What Paddy Shot At

As I predicted: It’s been a quiet week here.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and then returned to the rectory and stayed in the air-conditioning. It was hot and humid.

On Wednesday, I had the 8am Mass and worked on baptismal matters most of the morning in my office. I used the oxygen for the exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. Went home right after Mass.

On Thursday, Brian came and picked me up and we went to the pastoral center to meet about the can goods’ drive. It went well and they are happy that we are doing it.
Then I met Maryann and Marie for an early dinner and to be early. Terrible storm during the night that woke me up – no easy task!!

Today, I just hung around my suite and used the oxygen. Joined the guys for lunch. John Williams was there and is heading out to Indianapolis to teach at a Jesuit school. He’ll be a great teacher. Jack just put out the monstrance for adoration in the chapel as there is a wedding rehearsal at 4 in the church. I will have the 5:30 in the church and then go home. I kept the oxygen on most of the day. It does make a difference on these “muggy” days.

Tomorrow, I have the 8am Mass and then I’ll drive to Leonardtown for my TEAM meeting. Joe Stoutz might stop by in the evening.

I believe that I have not reported on the week of June 16th to the 21st, so here goes:

On Monday, the 16th, we had the annual “pool party” for the seniors at Rita’s brother’s home. It is always a lot of fun and good food. Jack, the seminarian and I went and picked up Msgr. Duffy. Everyone was happy to see him. When we returned, Jack did the exposition for me and I took a nap. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and after supper, I said the prayer at an Eagle ceremony in the chapel. It was as impressive as I remembered it down in St. Mary’s county.

On Tuesday, I had the 8am Mass and then drove out to Bowie and met Jim. He is from Wisconsin and we met through Mike Witte. I really enjoyed our visit and he talked like Roger (a seminary friend from Wisconsin). I was planning to go to see Mike Roach but a kind lady pulled along side my car and said, “Sir, I don’t know if you know this but your left tire is almost flat!” Well, I didn’t know it and I stopped and got air but on the road to Mike’s, I stopped for gas and the tire was low again. I got more air and came home. That night was the Play reading group; so I went there and had a great time.

On Wednesday, the 18th, the facilities’ men checked the tire and put on the spare. I went back to where I bought the tire and they checked it (It had a nail!!) but they repaired it and I came home for exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. that night, was our deanery cookout (we stayed inside the air- conditioned rectory). I met a number of young priests and saw old friends like Ron Jameson and Jim Lockman. Later that night, I drove up and visited Loretta and Andy Favret, which was very nice. I stayed the night at a hotel in Frederick, Md.

On Thursday, I got early and went to see Fr. Michael Roach. It was like we’d been together last week. I do love and admire him.
Then, I went and heard confessions; got some food and went to Fr. Mike Blackwell’s wake with Fr. T. Then I drove to Lexington Park and stayed at the Hampton. I slept very well.

On Friday, the 20th, I met Pat Mullin for breakfast and a nice long talk. Then I had a light lunch with Susan Cassidy and went and had a nap. The wedding rehearsal was at 6pm at the old chapel and we ate, drank, and laughed at the McCoy farm. I got to meet Steven’s family and see Mary Beth’s !!

On Saturday, I met a lot of the McCoys in the lobby of the hotel and then Fr. Mike Dolan picked me up and we got a bite to eat and then went to his son’s home on the St. Mary River and just talked and talked. The wedding was at 6pm and about 180 people fit into the chapel. It was warm but not hot and the ceremony, which they had developed was lovely and meaningful. The reception was at the farm under a huge tent and with a very large dance They had a big chair for me and people were kind enough to come to me. Oh, so many kids whom I though were still 11 years old are now in their 20’s!!! But I loved seeing everyone even if I only had time for a kiss. I’ll see many of them again and have a chance to talk on July 19th, Mrs. McCoy’s birthday celebration at the farm.
I drove home that night and was asleep very quickly!

I did write on the morning of Sunday, the 22nd and so this brings you up to date.

