I am sitting in my office preparing to preside at the vigil Mass but I thought I’d send a message. I may have to finish it when I come back from Mass.
I last wrote on Christmas. It was very relaxing and uplifting. After the 10:30am Mass, I went and spent the rest of the day in my suite.
On Saturday, December 26th, I had two baptisms. Please keep Isaac Ryan and Lila Marley and their families in your prayers. I had the 5:30pm Mass that evening and went to bed early.
On Sunday, December 27th, I had the 7:30am and the 10:30am Masses. Fr. Andy left for the Philippines yesterday, so we are “down” a priest. I was happy to have the Masses. At the 10:30, I also had a baptism. It fit in so well with the feast of the Holy Family and people loved having the baptism. It doesn’t add any time because you make it part of the Mass. Please keep Rosalee Marie and her family in your prayers. At 2:00pm I had another baptism. It was in the church and again I ask you to keep Venedict Zuri and his family in your prayers. The other priests also had baptism, I think we had 8 over the weekend. So many people whose families live here brought their newly born home for Christmas and wanted to have the baptism here where they were baptized or married or where the grandparents live. It was a busy and enjoyable weekend.
Monday, the 28th was my day off but I took the 5:30pm Mass. I spent the day (and it took much of the day) with a parishioners who use to work with Medicare. She was on the phone for three hours and I just sat there and answered her questions. She was helping me with my oxygen problems. The company I have had for 4 years has been difficult for me to get answers. She was wonderful and I found out that I was paying for things I didn’t have to. I really am not good at paperwork – that’s why I stopped being a pastor. It is so much administration. I think 2016 will be a better year for me and Medicare!
I THINK I HAVE TO GO UP FOR MASS – WILL BE BACK.
It is now Friday, January 1, 2016 To continue…
Tuesday, Dec 29th, my cousin, Philip Wilkinson (Jackie Caruso’s son) came with “Little”, his fiancé to visit me. We had a nice time. “Little” (whose Thai name is difficult to say) and Philip met in Bangkok and are planning to get married in the Spring. She is lovely and he is so bright. He got his degree from Loyola in Baltimore, his master’s at University of Illinois in DeKalb, taught school in Thailand, and is working on his doctorate at the university in Athens, Georgia. Keep them in your prayers. I had the evening Mass and worked on my Christmas letter.
On Wednesday, the 30th, Patty and Rose Petrone came and drove me to Clyde’s for lunch. We were there for about 2 hours and had such a great time – “Catching Up”. I traditionally go to their house for an Italian meal and to decorate cookies; but was too sick this year. We are thinking of Easter cookies this year! I had the evening Mass and opened all my Christmas cards and put aside the photos to put on my wall and the messages I put aside to take on my cruise and “catch up”. I love to have the time to just enjoy reading them at leisure.
Thursday, New year’s eve day, I had a wonderful experience in the morning. I talked with Olivia Housel, Regina’s grand daughter, who is a freshman in high school and needed to interview a “religious leader”. When she got the assignment, she thought of me immediately – which is a great compliment since the last time I saw her, she was in 4th grade. We tried to do it b Skype but we couldn’t hear each other, so we did it by phone. It was so much fun and a great way to close out 2015.
I picked up Fr. Beattie and we went to brunch at IHOP. We had a great time. He is still having trouble with his leg. He has both his legs wrapped. He does well getting around with a cane. He tells me that he is only concelebrating Masses and uses a walker on the altar. I am so glad he is back from the hospitals and rehab and living again at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bethesda. I talked to Doug Hanratty and Carlo Mancuso and wished them and their families a Happy New Year.
My friend, Brian called me in the afternoon and said, “I think people would love it if you would process up and back for Mass tonight and if you gave Communion”. I haven’t been giving Communion because I can’t stand that long but I have really missed that. He came and helped before Mass. I even wore a chasuble, which I don’t often use because the more clothing the harder my breathing is. Lots of people helped me to get around and I loved being able to give Communion and bless the children There was a little baby, Robert, who got baptized the day before and I went over to his Dad and grandparents and gave a special blessing to the newest member of the church and our parish family.
I did some more work on my newsletter and then I went to the rectory and called a number of people – Carmen, Pat Berry, John Bohrer, Gail Douglas, Maggie, Marie and Mary Ann, Pat Delaney and the Cavallaro’s. I had supper and then watched TV. I actually stayed up and saw the ball come down. One year, I think I was 21, I went to Times Square. It is something you should do – ONCE WHEN YOU ARE YOUNG!! I think I went to sleep around 2am.
Today, I went out to the credit union and made a deposit. Finished this message. Cleaned up some of my desk and now I am heading back to the rectory to spend the rest of the day getting my room ready for the cruise.
I just want to wish all of you and your families – A very Happy New Year
Merry Christmas and have a Happy and
HealthyNew Year father. When is your cruise? I’m going on a 10 day cruise to the Caribbean. A gift from my grandson, for my 80th Birthday. I’m leaving on the 16th. Safe cruise and God Bless You!!!!!!