Today is the 80th anniversary of my Mom and Dad’s wedding – November 16, 1938. I always remember it because Nellie told me that the reception was held at my grandmother’s sister’s back yard and that my parents were driven to Union Station in the back of a dump truck and then all the guest went back to the party and stayed there for three days. My mom told us that they stayed the night at the Lincoln Hotel in New York City before going the next day to Niagara Falls. While at the hotel they got a telegram wishing them a good honeymoon and saying the reception was still going strong. See, these “treasures” need to be passed on to the next generations.
But now to update you. I last wrote on Saturday, November 3rd and told you about my plans for the 4th.
So, now on Monday, November 5th. I had the 11am Mass and then returned to the rectory. Someone came for confession in the afternoon. I am spending more time in the rectory because I don’t like using the canisters of oxygen too much.
On the 6th, I had the 11am Mass and then came back
Wednesday, the 7th was my DAY OFF, so I stayed in my suite. Anna Marie, a friend from St. Bernard’s days came to “picnic in” and we had a great time. She brought and left Snicker’s ice cream!
On Thursday, the 8th, I had the 11am Mass and then Fr. Mike Dolan came for lunch and a nice long talk. He is living in Georgia but spent much of the summer up here helping out in parishes. He is retired but in great health. I enjoyed our visit but when I returned to my suite, I realized that I was too tired to go to the SDC pot luck dinner with Carolyn and Monty. They were all very understanding and I went to bed early.
Friday, the 9th was the funeral for Fr. Joe Kleinstubber, a retired priest who had gone to St. Vincent’s before I was there. He was the chaplain at St. John’s High School and a nice guy. I was sorry not to be able to go; but it was in Southern Maryland. I had the 5:30pm Mass and Carolyn picked me up and brought me home. It’s Teen week on Jeopardy.
I wasn’t scheduled for anything on Saturday, the 10th. I did call Doug Hanratty and wish him a happy birthday.
On Sunday, the 11th I had the gym Mass and the deacon preached. I think that is my last trip to the gym Mass. It requires a lot of organizing. I will ask not to be on the schedule until the Spring. I gave the Sacrament of the Sick to someone having surgery. On my way back to the rectory, the girls called to say Fr. T wasn’t up to going out. We were going to go to a Chinese restaurant to celebrate his birthday (It was in October). I told them to go home and relax – I did the same. Today is also the 46th anniversary of Dave and Kathy Haas. I remember that weekend because I flew out to Michigan and had a great time. I just told the priests at Camillus that I’d be away as I had a family wedding in the city – I just didn’t say the city was in Michigan!!!
Monday was a holiday and everything was closed. Colleen and Monty came around 3pm. We visited and then we drove to Leisure World and met Barry and Barbara at the clubhouse restaurant. It was a great evening – with lots of laughter. I was tired and I had to set the alarm as I had early Mass the next day.
I had the 8am Mass and stayed in the parish center because I had Tuesdays with Fr. Maury at noon. We had a good topic – “the Catholic perspective on death and dying. Good discussion as well. When I came home, I watched the bishops’ meeting in Baltimore. It was very interesting and I was pleased to hear what so many of them had to contribute. Many are listening to their people.
On the 14th, Mary Alice McGreevy drove Marilyn Cavallaro and Kate Berry down from West Virginia and we “picnicked in” and talked a great deal. Actually they made me be quiet and listen, which I tried to do. It was so good to see them and “catch up”. I pushed them out after 2 hours as I wanted them to get home before dark.
On Thursday, the 15th, they had said the snow would stop around 10am; so I switched Masses with Fr. Bill. He took the 8 and I took the 11am. Around 9am, Carolyn called and said the snow is going to keep falling until noon, so she’d come and pick me up at 10:30 and drive me to church and back afterwards. It worked out well and I had soup and went to bed. We got a lot of snow.
From the 15th to the 2oth, I was supposed to be in Myrtle Beach with Maggie but I cancelled out. Mary Ann drove them and they called me Friday night as they were arriving. Rick, my brother in law from Georgia and Shirley were to join them. I just don’t think I can get around – especially out of town – with all these oxygen canisters. My nephew, Rick and his wife, Anita just called me. They are off to do a cruise. We had a great talk and I hope to see them at Christmas.
Also a young woman, who lives in North Carolina and whose wedding was one of my first when I went to Camillus in 1972, was robbed and brutally beat in a parking lot. She is recovering – but slowly – and I ask that you remember Shirley and Denny and their families in your prayers. Also please keep in your prayers all those on my prayer list.
It’s Saturday the 17th and I’m going to hear confessions from 4 to 5 and then concelebrate the 5:30 Mass from the choir stalls. Then I don’t have to go out again tomorrow. I’ll be in touch. Pray for me as I do for you.