Sunday afternoon, I did host that reunion of the St. Camillus Teen group and we ate (they brought too much food!!!) and laughed for hours. I think the last guest left around 10pm. It was great to see them all but we all were so glad that Mark and Valerie (from the West coast!!) could join us. Douglas Lee should do “stand up”. He was a riot!!! Also it was Jay’s birthday and I think we sounded like the Sistine Chapel choir as we say “Happy Birthday”. It’s still true: Like your first girlfriend, your first parish always has a special part of your heart!!!!

So, today is Monday, the 23rd. I will have the 5:30pm Mass and then go home to supper. Fr. Damian came to visit and he and I met Lila (the principal of St. Michael’s) and Robin, her office manager for lunch at Clyde’s. I am stuffed. It was a quiet day at the parish center but I did get a new computer and it is so much faster and more dependable than the old one. I just have to learn its’ tricks.

This week is not very busy so I may not write till the end of the month.

Well, I didn’t get back on the 17th and now it is the 22nd. I just finished the 7:30am Mass and am going to just stay around the office till the 12:30pm Mass, which I will concelebrate for this feast day of our parish. There is a procession after Mass but I will go instead over to the rectory. I am hosting a “get together” for some of the former teen club members of St. Camillus parish. Mark Gribbin is in town for his Godchild’s marriage and he and Valerie, his friend have come here from Seattle for the wedding. So we asked them to join, Joan Beall, Sharon Beall, Doug Lee, Eileen Lee Baughan and her husband, Jay, and Mike Jones and I for some food and drink and laughs! Looking forward to it.

But first, I think I stopped on Wednesday, June 11th.

On Thursday, the 12th, I had a wonderful experience. I met Fr. Ray Fecteau at a nice seafood restaurant and he brought with him, Michael Raleigh. Mike was a student at Good Counsel who graduated in 1982. He has been a police officer in Montgomery County for 24 years. Fr. Ray is the chaplain for the police and he arranged the little reunion. We laughed and remembered – for a couple of hours! We hope to get together again.
That evening, we had a very fruitful meeting (and delicious dinner) with the baptismal prep group.

On Friday, I concelebrated the last school Mass of the year and then had the 11am Mass, exposition at 3 and then the 5:30pm Mass. I was tired… and went to bed early.

On Saturday, I had the 8am Mass and then a delightful blessing of a marriage at 11am in the chapel. It was a small group and I went out with them for lunch. We had a great time. I came back in time for the confessions at 4pm. I was suppose to have a meeting at 7pm but he didn’t come, so I went home and went to bed early.

On Sunday the 15th, I had the 9am Mass and then concelebrated the 12:30. Rob Maro, who had ordained a deacon the day before, preached at the Mass. His homily was excellent and very pastoral. Everyone was so proud of him and happy for him!!
I had to skip the reception and go and pick up my cousin, Ann O’Connell. Then, we stopped and picked up Marie and Maggie and drove to Mary Beth’s, where Maggie’s kids had prepared a great cookout. The kids used the pool and us elders just sat and “caught up”. Got home around 10pm and was glad to get to bed.

I don’t have my appointment book with me and so I don’t know what happened last week – I’ll write again later this week.

A week and a half have gone by and I’ll have to read carefully my appointment book to see where it went.

When last I wrote it was the Vigil of Pentecost. On Sunday, I had the 12:30 Mass and talked about the Pope and the meetings in Rome. Since we are 6 hours later than Rome, the prayer service was going on during our Mass and I asked everyone to join in praying for the success of the gathering. After Mass, I watched it on TV. I do hope that something good and lasting can come from their time together. Keep that in your prayers.
I then joined Fr. Jerry Trancone and the Petrone family for dinner at a Greek restuarant in Colesville. I’d never eaten Greek and I liked the lamb and other things they ordered (and told me not to ask what it was). We laughed and had a great time together – it had been awhile since we did that!

On Monday, I met with Ann about the baptismal program in preparation for a working dinner with the whole group on Thursday. It is quite a program and needs some “tweaking up”. I had the exposition and the 5:30pm Mass.

On Tuesday, the 10th, I picked up Joan Beall and we drove up to see Betty Neary. She is coming along well and was able to go out to lunch with us. Mary and the girls joined us. We had a great time. Betty’s therapy is going well and she might be able to go back to her apartment soon. She didn’t seem to have broken any bones. I got home late and went right to bed.

