I last wrote on September 30th and so I’ll begin with Monday, October 1st. It is the feast of St. Therese, the Little Flower. I sent flower to Sister Natalie (Ann Christine), my kindergarten and first grade teacher. She gave me a great devotion to Therese and I have been sending her flowers on the feast for years. It use to be October 3rd but it got moved. She lives at Mt. Notre Dame in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is in her nineties. I offered the 11am Mass that day for her and all the great teachers I have had over the years. Got a message from John Bohrer, who never forgets Therese’s feast day.
Tuesday, the 2nd, I again had the 11am Mass and afterwards, we had our “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” at the apartment. We had about 25 people and our topics were St. Francis of Assisi and Pope Francis. Great discussion and sharing. I was suppose to go out with Fr. T and the ladies but we ran late and they had to go. I went to bed early.
Wednesday, I stayed in my suite and worked on my 2017 taxes. Went to bed early
On Thursday, the 4th, I had the 8 and 11am Masses and my cousin, Jean came and we “picnicked in” and had a great time. In the evening, Carolyn picked me up and drove me over for the Healing Mass at 7pm. I’m not seeking a cure but I find the time for Mass and Exposition to be times of grace and full of peace.
On Friday and Saturday, I said Mass in the morning and then worked in my suite.
On Sunday, Carolyn – angel that she is – came and drove me over to the church, so I could say the 7:30am Mass. The schedulke got mixed up and I was given the 5:30pm but that night I was being picked up by Fr. Jim and take out to join Fr. John, Fr. Regis, and Fr. Mike for our quarterly dinner out – so we can solve the problems of the church and the world. We had a great time together. I went to confession with Jim on a nice long ride home.
Monday, the 8th was Columbus Day and I stayed in my suite and relaxed.
On Tuesday, I had the evening Mass and came right home.
Wednesday was my DAY OFF and I worked on my taxes. In the afternoon, Colleen and Jeff Smith and Steve and Faith Hall drove up and we picnicked in from Magiano’s. They are dear friends from St. Michael’s and I love their children. We “caught up’ on all the family. I know we’ll do it again.
On Thursday, the 11th, I had the 11am Mass and stayed over in the parish center to see people and work on Baptisms. I also had the 5:30pm, which was the induction of new Sodalists and a lovely Mass with music. There was a dinner afterwards that is always filled with great pot luck. It was pouring when the Mass ended and so I skipped the dinner and Carolyn drove me home.
On Friday, the 12th, I had the 11am Mass and then went home. The weather has been so up and down that I like being home.
On Saturday, I went over to the chapel because a couple I had helped with paperwork were having their daughter baptized by Fr. Pat Conroy, the chaplain at the House of Representatives, who knew them in college. It was very nice to see everyone in their family and I came home and went to bed. Please keep Catherine and her family in your prayers.
On Sunday, the 14th, it happened that I had the 7:30am Mass and that worked out fine. After Mass, Carolyn drove me to Joan Beall’s, where I was able to pass off my taxes for Mary Rose. She got me an extension last April but the taxes had to be in by October 15th. On the way home, we stopped at a bakery and got some refreshment for the rectory. Fr. Regis came by after the 10:30 Mass and Fr. Bill joined us for “collation”. At noon, a young lady who needed a letter from our parish to her brother’s parish so she could be a Godmother. We had a nice visit and she told me all about her job as a crime reporter.
On Monday, the 15th, I went over to the parish center around 9 so I could call Mary Rose and ask her how she was able to make sense of my notes and bills. She had emailed me that everything was ready. I signed it and faxed it and it was electronically filed. Some days, I like that I lived to see and use these “modern” things. I had the 11am Mass and then Colleen came and took me to my pulmonary doctor. He did some evaluations and notified my oxygen company that I needed more large canister. 6 more arrived the next day.It will make my life so much easier.
Tuesday, the 16th, Joan brought me over to the parish center early so I could get ready for the 11am Mass and Tuesdays with Maury but I had a rough morning with the oxygen. Our topic was the titles of Mary and we talked a lot about her various titles. Afterward and just before the rain, Peter helped me get back to the rectory and I tried to get some understanding of how to use the additional oxygen. It will take time.
Wednesday, my cousin Rick came and took me to the barber. I wanted to look better for Thursday and Friday. Oh, I forgot to mention that on Monday, we received word that Msgr. Thomas Duffy, who was pastor here for 25 years and was 60 years a priest, died peacefully at the Little Sisters’ Home, where he has been living. He was a great guy and part of the pastors’ support group that I was invited to join with Fathers Beattie, Kostick, McCaffery, Gearhart, Hill, and Ranieri. We had a great time and they were very helpful to me in 1990 as a new pastor. Too many have gone home to the Father.
On Thursday, the 18th, I had the 8 and 11am Masses. Heard some confessions. Had supper with Fr. Bill and Carolyn drove me to church for the wake and 7:30pm Mass. Lots of people and priests were there. Msgr Ron, our dean presided and Joe Ranieri preach. The choir came and it was a good celebration. I went to bed early.
Friday, the 19th was Msgr. Duffy’s funeral. Cardinal Wuerl presided with two other of our bishops and lots of concelebrents. Fr. John Enzler preach and was, of course, excellent. The music was superb and the church was filled. His family was justly proud. There was a luncheon but I went home. I was scheduled for the 5:30pm Mass but I asked Fr. Percy to cover for me. He is so willing to help. He is 82 and also retired.
On Saturday, the 20th, a couple came and brought lunch from Ledo’s and we had a nice visit. They live in Lourdes’ parish but come here often. She grew up in Riverdale and I brought Communion to her parents. At 3:30, Carolyn picked me up and took me to church. I had the 4 to 5 confessions. I was glad to get home and bed.
I started this yesterday but it is now Sunday, the 21st. Colleen and Monty came by and brought some sweet rolls. We had lots to talk about (an upcoming wedding!). They dropped me at the sacristy and I got ready for the 12:30pm Mass. I had a really good homily and afterwards got a chance to see some old friends. Still some problems with the oxygen but Carolyn got me home and I am in the for the day. The ladies were going to pick up T and me and we were going to celebrate his birthday. He wasn’t up to it, so we postponed. Colleen and Monty came by again to help me with the oxygen and he pointed out that my tubing had a crack and that’s why I wasn’t getting what I needed. They know so much and have helped me in the transition to full oxygen.
In looking over the last two weeks I realize that I’ve been able to catch up with lots of friends – like Mary Lynn Costanza, and my “regulars”. I have been working with five people on the day of recollection for separated and divorced Catholics that will be held here on this coming Saturday. Keep that in your prayers. Also please pray for Judy Raley, a lovely and dedicate parishioner of St. Michael’s in Ridge. I saw her at the 100th anniversary a few weeks ago but she is in Georgetown Hospital. Pray for her and her great family.
Also this week, I spoke by phone with Pat Berry and his sister, Sara Jean. they had flown out from Illinois to see their brother, Bill, who was gravely ill. Bill and Kate Berry live in West Virginia and use to go on cruises with the gang. I got word last evening that he had died. Please keep all of them in your prayers.
Now time for a nap.