I have a few moments free before I go up to say the 11:00am Mass and I will start this and finish it up this afternoon.
Yesterday, Monday, I had the 10:30am Mass at one of our nursing homes and Ryan went with me. It was nice but only four people came down to Mass. It was very hot outside and I was glad to find the air conditioning was on in the home but in the room where we had Mass, I think the heat was turned on because it was very warm. I think the patients were comfortable but I wasn’t. I was glad to get back in the car and get home.
I had intended to spend the rest of the day inside.
However, Lila and four of the teachers from St. Michael’s were here at our school taking a workshop. So we all went to Clyde’s for lunch and had lots of laughs and updates.
Then, I took a nap and we priests had supper together at 6:10pm. We are going to try to make that a routine. 6:10 will make it possible for the person who has the 5:30pm Mass to finish and join us. Lunch is also being served at 12:30. I’ll try to do that but I forget about lunchtime.
I have spent most of the morning after the 8:00am Mass trying to straighten out my wedding papers down in North Carolina. They are different than ours here in DC and I sent the wrong part of the license to the church. A very nice staff member, Val at Holy Redeemer has sent off the proper part to the state and now I can relax.
(4:50PM)
After finishing the part above, I got ready for the 11:00am Mass. Fr. Ron has his mom visiting and she had a doctor’s appointment, so I took his Mass. It was well attended – although it was almost 100 degrees outside. I spoke again about how much I enjoy the Old Testament and I hope more people read it; starting with Chapter 19 in Genesis through the first chapters of Exodus, so people will have a good sense of Salvation History – From Abraham to Moses.
Afterwards, I blessed a very nice Filipina’s new car and then I drove Ryan to Lisner House so he could drop off some Catholic Standards and the bulletins, which we forgot yesterday. The people love to read them and know what’s happening.
Then I drove over to the Pines of Rome, one of my favorite restaurants and met with Diane Leach Flanigan. She was up here from Florida for a meeting and would be free for about an hour while Dan, her friend had another meeting. We thought he might join us but his meeting ran longer. So we shared some white pizza and drinks and caught up.
When I got back, I worked at my desk and then took a nap. Now I am over in the office again and about to go over to Limerick’s Pub, in Wheaton. Paul Belford, who wrote a book called “Swampoodle” is giving a reading tonight. Fr. Mike Roach, who teaches Church History at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary is meeting me there. It will great to see him as he celebrates his 40th anniversary of ordination. He vested me as a deacon, 40 years ago. I am taking two books over to share with him, that the author, Paul Warren sent to me this morning. They are about the Jesuits and Gonzaga High School. We met at the retreat last week. My life is beautifully full.