Today is actually the Feast of St. Cyril and I mean him no disrespect; but I just wanted to get a message out today.
I haven’t been writing because I have been really tired. I am trying to stay close to the rectory and the oxygen so I can keep it up to the ninety level. Just moving around and talking a lot uses up a lot of oxygen. I can refill the small tubes on my large machine but it takes 75 minutes to refill – and it often takes only about 23 minutes to use it up if I must get my numbers up into the 90’s. I can use the E tubes that the company brings me as replacements once a week but even they are only good for about 2 hours. I get 8 at a time, so I try to conserve them for Mass or a meeting. Also when I am not using the machine to refill the small tubes, I can get a steady stream of oxygen that keeps me in the 90’s. It has been quite an experience – learning the world of oxygen. Fortunately I have lots of “angels” who help me in the process.
Two Saturdays ago, two of them, Colleen and Monty came and took my large machine apart and drove me out with some tubes of oxygen to Good Counsel High School for the 31st Gala. I saw people I haven’t seen in 30 years and I was on my machine and talking easily for 4 hours. They brought me home and put the machine together and in half an hour I was asleep and breathing well. Had the 12:30pm Mass on Sunday and Barry Fitz came, he had been with me at the Gala . I also saw John and Daria (St. B’s people) afterwards and then to bed and slept in on Monday. I had a great time but I am tired – even now.
On Saturday, the 16th, we hosted a day of recollection for SDC (Separated and Divorced Catholics). I didn’t do it but I rode around in my cart. It was wonderful and about 35 came. I had the 5:30pm Mass and was able to sleep in on Sunday and stayed in my suite and celebrated St. Paddy’s Day by phone with a number of my Irish friends and family.
Tomorrow, I will concelebrate the funeral of Bill Bray, who was a vice president of Riggs Bank and was very good to me when I was a pastor. He and his wife are parishioners here and I baptized his two grand-daughters. Afterward, we will have a Tuesday with Fr. Maury to celebrate St. Joseph and then again to my suite to recover. Rest of the week, I’ll stay here and try to start work on my taxes.
Am sorry I’ve been so slow is writing but know that you are daily in my prayers for Lent.