Life just seems to fly by.
Thursday night I just stayed in the hotel and watch a movie, “The Iron Lady”. I had meant to see it before the Oscars but just was too busy. I’m sure it would have been different on the big screen but I enjoyed it very much. Meryl is a great actress and you just felt like you were watching Margaret Thatcher. I learned some things and I think now, I’d like to read a couple of books on her – Maybe on the cruise.
Friday, I got up and ate breakfast at the hotel; then walked – yes walked – the length of the building, and I was in the Hilton Hotel, where the congress was being held. I went to the key notes. One was a Doctor who spoke about Catholic Relief Services and the work they do. She had a great video that I think should get a TV showing, so people, but especially Catholics can know the wonderful work that is done with their contributions to CRS. The second key note was Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, who wrote “My life with the saints” and “From Heaven to Mirth” and is the editor of America magazine. He talk, which was on hope, was terrific and I enjoyed every word.
Afterwards, I went down to the exhibits, which I always enjoy. Of course, I ran into lots of old friends from my every enlarging Catholic circle. It was great to see them and catch up. Joe, John, and Terry didn’t come down and so I was sorry not to see them. I saw Sr. Kass and we had lunch. Then I went home and took a nap. I came back for one more presentaion by Dr. Somebody, who is speaking at the NCEA in Boston on Catholic Identity. He was very good and I recommend him to those going to Boston. I decided to come home early as I wanted to sleep in my own bed.
Saturday, we had our first Confirmation at 9:30am. Bishop Holley was great and the kids loved him and the rite. We had a nice luncheon over in the rectory with the bishop and three of the staff and we priests. It was catered and very tasty. Then we had our second Confirmation at 1:30pm. Again, it was lovely and went very well. Then I had the 5:30pm and was picked up by Julia’s father and taken to their home. I was Julia Elizabeth’s sponsor. She asked me a year ago and I was very pleased as she is only the 5 person to ask me in 40 years.
We had a tremendous buffet at her house and another Confirmanda, Sara and her family joined us as did relatives and friends. It was very relaxing and I had a good time. I came home around 9pm and was ready for bed.
This morning, I had the 9:00am Mass and then I relaxed in my office till I went up to give a presentation on Freedom in Maryland to a group of people involved in the parish outreach programs. There were about 40 people and my presentation went well and we had lots of questions and discussion.
Then I went and did a “teaching Mass” for the 140 children getting prepared to receive First Communion with their families and relatives. It went well but I don’t do as good a job because I don’t know the Mass by heart, like I use to. But no one seemed to mind.
Then I met with some people from the retreat I am participating in in July down at Camp Maria for a little prep.
Now I am waiting for Rick and Peg Jensen to come and teach me some more about how to use my I-Pad2. I have lots of questions and they are both very good at this. I imagine that we’d end up by going to Clyde’s. I don’t have to get up early tomorrow as I have the 11:00am Mass and the 5:30pm; so I don’t care how late we stay out.
Oh, I see them driving up! Time for class.
I don’t know about you, but by Saturday afternoon I was totally beat! There were 9 of us from OLPH on Saturday. We met for lunch and everyone was bursting with excitement about what they had heard and experienced.
Multilingual Stations went well….think we will do it again in either week 5 or 6. Whew!