On Wednesday, the 11th, I met our summer seminarian. His name is Jack Barrard and he is a third year student at the North American College in Rome. He is the 5th of 10 children and his family lives in Prince George’s County. He went to Rossevelt High School. I think he’ll fit in well here at SBS and the people will like him. I do!
I met with a couple whose marriage I will bless on Saturday. Then I had exposition, 5:30pm Mass and met with a married couple who were in the baptismal prep program. Early to bed.

More later – I have to go upstairs for the 8am Mass.

I can’t believe a week had passed but it has!

On Friday, May 30, I had an appointment at 10am; and then the 11am Mass. Then I went and picked up Tom Duffy; and he and I went and picked up Jim Beattie. Then we drove to Fratelli’s, an Italian restaurant near St. Bernard’ and had lunch with Paul Hill. I do so enjoy being with these guys and we decided at our retirement meeting that we needed to get together. I dropped everyone off and got home for the 5:30pm Mass. Fr. Justin is on vacation and so we take turns having two Masses. I don’t mind but I went to bed during Jeopardy!

On Saturday, May 31, I had four baptisms and then graduation. I went and took a nap and then had the 5:30pm Mass. Then I just sat around and watched TV because I only had the 5:30pm the next day.

On Sunday, June 1, I watched the TV talk shows and then I had the “clergy-led baptismal class” at 1:45. I think I did a great job and making them feel welcomed and not to be nervous at the ceremony. I knew many of them through emails as we scheduled their dates. Grace, the sacristan was ill and so I set things up in the chapel. After the meeting a lovely couple (Kathleen Rosemary’ parents) spoke with me and told me that their baptism would be in New York. They asked me to write to the pastor and tell him they had taken classes and had permission to have the baptism at his parish. They gave me to envelopes – one addressed to the parish and one to send a copy to them. I said “sure”! And I went and said the 5:30pm Mass

Well, on Monday, June 2, I spent most of the morning retracing my steps to see if I could find those two envelopes. Had Mass at 11; exposition at 3pm and Mass at 5:30pm. I went to bed early because I was so annoyed with myself.

Got up early on Tuesday, June 3, since we were having the last session of “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was “Graduations I remember”. There were wonderful stories of their graduations. I leaned that in France and Venezuela, there have no graduation ceremony or party. One lady told us of the tradition her Mom began when the first of the nine children graduated from high school of a special party that all the relatives came to. The cooked for days before and cleaned the whole house. She lived out on a farm in the country and relatives travelled over 40 miles but each child felt special on their graduation day. It was very touching! I came home and took a nap; had supper and watched TV.

On Wednesday, June 4, I had the 11am Mass and since I still couldn’t find those envelopes, I cleaned and cleared my desk! They were not there! I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I had an appointment and I sent an email to that nice couple telling them that an old priest should not be in charge of stuff. Would they send me the address again – not an envelope!

On Thursday, June 5, I drove up to Arundel Mills and had a late breakfast with Kass. We caught up and laughed and talked. I left around 1pm and went to St. Luke’s and heard confessions. Then I came home and had supper with Fr. Ron.

On Friday, June 6, I realized that from previous emails I had the names and addresses; so I got the letters typed and ready to go – and Fr. Ron, who was doing a Friday morning baptism, came and said, “Are these your envelopes? There were in the baptismal rite book!” I hugged him and finally sent those letters to the proper places and continued cleaning my desk. Afterwrds, I had an appointment and then the 11am Mass; then another appointment. I took a nap and did exposition and the 5:30pm Mass. I had supper with Fr. Ron and went to relax with the TV

Today is Saturday, June 7, 2014. I went to a graduation party for Abby’s 8th grade. I would like to say I married her parents but it was in Wisconsin on the weekend of the Thank You Party at St. Bernard’s and I couldn’t go. They have forgiven me and I am faithful for First Communions, Confirmations, and graduations. I had a great time because I know and love the grandparents. One lives nearby and I see more often but the other two are in Wisconsin so I always enjoy catching up with them. Lake Michigan froze over this winter and even the ice breakers got stuck!!! Oh I don’t miss that part about Wisconsin! I just finished the 5:30pm Vigil Mass. Oh, Keep the Pope, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the President of Israel, and the President of the Palestinians in your prayer as they meet on Pentecost in Rome.

