I had a good night’s sleep but I forgot to check and see what Masses I had today. I was sure it wasn’t the 6:30am; so I got up around 7am. I came over to the office and I did have the 8:30 Mass, so I made it. I worked at the desk because I knew I had the 11am Mass also. However, Fr. Jim stopped in (although he is on vacation, he is really hiding in his room) and offered to say the 11:00 Mass. That worked out well as I had doctors appointments at 2 and 3 pm and then went to Holy Cross Academy and said Mass at 5pm for the girls soccer team, who are in a tournament starting tomorrow. It was fun to be at the former convent of the High School because Sister Catherina, who was my 8th grade teacher lived there in semi – retirement and I went there to say Mass for the sisters and joined them for supper a number of times about twenty years ago. Claire Helms, who is now the president of Holy Cross attended the Mass. I knew her over thirty years ago when she was the assistant superintendent of schools in Washington. We had a nice visit afterwards.
Things went very well at the doctors. I was getting blood taken and just checking in. Both suggested that I should use the oxygen when I walk up the steps or do any exertion for awhile; so I am doing that from now on. It means that I’ll leave a bottle at the botton of the steps and use it as I go up. I’ll just have to remember to bring in it back down in the morning. I’ll try.
Tomorrow, I know have the 11am Mass, so I think I’ll head over and go to bed early.
Please keep a fellow, named “Boomer” who was a sad case when I was in St. Michael’s. He drank too much, and lived off the street, he use to come by the rectory before visiting his parents graves and I’d find a little food for him. (I found out later, he use to hide a bottle out there so he came to me first.)I couldn’t help but like him because he had the nicest smile. He died this week and Fr. Lee arranged for him to be able to be buried with his parents in the parish cemetery. They called him boomer because he was born on the fourth of July and was like fireworks, he lit up the place. His real name was Robert. May he R.I.P.
Fr. Lee sounds as pastoral as you are!