40 years ago today, I drove up to the rectory at St. Camillus parish in Silver Spring to begin my assignment as associate pastor. It seems like only yesterday. (Too many memories are rolling around in my head and my heart)
Last night, after I wrote that I was going to bed; I talked with Jeff Healander. He and Beth were up here visiting friends. They were kind enough to invite out to the gathering and I had a great time. Three other former students from Good Counsel were there. It was so good to see them and hear about their lives. I met their wives, who didn’t seem to mind our going down memory lane about GC.
The couple who were hosting the party turned out to be “almost” relatives. First, her maiden name is O’Connell. She knew Sister Catherina, who was my 8th grade teacher and he is from Lynn, Mass. where my Mom was born. They have a daughter, Isabella and a son, Vincent whom I am thinking of adopting. I met Jeff and Beth’s three daughters, whom I am adding to my little family as well. Now I just have to find a house! It was a great evening.
This morning, I get two phone calls. One from Tish Rossi, whom I taught CCD with in Greenburgh and whom I haven’t seen in 15 years. She and Joanne, her sister were visiting in Rockville. We couldn’t get together but will do so when they come again in the Fall.
The other call was from Brother bonaventure, a Xavierian brother who was principal at GC and got Cardinal Baum to send me there as chaplain. We had a great talk.
Then I had the 11am Mass and went to Surburban Hospital to visit Larry Pendergraph, an old friend from St. Camillus who was in cardiac care. He is getting better and I had a chance to see his wife, Mary and his brother in law, Matt Carroll, who is the father of Deacon Matt, a Dominican who did his seminary ministry here at Blessed Sacrament the first year I was here. Such a small world in the church, why can’t we agree and change the face of the earth???
Today in honor of my anniversary at St. Camillus, I went and visited Joan Beall. I wanted to see Mary Mudd too but she had a doctor’s appointment. The two of them were my mentors about so many things in my years as a young priest, but most especially about the teen club. The made me a very good moderator and our club was the best in the Archdiocese. Ah, the memories!!!!
We had terrible storms here all afternoon and evening; but I missed them because I drove down to Maggie’s and took a nap. Kerri and Tim, Maggie, Marie and I played cards and had a nice visit. Around 11pm, as the weather had improved, I decided to drive home and sleep in my own bed. We have 8th grade graduation at noon tomorrow and then I have the 5:30pm Mass. My leg is still slowing me down and so I hope to sleep in and have an easy day.
Can’t believe you drove home last night! But then, you most likely did not watch TV. Flooding and downed trees and police asking folks to stay off the roads. You do have an active Guardian Angel!!!
it was great talking to you, we will get together when we come back to visit my niece. please take care and you are always in my prayer.
I need to get back to Maryland so I can make it in the BLOG again! You were so great to come all the way to Olney to see us. You are a big something special to me, Msgr. O!