On Sunday, March13th, I had a Baptism at 11am and then I had the 12:30 Mass. I had a very good homily and encouraged people to come to confession, especially if they hadn’t come in a long time and was “nervous” about what to do and how to say things. I invited them to come – and to make the offer to anyone they knew who was afraid to come after a long break. God’s mercy was waiting for them. I quoted the Pope, who said, “No sin is greater than the mercy of God”. I will be hearing confessions a lot this week and they can always come to my office.
On Monday, the14th, I picked up Barbara and we joined Sylvia, Pat, and Sally for lunch at Mama Lucia’s in Olney. We got there at 12:30 and left at 3:30. We had such a great time and “caught up”. I went home and took a nap. Then I drove to Silver Spring for dinner at Rosensteel Council Hall with the Mary Knights. Fr. Trancone is their chaplain but he wasn’t up to giving a talk for Lent; so I did. He came out by Uber and I drove him back to O’Boyle afterwards. I spoke on Lent and Mercy (kind of my theme for Lent) . I knew a lot of the ladies. Some were from St. Catherine’s or friends from Our Lady of Grace. One of them (now the mother of 4children) was a high school student who uses to come and be in the musicals that I produced at Good Counsel High School. It was great to see them all.
On Tuesday, I preached at the 11am Funeral for a parishioner. There were four priests but the family asked me to preach. It was a big Irish family and I’ve been close to them since I came to the parish. One of the daughters gave a great eulogy and I learned more about him. There was a luncheon but I went to my Tuesdays with Fr. Maury group, where we celebrated an early St. Patrick’s Day. In the afternoon, someone came for confession, then I went to the auditorium and purchased two bowls in support of SOME. I didn’t get soup. I was so tired. I skipped the play reading group and went home and went to bed.
On the 16th, I had a meeting about the baptism program at 9:30 with Michelle, Jim and Ann. I am trying to arrange a dinner for the group of volunteers sometime soon before I hand the program off to Michelle. Then I had exposition and the evening Mass. I joined Fr. Ron for “The light is on for you” and we both had confessions for the two hours – which is great!
On the “Holy Day” – St. Patrick’s feast day, I heard confessions at St. Elizabeth’s grade school. They were great and we had 9 priests and about 130 kids. It went quickly. I saw someone for spiritual directions and then had exposition. I had the 5:30pm Mass and a great “Irish supper” with the guys.
On Friday, the18th, I had the 11Am Mass and in the afternoon, I had some First Communion interviews. Early to bed as the pollen is very bad and I had a headache most of the day.
On Saturday, I missed an appointment as I thought it was at 10 and it was at 8:30. I worry when I get mixed up like that. We re-scheduled for two weeks; but I don’t like being confused. I did have the 11am Mass and I had an appointment at 2pm. I went grocery shopping and went to bed early.
Today, I watched the Pope’s Mass around 5am on TV; then I concelebrated the 7:30 Mass with Fr. Regis. He was the presider and preached and I was glad just to be there, like a potted Palm!
When I got home, I cooked a big breakfast and have spent the day relaxing here in my suite. I didn’t snow – like they said it would – but it rained most of the day and I was happy to be home.
I wrote this last night in the rectory but couldn’t get to Paddy. So here it is today. I had a doctor’s appointment and took some test of the breathing and he says, it is about the same except more of the fibrosis have weakened. I can see that and I am trying to use the oxygen on a regular basis except when I sit for a long time.
I hope to see two friends, Ellen and Paul, today and go to the students’ Passion Play. Have the 5:30pm Mass and I think soup for supper. Buena Samana Sancta!!