On Thursday, the 28th, I had the 6:30AM Mass. I like to have this Mass when I have a full day. It gets me up and started. I then drove to Latrobe and checked into the hotel. I took a nap. At 6:15pm, Tish Rossi and her sister, Joanne picked me up and we drove to a wonderful Italian restaurant near Greensburg. Mike, Joanne’s husband could not join us, but we met Josephine Merenda and her daughter, Denise for a delicious and fun filled supper. All, and their families are friends from my teaching CCD days. We’ve known each other for almost 50 years. Chris, Denise’s husband joined us for dessert as he had to work. We sat and laughed and “caught up” for over three hours. It was so much fun. However, when I got ready for bed, I discovered that my oxygen machine was not working. I just ignored it.
On Friday, the 29th, I drove to Sheila and Keith Morris’ home. After a lot of encouragement from Keith, I called and rented an oxygen machine. It turned out to be pretty easy. They brought it to the hotel. We went that evening to Sacred Heart church, where we watched Kieran Rapp, whom I baptized years ago, graduate from grade school. All the family was there and we were very proud.
On Saturday, the 30th, I just rested in my hotel room and that night, Keith and I met Eric Diskin for supper. It was great to “catch up”.
On Sunday, the 31st, Keith picked me up and drove me to St. Bede’s church in Point Breeze. I presided at the 10AM Mass. It was a great congregation, with good music, and responsive participants. In the offertory, were a number of children that I knew and/or baptized. At 1:00, I baptized the newest member of the family, Charles James, the child of David Havern and Kathleen Morris Havern. We had a very nice reception afterwards in the parish center and I got to visit with all the family and some old friends. I went home and took a nap; then Sheila, Keith and I went to a nice restaurant and had a relaxing time together to “catch up”. I was ready for bed and slept well.
On Monday, June 1st, I had a relaxing breakfast, dropped off the oxygen machine at the desk, packed the car and headed home. It rained most of the trip and I was glad to get home and sleep in my own bed.
On Tuesday, June 2nd, we had our last Tuesdays with Maury. Our topic was graduations and we shared on our own and many that we have attended. I shall miss the group over the summer but our topic for September is “What I did during my summer vacation”. I’m sure that will be very lively!!
On Wednesday, the 3rd, I had the 8AM Mass and then went to the St. John Vianney House to attend the annual meeting of the retired priests with the Cardinal and the retirement board. It was great as I saw a lot of old friends who don’t come regularly to the monthly meetings. I had a good time. I came home and took a nap.
On Thursday, my Day Off, I was picked up by Liz Cahill at 11:30am and she drove us to Clyde’s for lunch. We taught together at GC in the 80’s and I had not seen her for 30 years till she came to Mass here a few months ago. We really “caught up” and didn’t come back till almost 5pm. I had such a great time!! I was supposed to meet with my niece, Mary and our friend, Greg about the SDC retreat in July at 8pm. But Mary knows all about phones and we “conferenced”, which I loved because I didn’t have to go anywhere. I was in bed by 8:30pm
On Friday, the 5th, I had the 8AM Mass and then drove over to Millersville and picked up Pat Watters and her friend, Zeb. They had flown in from Newfoundland on Wednesday for Pat’s nephew’s wedding on Saturday. We had planned a Movie Marathon, which Pat and I use to do often. This time, we only saw two films – “San Andreas”, about an earthquake, and “Spy”, both we enjoyable but fast paced; and two was all we could take. We picked up Joan Beall and all went to Sir Walter Raleigh’s for supper. Then Joan and I took the ladies to Millersville. I took Joan home (and got some great cookies that Ginny had made for me!) and then to bed!!!
On Saturday, the 6th, I had two baptisms. Please keep Coralina and her family in your prayers. She was actually baptized in the hospital in January but we supplied all the other ceremonies today. She may still have one surgery to go. The other was of Michael Peter, please keep him and his family in your prayers. Then we had 8th graduation. I concelebrated and it was very nice, as I know a lot of the students because they are altar servers.
I had the 5:30PM Mass for our feast day, Corpus Christi, and I understand my homily was good. I’m glad to hear that because I asked people to celebrate our feast day by taking bags home and returning them next week with food for our 3 pantries in south east Washington. Brian is doing such a great job with the foundation and summer is a time when we need to extra food. I know our people will be generous.
On Sunday, the 7th, I had the 7:30am Mass and again I think the people heard the need and lots took bags home. I then went to Maplewood and participated in the brunch with Antonia, Jim and Susan and Bunnie – a nice group I have gotten to know and enjoy.
I stopped and bought some clothes for the trip and then stopped in to say hello to the people attending the clergy- led session for baptism. Then I went home and napped. I did watch the Tonys. Fortunately there were lots of revivals this year but I didn’t know any of the new shows. I do need a trip to NYC.
Today, I had the 6:30am Mass. I asked for it to get me started. Have lots to do today. Appointment at 8:30. Two baptisms (of young girls who live in the Middle East and can’t go to church!) at 10. Another appointment at 11:30 and then I have to pack. Will be picked up by Fr. Jim Boccabella for supper with John Enzler, Regis and Mike. A practice we try to do every 3 or 4 months. Then I’ll drive to Maggie’s and get some sleep. We leave tomorrow at 7am for Knoxville, Tn. Then Wednesday, we drive to Memphis. We’ll visit Dan and Stephanie and on Saturday, we get on our steamboat down the Mississippi to New Orleans. I’m not sure I’ll be able to write on the trip but we’ll be home around the 22nd and I’ll write then. Pray for us.
Let me know when you are going to NYC. I’ll hop a plane down and get some culture from the shows. Here, every show is peoppled by Newfounlanders (i.e. local folks). I miss New York big time. Peace out…