Yesterday, Saturday was a full day for me. I didn’t sleep well because of the coughing but I drove over to St. Bernard’s for Mary Windsor’s funeral. I was so pleased to see that they were lots of people there. I didn’t feel up to concelebrating, so I sat in the pew with my sister, Marie. Fr. John Clark, a dear friend of Mary’s presided and preached. He invited people to speak after Communion and a number did – including me. Mary was especially good in helping the Spanish community to develop at the parish and I wanted to say that. There was a luncheon afterwards but I really needed to come home and go back to bed.
I did that and slept so I was ready to go with Marie and Maggie over to Peg and Rick Jensen’s for a delicious dinner and to play cards. It was so much fun and reminded me of those card nights at Gramdmom and Grandpop O’Connell’s. “Aunt” Shelia, who is Kate’s Godmother and works at the Madera School joined us. It was so good to see her and “catch up”. Kate, Christopher and his friend, Halley also came by. We stayed till 11pm. When we were leaving, it was snowing and very windy and at times I drove 10 miles an hour through the city. I called Maggie and Marie to make sure they got home OK. Everyone did!
This morning, I had the 10:30 Mass in the gym. It was “in pew” day for the Cardinal’s Appeal. We also listened to a tape of the Cardinal. I think the kids were very good and very patient. I think it went well. Afterwards, I tried to get into the room where Chris Matthew was answering questions and signing his new book on John Kennedy. It was just so crowded, that I came down to my office instead. But I could hear yelling and so I went up to the second floor. It was packed with parishioners but there wer about 8 protestors screaming out and pushing people. I went over and asked them to stop yelling and those that didn’t stop, I asked them to leave. Some of the men parishioners also tried to lead them out but they were “out of control”, screaming about abortion and hypocrisy, etc I went and called 911. Told them who I was and asked them to send the police. I was afraid it would get violent. The men all left and I went outside to wait for the police. When a police car came, I went out. The men across the street were saying to the police, “Oh, we had a disagreement but we left as soon as they asked us”. I said, “That is not true, officer and I would like you to come in. I believe there are some other people causing trouble still in the building.” He came in and by that time, three women were screaming out. I asked him to remove them. They didn’t go quietly, condemning both Fr. Percy and me to hell for our sin in allowing this man to speak as they were led out.
It was exhausting and so upsetting to our parishioners, especially the older ones. I stayed calm throughout but I’m sure my blood pressure was off the chart.
I stayed till everyone had gone and then I drove down to Southern Maryland to meet with my TEAM couples. We had a great and spiritual meeting and dinner. I just got home and I am off to bed. I hope to get some sleep. I have the 11am Mass tomorrow.
Ah, the life of a parish priest!!!
Ah, the life of a RETIRED parish priest…..ahem!
You will never get rid of that cold if you keep running. Rest! Rest! Rest!