And that was my week – Oh I spent a lot of time on the phone. Betty Neary is much better and in re-hab for her shoulder. Pat Watters is in Maine and doing fine on the car trip. Kerry is in the hospital – keep her and Tim (whose father had heart surgery) in your prayers. My cousin, Margaret Stoner is recuperating at her daughter and I hope to get by to see her. David and Kathy Haas are grandparents for the first time. Mozeltof!
Lastly, I learned that Father Barry Gross, who was a teacher at Good Counsel, when I was there and for many years has been the chaplain died peacefully in his chair in his living room a few days ago. Please keep him and the GC community in your prayers.
Have a very blessed and Spirited Pentecost!

Today is Thursday – and in some places, it is Ascension Thursday but it seems it isn’t here – More about that later. I want to bring you up to speed on what has been happening since Saturday, May 17th.

I wrote that day that I had just finished a baptism and was heading down to Maggie’s to spend the night. Well, I didn’t! Right after I sent off Paddy, I got a phone call from Paul and Ellen. They wanted to know if I was still coming to the luncheon meeting that I thought was scheduled for Sunday but was on Saturday. I told them I had another baptism and so I wouldn’t be there. Then I called Maggie and told her I wasn’t coming down as I didn’t have a meeting on Sunday in St. Mary’s County. I then told Fr. Ron that I would be around so I could take another Mass on Sunday. So I had the 12:30 and the 5:30. I did have the Confirmation Enrollment, which was very nice. I had a very easy day! Maggie, Sue and Mike, and Pat Dulaney, a friend from Florida, and I all went to a Portuguese restaurant downtown. They have all these extra foods and then they bring around lots of different kinds of meats on poles and you turn your little circle to green until you want a break and you turn the circle (like a drink coaster) to red and they stop. Mike and Sue treated us and it was great and we all had a wonderful time.

On Monday, the 19th, I had the 11am Mass and then we had moved “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” to Monday because we had to. Our topic was “Our Lady and many people brought statues and we talked about family customs. That night there was a catered supper for the RCIA group but I wasn’t feeling so good in the afternoon and went to bed early.

Tuesday, I still didn’t feel so good; so I said the 11am, got some soup and went back to bed. That night I did get up and go over to the library for the Play reading group. I didn’t read but I enjoyed the others. We had a great discussion afterwards.

On Wednesday, I went to St. Elizabeth’s for school confessions. I had exposition at 3 and Mass at 5:30. I went to bed early again.

On Thursday, I met with a lady who is not a Catholic but wants her two children to be baptized. We had a very good discussion and will meet again. Then I met Ann Sheridan for lunch and then went to St. Luke’s for confessions. I got there early (around 1:30) and walked to the elevator in the back. It had a sign that it was being repaired and wouldn’t be usable for 8 weeks. I was sure there was another one nearby and I walked to it and took it to the second floor. I walked back to the front and ran into a wall that would not allow me to go to the office I usually went to. So I walked back down the hall and then down two flights of steps and walked to the front and ask them to call the Sister who arranged for me to come. She came and was so apologetic because I was perspiring like a fountain. She arranged for a room on that hall and put up a note so people could find me. She also got me a glass of water and very soon my breathing was normal. Confessions were, as always, a time of grace. I drove home, had dinner with the guys and went to bed.

On Friday, I had the 8am Mass and went to Leisure World to visit a friend and have lunch. Then I headed to Southern Maryland. The traffic on 301 was bumper to bumper and I didn’t get to Loyola Retreat House till after 5pm. I was joining 27 other people for a retreat. They are members of Separated and Divorced Catholics and have an annual retreat over Memorial Day. It was my first experience and I want to say what a grace filled weekend it was.

