Had a busy and enjoyable week.
On Monday, the 22nd, I went out to Leisure World and brought Communion to a 96 year old lady, whose parents I use to bring Communion to at St. Camillus. I buried then and then lost touch with her and her daughters. Fr. Martino went to see her at Christmas time and she asked if he knew me. He sent me and email and I’ve been trying to get out to see her since – the snow and my health put it off for much too long. Her daughters live nearby and so I spent three hours with them. They had photo and we just laughed and talked – oh, and prayed. Her parent use to play card with my Uncle Will and Aunt Josie (my grand dad’s brother and sister in law). Washington really was a small town in those days and everyone – especially the Catholics – knew everyone else. I had a great time; but I had to move my doctor’s appointment to Friday. That night, we began our parish mission at 7pm. Fr. Regis spoke and he was just wonderful on the topic of “Mercy” as found in the writings of the Popes. I was in bed early.
On Tuesday, I spent the day at my desk trying to organize the baptismal information to hand that over to Michelle. It is a slow process. Supper with the Fr. Andy, who had gone to the Lenten Day with the Priests, I wasn’t up to it but he said the two priests who spoke were very good. The mission again that night and again he spoke on Mercy as found in Augustine and other church Fathers. He is so smart and yet humble. I had a good time.
On Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then met with a young man from the middle school who wants to become a Catholic. Then I had lunch and took a nap. I am reading the most interesting book called “Army of Spies”. It is about the “behind the scene” work of Pope Pius XII in working with German Catholics who wanted to remove Hitler as head of government during Would War II. It is fascinating and full of footnotes. It is an easy read. I got a quick supper and then went to the church to hear confessions. It was Wednesday, and in every church in the Archdiocese of Washington, Baltimore, and Arlington, there is priest in the confessions from 6:30 to 8pm. I’m happy to do it and I can tell you lots of people have come home to the church through it. We had terrible storm (with tornadoes in Virginia and Southern Maryland) but a lot of people came to the Mission. I kept my door open so I could hear Fr. Regis but I still had some confessions. I was ready for bed because I had the early Mass the next day.
On Thursday, I had the 6:30AM Mass and then drove over to the O’Boyle residence and picked up Fr. Trancone. We drove out to Darnestown for the funeral of Paul Fecteau, who is Ray Fecteau’s father. He was 94 and the most kind gentleman I know. A few other priests were there as were deacons, sisters, and a lot of the laity. I know Ray’s family well and often have meals with them. His mom, Cecile is a doll. Ray preached well; but we didn’t go to the cemetery. Instead we had some refreshments downstairs and saw of lot of old friends – especially from the Mary knights, which is the auxiliary of the Knight of Columbus and I know a lot of them. I took Jerry home. I went to Confession, and then I went to St. Luke’s for a penance service. Afterwards, I stopped at Joan Beall’s and “bummed” supper off her. We had a nice visit. When I got home I stayed up very late finishing the book. I recommend it, if you like history.
On Friday, I had the 11am Mass, met someone in my office and then took a nap. At 3pm, I went and anointed a lady who use to come to the parish before I came. She was a professor at George Washington University. Some of my friends from the parish asked me to go. She had been in a coma but her eyes were open and she seemed to follow the prayers. Her sister, in California joined us by phone for the anointing. It was very moving. Afterwards, I went and saw my pulmonary doctor and we had a great talk. I came home for supper and found that my friend, Brian had gotten me a copy of a new book written by two priest of the Archdiocese. I began to read it (286)pages and finished it at 4AM. I enjoyed it and it was an “easy read”.
This morning I got up around 9:30am and went to the basketball game for the special Olympics in the gym. I just went to support it but I was asked to say a prayer. I was glad to do it and I cheered the young people who played and for the cheerleaders. There about 40 Olympians, twenty cheerleader, another “huggers” and three hundred spectators. Then went to the cafeteria for pizza but I came to write to you. I am going to Maggie’s around 2pm and I have a home Mass for Separated and Divorced Catholics near Maggie’s. there is pot luck afterward and then I’ll come home. I have the 7:30Am on Sunday but the deacon will preach. A couple I married a few years ago will come by to let me meet their son, Walter and then I’ll meet the parents of the young boy who wants to become a Catholic. Then I’ll go home and early to bed.
Monday is my DAY OFF and I plan to stay in my suite and write letters and cards. Hope you are having good Lent.