I am in the parish office today. I came in last Saturday and started a message but after that, I had the 8am Mass and at 10:30am had a Baptism in the chapel and then went home to the rectory. I stayed there most of Saturday evening and also all day Sunday. I had the 5:30pm Mass and then was in bed by 8pm. Also today, I went out with Rose and Patty. We went to Baltimore, so that I might look again for a scooter. I got a lot more information and will work in earnest on getting on before Advent. I will have the 5:30pm Mass later and go home for soup and early to bed.
Tomorrow, I will take an Uber to St. Jane de Chantal parish for the 11am funeral of Jeannette Williams. She is Mary Mudd’s sister and died last week. Please keep her, her husband, Don and Mary and her family in your prayers.
My last message was written and published on Monday, November 13th. I had the 11am Mass. Had soup and went to bed early.
On Tuesday, the 14th, I had the 11am Mass and then we held our Tuesdays with Fr. Maury. Our topic was what to do for Advent. Good discussions and a really delicious tomato basil soup. I also met with someone for spiritual direction. Also, I discovered this morning that I have a “flare up” of shingles. I had the shot about 4 years ago and last night, I developed red blotches on my stomach. They itch but I just ignore them. I have a doctor’s appointment on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the 15th, Ellen picked me up and we drove to Madonna House and went to lunch with the three ladies who live there. It was so great to be with them – even though I kept ignoring the itch.
I JUST FOUND THIS MESSAGE, WHICH I BEGAN TO WRITE THREE WEEKS AGO. IT IS A STORY WORTH REPEATING!
On Thursday, the 16th I also remembered my parent and grandparents on this day, 79 years ago when they got married. I remember Mom saying that she and Dad and the two sets of parents went to Union Station from the reception in a dump truck. My parents were taking the train to NYC, staying overnight, and then taking a train to Niagara Falls. They spent the night in a hotel called the Lincoln. After a number of renovations, it opened again as the Milford Plaza, which is the hotel we use to stay in when we took the NYC trips from St. Bernard’s. While there, my parents received a telegram saying, ” Hope the trip up was relaxing. Have a good time in NYC and Niagara. Reception is still going strong!”.
I saw the doctor and she gave me some strong steroids and I hope that will take care of the flare up.
On Friday, the 17th, I said the 11am Mass, then met with a dear friend who is studying to become a deacon for Baltimore and then I went to my room Locked the door, took off all my clothes and just stayed inside waiting for the medicine to work. It hurt just to have the sheet touch me.
I was suppose to do a baptism on Saturday but as shingles is like chickenpox, I asked Fr. Alec to do the baptism. He did a great job.
On Sunday, I felt 1000% better and did the 12:30 Mass – with clothes!
Stayed home on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I am still on the medicine but feeling OK.
Thursday, the 23rd, was Thanksgiving. I concelebrated the 10am Mass and re tired to my suite. A very nice lady brought me turkey, potatoes, gravy and dressing and at 4pm, I nuked it and had a lovely meal. Spent the whole day, saying aloud the names of my blessing as I called to my voice names of family, friends, and parishioners. It was a long and memorable list!
On Friday, I had the 11am Mass and then met someone for spiritual direction. Then my cousins, Rick and Peg took me to Ledo’s for lunch, where we met the Petrones.
On Saturday, the 25th, I had the privilege of baptizing Natalie Michelle. Good friends and a very happy event. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
On Sunday, I had the 5:30pm Mass. It was Christ the King and my homily was good! Today is Sister Ann Christine’s 90th birthday. I sent her flowers from all her students and friends out East.
Fr. Trancone is in the hospital and they are giving him transfusions as he is anemic. Keep him in your prayers. I am going to close this and publish it and I’ll try not to get so far behind in the future.