Over the three days, I gave some reflections and they broke into small groups and discussed. I learned a lot. I heard of the pain, they experienced when they discovered that something they said vows in front of God to a person they loved, was over. Some people were divorced twenty years ago and some were just finishing up the separation and facing a divorce. Sadly, they also shared that the church and some of it members (as well as priests) had told them they were not welcome and couldn’t receive Communion and other erroneous statements. We had great liturgies and mealtime sharing. I felt honored to be with them.

One thing they mentioned was that they never heard about their situations at church. So I came home to the 5;30pm on Sunday and changed my homily. The second reading says, “Be prepared to share with other the reasons for your joy”. So I told them about the weekend and I ended by saying “if you know someone who is in this situation and they don’t feel welcome at church; you tell them to come here. This is their parish and they belong with us. The Pope wrote a letter in which he said to share the joy of the Gospel. You do that and give people hope.” As I walked to my chair, they applauded; and while I stood at the back of the church as they left, at least six people said they were divorced and they thanked me for making them feel welcomed. Ah, God is good. How good is the Good God!

Monday was Memorial Day and I was planning just to relax; fortunately, Sunday night I got a message from Fr. Bill Feeney. He was spending a week with his cousins in Columbia and was free Monday morning. I called him. We were roommates (in bunk beds) almost 50 years ago and have stayed “good friend”. I drove out to the McKayhill’s and visited with Mary and Bill. Kevin had to work. Then Bill and I went to Double T diner and had a sumptuous breakfast and sat and talked for almost three hours. I drove home and spent the evening watching a replay of the Memorial Day concert at the Capital. I cried a lot and I watched the Pope’s trip to the Holy Land. I mostly rejoiced but I think I cried too.
Also I received a phone call from Pat Powell. She and Dave moved out to Nevada a couple of years ago. She is Betty Neary’s cousin and was calling to tell me that Betty had a fall and was in the hospital in York, Pennsylvania. We had a good talk and I got Betty’s phone number.
I called her and she was in good spirits and NO PAIN. We talked for an hour

Tuesday was very interesting. We had our annual meeting for all the retired priests, the Cardinal, and the Retirement Board. We met at the St. John Vianney House and had a good meal. I always enjoy seeing the other retirees. I had Exposition at 3 and the 5:30pm Mass. I did call Betty again and she was still waiting to see about re-hab. I went to bed early because I knew that Wednesday would be full.

And Wednesday was, I met Pat Waters at the Bob Evan’s in Bowie at 9am. We had a delicious breakfast and I caught up on her situation. The doctors have cleared her and she learned a few more things about her diabetes. We went to see “Captain America”. It was exciting and full of those action scenes I love; but when it was over, I suggested we not go to another movie but instead go visit Barbara Ostrye. We did and she joined us by coming to the 5:30pm Mass at Blessed Sacrament. During the Mass, which had about 60 people there, it occurred to me that they might have come thinking it was the Vigil Mass for Ascension Thursday. I had done the readings and the prayers for Wednesday of the 6th Week of Easter. So I made an announcement that if they had come intending to celebrate Ascension; they were dispensed from the need to come the next day. After Mass, I learned that almost 12 years ago, the Cardinal moved the celebration of the Ascension to a Sunday and it will be June 1st. It good I retired!! Then, the three of us had supper at Savannah’s in Kensington. We took Barbara home and went and Pat picked up her car from Bob Evan’s parking lot and then I drove home. I had forgot to tell Pat to call me; so around 10pm, I called her brother Terry just to be sure she got home – and she did! She is leaving Sunday to drive back to Newfoundland.

Today, I slept in (it was not a Holy Day!!) and at Noon, Brian Mulholland picked me up and we went to Maggiano’s and met my cousin, Mike Caruso. His birthday is April 1st and we have been trying since then to get together. We had a great time and many laughs! We intend to do it again sooner than later. I interviewed a student from the school and am going over to have supper with the guys.

And now you know why the days just fly by. I’ve also been on the phone a lot; but I will try to be more regular in writing.

The week went by very quickly. It is now Saturday and I just finished a baptism. He was adorable and 8 months old. He paid attention to every word I spoke and he smiled at me often. His name is Graham Nicholas, so keep him and his family in your prayers. I have another baptism at 1pm, so I thought I’d just stay at my desk and “catch up”.

