I don’t know where the times goes. I don’t think I’ve been that busy but I don’t seem to roll as easily as I use to when change occur. I had last week all laid out and then Becky Lindberg died. She was a parent of a child in the school at St. Michael’s. She discovered that she had a brain tumor about six years ago. She came to see me as the pastor and we had a very strong prayer relationship. She had great strength and as she went through the treatment, she was an inspiration to the parish and me. Unfortunately, the cancer came back and she was dying. Her sister called me to see if I would do the funeral. I told her yes but I had no idea it was that close. So in addition to going to Maggie’s for the first anniversary Mass for Mac, which was a very nice celebration and a good time for all the family to be together – I changed my schedule and ended up doing the wake for Bec on WEdnesday night and stayed at Maggie’s that night and then had the funeral on Thursday at St. Michael’s. I missed Cardinal Baum’s 60th anniversary celebration at the Shrine and got home in time for Exposition and the 5:30pm Mass.
Friday was the 39th anniversary of my ordination and I had made plans but they changed to and suddenly the week was almost over. On Saturday, at 10:00am I had a very nice Mass for two students whose families were away last week and could not have First Communion with their classmates. The Mass in the chapel was lovely and the new seminarian, Ryan Pineta helped me. Afterwards we went to a brunch with the families.
Two friends from Chicago were in town to sightsee and so I tried to be with them sometimes and again suddenly the week was over.
Today is Fr. Jim Beattie’s 50th anniversary of ordination and so I have the 10:30am Mass and then will go to St. Bart’s for his Mass at noon. I promise to try to be more faithful to writing next week.
Sometimes people die at the most inconvenient time and wreck a well-planned schedule!!! Glad you are able to fold some fun times between the grieving times.