden and their families in your prayers. I had the 12:30 Mass and then joined Ray Fecteau and his Mom and his siblings for dinner at La Ferme for Mothers’ Day. We had a great time as I enjoy his family and their sense of humor. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass. Afterwards, I drove to National and picked up Regina’s nephew, who had an interview for a joy at Bethesda Naval on Tuesday. I dropped him at his hotel and went home. Was glad to have the oxygen as it was a hot day. I slept well.
On Monday, someone came and talked to me about the oxygen and they are going to send me a replacement tomorrow, which will be nice as it is 90 degrees outside. I had the 11am Mass and then I met Gail Douglas for lunch at the Casino and we played a little I won $120, so that made up for the heat. I presided at the Filipino Mass at 7:30. It was in English but the music was Filipino and just beautiful.
On Tuesday, the 12th, I had the 6:30am Mass and then picked up Jason and drove him up to Bethesda. Then I went by and visited my cousin, Peg Caruso. She is taking treatment for lung cancer and is doing very well We just sat and laughed and “caught up”. I also got a chance to say hi to her daughter, Jackie, who came to drive her. I know that you’ll keep her and her family in your prayers.
Then I went to Our Lady of Grace for Louise’s funeral. Fr. Essex presided and I preached. It was easy to talk about her and Jack and their family. They really are so good and loving. Also saw lots of GC and St. Catherine Laboure parishioners there and visited with them after Mass. I couldn’t go to the cemetery. It was another hot, hot day.
Then I drove over to the Cardinal O’Boyle residence and drove Jerry Trancone and Fr. Tom Kane to the annual priests’ anniversary Mass and dinner. I always enjoy seeing all the priests and talking with them. I was glad to be home and went to bed by 9pm
On Wednesday, the 13th, I had the 11am Mass. It was the 43rd anniversary of my ordination and I enjoyed the quiet day. I still don’t have my oxygen and I just ignored it and went down to Maggie’s. We had a nice quiet dinner and I went to bed early.
On Thursday, the 14th, I drove Marie over to see the oncologist and we had a great visit. The doctor is pleased with Marie’s attitude and says the liver cancer is not growing quickly. Maggie didn’t go with us because she can drive (only in Calvert County) and drove to a doctor’s appointment herself. We all met for dinner and then we went to Bingo and met JoAnn. Maggie and JoAnn won and Marie and I showed up. I drove home and was in bed by 11:30pm
Today, I had the 8am Mass and now am trying to “catch up” on work at the desk. I have a baptism tonight at 5pm and two tomorrow. Then I’ll drive to Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Edgewater for confessions at 4pm and then the 5pm Mass. I’ll spend the night at Maggie’s because I have the 8:30am Mass and the 11. This is the parish where Sister Kass is pastoral associate and her pastor is away for the weekend. I’ve been there before and it is a great community.
Now you are up to date!
Hope you got your oxygen worked out. See you soon!