Last Saturday, I did have the 5:30pm but it was not the enrollment, which is tomorrow night.

I did have the 12:30 on Sunday, so I just relaxed in the morning and took a nap in the afternoon. Then I went to Peter and Barbara Dove’s for supper. She is Beth McCoy’s niece and we’ve been friend for years. She lives next door to Heidelberger’s, and they stopped by a visit. Mike Holland, a parishioner joined us for supper and we had a great time. We ate outdoors and the weather was perfect.

Monday, the 12th was a quiet day and except for adoration at 3 and the Mass at 5:30pm, I just worked in my office on baptisms.

Tuesday, I picked up Jim Beattie at 3pm and we went to the priests’ anniversary Mass and dinner at the Pastoral Center. I had a great time and saw lots of my priest friends. I sat with Frs. Beattie, Duffy, Enzler, Bazan, Boccabello, and Mikonos. It was a lively and loud table. I went to bed early.

Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then drove to Baltimore to have lunch with Sister Kass. We haven’t had a chance to get together for awhile and it was fun to “catch up”.

Thursday morning, I got a phone call from Joan Beall that Pat Watters was in the hospital. She had come to Joan’s on Wednesday night so as to avoid all the morning traffic. I was supposed to pick them up at Joan’s on Thursday and we were to drive to Betty Neary’s for lunch. Pat had an incident while sitting on the sofa and passed out. They could not revive her, so they called 911 and they brought her out of it. But as her blood sugar was so bad, they took to the hospital and kept her over night. She is a very serious diabetic and this could be life threatening. We cancelled the trip.

On Friday, I spent much of the day trying to get information on Pat and also on Ann Marie, my niece, who had an emergency gall bladder operation. Both are fine and have returned to their homes. Medical things are really frightening. I had the 5:30pm Mass and Martino came and helped. Then he, Fr. Ron, Fr. Justin, and Father Lucas and I went to a very nice Portuguese restaurant for a celebration of Lucas’ graduation, Fr. Ron’s 25th anniversary, Martino’s upcoming ordination to Deaconate, and Father Justin’s and my ordination anniversaries. (his 4 years, mine 42!). We had a great time and I was ready for bed by 9pm.

Today, I had the baptism and I have another at 1pm (please keep Morgan Elizabeth and her family in your prayers), then I’ll drive to Maggie’s and spend the night.

I have a TEAM meeting in Leonardtown at noon on Sunday, and then I will return to have the 5:30pm Mass (which will be the Enrollment Mass for Confirmation students). I think Maggie, Michael and Sue are coming so we can go out to supper together.

I have been very busy this week; it has led me to “re-think” some aspects of “retirement” – more about that later.

Last Saturday, I had a baptism at 1pm in the church. They were a lovely couple. His family is from Argentina and hers is originally from Spain. It turned out that her family had lived in Riverdale (between my years as a parishioner and those when I was pastor). The name was Fragale. We knew lots of people in common. We had a good time. Then I went back to my room and the AC.

On Sunday, I had the 10:30am Mass in the church. I got a little wound up and preached a long time on Emmaus. No one seemed to mind. Right after Mass, I had a baptism in the chapel. The baby was Kaitlin Elizabeth. I know we’re cousin but I’m not sure how it works. Kaitlin’s great grandmother is Helen Nolan, whose great grandmother was Ellen Lynch O’Connell. Ellen was my great-great grandmother. I like genealogy but it isn’t easy!! It was so nice to see that branch of the family. So many interesting careers are in the family. One of Kaitlin’s aunts returned the night before from a week of working in Haiti among the people displaced by the earthquake. I always have a good time with them. They were having a party but I wasn’t up to going.
Also, I had another baptism at 1:30pm. His name was Oliver Maxwell. He slept through most of it. Please keep him and Kaitlin and their families in your prayers.
Later, I went to supper with an old family friend. I was ready for bed around 8pm

On Monday, I had the 11am Mass and then drove to Bowie, where I met Gail Douglas for lunch. Her birthday was May 1st but we couldn’t get together till Monday. We had a nice leisurely lunch and “caught up”. It was great to see her.
I had supper in the rectory and then I went to RCIA and gave a presentation on “Ministries”. I wanted to let these wonderful people who came into the church at Easter that Blessed Sacrament has lots of activities and ministries in which their gifts would be most welcomed. It went well because this is a great parish.

