( I BEGAN THIS AWHILE AGO) I last wrote in late August and don’t know where the days go. Today is the birthday of Our Lady and is the 54th anniversary of my entrance into the seminary. I seem to remember dates in terms of past events. I arrived at St. Nazianz’s on a Sunday night after a day of travel by plane, train, and school bus. I met some great guys that day, many of whom I am still in contact with.
(To pick up from Late August)
On Tuesday, the 29th of August, I had the 8am Mass and then went back to my suite. It wasn’t too hot but I wanted to “rest up” for Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the 30th, I was going to take an Uber but had trouble with the phone and Rosalie, who was coming into work, offered me a ride. I was very grateful as I was going to Holy Cross Academy for a 10am Mass. It was the beginning Mass for a year of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the founding. 6 priests concelebrated and there were around 500 students and another 100 faculty or former faculty and alumnae. I’m glad I got there early enough to get up on the stage and get settled with my oxygen, etc. before the crowd arrived. The music was lovely and I had a chance to visit with some Holy Cross sisters who are old friends. Then I Ubered home.
Got here just in time to meet Joe Villani and we went to lunch at a nice Italian restaurant in Bethesda. Good meal and we caught up on his family. I officiated at his son, Jeff’s wedding a few years ago and now he and his wife are at the embassy in Warsaw. Joe and Pat have been doing a lot of travelling in retirement and went to see them in Poland.
I got home and took a nap because at 4:30, David picked up me and Carolyn and we went to have supper at Father Ron’s rectory in Bowie. He is almost settled in and we had a great meal and visit. He is missed here at Blessed Sacrament but seems to be very content at Sacred Heart. We met Fr. Scott, who was assistant there and is now the pastor of St. Edward’s. It was a lovely evening but I was glad to get in bed.
On Thursday, the 31st, I had the 11am Mass for the 54th wedding anniversary of Anna Marie and Gene Kinerney. I was at their 50th. Gene died a couple of years ago but Anna Marie has become part of our “cruising” crowd. She brought Delores, who went to grade school with her, and whom I have known since Fr. Beattie was at St. Mary’s. Her husband died 2 years ago and she lives in RiderWood. The there of us went to lunch and had a nice visit. Had a nap and then the 5:30pm Mass. Nice supper and visit with the pastor.
A friend asks to stop by and talk on Friday morning. Her sister died and we had a good visit. I had the 5:30pm Mass.
On Saturday, September 2nd, a woman whose mother was one of my Communion calls at St. Bernard’s came with her husband to see me and “catch up”. I am going to bless their marriage later this month. They were off to visit her Mom in upstate New York. I had the 5:30pm Mass and afterwards, Carolyn and Father Foley and I went to Ledo’s. Great time.
On Sunday, I just relaxed and stopped by to see the Fathers in the sacristy between Masses. Around 5pm, Patty and Rose Petrone came with Fr. T and Philip to take me out to an Asian smorgasbord. It was fun and we celebrated Philip’s birthday.
September 4th was Labor Day. I had the 11am Mass and then Fr. Alec drove me to Little Flower for the annual Labor Day cookout for the priests of the Archdiocese. I always enjoy it and the chance to see the guys. I sat at a table with Fr. Andy, Fr. Paul Hill, Fr. Ray Kemp, Fr. Duffy, Fr. Kazista, Fr. English, and Fr. Fecteau, We had a lot of laughs. Fr. Foley was kind enough to bring me home.
I just rested up on Tuesday and had the 5:30pm Mass
On Wednesday, the 6th, Kathy Healy drove me out to Laurel to visit Mary Horan. She is a sweetheart and the next to the youngest of the Horan kids from St. Bernard’s. She is 59 and lives in a group home, where I have visited her for supper. Keep her in your prayers.
Kathy dropped me off at the St. John Vianney House in Kensington. We have a retired priests’ meeting and luncheon there on the first Wednesday of the month. We had about 15 guys there and I enjoyed seeing them and “catching up”. Took an Uber home, a nap, and supper. early to bed.
On Thursday, the 7th, I had the 11am Mass and then Patrick was coming by to go out to lunch. Around 4pm, Brian is picking me up to go to the wake of Fr. Daley’s mom in Baltimore. I am always grateful to have a ride to a wake or funeral of a priest or his family.
On Friday, the 8th, the birthday of Our Lady I started this. I had the 8am Mass. Then a nice lady whose is a Eucharistic Minister for Fr. Carmen in Trenton, came by to visit while spending the week with her son and is family.
Brian drove me to the rehearsal for a wedding at St. Dominic’s in Southeast DC. It is the church where my grandparents were married and one of our regular stops on our Holy Thursday pilgrimage.
On Saturday, the 9th, which is the feast of St. Peter Claver and the birthday of Fr. Dwight in Kansas, I had the 11am Mass. I called Dwight and then my niece, Mary Ann came by to borrow my car. Brian and Rowena drove me to the wedding. It was lovely and I would ask you to keep Robert and Amanda in your prayers. They are so in love! The reception was on the terrace of an old building on Constitution Ave and had a great view of the city. I came home early as I had the early Mass on Sunday and I was tired out.
Sunday, the 10th I had the 7:30am Mass and then concelebrated the 10:30 Mass, which was the installation of Father Foley as pastor, done by Cardinal Wuerl. I had never been to an installation and it is very beautiful and meaningful. The Cardinal gave a very good talk and the church was full. There was a reception afterwards but I didn’t go because Barb was picking me up and driving me to Our Lady of Grace in Leisure World. My dear friend, Ursula Lemanski, whose 100 birthday I went to last year, was part of the parish celebration of all those 100 or older. I just had to be there. I saw Fr. Jim, his brother, Paul, Mrs. Poulos, and other friends. Another of the honorees was Austin Carlson, who daughter came up to me and reminded me that she was the third grade teacher at St. Camillus when I was a young priest. We sat and laughed and “caught up” on lots of things. Again it is nice to see old friends. When I got home, I went right to bed.
Today, is the 11th and I had a Mass at 8am and the one at 5:30pm. Of course, we prayed for all those who died 16 years ago and for those who mourn them. We had a number of deaths from Blessed Sacrament. Also today is the anniversary of Jim Neary’s death and of my sister, Maureen. Jim is 17 years and Mo is 3 years. May all our beloved dead, REST IN PEACE.