It has been a very busy and enjoyable Holy Week and Easter.
Let’s go back to Tuesday of Holy Week:
That morning, my friend, Sandra came and we spent all of the morning trying to straighten out my oxygen company problems. Especially this week, with the tree pollen so high, I have been struggling with breathing. Fortunately the men in facilities put in my air conditioner and I have been using it night and day. I had exposition at 3pm and then the 5:30pm Mass. I just stayed afterwards and heard confessions till 8pm. I took my oxygen in with me and I felt fine. I had a constant steam of penitents till 8. Then I went home, ate a little, and went to bed. Slept great in the “cold’ room.
On Wednesday, the 23rd, I drove over to Stone Ridge for confessions at 9:20am. It was for the middle school but there were 14 confessors and we were finished in about an hour. Then I decided to drive out to St. Patrick’s parish for the funeral of Mrs. Petracelli, the mother of a number of boys who were at Good Counsel. Because I knew I had confessions, I thought I wouldn’t be able to go. I was late but glad to get there and hear one of her sons give a wonderful eulogy. I saw some old friends as well as Fathers Kane and Trancone who concelebrated. Then I went to see a 96 year old lady at Leisure World. I got a chance to visit her and her daughters. They were friends of my Uncle Willie and Aunt Josie as well as their grandparents had been Communion calls of mine at St. Camillus. Boy, we do have lots of connections, don’t we? After Exposition and Mass, I once again heard confessions till 8PM. It was great. I stayed up late and watched TV because I could sleep in on Holy Thursday.
On Thursday, I relaxed, ate, and stayed in the air conditioning in my suite. At 5pm, Bishop Holley came for supper, which was enjoyable and then we all concelebrated at 7pm. For the first time in close to 60 years, I did not go “visiting churches”. I just didn’t have the energy. I stayed in our altar of repose in the chapel and prayed for all of you and your families and needs. Was in bed by 10pm.
On Friday, I met with Julie and Howard at 9:30am. They are from the Catholic Health Association. We had a great discussion that I hope will be helpful to the people who come to “Tuesdays with Father Maury”. At noon, I led the Stations of the Cross in the church and then heard confessions till 3pm. I went and took a nap in the air conditioning but when I woke up, I called the sacristy and told them I was too tired and too comfortable to participate in the service at 7pm. I felt badly but I slept very well.
On Saturday, I heard confessions from Noon for about an hour. I went home and napped and then we had supper prepared by a parishioner at 5pm. I slept again and come to concelebrate the 8pm service. The music was great and we brought three people into the church. There was a reception but I went home and watched the Pope on TV.
On Easter Sunday, I came down to the kitchen and prepared a sumptuous breakfast of ham, eggs, and toast. I took it up to my suite and enjoyed it as I watched the Sunday talk shows. I relaxed and phoned family and friends. I had the 5:30pm Mass, which was well attended and I enjoyed myself. My cousins, Maggie and Aidan came and brought me a lovely coffee cake (which I shared and many in the house have enjoyed). I had hoped to go and visit the McLaughlin’s but I needed to stay in the AC. I watched TV and slept well.
Monday of Easter week, I just “zoned out”
Today, I picked up Fr. Beattie and we had lunch at Mama Lucia’s in Olney. I have the 5:30pm Mass and then it’s back to the AC. Pollen doesn’t seem as bad today but it is cold and windy.
I used the phone a lot during Holy Week and caught up with cousins and my friends at Madonna House. It is always so great to “keep in touch”. Hope all of you had a tremendous Holy Week and Easter. Christ is Risen, Alleluia. Truly He is Risen, Alleluia.
Thanks for the update…. Glad the air conditioning is helping!