Today – if I get this finished and sent out – will be the 54th anniversary of my Dad’s death, August 25, 1963. He died very suddenly in Pascagoula, Mississippi in the presence of my Mom and my sisters Maggie and Maureen. They were on vacation. It seems both so long ago and recently. Faith makes such events easier to handle.
I sent out a brief message on August 10th because I wanted to assure you that I was OK. I found the heat so oppressive that I stayed close to my suite (and the 62 degree air conditioning) and I can’t write on this blog from the rectory. I’m not sure why. But today, I am in the parish center and between doctor’s visits and Mass, I will try to bring you up to date.
On Saturday, August 12th, I had Mass at 11am and then Joan W. drove me to the wedding of Eric and Erika Riccuci in Baltimore. Eric’s mom is Mary Rosenberger Riccuci and lived two houses down from us on 62nd Avenue. I was glad to go and saw lots of friends from St. B’s. Joan, who is our office manager, was on vacation; but drove me as part of her “ministry to the handicapped”. She drives me to doctors and for haircuts. She’s kind of my personal Uber and I appreciate her goodness to me.
On Sunday, the 13th, I had the 10:30am Mass and afterwards, Maggie, Mike and Sue were outside in the car to take me to lunch. But I was exhausted and “wimped out” and went to my suite. They were very understanding but called me later to say that some of our cousins, the Werner’s, were at the restaurant. I was sorry to have missed them. They had kids around the same ages as ours and we went to their house around Christmas for many years.
Father Bill is away and so I was saying two Masses on certain days. I don’t mind it because I head back to the suite right afterwards. We had the holyday on August 15th. One of our priest died, Fr. Francis Martin. The funeral was on Thursday but Wednesday ia my DAY OFF and Joan Ward had the week off, so she drove me up to near Frederick and I had Mass for Loretta and Andy Favret. A neighbor also joined us as did Joan. It was Loretta’s 90th birthday. We had a great time and then Joan dropped me off at Fr. Martin’s wake and a vigil Mass. I saw lots of priests and some old friends. My friend, Ellen drove me home. The next day, I did a funeral here and I haven’t done that for a while. I had lots of help but I was exhausted. I saw a few people during the week; but mostly I stayed in my suite.
On Saturday, the 19th, Colleen and Monty picked me up and we went to my niece, Mary’s house for Mass with the SDC group. Nice attendance and we had a pot luck dinner after. Maggie’s family came and they took me to Lexington Park, where I stayed at the Hampton. I got a chance to visit with Fr. Mike Dolan.
On Sunday, I just lounged around until 3pm when Brenda Ridgell came and picked me up. We went to her’s and Heavy’s house for a great dinner of crab cakes and friend chicken with them and their kids. Then some more parishioners came and we played cards till 9:30pm. I had a ball but was glad to get to bed.
On Monday, the 21st, Sister Kass drove us to BINGO with Maggie, Kerry, and the gang. I didn’t win but had a good time. Kass drove me back to Blessed Sacrament and we arrived in time to see the eclipse with people standing near the front door. It was cool!!! Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and I was ready for bed.
Tuesday was light but I had the 8am Mass on the 23rd (my 73rd birthday). I offered it for my Mom and Dad (an Asian custom!) then went to lunch with my cousin, Mike Caruso, Joan Ward, Fr. Jim Bocabella and his brother Paul, Fr. Foley, and Brian (who treated us – and had a delicious cake)
In the afternoon, Joan drove and we picked up Joan Beall and we went to Stoney’s in Prince Frederick for crabs! We had 26 people, Maggie and her kids and grandkids, – including 2 month old Quinn Margaret, three of Marie’s kids and a grandchild, Sonny. My cousins, Rick and Peg and their daughter, Kate – who is expecting in December, Rose and Patty Petrone, JoAnn Adams, and Fr. John Dakes. We stayed till after 9pm and had great crabs and much laughter. I really appreciated Joan’s driving and I was glad to get to bed.
Thursday, the 24th and Friday, the 25th, I had Masses and doctors’ appointments. My doctors tell me that if I have birthdays like the 73rd, I should have some more until 100. I don’t know if that even interest me; but I do encourage people to live to 73 because I certainly enjoyed that birthday. In addition to the meals I wrote about, I also got lots of phone messages, card, and post on Facebook. I am grateful for all of it!!!
On Saturday, Rob and Amanda, whose wedding I will have on September 9th came and drove me to his family home where we had a lovely luncheon with his Mom. His dad was in Arabia. It was delicious and fun and they brought me home in time for confessions at 4pm. I went to bed early.
I began this message in the morning that day but here I am on Monday, August 28th and I still haven’t sent this out.
On Sunday, the 27th, I had the 7:30am Mass and a good homily on the Gospel. I returned to the rec tory and made a big breakfast of eggs and bacon and toast. I left bacon for the other priests and they liked it. I had two baptisms at 2pm in the church. Please remember Caroline Marie and Simone and their families in your prayers.
Today, the feast of St. Augustine, I had the 8am Mass and will have the 5:30pm Mass also. Two of the priests are off today, so Fr. Alec and I are covering.
Although I have spent a lot of time over in my suite, I have used the phone a lot. I’ve called Marilyn Cavallaro, Jerry Trancone, and Joan Beall daily as Jerry’s still recovering from his cataract surgery, Frank Cavallaro is in a rehab and is not doing well, and Fr. Beattie is back in Georgetown Hospital because his leg is still bad. I also talked to lots of friends but please keep all of them in your prayers. Keep me too.