I didn’t get a chance to write yesterday because I was like a doctor and had appointments and events all day.
I went to visit a lovely 92 year old lady, who is the regular Communion call of my friend and parishioner, Brian. He is in Florida with his family; so I went. I had visited her in the past. She is from Johnstown, Pa and came here as an 18 year old to work in the government. She has had a very exciting life and has travelled around the world. We had a great time.
Then I had to drop my suit off at the cleaners.
I had the 11:00am and I preached again (it was a different congregation than the 8am the other day) about how Elizabeth and Zacariah were not in their 80’s but were probably in their 20’s. They were about to celebrate their 10th anniversary of marriage. That was not a happy time as, since he was a priest and needed a son for the priesthood to continue; if Elizabeth did not produce a son within ten years, the law required that Zachariah divorce her and take another wife to have a son. My homily has led to some very interesting conversations. I had some confessions after Mass, we usually make that available on Fridays.
Then I cleared all my voice mails and emails and talked to lots of people. My desk is nearly clean!!
Then Chris Core, a parishioners and local radio personality, drove me over to visit one of his Communion Calls. A lovely 91 year old (who told me she was 80) from the Domincan Republic. We had a great visit and then Chris dropped me off at Chevy Chase House and I had Mass. After that, Joan picked me up and brought me back to the office.
Then I had a person come for confession. I called Dan and Stephanie Poje (Mimi, her Mom was there visiting) and had a nice visit by phone.
Then I took a nap.
At 6:30 I went to Maggiano’s Italian Restaurant and met Maggie, her son, Mike and his wife, Sue and Sue’s Mom, Janice, whom they had just picked up at the airport. She came from Kansas to spend Christmas here. We had a delicious meal and lots of laughs. I got home by 9pm and went to bed.
This morning, I got up and came over to the office by 9:00am. Have heard some confessions and met with a parishioner who is undergoing treatment and just wanted to talk.
I will go up to say the 11:00am Mass and then go take a nap as I have the 4:00pm Mass in the church for Christmas Eve. I just learned that the readings with be the Midnight Mass readings and that may change my homily a little. So a nap and some resting in the Lord might help me to work on my homily.
After Mass, one of our parishioners always sends in a delicious supper; so we three priest will sit down to a nice supper.
The others have Masses at 6 & 8 but I’ll relax till I come over and concelebrate the Midnight Mass. I like concelebrating because I don’t have to worry about the servers and getting things together for the Offertory; I can just sit there, listen to the music, and by name, speak out in my heart all of you – special people that I love and am grateful for God’s putting you in my life.
Know that you and your intentions will be lifted into His presence. Have a very Blessed Christmas. I will write tomorrow after the 10:30am Mass.
Joe and I were just talking about how we would fit in a meal with Masses at 4-6-8. I brought cereal, banana and milk. I’ll have to find a “meals on wheels” person for next year!
You will be on MY list of folks for whom I am grateful!!!!