I had the 11am Mass on Monday, July 25th and immediately after that I headed towards Latrobe, Pa for the 65th annual Priests Day at St. Vincent’ s Seminary. It was a great day to drive and although I drove through two rainstorms, I didn’t mind because I knew it meant that I was heading towards a cooler place than DC has been. I got there about 4pm and Bob Norton and Tom Kredel were already at the hotel. I checked in and the three of us drove around Latrobe looking for restaurants. They all seemed to be closed on Monday so we ended up at the Italian Restaurant at the airport. The food was great and we sat through a few more rainstorms and by the time we got out, it was too cool for them – Not for me – Great breezes!!!
We watched the President and the Speaker of the House on TV. Then since I think my airconditioning was at 67, they headed to their room. I read some more of my newest book, Mrs. Mattingly’s Miracle. It is a fascinating account of the cure of the mayor of Washington, DC’s sister in 1824. I had heard of the miracle but I am enjoying the book and all the work that went into it. It is a 2010 book. I watched some TV and then fell asleep.
On Tuesday, we all had breakfast together as part of the reservation and then we went over to the Abbey church for the 11am Mass. I would think there were about 60 or 70 of concelebrating. The presider and homilist was the new Bishop of Altoona/Johnstown. I think his name was Mark. He had been a spiritual director at the seminary in Erie for 20 years. He was very good and I am thinking of writing something about his homily. I prayed for our seminarian, Ryan and all his fellow seminarians as a thanks for his going through my car and finding under the seat, the parish beeper, which I had and lost!! I was really feeling badly but St. Anthony did come through.
After Mass, we went to the Roger’s center for drinks and a great luncheon. I sat with Bob and Tom and Rich Wesolowski. Brothers Ben and Elliot sat with us as did Bob Ahlen and Jim Gaston, priests of Greensburg. I saw Fr. Vernon, who tells me he’d be talking to Fr. Luke Callahan soon, so I asked him to send my greeting. He was a great help to me when I was a seminarian. Of course, we all talked to Archabbot Douglas, our classmate, who told us he would like to host the dinner for our 40th anniversary next May. That would be great as coming back to St. Vincent’s is always like coming home.
I spent the afternoon taking a nap back at the hotel and around 5pm, Keith Morris came and he and I went out to supper. Sheila was babysitting so it was just us guys. We had a great time and a good talk because I had three Margueritas and was very loquacious!!. Also I slept very soundly that night.
Today, I got up around 9 and stopped to buy some lottery tickets and then headed home. I just finished the 5:30pm Mass and am waiting for a couple to pick me up and drive me to one of the parishioners’ home for the fourth session of pre-Cana. I did the first one earlier this months and the two lead couples have been meeting with our four engaged couples and tonight is the last session. I really enjoyed the first one and know this will be a nice closing. I think I’ll send this in and write again tomorrow.
Thanks for the update! Sounds like cooler weather and good friends are a great combo!