Today was a “to do” day. I got up around 7am and went over to the parish center and separated my Christmas cards from all the mail I’ve been throwing into boxes. I also paid a lot of bills that I had overlooked.
At 10:00am I went out to Jiffy Lub in Rockville and got my car taken care of. I also cleaned out the back seat and the stuff that had accumulated under the seats.
Among those treasures was a ticket that I recived on Tuesday when I was driving back from reading at St. Michael’s. I forgot to mention that. A very nice trooper stopped me as I was going – as he said “appreciably faster” than the limit. Fortunately, I was dressed in clerics and he must have decided to be forgiving and he only gave me a warning. I was sufficiently chastized so that I stayed close to the limit all the way home.
After Jiffy Lub, I came home for a nap and got up in time to put out the Blessed Sacrament for adoration at 3pm. Then back to the desk. I think I may have gotten a good hint from Walt Madigosky about how to do my Christmas letter. We’ll see if I can.
I worked on my homily and then had the 5:30pm Mass. I used the line from the first reading about some have “entertained angels unknowlingly”. I use to love seeing “Touched by an Angel” when it was on TV weekly. It had great theology.
After Mass, I came right to the rectory because we were hosting the eight Christian Brothers who live in two houses in the parish and some staff St. John’s High School nearby. Fr. John is a graduate and has been friends with many of them – even was taught by Brother Malachy. I met the principal of St. John’s who grew up in St. Anselm’s parish in Pittsburgh, where I was a deacon. Also a number of them are graduates of Central Catholic in Pittsburgh, where Keith Morris and his sons-in-law all went to high school.
We had a great time, good food, and lots of church stories and laughter.
Tomorrow, I have the 8:00am Mass and then at 11, I am “presiding” at a non verbal Eucharist. Most of the children are non verbal and I was asked by the committee that works with disabilities and accomodations to give this a try. I am a little nervious but am sure that God and Grace will be present and things will go well. Being lifted up in prayer would be nice also.
I have confessions at 4:00pm. Help with Communion at 5:30pm and hope to meet Sister Kass for dinner. Sounds like a full day so I am off to bed early tonight.
The “non-verbal” Mass sounds interesting. Can’t wait to hear the details!
Dave loved the non-verbal Mass; he said it was very touching. I wished I had gone, but I was in resting mode on Saturday morning.