I was scheduled to be giving a retreat for Separated and Divorced Catholics at Loyola this weekend; but I was still feeling a needing to sleep in my room with the large oxygen tank. The organizers and I worked on it by phone and they are going to lead it. There was some confusion about Masses because there are no Jesuits living at the retreat house and we had to scurry about for a priest. The new pastor of La Plata was a great help but Greg, (one of the leaders) arranged something – and there will be Mass. Please keep all those on the retreat in your prayers.
It was hot and humid all week, so I stayed in the rectory when I didn’t have to go out.
On Monday, I did go to Dr. Lucas about my leg. She arranged for an MRI for Wednesday but once I discovered I’d have to go “head first” into a tube; I told her I couldn’t do that. I can’t even hear confessions in a confessional – it is “too close” for me. So it was moved to Friday as an “open MRI”. We’ll see.
I had Mass at 5:30 and Humberto is back, so we all had supper together, which was nice.
Tuesday, the 21st, there was a big funeral and Msgr. Lockman came and concelebrated with 5 others; so I didn’t have Mass. I spent the day at home.
On Wednesday, the 22nd (Feast of St. Mary Magdalene) I had 11am Mass. I met with two young girls who live in the Middle East and are here visiting relatives. I’m trying to help them get “caught up” on Sacraments. There is only one Catholic church in the whole country in which they are living.
I stayed in my suite all of Thursday and relaxed and ate!
On Friday, the 24th, I took the 6:30am Mass and then I went for the MRI at 11am. It was BAD!! You don’t go into a tube but it is a big circle and the table takes you under it. My head was out but the circle came right to my chin. I could turn my head and I could see the window and the room but the circle was on my chest and I worried about breathing. Natalie, my tech was very nice and from the Ukraine and she tried to calm me. She said it would take 35 minutes, so I started to say the Rosary. I was so nervous that I couldn’t remember the words to the “Our Father”, so I just said the “Hail Mary” over and over. I think I said about 350 of them. I was so glad to have that over. I don’t care if they don’t find out anything!! No more of that!
At 3pm, I had a eye doctor appointment. I have a cataract in my left eye. He wanted to arrange the surgery for September 10th but as I have a burial at Arlington on the 11th, it will now be on Oct 22nd. It’s in house surgery but it sounds like about a week of inactivity and check ups. I really am grateful for the health care but I just am not a “patient” patient!!!
Today, Saturday, the 25th, I will say Mass at 11am and give the Sacraments to those young women. Please keep Hannah and Nadine and their families in your prayers.
Brian and Rowena are taking me out to the chicken dinner at St. Mary’s. I will say Mass at 5pm. Again, it is hot and humid and I’ll be glad to get to my suite.
Sunday, the 26th, I’ll just stay in my suite and watch the “Sunday talk shows”. I have the 5:30pm Mass in the church, then back to the suite.
As I was “housebound”, I used the phone a lot and caught up with friends.
Also, yesterday, it was announced that Cardinal William Baum died. I am sad because I loved him greatly but am thankful that Fr. Jim Beattie and I went down to have lunch with him, Fr. Bazan and Fr. Duffy in April. He seemed to enjoy our visit and I know I did. May he rest in peace.
I will write before next weekend.