There has been a lot going on over the last two weeks and I want to bring you up to date.
When last I wrote, it was Tuesday, April 3rd and I was waiting for the delivery of the oxygen. Well it didn’t come and so on Wednesday, the 4th, I used my DAY OFF to watch for the delivery. It didn’t come that day either but it came on Thursday, the 5th and the man who brought it explained to me (and actually to Fr. Alec, who seemed to understand and asked good questions) and I started to use it in conjunction with the concentrator. To me, it just means more plastic tubing and electrical cords to trip over but we shall see.
On Friday, the 6th, I had the 8 AM Mass and then a parishioner drove me to Stone Ridge, where I gave a talk on Pope Francis to the alumnae of schools run by the Madams of the Sacred Heart. I’ve given a couple of talks and they are an audience who have good questions and comments. I then said Mass. I was sorry to have to tell them that I wouldn’t be able to come anymore. My doctor told me that I need to go on oxygen more of the time – especially if I am going to move about. I will have to learn how to do that. It means more “equipment” to carry around. The Petrones came and picked me up and I got a new pair of pants and some food shopping done.
On Saturday, the 7th, I had the baptism of William George, who parents I married and whose old brother I had baptized. They were willing to do it in the chapel, where I could remain seated and they would bring the baby up to me. It went without a hitch and I was so glad to see their large family together again. At 4pm, I had confessions and came home to an early bedtime.
On the 8th, I had the 7:30 am Mass and stayed over in the parish center to con-celebrate the 10:30 am Mass, where a young man I met through Fr. Regis was being confirmed. It was beautiful and Billy, who was confirmed last year was his sponsor this year. Both will graduate from CUA next month and give me great hope for the church. Please add Cameron to your prayers. I had planned to visit with some friends at Maplewood but the weekend tuckered me out and I had to call and say I was too tired. I went to bed.
On Monday, the 9th, I slept in until I went over for the 11 am Mass. It is so cold that I returned and stayed in the suite the rest of the day.
Tuesday, the 10th, I had the 8 am Mass and then the 11 am Mass was a funeral for Marty Lagoy, who was our facilities director for 15 years. He developed cancer and went through treatment for the last three years. He had a wonderful family and there were 6 priests on the altar. Keep his family in your prayers. I went over to the Manning center around 12:30 because there were 14 people who came over for Tuesdays with Fr. Maury. We had a good discussion about the Pope and we had some good food. I was ready for bed early.
Wednesday is my DAY OFF and I asked to have someone come and explain about the oxygen. They did, and I feel a little more confident of it.
Thursday, I had the 8 and 11 Masses again and it was rainy so I came back to the suite.
On Friday, a parishioner, Frank picked me up at 11am and drove me to Annapolis, where we had lunch with his brother and sister-in-law. The Vita family were long time Bernard’s parishioners and he brother is Msgr. Al Schwartz, who is now Venerable and on his way to Sainthood. He was ordained here in Washington and spent his priestly life with the orphans of Korea, the Philippines, and other places in Asia. He developed ALS (know as Lou Generic’s disease) and is a real inspiration. I used his autobiography, “Killing me Softly” as my Lenten spiritual reading. I was recommend him to your prayers. Also I learned today the Msgr. James Beattie died peacefully in his rooms at Our Lady of Lourdes rectory in Bethesda. More about that later.
On Saturday, the 14th, I had a baptism of twins. I had brought their mom into the Church 6 years ago and then officiated at the wedding. Baptize their son, three years ago and now the twins. Please keep William Charles and Eleanor Mary and their family in your prayers. They sent me a photo from afterwards and if the young priest can figure out how I can do it; I will enclose a picture.
On Sunday, the 15th, I had the 7:30 am Mass and then at 11:30, I brought a woman into full Communion and baptized her two children. We had a nice crowd and at some point I will give the son, First communion. Please keep all of them in your prayers. In the afternoon, Rose, Patty and I went out to lunch and to do a little food shopping. We went to a Roy Rodgers and had great friend chicken. I didn’t even know they still existed.
On Monday, the 16th, I had the 11am Mass and then took a nap. I ate supper early (around 4:30pm) and then Brian drove me over to our Lady of Lourdes for Father Beattie’s wake and Mass. I preached and I was very grateful to Brian for getting me around and to be able to sit on a stool and preach. Lots of former parishioners and priests came and I saw and talked to lots of people I hadn’t seen in years. One of them was a little boy whose family I knew well and he will be ordained a Benedictine deacon in a few months. My life has been blessed with so many wonderful people of faith as was Father Beattie’s.
On Tuesday, the 17th, It was cold but once I sat down in the church, I used the oxygen and it brought my breathing into a good rhythm and I just stayed there through the service. The church was filled to standing room and another 60 priests were there. The Cardinal presided and Msgr. Filardi, the pastor of Lourdes preached. He was excellent and captured the man of faith and hope that Fr. Beattie was. I was broguth right home and they made me eat lunch and then I went to bed and slept for 5 hours.
Today is my DAY OFF and I slept in and am in old clothes and working on straightening up my desk and catching up on emails and phone calls.
So now you are up to date. Keep me in your prayers and know that you are in mine