Today is an “easy day”. I didn’t get out of bed till noon. I’ve been relaxing here in my office and I have the 3pm Exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I signed in for supper; so I thought I’d try to get Paddy out today.
When last I wrote, it was November 25th – the day after Thanksgiving. You might remember my photo with Joe, John, and Dwight? What a great day that was.
On Saturday, the 26th, I presided at Joe and Pat Healy’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration. We held it in the chapel and then went to Magiano’s for a “family meal”. There were 12 of us, their kids and grandkids, and a couple who are long time friends. The kids had taken photos from their wedding and “blown them up” and put them around the private dining room. They had a small wedding cake. There were lots of stories and lots of laughter. It was a good time. I had to leave early as I had the 4pm confessions. The family were kind enough to bring me some more food (Magiano’s has an “order a meal and you get a second one to take home”) so they brought that and some wedding cake!
On Sunday, I had the 7:30am Mass and then went to St. Bernard’s to attend their annual Mass for all the parishioners buried from there in the last year. Maggie and Mike, Danny and Mary, Mary Frances and Steve also came – Oh yes, Jimmy and Trevor came too but I didn’t see them because they were in the “cry room”. It was a very nice Mass. They lit candles for each person and they were on the altar rail through the Mass and then family took them home. I had a chance to see lots of old friends. Then we went to Marie’s house – that Mary has purchased and is having it renovated. It looks great and the rest of the family met us there. Erica had cooked a turkey on the newly renovated kitchen stove. Others brought side dishes and tables and chairs and we had a great time with lots of memories and laughter.
On Monday, I drove to St. Elizabeth’s to hear school children’s confessions and that evening, I picked up Barb and we met Barry for supper out at Mamma Lucia’s. Again, great food and lots of laughs.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the 29th and 30th, I had the 11am Mass and just relaxed most of the day. I did call Andy Favret and Andrew Gibbons to wish them “happy feast day” I was relaxing because I knew that the weekend would be busy.
On Thursday, December 1st, I had the exposition and evening Mass. The ushers came to the rectory for a dinner but I went to my room and early to bed.
On the 2nd, Fr. Rob, Patrice, and Tina, (who all work at Annunciation church) came and we went to the Parkside Deli for lunch. It was good food and lots of fun. I had the evening Mass and Carolyn kindly drove me to for Ellen’s wake. I met the rest of her family and many of her friends and co-workers. They had great photos of her and (although I felt sad), I think being there was a great help and the reason that Catholics have wakes.
On Saturday, the 3rd, I met with a couple and then I had four baptisms in the chapel. Our parish seminarian, James came over from Catholic U to help me. I know I could not have done it without his help. Then he came on for Ellen’s funeral and was a great help – making it possible for me to receive the gifts and to incense her body at the end. Those require going up and down stairs and lately I haven’t been able to do that – and I wanted to for Ellen. The eulogy done by her cousin was tremendous and I learn that she had travelled to 68 countries – many of them while she was undergoing treatment. Her brothers gave me some great photos – one is of us sitting in the garden the Saturday before she died and we both look peaceful. It’s on my window. I had the 5:30pm Mass and I was happy to preach about Advent – a quieting time!
On Sunday, the 4th, I had the 10:30am Mass in church and not only preached but gave out Communion and processed to the front door and greeted people. I was on the oxygen but I really enjoyed the Mass.
Rick and Peg surprised me and we went to breakfast and had a great visit and looked “on line” pictures of the wedding. Around 4:30, I drove over and picked up Jerry and we went to the Petrone’s for mostaccioli – one of my favorite pastas. Afterwards, we decorated Christmas cookies. This has been our custom for a couple of years and it is always such fun – and some laughter too!
I stayed in my suite most of the 5th because I didn’t go to bed till 11:30pm on Sunday.
December 6th (the feast of St. Nicholas) was a full day for me. I dressed in my miter and red chasuble and went to the gym to bless the Advent wreaths and to have a prayer service about St. Nicholas. I gave out about 500 “gold covered” chocolate coins. Then I went to Holy Redeemer school and gave out about 150 coins and had a wonderful service in which the children sang songs about St. Nicholas. Then I had the 11am Mass and preached. Then I went to “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”, where we seniors were joined by pre-school children from the nearby Episcopal church. We ate macaroni and cheese and chicken fingers and listened to a story about St. Nicholas. They got coins and then went and decorated cookies. While that was going on, they had put their shoes outside and St. Nick came with some candy and toys. Then I went to the church to hear the 5th graders do a choral presentation of Salvation History with readings and hymns. It was so edifying and really put me back into Advent mindset. I had supper with Fr. Ron and then went to the play reading group. We read Thornton’s The Long Christmas Dinner. It was delightful. The group, which has been together for many years, may stop meeting. It is a lot of work for the people, John and Ellen, who organize it and they need to step back. I understand but shall miss it.
But I didn’t get to bed till 11pm because it was a busy day.
Today is Wednesday, the 7th and I slept in till Noon! Fr. Beattie and I were planning to go to the Morning of Recollection at the seminary but he called yesterday. His leg was bothering him and he had to see the doctor. I took that as a sign that I could sleep in. I heated up some of the mostaccioli for lunch and then I came to the desk around 1pm. I just did exposition and I have the 5:30pm Mass. I read a lot about St. Ambrose and will preach on him.
So now you are up to date. I know that we took some pictures but I don’t know yet how to add them like Fr. Alec did for Thanksgiving. I will keep trying to learn.
Happy Patronal Feast Day tomorrow. It is the 170 anniversary of Mary becoming our country’s patroness. Shall be praying for all of you and our country at the 11am Mass on December 8th.