Lots of good things going on this last week. I did send a photo last Friday but I didn’t write since December 14th. It was a Wednesday, and I took the 6:30AM Mass to get me up and moving. I drove Fr. Beattie over to St. Raphael’s for the 90th birthday luncheon for Msgr. Vincent Gatto. He is part of our “retired priests” group that meets the first Wednesday of the month but his pastor, Jim Meyers ( a really good guy) invited all of us to their rectory for this luncheon. I think we were about twenty and lots of talking and laughing. I drove Fr. Beattie home, as he had a nurse coming to see him at 2pm. Then I drove up to near Frederick and visited with the Favret’s. Today was the feast of St. John of the Cross and he is special to La and me. We had a great time together and I caught up on all the family (11 kids and lots of grandkids). Then I went to St. Mary’s in Barnesville and heard confessions. Had supper with Fathers Kevin O’Reilly, Jim Lockman, and Jack McFarland. Then we heard more confessions at 7:30pm. I was home and in bed by 10PM. Good priest day.
On Thursday, the 15th, we had school confessions in the morning and then dear Margret drove me over to a parishioners home nearby and I had a delicious lunch with the group that volunteers (and many have for over 25 years) at a soup kitchen in DC. I met a number of people whom I didn’t know and there were great stories. I was even able to use my Polish expression (only one I know) “Dajmibuziak” Give me a kiss! Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and went to bed early.
On Friday, the 16th, I had the 8AM Mass and then met with someone who is coming into Full Communion before Christmas. While we’re talking, Joe Stoutz called. We have been using his book “Introduction to the Catholic Faith” and she loves it.
On Saturday, the 17th, we had a terrible ice storm and some terrible car accidents. As I descended in my chair, Fr. Alec met me and said he’d walk me over to the parish center – and I did need his help. I wanted to be on the altar for a funeral of a dear lady, whom I knew. I got a chance to speak with family also. The church was full. Please keep Dottie and her family in your prayers as they face Christmas without her presence. Then I went to try and get my car started. I worked on it for twenty minutes and along come Father Alec, who cleared the ice with a credit card. I drove to Leisure World for the 100th birthday of my friend, Ursula. I sat with Barb and a number of women from the community. One lady, Maureen O’Brien (Not a relative!!) was an alumna of St. Martin’s, where I went to school. I also saw, Ursula’s son, who is a graduate of GC and caught up on him and his family. His son is a freshman at Johns Hopkins. Had a great time and drove Barb home. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass. The deacon preached, so I had an easy time. I went to bed early.
On Sunday, I was suppose to be down at St. Michael’s but the ice and the cold, made me cancel out. My little friend, Jack was baptized by Fr. Alec and I was his Godfather. It was a nice service and fun to be on the other side of the font. Since I was here, I also took the 1:30 baptism. It was the great grandchild of Albert Sindall, who with his wife, Ruth, were parishioners of St. Camillus. The little girl is also the great niece of Mike Sindall, one of my St. Camillus teen club members, who is now preparing to become a permanent deacon in the church. Please keep Tierney and all her family in your prayers. I also heard a few confessions and then went home to bed early.
On Monday, the 19th, I drove down to Maggie’s and she and I went to Bingo. She won! Then we went to St. Michael’s to visit the school and then she, her son, Mike and I went to the Chesapeake Grill and had great cream of crab soup. I ended up staying longer than I planned and I didn’t get home for the parish penance Service – but the priests forgave me – it was very crowded.
On Tuesday, the 20th, Dennis and Tonya Essig and I went out to breakfast at Bread and Chocolate. They have three sons and six grandchildren and when I was at GC, they use to bring the small boys to a Mass I said for the brothers and the faculty families in the chapel. It was always delightful – and now they have children of their own – How time flies! I had the evening Mass and early to bed.
On Wednesday, the 21st, I concelebrated the school Mass at 9:15am. I foolishly forgot to turn on my oxygen and I went to the altar and helped with Communion and my legs were “crying out to me, ‘we don’t have enough oxygen down here’. I sat down afterwards and eventually got caught up. At 1:45, I had the service for Karla to welcome her into full Communion. It was lovely and three other ladies joined us in the chapel. She will let her family know (the husband and three children are Catholics) them know on Christmas. Please keep her and them in your prayers. Joan bought me a pizza from Pete’s New Haven Pizza and I had half of it for supper. She use to live in Connecticut and turned me on it last summer. I watched some of the TV shows I’ve missed lately by using Infinity.
Today, I am trying to clean up my desk. I have exposition and the 5:30 Mass.
I was on the phone a lot this week and am trying to get things together so I can work on my Christmas letter (for 2008 thru 20016) during the break between Christmas and New Year. Who knows it might work!!
Please keep Jack and Frances Ann Cullison in your prayers. And Fr. Beattie is also in the hospital – I don’t know the details but will keep you posted. The home of one of my team members burned to the ground this week. No one hurt but prayers are needed there also. I heard from Pat Sinclair Langlois that Diane Leach Flanagan is home from the hospital and is having dialyzes three days a week.
I have the 6PM Mass on Christmas Eve and will concelebrate the Midnight and have the 10:30AM on Christmas. Then to bed with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and watch a marathon Leave it to Beaver series on TV. Got a lovely wool Irish blanket from Anne Lee. Shall use it to wrap up as I watch TV.
Shall be thinking of you and your families and your needs at the Midnight Mass. Have a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year.