I don’t know where the time goes. It seems like only a couple of days ago that I wrote but (according to Joan Beall) it was 2 Sundays ago. So let me bring you up to date.
On Monday, August 3 I laid low and spent much of the day relaxing. I had the 11am and 5:30pm Masses; but I stayed over in the rectory except for those times. It was hot and humid.
Tuesday, I slept in and didn’t come to the office till after lunch. I had exposition at 3 and the 5:30pm Mass.
On Wednesday, I had the 8AM Mass and decided I had to get my hair cut; so I drove over to Wheaton. I felt OK about driving but will feel safer when I see the doctor on Friday.
Thursday, the 6th was my day off and I stayed over in the rectory most of the day. I did go down for supper with the guys. I forgot to say that I usually do try to have at least one meal with Frs. Ron, Alec, and Percy. I enjoy the banter and the stories we tell to welcome Fr. Alec into the fraternity of the Washington priesthood. He seems to enjoy it also.
Today is the feast of the Transfiguration. It was 44 years ago that I met Dan Poje. He was a student in summer school at CUA and lived in the dorm with Larry Gully, whom I went to school with in Wisconsin. He was here to study music. He was a superb organist. It was his birthday and he invited the whole dorm to a party. He invited me because I was in DC for my deacon summer at St. Teresa’s. Dan and I just hit it off and have been friend ever since. I called him and Stephanie and we had a nice long talk. They were great “host” to us when the girls and I went to Memphis to get on the cruise down the Mississippi.
Friday, the 7th, I had the 8am Mass and then went to Dr. Bernstein. He had looked at the MRI and after checking my leg, he thought that some therapy would give me more confidence about my right foot and that I’d be OK to drive. I will do the therapy in the same building and will start on Tuesday.
On Saturday, I had a baptism at noon and another at 1pm. Please keep Nora Katherine and Lucy Pauline and their families in your prayers. I tell a little story at baptisms about my experience at Swissvale, Pa as a deacon. Almost every time, there is someone in the congregation from that area. This week the great great grandmother was from Rankin, which is a little burg next to Swissvale. I use to drive through it to go to Kennywood.
Small world!!
I had the 5:30pm Mass and relaxed. I forgot to say that almost every day, I call Jerry Trancone just to talk. He is living at O’Boyle (our priest retirement house). He wants to be back with the deaf community, whom he served for over 40 years. Keep him in your prayers.
On Sunday the 9th, I had the 9am Mass and then Cardinal McCarrick came to say the 10:30. He is our retired former bishop and lives nearby. He just goes out to parishes and say a Mass. I love when he comes because – as he did this day -, he joins us for coffee and refreshments in the rectory dining room and regales us with stories of the Church. He continues to visit Easter Rite areas of the church and told us about a bishop who has just been made Venerable . A real modern day martyr.
I had planned to stay home but I called Mary Ann, (my oldest niece and my God child) because it was her birthday. I asked her what she was doing and she said that she, her mother (Marie) and her children were going to dinner at Magiano’s, which is about 5 minute ride from here. So I interjected myself into the dinner and joined them. We had a great time and a friend, Mike and a school mate of her daughter, who is from Honduras were there as well. Nice way to celebrate her xxx birthday. (No numbers were discussed)
Monday, the 10th, I called Tom DuBusky for his birthday but he was out (He called me the next day but we still haven’t talked). I had exposition and 5:30pm Mass and then relaxed.
On Tuesday, the 11th, I had the 8am Mass and then went to therapy. It was very interesting and my therapist is a young woman who is from Jamaica. I do think my leg and foot feel “looser”. We’ll see.
I went to Suzanne and Jim’s for supper, where I met a young seminarian who is a student in Rome. His name is Robert. I enjoyed him very much and the whole evening was delightful and full of talk about a wide range of topics. The food was great – especially a cold carrot soup and a key lime pie. I didn’t get home till after 11pm.
This morning, I had the 8am Mass and will have the 11am. I have an appointment around 2pm and then my cousin, Rick and Peg are coming by around 7pm and we’ll go out to dinner. I always enjoy my time with them.
Since I was going to stay here at the office, I thought this might be a good time to work on Paddy.
So, as you can see – not being able to drive has kept me close to home and keeping off my feet. I hope that means, I’ll soon by driving and “running around”. We’ll see.