Today is Thursday and I am way behind the “new schedule” I made for myself earlier this month. I really do have to be more consistent in my writing. I will try.
I want to write weekly because I forget things if they are not listed in my appointment book – like I did on October 30th. It said I had the 10:30AM in the church – and I did. I wrote that I gave out Communion and then returned to the air-conditioning. Well, I did a lot more than that. I hosted a pizza party in the rectory for some of the former teen club people from St. Camillus. I had a great time but when I was writing in early November, I forgot to tell you. So..
On Sunday, October 30th, Joan and Sharon Beall came, as did Doug Lee, his sister, Eileen and her husband, Jay Baughan. and Mike Sindall and his wife, Liza. We laughed and told stories and saw pictures of new babies and 19 year old triplets. We caught up on families from St. Camillus and just had a very pleasant time. I did go to bed early as I did miss my AC but I’m sorry that I didn’t think to let you know about the gathering – as any time I see them or talk to them, my mind is flooded with memories of those great days.
Back to November
I fell asleep watching the results of the election and I was amazed to see when I woke up, that Donald Trump was our new president.
November 9th, I had the 11AM Mass and then was picked up by a parishioner and taken to visit a dear friend, Ellen, who has fought the good fight for over 6 years and is now in hospice. She is an amazing person and all through her treatments has continued to travel all around the world. She works for a government agency that helps women in developing countries to start businesses. Please keep her and her siblings and friends in your prayers.
Thursday, November 10th was another day that many people were thrilled with because the temperature was in the 70’s. I stayed in the AC
Friday, November 11th – Veterans’ Day was a holiday and the office was closed.
Two good friends and parishioners asked if they could drive me to visit a confrere of theirs who is gravely ill. We went and I just can’t do justice to the wonderful “moment of Grace” it was for all of us. I talked with her – she doesn’t have enough air to speak loudly but her daughter held a small mike near her mouth and had a speaker next to her ear, so she could pass on to us, her mom’s comments. We celebrated the Anointing of the Sick and prayed together. Please keep Susan and all of her family and friends in your prayers. Even in retirement, God gives such gifts to us. I had the 5:30pm Mass.
I got up early on Saturday, the 12th and drove down to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, which is Maggie’s parish. They just opened up a cemetery and I went there to inter the ashes of Paul, the grandson of two long time friends and parishioners of St. Bernard’s. He died too young and to suddenly. While I was there I found out that I had given him, his First Communion, while I was pastor at St. B’s. Please keep him and all of his family in your prayers.
Sunday, the 13th, I had the 9AM Mass and the deacon preached, so it was very relaxing. At 11:30 someone came to see me as I am helping her work on her annulment papers. We spent three hours but I think we did a lot and will send it off to the tribunal soon. At 5:30PM, Fr. Alec, Fr. Keith, Fr. Rob, and I went to the Portuguese restaurant near by to celebrate Fr. Ron’s birthday. It was October 17th but we couldn’t find a time to get together. We had a great meal and lots of laughter.
I spent all morning on Monday, the 14th just relaxing. I was picked up at 2:30 by my good friend, Ellen, who drove me to Madonna House in DC. There we joined Cynthia and Bev, who staff the house. We had Mass together and it was lovely. Then we went to an Italian (Is anyone surprised???) restaurant near by and had a most relaxing evening of sharing. I must have done much of the talking as I took almost my whole pasta home with me; but it was so much fun to be together.
On the 15th, we had our “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” gathering. Our topic was “How we celebrate Advent?” In addition to the wreaths and putting straw in the stable, we had some ethnic customs and a good discussion. I had exposition and the 5:30PM Mass and ate all my pasta!
On the 16th, – my Mom and Dad’s 78th anniversary of marriage – I met for a couple of hours with a lady who is thinking of joining the church. When first we met, I gave her Joe’s book and she came back today with questions she’d written in the margins. We had a great discussion. I had the 5:30PM Mass and joined the guys for supper.
Today is Thursday, the 17th and I spent the day so far on the phone, catching up with lots of people and getting ready for the 5:30PM Mass. I have worked at my desk and with email for the last two weeks and have gotten a lot of loose ends cleared up. I spoke with Diane Leach in Florida and she seems to be getting better. I also talked with Anne Lee, who is also in Florida and fighting a lot of back troubles. Talked to Dan and Stephanie because I sent them some of the famous Ricki’s cookies, which they have sent to me and had some ready for Marie, Maggie and Me when we stopped in Memphis before our paddle wheel trip down the Mississippi. I also sent some cookies this week to Bishop Martin Holley, who was our auxiliary and is now the Bishop of Memphis. I thought that would be a nice welcome. I have the 5:30pm Mass and tomorrow will have the 8AM. Tomorrow night is the Gala for the John Mulholland Foundation, which supports the pantries at three of our poorest inner city parishes. I am on their board and our parish bought a table. Liz Cahill, who taught English at GC when I was there is driving us down. It will be great to see her again and visit.
Well, I will try to write every week because – even now – I know other things happened that I should have remembered – the mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Thanks!! Happy to read that you are out and about and doing God’s work… Talk to you when I’m back on dry land.