Well, here I am – not even a week, so maybe I can stay to my weekly commitment.
Last Friday, November 18th was a very full day for me. I had the 8am Mass and preached on St. Rose Philippine, one of the co-founders of the Madams of the Sacred Heart. I have always liked those sisters and the wonderful work they do in the forming of Catholic women who have made great contributions to the Church and world. I always enjoyed when I went to Stone Ridge – near by – and celebrated Mass or heard confessions or just spoke to the students about anything they wanted to talk about. I don’t go as often but I really enjoyed it.
At 1pm, I went to our school auditorium to attend the “Saints’ Museum”. All of the 4th graders were stationed around the room, dressed as saints. They had a construction paper “button” that said, “Push me”. When you did, the saint told you about themselves. I went to St. Kateri, St. George, St. Claire, St. Pope John Paul II, and St. Elizabeth of France. It was hard for me to walk and stand, so I found a chair and one of the parents saw me there and asked some of the “saints” to come to me, so I could hear their story. Again, I met the “Little Flower”, the Blessed Mother, Mother Teresa, and St. John the Baptist – who ended his presentation with “…my feast day is June 24th because that’s the day they took off my head”. I loved them all but I have to say that Dominic Savio caught my heart and a tear in my eye when he said, “On my First Communion Day, I made a promise of “Death rather than Sin”. I was led to go and learn more about him – and he is an amazing story!
At 5:15, Liz Cahill, who was an English teacher at GC when I was chaplain, picked me up and we rode to the Capitol Hilton on 16th Street to participate in the John Mulholland Foundation Gala. It was great fun, good food, and marvelous conversations. It also raised money to allow the foundation to purchase milk, fresh produce, and meat to accompany the canned goods that are collected in many parishes and Catholic high schools. As they say in their information, “We are not alleviating poverty in the pantries we serve, but we are making a large contribution to changing it”. I was tired when I got home but it was a good tired!
I slept in on Saturday and spent the day relaxing in my suite.
On Sunday, the 20th, I picked up Fr. Beattie around 11:30 and then we went to Little Sisters and picked up Fr. Duffy and drove out to Cheverly to meet Fr. Hill and have lunch. We had a great time as we always do. After I dropped Frs. Beattie and Duffy off, I had the 5:30 Mass and I spoke on the closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. I quoted Pope Francis as he closed the Holy Door in Rome, “The Holy Door is closed but the Mercy of God never closes or tires”. A lot of people who have been “away” came home through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and that is the “Good News”.
On Monday, I took the 6:30AM Mass as Fr. Alec had three and it was my DAY OFF. I was glad to get up and have an early start. I had someone come to see me and then I went to the credit union. I met a dear friend for lunch at the Red Lobster in Annapolis. She is a retired school teacher and we’ve been trying to get together for a few years. It was so much fun with lots of hilarious and serious stories.
At 4:30 Coleen picked me up and she drove us to Virginia for a meeting and Thanksgiving dinner with the SDC group. I got a chance to talk with a lot of people and will be able to help them with annulments. We also called Sister Agnes in New Jersey and put her on speaker. Everyone misses her and it was great to hear her voice and laugh with her. I feel for those people who have to travel by car every day during rush hours. I am so grateful that my “commute” is “across the street”. I slept well that night. I was tired.
On Tuesday, the 22, I had the evening Mass and preach on St. Cecilia and reminded everyone of the death of President Kennedy. Our cable has been in and out for the last few days. It is annoying because I like to go to sleep with the TV on. After a few days of missing my favorite shows, I discovered that I could go to “On demand” and watch the shows I missed. I caught up with Sunday night (Madame Secretary) and Scorpion from Monday. Ah, the simple joys!
Today, I had the 11AM Mass and preached on Pope St. Clement I. His story is interesting and just another example of the “Hand of God” leading our church.
I’m going over to the rectory in a few moments and will not be able to write anything from over there. Don’t know why but I can’t get Paddy on line in my room. So let me say…
Tomorrow, I will drive to New Carrolton and leave my car. Walk over to the train station and take the elevator up to the platform and ride to Philly. Joe will pick me up at 30th Street and we’ll drive to Ponzio’s diner to meet John and Dwight. Around 6, Joe will drop me at the train. I’ll catch a train and be home and in bed by 11pm. On the train, I’ll be going thought all the names of you people for whom I am thankful God peppered my life with. Have a blessed and Holy Thanksgiving.
How about a short post on Thanksgiving?