What Paddy Shot At

Don’t know where Wednesday and Thursday went. I guess it’s all the rain that threw off my sense of time.

On Wednesday, I had the 11:ooam Mass and then headed over to the St. John Vianney House for our monthy meeting and lunch for the “retired, senior priest, old guys” gathering. I got there in time for the meal and had a great time sitting with Tom Kane and Jim Beattie. I had seen both of them at the cookout but didn’t get the chance to talk with them. I always enjoy their humor and their attitudes about church matters. I think I came home and spent the rest of the day over in the rectory. I really hate walking in the rain. I worked on the computer and finished reading about Mrs. Mattingly. Fr. Paul Liston asked me to write a book review, so I started to work on that. I also got a phone call to tell me that Deacon Bob Connolly had a minor stroke. I spoke with Jane and she said he is doing better but is staying in the hospital. Please keep him and Jane in your prayers.

On Thursday, I had the 6:30am Mass. Everyone – including me – was surprised to see me. I woke up around 4am and just napped because I was so afraid that I’d oversleep. Since I was up, I went down and worked at the desk until about noon. Then I took a nap and Jerry Trancone came by at 3 and left his car. Then I drove out to Laurel and we met Glen Rosenberger at his house. We went to Olive Garden for an early supper. It was good to see Mr. R (whom we call “Father”) and catch up on him and all the family. He looks great and although he has lost some weight, he keeps busy. We all miss Mrs. R (whom we called “Mother”). They lived two doors down from me and she was the head adult advisor for the teen club at St. B’s when I was young. She also worked with Fr. T when he was the moderator. She died last year and left a large space in all our lives.
We had a good dinner ( and I ate correctly). The trip home for T and me took almost an hour. The beltway was like a parking lot because of the rain. I heard later that 10 inches of rain fell. If that were snow, it would have been 10 feet! I was glad to get home and retreat to my room. Went to bed early because I wanted to get up early (again!!) on Friday.

Today, Friday, I came over to the center around 6:50am because on the first Friday, some men of the parish come to the 6:30 Mass and then gather for a talk. The group is called “Christ in the marketplace”. The speaker today was Tim Shriver, a parishioner and the director of the Special Olmpics. He was great. I won’t do justice to the conversation but I was most impressed by one thing he said in particular. He said that every parent fears that their child will be different because society will isolate them. Yet, every child is different and we have to help the child, other children, adults, and society recognize the differences and help everyone to celebrate and support each person. He was very impressive as a man of faith. I’m so glad I got up.

At 10:00am, I had the Mass at the Methodist Home. I hadn’t been there in a couple months and it was nice to see all the people again. They were so funny because they thought I had lost a lot of weight (not a lot but I did make another hole in my belt) but they thought I was too thin!!! I love them but they’re not seeing too well! I had a good homily about St. Peter Claver and I had a good time.

I came home and ate the rest of the Jello. I need to see how many calories that is. It’s sugar free so it can’t be much. Then I took a nap. I came back to the office and then went to Chevy Chase House for Mass. I hadn’t been there either for awhile and they were glad to see me. Josephine Hillyard, who went to high school with my Mom lives there and she too noticed I’d lost weight. I enjoyed the affirmation!!!

I just looked outside and the sun is shinning. Deo Gracias!! I did some more work at the desk and lots of phone calls about upcoming Baptisms; so I think I’ll go back to the rectory, have some dinner, and work upstairs and go to bed early. These 6:00am risings are not what I like! Just got a message from Sister Kass. It’s 80 degrees and beautiful in Texas. She is up in the panhandle and not near the wildfires! I’m happy for her because she – like me – hates driving and going out in the rain! See you tomorrow.

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