So sorry that I have taken so long to write. Two weeks of rain just got me down. Also two of the priests were away so I often said two Masses a day. I might go over for the 11am and then come home to relax and then go back at 4 for the 5:30pm Mass. I had to try and go back and forth between the rain and I wasn’t always successful. Sometimes, when I finished a Mass, a parishioner would offer to drive me through the rain back to the rectory. All that having to plan things out was so hard for me that I just went to bed during Jeopardy. Also it’s been so humid that my air-conditioning in my suite was often at 62 degrees and I just got in bed and under the covers. So that’s a little explanation for not writing.
It is now August 9th, my Godchild, Mary Ann Walburn Pearson’s 59th birthday and she and Maggie drove up for a visit. I had the 11am Mass and will have the 5:30pm Mass also. We met in the dining room and when Humberto, our cook, heard it was her birthday, he made a treat with Oreo’s, ice cream, whipped cream, and candles. We sang Happy Birthday and if I find a picture I’ll send it out.
So I wimped out last night – and back to Paddy. I last wrote on July 13th. It is the feast of King St. Henry. In the evening I called the mother house of the Sister of St. Joseph in Hartford and spoke with Sister St. Henry, whom I met through the sisters when they were at St. Michael’s in Ridge. We had a nice long talk and I caught up on all the sisters.
I told you about “picnicking in”. A number of friends and family have done it. Barry Fitz and Barbara Ostrye came with food form Mama Lucia’s. Gail Battle brought her parents, Jim and Vera Degenhardt. Joan and Tom Johnson came as did Gail’s brother, Dr. Brian who was visiting from Missouri. We had food from Magiano’s and lots of laughs. Rose and Patty Petrone and Philip Levine also cam and brought home made Italian on a couple of occasions. Rick and Peg Jensen brought some crabs because I wimped out on a chance to be picked up and taken to their house for crabs. (I still haven’t gotten use to the oxygen bottles and how long they will last me; so I haven’t been going out). As soon as I feel “in control” I plan to go out again. Another cousin, Jean Denny came with a neighbors, whose grandchild I had baptized. We had a great meal and visit. Colleen and Monty, who are good friends (Colleen’s Mom, Doris Hickson was school nurse at GC) have come by to visit; taken me to doctors and dentist, and helped me with little projects in my suite. We cleaned out my closet that had lots of clothes that others can use. We also got stuff together for the Sodality bazaar in November. My cousin, Rick took me out to Wheaton so I could get my haircut and beard trimmed. So many people are just so kind and helpful to me. I am most grateful.
Also I had visitors from Greenburg, pa – Members of the Merenda family stopped in (in the midst of a real heavy rainstorm). We just sat in my office and then I took them to see the church because I had the 5:30. They were kind enough to text me when they got safely home that night. It was so nice to see them. They were in Forbes Road, where I taught CCD in 1969, Tonight, according to a email I got yesterday, Tom Favret and Doug Lee (and others???) will come to see me in the rectory after Mass. I am looking forward to hearing all about their families. They were teenagers at St. Camillus in the 70’s. Deacon Patrick Mullan and his Mom, Marilyn came to a 5:30pm Mass. He acted as deacon and preached. He was very good. He was a summer seminarian at St. Michael’s and was ordained a deacon last June. God willing, he will become a Washington priest in June 2019.
I have done two Baptisms. Please keep Geoffrey Tomas Agosto and Mateo Mirza and their parents, God parents, and families in your prayers. I have sat on the side for a number of parish funerals. I wasn’t up to attending a number of friend’s or priests’ funerals. but do keep them in your prayers. I just saw today that a friend from the seminary in Wisconsin, Paul Clayton died; please keep him and his family in your prayers. Know that you, your needs, and your intentions are daily in my prayers.
Jut learned that Terry McConnell, who was my totum factum at St. Bernard’s (and a dear friend for many years before and since) has returned to her home with Hospice. Please keep her,her husband Hal, and her large and loving family in your prayers.
Do not be intimidated by “picnicking in”. You don’t need food to come and visit. People, also bring things to share. Stephen Mudd brought me a vestment that his uncle, Fr. David Mudd had used. He died last year. Another friend, James brought me something to help me carry those oxygen tanks. Someone brought me a book they wrote. It’s history about DC and I am enjoying it a great. Others bring me photos of children I baptized who are now in college or getting married. They go on my wall of memories. But you don’t need to bring anything except you.
I promise to try to be more faithful and I am still working on Christmas cards. Know that I love and pray for you.