On Tuesday, I called Richard, Bill, Bob, and Tom for their anniversary. 42 years ago, they were ordained for the Church of Pittsburgh. It was good to talk with them.
Then, I had a funeral at 11am. The deceased was the elderly lady I had gone to anoint last week. Her name is Jeanne and she was 98 years old. There was a good turnout for the funeral as she had been in the parish for many years, active in the Sodality, her children had gone through the school, and she had been an active member of the seniors group till recently. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
Since we didn’t go to the cemetery, I then went to “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was prayer and we had a good time. Two ladies from Leisure World joined us. I met with the Warren’s to learn more about the funeral on Wednesday. Then I took a nap. At 4:30pm, Joan drove me to Gawler’s for the wake from Mrs. Warren. We picked up a pizza (New Haven style) and she brought me home.

On Wednesday, I had Alma’s funeral. Since her husband was not a Catholic and all her nieces and nephew were not; I wanted to be sure they all felt welcomed and comfortable at the Mass. It went well and then we went to Gate of Heaven. It was pouring rain and they recommended that we not go to the grave but use the chapel. At the end, I could tell that her husband was upset that we didn’t go to the grave; so I told him, “Charles, you can look out this door and watch me go to the grave. It is not too far and I’ll say the blessing and the rest of the prayers there.” He seemed to like that; so I went.
I was soaked by the time I got home; so I stripped and got into pajamas and went to bed (at 3pm). I woke and the clock said, “6:39”. It was light outside so I thought I had slept through the night and it was Thursday. Then I noticed that the computer said, “6:41 PM” and I realized I had taken a really short but deep nap. I stayed in my PJ’s and went back to bed (for real) around 11:30pm.

On Thursday, I stayed in my suite all day – relaxing. I came to supper in sweat pants and socks. I didn’t read email or listen to phone message. It was truly a “DAY OFF”. And I needed it.

Today, I feel refreshed. I had three appointments this morning and have been working on the baptisms and the baptism schedule. I did learn that Jean Lincoln Brady, who was in my 8th grade class at St. Bernard’s died of a heart attack. Her funeral is Saturday but I can’t go. Please keep her and all my classmates in your prayers. This is the year we all turn 70 – Hard to believe!!!
I have exposition at 3pm and then the 5:30pm Mass. Martino is with us again for a short visit. School is over for him and he will be ordained a deacon in a few weeks. He has a summer assignment in June but may stay with us for awhile. It was fun to have him at supper. He may be on with me at Mass today.

Tomorrow, Saturday, we have First Communions at 9:30am, 11am, and 1pm. There will be about 50 children at each Mass and lots of family. I will concelebrate but may not give out Communion. I won’t go to any parties as I have the 5:30pm Mass and it is the Enrollment Mass for next year’s Confirmandi. I’m sure I’ll be ready for bed.
I can sleep in on Sunday as I have the 12:30pm Mass that day.

It is such a beautiful day that I am feeling great and thought I’d write. It rained from Saturday to Wednesday and mostly, I stayed around the parish. I had the 11am Mass each morning and took naps in the afternoon. I know I did some things; but to be honest, I can’t remember what they were.

On Thursday, I drove out to Shady Grove and saw Doug and Kathleen. The surgery went well and I thank you for the prayers. He has to stay in hospital maybe over the weekend. I’ll go visit him next week at home.
I also had lunch with Ray Fecteau, which was very nice as we haven’t had a chance to talk late. I watched the ordination and installation of the new bishop of Whichita. It was impressive and it was good to see Cardinal George of Chicago, who is in treatment again for cancer. He is frail but spoke strongly and impressively.

Today, I slept in and had adoration at 3pm and the Mass at 5:30pm. Today is the feast of St. Anthanasius, Bob Norton’s parish in Pittsburgh.
The oak tree pollen is terrible and makes my eyes water. I tried to stay in air-conditioning and will go to bed early.

