I had a very full day and I enjoyed all of it. I started by having the 7:30am Mass. I used my oxygen thoughout the Mass and Ryan, the seminarian was a great help to me, and I learned a lot about using the oxygen at Mass.
I used the Gospel message about not being worried or confused and trusting in God and Jesus. I also talked about people worrying about the end of the world on May 21st. It went well.
After Mass, I went to my office and did some more cleaning. Around 9:40am, I got in the car and drove to Stone Ridge, which is a wonderful school for girls that has students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. I went for a Mass that was held for families whose daughters were thinking of coming next September. I think there were about 140 people there, many were siblings of prospective students. Again the Mass went well. They invited me to stay for a cookout but I was ready to go home. It was very hot and humid here today.
When I got home, I found that Rick and Peg Jensen had come by because according to the bulletin, I had the 10:30 Mass at the parish. Ever since the announcement of John’s transfer, we’ve been changing the Mass schedule almost daily because there is so much going on. They had left a message on my cell and I called them. They were visiting their daughter’s job’s new office, which is about 10 blocks from here. So we agreed to meet at Clyde’s for lunch. Kate joined us for part of it and we three stayed and just talked. Yesterday, was their 34th wedding anniversary, at which I officated. They have always been two of my favorite cousins and have gone on a number of cruises with our gang. We just had a great time together.
When I got home, I got ready for the 5:30pm Mass. I like that crowd a lot and today we also had the 7th graders come up and be enrolled in the preparation for Confirmation for next year. Many of the candidates were students I taught last year in 6th grade religion and it was neat to enroll them with a nice ceremony.
After Mass, I came over to the rectory backyard and about 10 young men who are interested in learning about the seminary joined with about 30 seminarians and ten priest for a cookout. They had a Mass around 5pm in the chapel and then had a discussion with the vocation director and Fr. John; and then came over to our place for the cookout. I sat at the table with six of them as well as Rob Moro, who was the DRE here when I came and left and just finished his first year at Mt. St. Mary’s. I also saw Patrick Mullan and Fr. Patrick Riffle, both of whom had been with me in Southern Maryland. I was glad to meet the new fellows and to learn about them.
So I came up here and have relaxed all evening and watched some TV and did some reading in history and I think I’m ready for bed. It was a very good day and I’m glad that the world didn’t end yesterday.
Any word on Fr. John’s replacement????