I know that this is “soon” but I wanted to try to do something before the last week of Advent.
It seems so long ago that I wrote but it is only a week – but a full week. On Thursday, December 8th, I had the Holy Day Mass at 11am. There were lots of people there. It was also the anniversary of Mom and Bill’s wedding in 1984. We have a custom here at Blessed Sacrament of having an evening Mass that is “by candlelight”. So I concelebrated it. It is very popular and lots of the Sodality Ladies come. I offered it for Mom and Bill and their families.
Friday, the 9th is the feast of St. Juan Diego, to whom Mary appeared and filled his poncho with flowers on which the wonderful image of Our Lady of Guadeloupe appeared. I saw it in Mexico and it is as vibrant and beautiful as it was over 500 years ago. I have a vestment that the people of St. Bernard’s gave to me and so I placed it in front of the altar so people could come and see it and touch it. I think my homily on St. Juan was good and told his story of faith well.
On Saturday, the 10th, we had two sessions of First Reconciliation – about 60 students and many adults went to confession. There were 4 priests and it was delightful. I went to bed early.
On Sunday, the 11th, I had the 7:30am Mass and Rick and Peg came. Then we headed out to the cemeteries to lay wreaths. We went to Ft. Lincoln and put a wreath on Marie’s grave and prayed for her, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Crory, and Aunt Babe and Uncle Charlie. Then we went to Mt. Olivet and put wreaths on Uncle Willie and Aunt Josie (Rick’s grandparents), Nellie, my grandma and grandpa O’Connell (where I will be buried). We also visited and prayed at our cousins’ graves. Then we headed to Arlington and put wreaths on Rick’s parents grave and Peg’s parents’ grave. We also put a wreath on Peg’s sister in law’s columbarium. We prayed for them and all those who are buried at Arlington. Then we went to Gate of Heaven to visit Ann and Dwayne Treadway, Ann and Ed O’Connell, and Ann’s family – the Brown’s. I know so many people at Gate of Heaven that I also lifted up a prayer for them and their families.
We ended our pilgrimage with a delightful stop at Crisfield’s in Silver Spring for great seafood!! Was home before the Redskins’ game was over and early to bed.
Monday, the 12th, I slept in but Fr. Alec used the vestment for the two Masses he had that day. It is so beautiful and people loved seeing and feeling it. I rested most of the day because that night, Fr. Jim Bocabella picked me up and we went to Classics for dinner with our three priests buddies. It was so good to be with them. We laughed.
On Tuesday, the 13th, I slept in. Had the 11am Mass and then we had our staff luncheon at noon and I just relaxed.
Today, I took the 6:30am Mass as I am picking up Fr. Beattie at 11today and we are going to the 90th birthday of one of our retired priests. He lives at St. Raphael’s and the pastor invited us all to lunch. After I take Fr. back to his place, I’ll go up to Barnesville for confessions. I hope to get by and see La and Andy Favret.
Been on the phone a lot this week – catching up on friends. I also learned that Jack Cullison, a good friend from Ridge is in the hospital. Please keep him, his wife Frances Ann, and all his family in your prayers.