Rejoice, I say it again Rejoice. Today is called Gaudete Sunday and the vestments of Mass are Rose. I often do not wear a chasuble because it adds more weight and heat to me; but today I wore it because I had the early Mass (7:30am) and some friends were coming by and visiting afterwards. Carolyn came and drove me over around 6:45 because it is the third day of rain. I had some difficulties with my oxygen and she had to come back to the rectory and get me a third small canister. People are so patient and kind; but I do have to learn how to regulate my use. Daria and John Daria (from St. Bernard’s but living nearby) came and brought me home made cookies. Barry Fitz and two of the students from GC, (Bob Chambers and Chris Corcoran) came to Mass. It was great to see them and laugh in the sacristy and catch up on the children, whom I baptized and now are in college. Doug Lee (from St. Camillus) came by and we visited down in my office. He was able to attend Mrs. Loretta Favret’s funeral – held last week near Frederick – and that I was not able to go. He brought me up to date on the Lee and Favret families. In my homily, I talked about the wonderful and faith-filled funeral that I did attend yesterday at Leisure World. It was Ursula Lemanski’s. Her son, Ray was a student at GC and she often helped out as a “resource lady” at the school. We have stayed friends over the years and I was able to attend her 100th birthday two years ago. I did talk to her on the phone and Barbara O kept me up to date on her activities. She attend the St. Cecilia’s High School Reunion a few weeks ago and was happy to report, she got a prize for being the oldest. Keep her and her family in your prayers.
Let’s see. It was a month ago that I last wrote. Where does the time go?
On November 18th, since I had attended the vigil Mass on Saturday night, I slept in and Colleen and Monty came by to visit and the Girls came in the afternoon.
Don’t know why but I wasn’t scheduled for Mass on Monday, the 19th, Tuesday the 20th, or Wednesday, the 21 but I took advantage of it and just stayed in my room – I didn’t even go over to the seniors for their Thanksgiving celebration but they sent ;me a nice plate. I called Andy Favret, thinking that some of the family might be coming home for Thanksgiving. Mary answered and she told me that her mother was in the last day. She was conscious but it was only a matter of time. La was in a care facility and I asked Mary to call me from it in the next few days.
On Thursday the 22nd, I con-celebrated the 10am Mass for Thanksgiving. A parishioner sent me a photo and I’ve asked Fr. Alec to help me, so I can include it in Paddy. In the afternoon, Fr. Bill’s family came and had a “Foley Thanksgiving”. There are nine siblings and all but one came with their children – all high school and college age. I enjoyed the conversations, the food, and “German” toasts!!
On Friday, the 23rd and Saturday, the 24th, I had the 11am Mass. It was cold and I was glad to return to the rectory. On Friday, Mary called me and I spoke with La. She couldn’t talk but she knew it was me and I reminded her of some of the wonderful things we shared. I got word that she died the next day. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
On Sunday, the 25th, I had the 10:30am Mass and got to see a lot of parishioners afterwards and then I came home to rest.
On Monday, the 26th and Tuesday, the 27th, I heard some confessions and had the evening Masses and Carolyn drove me home. I stayed in my suite on Wednesday and had the 11am Masses on Thursday, the 29th, and Friday, the 30th. I called Andy because for almost 45 years, I’ve called him on the feast of St. Andrew. I told him I was sorry not to be able to join the family for what I know will be a “happy homecoming for La. In the evening, I rode down to see the marriage prep group that was having a dinner. Although I don’t do the prep any more, I knew a lot of the people and it was great to see them.
Dan Poje came up from Memphis to visit DC. I think he got into a couple of museum. Once again, it was cold.
On Saturday, December 1st. I anointed someone who was having surgery and then I had three baptisms in the chapel. It went well because I can stay in my cart and they bring the babies to me. I had been invited to my cousin, Ray’s surprise party in Virginia but I somehow double booked my day. In the afternoon, Dan picnicked in with Ginny and Joan Beall and Carolyn and Joan Ward. We had a good time and then I had the 5:30pm Mass, which was offered for Loretta. They all went home – Dan to his hotel- and I went to bed.
On Sunday, the 2nd, I heard confessions in the chapel. Then the Degenhardts and Gail Battle, and Joan and Tom Johnson came and we picnicked in our dining room. We had so many funny stories of the days at St. Bernard’s. T was suppose to come but he wasn’t up to it. Keep him in your prayers.
I didn’t have Mass on Monday, the 3rd because of a funeral; so I just stayed in and slept in.
On Tuesday, the 4th, I had confessions in my office and then had the 11am Mass. Afterwards, I went to the seniors and we had St. Nicholas with some preschoolers. It was very nice. Then I heard confessions for the religious ed program at 4pm.
On Wednesday, the 4th, I went to my office to anoint someone and have some phone calls. I returned to have a picnic in with my cousins, Jean Denny, Jim and Eileen Denny, and Dick Hite. Our cousin, Sue Rogus called in from Florida and we had a great time.
On Thursday, the 6th, for the first time in nine years, I wasn’t up to going over to the school to distribute chocolate gold covered coins. The principal was a good stand in; but I was sorry not to be there. I slept in for the rest of the day and went over for the 5:30pm Mass.
On the 7th, I had the evening Mass ( the vigil of the Holy day) but otherwise stayed close to my suite.
On Saturday, the 8th, I wimped out as my young cousins were supposed to drive me over to Alexandria to celebrate my young cousin, Will’s first birthday.He is Rick and Peg Jensen’s grandson and I hated to miss the party but I just don’t feel well.
On Sunday, the 9th, I had the 9am Mass and came home.
Especially since I wasn’t feeling great, I am amazed as I look at my activities this week:
On Monday the 10 and Tuesday, the 11th I had the evening Masses. On Tuesday, Joe and Pat Villani came and brought great food (especially treats for dessert) and we caught up on all their travels since retirement. They have beautiful grandsons, whom I love to see when they post them on Facebook. I had a dentist appointment and he helped with out with a cracked silver filling.
On Wednesday, Colleen took me to my pulmonary doctor and through him I got a new oxygen concentrator that fills my small canister much quicker and provides me more oxygen. It has made a big different – if I can remember to put the plastic tube in.
On Thursday, the 13th, I had the 11am Mass and then met someone for spiritual direction. I had the 11am Mass on Friday, the feast of St. John of the Cross and had a good homily. But when I got home, I went to bed and missed the school staff luncheon – although some “elves” brought up a nice plate and left it on my desk. It has rained here for days and Saturday and Sunday, it will rain again.
I have already written about Ursula’s funeral and how great it was. Colleen and Monty came and got me and made it work for my being on the altar. I met Barry Fitz, Barbara O, and Sylvia Key and many others before Mass. Fr. Jim Boccabella, the pastor was – as always – gracious to me. His homily was great. At the end, I decided to go to the reception – and I’m so glad I did. I felt like I knew all the grandkids because she updated me on them and her children. Food was great but the company even better. I got home in time to hear confessions from 4pm to 5:15. I was glad to get in bed.
I already told you about the wonderful 7:30am Mass. So let me just tell you that the mother of Father Andy Gonzalo ( who was the associate here for two years and is now pastor of St. Vincent’s in DC) died in the Philippines. Please keep her and him in your prayers. Also Mr. Lawrence Potter, who was a great supporter of St. Michael’s school in Ridge, died this week. Another funeral, I can not get to. But please keep him and his family – especially his son, Kevin who was a great friend to me when I was pastor.
This has taken me most of the day to get written. I won’t go that long in the future. Know that you are prayed for daily and I’ll be thinking of you and yours at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.