This is really part II of yesterday’s message.
We pick up on November 3rd. It is the feast of St. Martin de Porres and has been special to me since the seminary. I share that affection for him with Frances Sampogna and for years have called and prayed for her on “our “feast”. With the funeral and the trip to West Virginia, it slipped by me. On the 4th, I called her in the afternoon and apologized. She understood but did wonder what happened. Then I had 4pm confessions. I phoned Marilyn to see how she was doing and went to bed early.
On Sunday, the 5th, I had the 12:30pm and the deacon preached. I relaxed and packed for my trip. Jerry called and said he wasn’t up to going. I understand as he is still in a lot of pain and will continue with the therapy this coming week.
On Monday, the 6th, I had the 11am Mass and then “the girls” picked me up at noon. We drove across the bridge and went to visit Marie Smith, a dear St. Bernard’s friend. We went out to lunch at a lovely little seafood place and talked and laughed. After we took Marie home, we stopped in Easton, Maryland to pick up a scooter that I had rented. Great young man who dis-assembled it and put it in the van. Then we drove to Cambridge, Maryland – about twenty more miles. Again, a nice young man assembled the scooter and I drove in to register and get settled. We were at the Hyatt Chesapeake Hotel. I was attending the Priests’ Convocation. There were about 270 priest of the Archdiocese. This was the 8th of these. They are every two years. I have tried to always attend as it is great to see old friends and – through the goodness of young priests whom I have lived with, I also know a lot of the younger guys. The ladies got me unpacked and then we had a nice dinner. They headed home – and texted me later when they arrived. I went to my room and took a nap, made some phone calls and then watched TV.
Slept well and around 5pm, most of the other guys had arrived and so we had evening prayer together and then a nice supper. I sat with Ray Fecteau, Kevin O’Reilly, Frank Early and Jim Boccabella -old friends and some guys I knew by name but not by face. It was a good meal and enjoyable company. The Cardinal held a brief Q&A and I stayed for it. He was excellent and it was interesting to hear priests comments. I made some phone calls and watched TV. Slept well.
I am getting better on the scooter and we had a Mass for all the priests who died this last year. I knew quite a few and I always like this Mass. The Cardinal preached and was excellent. After Mass, we went and listened to Bishop Robert Barron, the auxiliary of Los Angeles. He spoke on Pope Frances’ view of the priesthood. I really enjoyed it. He is very well know but I had not read any of his books or seen any of his DVDs. I will have to do that. Lunch was “on your own” and I joined Jim Boccabella and Saverio Vitturino to eat and visit. There were workshops but I took a nap. Supper, was again very nice and I just relaxed with friends. Sometimes durint the convocation, I’d see guys and we’d sit and “catch up”. those were great times. I talked with Jim Holloway and Mike Kelly, whom I really like and wanted to see and visit. Brief talks with Peter Sweeney, Mark Smith, and others just filled up the time with laughter. More phone calls and to bed early.
Bishop Barron preached at the closing Mass and gave us a good example of preaching. I sat in the lobby and said good byes to a lot of guys. The ladies came at 12:30. Again, a nice kid got the scooter in the van and we returned it to Easton and then headed across the bridge. I wanted to get over before “rush hour”; so we stopped at Double T diner and had a good meal. Then they dropped me at home and I took a nap. – I know I take a lot but I love them.
On Friday, Nov 10th, I had the 8am Mass and since the office was closed for Veterans’ Day, I stayed in my suite most of the day. Dan Poje, from Memphis, flew up this morning and was at a hotel nearby. I Ubered to him and then we went to the John S. Mulholland Gala at the Capital Hilton at 6pm. It was beautiful and there lots of people I know who attended. Dan and I sat at a table with two of the priests from here and Fr. Bill’s sister. Laura Fetters and her husband, Matt, Margaret Lawless, Pat Kavanaugh and her husband filled out our crowd. Music and food were great. Nice presentations and I think it raised a lot for the ministry. We support and supply five pantries in some of the poorest parishes in the city. Dan and I had some difficulties getting home and weren’t home till after 11.
On Saturday, I slept in and Ginny (Joan’s daughter) picked me and Dan up and drove us to Shady Grove Rehab to visit Joan. She is doing very well and although 84, she does about 7 hours of therapy daily. She is determined to get home and walk again. Her leg break was serious but they all are hopeful. Her daughters have been great about visiting and doing things for her. Keep all of them in your prayers. I had the 5:30pm Mass and the deacon preached. Dan attended and sat with Carolyn, my friend. She drove us to supper and then Dan back to the hotel and me to the rectory. He had an 8am flight. I was so grateful that Stephanie and he decided he should come. Stephanie had to work but she told him to go!!
On Sunday, I had the 10:30 in the gym. I rode my scooter over and they all helped me to get around and help with Communion. I was so glad to be there and able to do things. I had taken my name off the list since September because I thought it was too much work for all the helpers – but I am back on the list now. I lounged in my suite, watched TV, phoned a lot of people and took naps. A Good day!!
Monday, Nov 13th was the 23rd anniversary of Msgr. Dade’s death. It doesn’t seem that long because I love to quote him and still use so much of his wisdom and advice.
I don’t know why I didn’t finish this and today is November 21st, so I’m going to publish and try to get it up to date in the next few days and try to publish it by Thanksgiving.