When last I wrote, I was getting ready to go to “cover” Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Edgewater. I had a great time. I had the 4pm confessions and the 5pm Mass. I was pleasantly surprised to meet many people who were originally from Riverdale and at the door, I met many of them.
Before I went down to OLPH, I had four baptisms. Keep Keating Grace, Graydon Robert, Lochlan Richard, Theodore Emil and their families in your prayers.
After Mass, I met Maggie, Marie, and Penny at Bingo. Didn’t win but had a good time, spent the night at Maggie’s.
On Sunday, the 17th, I had the 8:30am Mass and the 11. Mike drove Marie and Maggie to it. Also Hal and Terry McConnell came. It was great to see them. Terry was my “right hand” and secretary when I was first made pastor at St. B’s. After Mass, I the girls and I, and Kass went to a very nice German restaurant nearby. Then I drove the girls home and was in bed before dark.
On the 18th, I had the 11am Mass for Gene Kinerney and Anna Marie came to it. We were planning to go to lunch but it was so hot, we put it off. My oxygen box has not been working and the one they brought to take its place is useless. So I am “fighting” with them and spending a lot of time over in the rectory where I had the large oxygen.
Got a phone call that Joe Stout’s surgery went well but I won’t call him till the weekend.
On the 19th, I had the 11am Mass and then “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our theme was the blessed Virgin and we had a nice discussion.
Ceil Mattingly, whose is like family, since our fathers were Marshalls together, and I met for supper. We caught up on all our siblings and I learned that she is moving to Georgia to be near her son and grandbabies!
Also I missed the play reading group because of my oxygen.
On Wednesday, the 20th, I went to see Dr. Lucas and she was annoyed that I had let this oxygen thing go so long. She called the company and we’ll see what happens.
On Thursday, I saw someone for spiritual direction and I joined a Sodality group for dinner (they came and got me). The food was great but even better were the conversations. I had a great time.
On Friday, I was in St. Mary’s county. I stopped in at St. Michael’s in the morning, then picked up Patrick Mullan and we went to lunch at the Raley’s. Judy also had three of her children, their spouses, and Dane, her Grandson. It was just delightful. I enjoyed that family when I was there. I also stopped at St. Mary’s city and saw some old friends. I met Susan Cassidy for dinner. She has sold her house and is moving to Minnesota to be near her grandchildren. It seems to be the thing to do. I’m sure that like Ceil, she’ll love it.
On Saturday, the 23rd, I drove over to Oxon Hill and anointed a man, who is dying of lung cancer. Keep Ronald – and Maggie, his caregiver, in your prayers. At noon, I met with a family to supply the candle and anointings that go with Baptism. Eli Robert was born in January and had to be baptized in the hospital. He is been in and out of the hospital – with lots of surgeries but is doing well now, so anointed him, gave him a white robe and candle and welcomed him formally into our community. It was so nice.
Then I went and picked up Maggie and we went back to St. Mary’s for a graduation party for a young man who was on our trip to Alaska about 7 years ago. We saw lots of old friends and saw great pictures of him growing up. He is going to Frostburg for college. I dropped Maggie at Bingo and came home.
On Sunday, the 24th, I had the 9am Mass. Met with a couple about baptism and then joined Fr. Beattie, Fr. Hill, and Msgr. Duffy for supper.
Monday the 25th was Memorial Day. The office was closed and the rectory was empty. I met with a couple about their upcoming wedding and then I returned to watch TV in the air conditioning.
Tuesday, the 26th, I had the 6:30 and 8am Masses and then drove over and picked Fr. Trancone and took him to a doctor’s appointment in Columbia. We had lunch out. When I got back to the office, my oxygen box (the right one that I needed) was there. My doctor called them and told them to get it to me TODAY! I just feel so much better. (It weighs 4 pounds, while the one they wanted me to take weighs 16lbs!!) I’m so glad that is finally settled.
So here I am today, I had exposition at 3pm and have the 5:30 Mass. Then I’m going out to Columbia to help celebrate Joey’s graduation from Mount St. Joe’s. He is the son of Bobby and Sue Chambers – great friends. Sue’s parents are here from Wisconsin and since I’ll be away this weekend, they invited me out tonight to see everybody.
I had lots of phone ministry this week. Steve Bleistine is greatly improved and is home. Had a long time with Joe, who is in a lot of pain from the surgery. Long talk with Roger in Wisconsin and “caught up” and also with Dwight. He is retiring on July 1st and will go to England, where his ancestors are from and help out in a parish for a couple of months. Both he and John Bohrer are celebrating the anniversaries of ordination today and I talked with both of them. Nice conversation with Pat Berry, keep his sister in your prayers – eye problems.
tomorrow, I have the 6:30am Mass and then will head up to Greensburg and Pittsburgh. I’ll update you in June.
Safe travels!!