Today is normally my day off but Fr. Alec is ill and I am taking the Exposition and 5:30PM Mass. I had a doctor’s appointment at 11:45 and since I’m in the office, I decided to try to get something out to Paddy.
I last wrote on Jan 24th, I was going to Bethlehem House that evening. I went and really enjoyed myself. There are three women who reside there, Angela, Kimberly and Mary. Mary is the younger sister of Pat Horan Granados and is a classmate of mine from St. Bernard’s. Two ladies live there as house mothers. They are Jeannie and Mama. My driver was Kathy Healy, a parishioner who works with the special needs ministry of the Archdiocese. We all had a great time.
On Wednesday, the 25th, I had the 11AM and the 5:30PM Masses and exposition at 3PM. Then I did Confirmation interviews. They are always so interesting and I enjoy hearing the students tell me about their saint and who they chose as a sponsor and what service they have done. Their choices makes for good discussion.
On Thursday, I did the same.
On Friday, I had the 8 and 11am Masses and then my cousin, Jean picked me up and we rode to Ocean City, Maryland. Jean’s husband, Tom was my Great Aunt Mamie’s grandson. Tom and two of his brothers are deceased but he brother, Jim and his wife Eileen, his sister, Sue and Jean have been congregating in OC in January with their children and grandchildren for a “family weekend”. They invited me to join them What a great time we all had. It was cold and windy outside but there is an ice skating rink, a pool, and a bar. Covered all our needs. We went out to eat at Lombardi’s, the Crab Bag, and the Green Turtle. We also had Mass on Saturday evening and another cousin, Ellie Gibbons, who live nearby and is Great Uncle Frank’s daughter, joined us. I think we were 35 in a large suite. It was a wonderful reunion.
Jean dropped me off at the rectory around 3pm on Sunday and I since my new bed had arrived and Joan W had made it up; I went to bed to test it out.
On Monday, the 30th (my day off) I slept in to about 11:30 and joined the guys for lunch. That evening, a former student from GC came and picked me up and he, his son, and I had a lovely dinner at Clyde’s.
On Tuesday, the 31st, I had the 8am Mass and then confirmation interviews. Fr. Regis, the Deacon Harry joined Frs. Ron and Alec and me to celebrate a special dinner for Fr. Alec’s 30th birthday, which is actually February 4th. We had a great time and even went into the parlor for a roaring fire in the fireplace and stayed laughing and talking.
I took the 6:30am and the 8am Masses so I could get moving on Wednesday, the 1st. Sister Kass picked me up and we rode to Pittsburgh. She says she loves to drive and so we just talked and suddenly we were at Waterfront. Keith Morris stopped by and we went to a Chinese restaurant and relaxed.
On Thursday, the 2nd, Keith, Kass and I went to a Cosko (sp?). I had never been and I had a great time and bought a lot of stuff. That evening, Sheila joined us at Mitchell’s Seafood restaurant where Fathers Kredel, Feeney, Norton, and Wesolowski joined us for a number of hours and laughter and good food.
On Friday, the 3rd, Kass and I stayed after breakfast and she gave me a tutorial on my new smart phone. It is not easy and I almost regret giving up my “flip – phone”. But I learned some things and then I stayed in my room relaxing and trying it out. Kass went to the casino. That evening, Keith drove us to Ed and Kerrie’s new house. We were joined by her sisters, their husbands and their children and a good friend, Helena for pizza, drinks, laughter, and a house blessing. It was so much fun – and to see how much the newest generation has grown was a blessing.
On Saturday, the 4th, we had breakfast at 7am and were on the road by 8. Kass is a great driver and I was at my rectory by 12:15. I took a nap and then went to say the 5:30pm Mass. We are beginning the Cardinal’s Appeal and Fr. Ron preached at all the Masses on the weekend. So I was back in my new bed very quickly.
On Sunday, the 5th, I had the 10:30am and again no preaching. Saw a lady in my office and then went to the rectory, where the spend the rest of the day defrosting my refrigerator (a college room size; but it gets a lot ice build up). I sort of watched the game but mostly I read a stack of magazines and newspaper that I had put aside to look at when I had time.
And that brings us to today. My doctor’s visit went well but I am having a MRI tomorrow because it might explain the leg problem I’m having. We’ll see. I have the 11am Mass tomorrow and in the evening the parish council will come to the house for supper. So tomorrow is fly by.
I actually wrote to seven people today (by snail mail) and Susan and I have been talking by phone (she’s in Minnesota) about my Christmas newsletter, so don’t give up hope.
Please keep in your prayer, Bob Scanlon, and my friend, Carol. Also Robert, who was a special needs person here in the parish died in his sleep. Please keep and his family in your prayers. Till next week….