I had another very good – but busy – week.
After I wrote last Saturday, I went to bed early. On Sunday, the 28th, I had the 7:30AM Mass with the Deacon preaching. I came to my office afterwards and worked on the Baptismal paperwork. Then my friends brought Walter Francis to meet me. He seemed to like me and so on April 9th, I will baptize him. They brought me a lovely plant and I put it in my window. It has beautiful purple flowers and I hope I don’t kill it. Afterwards, the young man from the school and his parents came and we set a date for him to be baptized and make First Eucharist. I went home and relaxed and watch TV. I didn’t set the alarm!
On Monday (Leap Day), I planned to stay in my suite all day and relaxed, but I went to the credit union and since it’s nearby, I stopped in to visit my friend, Barbara. We had a very nice visit and I came home, took a nap, and had supper with the guys.
On Tuesday, March 1st, I met someone for spiritual direction at 10am and then at 11:45, I went to the Manning Center for “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. It was our first time back after our February break and we had a good time talking about Lent. Then I led the Stations for the middle school students. I love Stations. Then my cousins came to visit. My young cousin never had a chance to make First Communion what with moving and the times for sacraments being changed from parish to parish; so we’re making plans for him to receive soon. I love when he and his mom come to visit.
On Wednesday, I had planned to pick up Fr. Beattie and take him to our “First Wednesday meeting of Retired Priests” but he is still having trouble with his leg and had a nurse coming. I went myself and there were 17 of us. We had a great time and a good meal. Fr. Trancone, Msgr English and Msgr. Kane came and it is always fun to sit next to them. I came back and had someone for spiritual direction and then I did Exposition and the evening Mass. Msgr Duffy came and had supper with us. Fr. Percy went to Little Sisters, where he live, and brought him out. We had lamb, which I really like and he seemed to enjoy the evening. I worked some more on my Christmas stuff and was glad to get to bed.
On Thursday, I spent the morning in my suite and got it “better organized”. I met with the boy from the middle school and settled some things about the baptism. I had Exposition and the evening Mass. It was supposed to snow a lot later then evening.
On Friday, March 4th, it didn’t snow very much and so after the 11AM Mass, I drove to Clyde’s and met my niece, Mary, my sisters Maggie and Marie, and 5 “girls” that Marie has known since they were in first grade together at St. Martin’s; to celebrate Marie’s 76th birthday. We had a great time with lots of talk and laughter. Marie seemed to enjoy the time. I had Exposition at 3PM and then I called Mary Horan, the youngest child of the William and Helen Horan, who were a great family at St. Bernard’s, when I was a kid and whom I’ve stayed close to over the years. Mary lives in a group home called Bethlehem House in Hyattsville and we run into each other at “churchy” events in the diocese. Today was her birthday and I had a nice visit by phone and once this “wintry” weather is over, a lady here in the parish is taking me over for supper with Mary. Also I found out that my seminarian, Patrick comes to visit her as part of his pastoral program. She loves him! Who wouldn’t???
Today, Saturday, March 5th, I went out to Urbana and visited Loretta and Andy Favret. They live in a senior community and I had a great time with them. We were saying that we’ve been friends for almost 44 years. Near them is a retreat house and I went there to hear confessions for young people who are preparing for Confirmation. It is so nice to do “priestly” things. Afterwards, I met Fran Werden, another St. Camillus friend, for lunch. She brought me up to date on all the family. She works at the parish where the young people came from and had recommended me for the confessions. I told her that was a very nice thing to do for a “retired priest”. Now I am writing this because I have the 5:30 pm Mass. Brian is coming and so I’ll have his help and will be able to give Communion out again.
Tomorrow, Sunday, I’ll go over to Maplewood and have brunch with Antonia, my old friend from Teams. We will join Bunny and her daughter, Suzanne and her son – in – law Jim. We always have a good time and tomorrow, I’ll learn about their son, Nicholas and his recent wedding in New York.
Then I’ll come and take a nap. I will give my cousin, Aidan his First Communion at the evening Mass.
Also at 6PM (our time) and 5PM (Texas time), I will join in prayers with many of Father Dan’s family and friends to give him and his health to the Lord. Please join us in lifting up Father and his terminal illness to the Mercy of God.
As part of my Lenten program, in addition to sending cards and notes, I have been using the phone as ministry. Have talked to lots of the sick. Please keep Sister Kass, Mary Goldbeck, Bill Vita, and Tom Curro and their families in your prayers. Also Arthur Joseph Harriman, Barbara Ostrye’s cousin died, please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Hope you are having a good Lent.
Nice getting weekly updates. Your Lenten penance???? 🙂 Certainly isn’t for your faithful readers!