I have a confession in the morning and a baptism in the afternoon on Saturday, and then I’ll hide out here in the AC.

I’ve had quite a week.

As last I wrote, I did drive to Pittsburgh on Monday. It was a beautiful day and took about 6 hours with some breaks. Joe and I checked into the Westin Hotel (which is attacked to the convention center) and Pat Berry arrived shortley thereafter. Joe went to the baseball game and Pat and I walked to an Italian restaurant in Market Square. It was good but we took a cab back as it was a long walk down. I rented a cart and it arrived that evening.

On Tuesday, we went to the Opening Liturgy. The presider was the bishop of Pittsburgh, David Zubik. He gave a good homily and the music was great. The hall was full – about 5,000 people. The only thing that was not good was there was not a woman on the altar. Since his homily was about Mary Magdalene and the congregation was almost 90% women, I thought that was a very thoughtless plan. Afterwards, Cardinal Wuerl gave the keynote and it was very good and on “the new evangelization”.
At 2:45, Joe and I gave our presentation on coming into the church. It went very well and I think the people who attended took something away about the communion of saints and the attractiveness of the church. There were many who are involved in RCIA and they shared on why people are joining the church in their communities.
Joe, Pat, Regina and her friend, Pat and I all had supper together. We had a good time and around 9pm, Dwight and all the gang from Wichita finally got here – after a lot of problems with planes. Joe went to see them in their hotel and the rest of us went off to bed.
On Wednesday morning, Joe left by train to go back to Philly. It is the end of the school year at the University and he had to be there for the last classes.
I went to some sessions. I saw lots of old friends – Dan Curtin, Kelly Branamon, Patty Weizel-O’Neil; and met some new ones. I also went to a talk by a Sister Pat McCann. I saw it listed and wondered if it could be an old friend – it was. She is a sister of Mercy and taught me Church History over 40 years ago at St. Vincent’s. We had a great visit.
Went to the Mass in the afternoon and the presider was Bishop Blase Cupich, of Spokane, Washington. He was very good and staying in my hotel. I met him in the lobby and we had a chance to talk. One of his seminarians, who was just ordained a deacon and is studying at Catholic University, helps us at the parish. I told the bishop what a great preacher, David is. He told me that when he was stationed in Washington at the Vatican Embassy, he use to help out here at Blessed Sacrament in the days of Monsignor Duffy and how much he enjoyed it. He had been glad to hear that Deacon David was here also.
Tom Kredel came to the Mass and afterwards drove Dwight, me, Pat, and Fr. John O’Keefe from Lincoln out to a restaurant and Bob Norton came and joined us. We had a great time.

On Thursday, I picked up Regina and we headed back to Philly. Pat took the shuttle out to the airport and headed home to Chicago. The trip to Philly was easy and we were there in time for Regina’ family to give us a nice Carbonara meal. I left around 6pm and was home by 9. It was good to be in my own bed.

Friday was a day of recovery and catching up.

On Saturday, I had the funeral of one of my Communion Calls. She was a lovely lady who three year’s ago was diagnosed with Lou Kehig’s. She went through it with dignity and faith. Her funeral was well attended by friends in the news field. Please keep Sally and Bill (her husband) in your prayers.
I spent much of Saturday watching the show in Rome. It was so exciting and I’m glad I got a chance to see much of it.

On Sunday, I concelebrated the 9am Mass and then met with a former student of mine. That was nice.
Then I picked up my sister, Marie, and we went down to Jesus the Good Shepherd parish for Cathleen’s (Maggie’ grandchild) Frist Communion. They do it by family and it is so nice. Afterwards, we went to a great seafood retaurant and I ate crabs – how I have missed them this year!!
I was home before dark and glad to get to bed.

Today, I had the 11am Mass and tried to get all the baptisms aranged and filed. I also have been on the phone a lot. Catching up. Please keep Doug Hanratty, my roomate from the seminary and a close friend over the years, in your prayers. He will have surgery on Wednesday.

This week is also Gail Douglas and Sr. Kass Collin’s birthdays. So keep them in your prayers.

I think I am caught up. So I will say Goodnight.