What Paddy Shot At

On Saturday, the 19th, I had the 8am Mass and then I drove to California, Md to have lunch with my TEAM (Teams of our Lady). There are 5 couples and me – as chaplain – and we join together for prayers, sharing, and comments on a wonderful book we are reading. The book is called When the Rain Speaks by Sister Melannie Svoboda, SND. It’ such easy reading and yet full of things to think about.
I tried to go shopping for a stool to give out Communion but the parking lots at Walmart and Target were crowded and came home to rest.

On Sunday, I had the 10:30 gym Mass and I gave Communion by leaning against a chair (Didn’t work very well but I was glad to be giving Communion. Then I met with a young couple who are being married by another priest but wanted me to help them with paperwork and Pre-Cana. She is the grand daughter of Beth McCoy, so I am happy to help if I can.
I got an email from Janet and Patrick Kennedy (friends from St. Bernard’s) to see if I would be able to join them at Cylde’s. I took a nap in the afternoon and met them. We spent three hours talking and laughing. It was delightful.

This morning as I was putting on my socks, I noticed that the big toe on my left foot was all red. Not painful but it looked like a had an ingrown toenail. Surprise, surprise, I called the doctor and she told me to come right down. It is infected, so she gave me some antibiotics and I am to soak it in hot water for a couple of days. Did that this afternoon.
Tonight, I had the 5:30pm and now I am dropping off Joe Stout’s new book as a gift for all the people in RCIA. It is called Introduction to the Catholic Faith and it is the best and most readable and under-standable thing out there. I am proud of him. Then off to soak my foot and get something to eat and then early to bed.

Tomorrow, I have “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”, exposition and 5:30pm Mass. An easy day and I’ll soak my foot a couple of times.

Sorry for the long delay. I am amazed that it is a week.

Last Saturday, the 12th, I had Andrea and Stephen’s wedding. It stopped raining and she was beautiful. Then I took a nap and I had confessions at 4pm. Then I drove over and picked up Barb Ostrye and we went to Good Counsel High School for the reunions of the classes that ended in 3 or 8. Barb’s son, Paul is from the class of 1978 and she knew many of them. I knew the students from 1983 the best. The had a good number come and we “caught up”. A number of the faculty (past and present) were there and I had a great time.

Sunday was very easy for me – and I needed it. I was very tired. I had only the 10:30am Mass in the church and the deacon preached. After Mass, I got some food and went back to bed. I stayed there all day and night. I had no trouble sleeping, so I may have still had a little bit of what I had earlier in the week.

Monday, I slept in until I had the 11am Mass. Then I went and met four of my cousins, Eileen Price and Betty Borowski, who are the daughters of Margaret O’Brien Brown; Mary Ann dePaul, who is the daughter of Ann O’Brien Hayden, and Helen Nolan, who is the daughter of Johnny O’Brien. These were Nellie O’Brien siblings and my dad’s first cousins. I guess we are second cousins. I can’t get that straight! We get together every so often and always have a great time. Fr. Donald Brice was also there. He’s a long time friend of theirs and mine. We ate too much but I hear that you lose calories for every laugh – and we had a lot!!
I went to bed early.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and then met with a mother and her adult son, who was baptized but hasn’t recieved other sacraments. We’re going to take care of that. We had a great visit.
Then I went and had supper with Fr. Beattie at an Italian restaurant. Then my play reading group met. It was a nice session – although the play was kind of racy; but we had a great discussion.

Wednesday I spent the morning on paperwork at my desk and got a lot done. I also made plans to take the train out to California in March. It was involved but I think it will work.
I had exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. Afterwards I met with a nice young couple who are getting married in the Spring. She is not a Catholic but interested in learning about it and maybe joining, so we’ll meet for a couple of sessions.

On Thursday, I went to Arundel Mills Mall and met Sister Kass for lunch and we had a great visit. I did play at little in the casino (I broke even!!!). Then I went to Jiffy Lube and then the library, where I read about five books (written for children) on John Kennedy. I was very amazed that my great nieces and nephew don’t know much about him. They think of him the way my generation thought of Lincoln. I think that is sad.
Then I went to Leisure World and had dinner at the rectory with the pastor, Msgr. Don Essex and Jay Rader, who is our liturgy minister. We had a great time and many laughs.

Today, I spent the whole day trying to organize my desk and room – half way there!! Had the 5:30pm Mass and afterwards met with a lovely couple who want to have their marriage blessed. I love working on those kinds of things.
I got an email from a friend who wanted to know if I was ill or OK; it was just the little kick in the butt that I needed to get this done. Keep helping me because I don’t want to go this long in the future.

When last I wrote, I was going to join Maggie and Marie and drive up to visit our cousin, Margaret on Wednesday; but I woke up with a terrible head cold. I was stuffed up that I called them and “wimped out”. I came and did the 11am Mass, then got some soup and tea and went to bed. I stayed there thru the night and felt a lot better in the morning.

Thursday, the 10th was my Day Off and I slept in till 10am. Then I drove out to Leisure World and had lunch with Fr. Ray Fecteau and his parents, Paul and Cecile. Ray’s birthday was on the 6th and his parents have been good friends over the years, so we met there to celebrate. It was great to see them. They are in their 90’s and the last of my 5 ordination classmates parents to be living. Some health problems but they do well; keep them in your prayers.
I had a very nice time with Patrick Mullan, who was up here to make arrangements for the confirmation retreat that he is giving in November.
Then I went to Shanghai Village in nearby Bethesda to have supper with my cousins, Jim and Eileen Denney, Susan Rogus, and Jean Denney. We don’t do this often enough but we always have a great time. It’s so nice to catch up on their families. I have a great family.

Today, It’s raining still and sometimes very heavy so I slept in again this morning. It seems to affect my breathing a lot. So I just “hung around”. I had the 11am Mass and was ready to go back to bed until I remembered that I was to meet Ann for lunch at Chadwick’s. I went but I got soaked even with an umbrella. I always have hated rain and most often just stay home if I can.
I just finished a wedding rehearsal. It went well but keep Andrea and Stephen in your prayers – especially that it isn’t raining at 10am tomorrow. Now, some soup and early to bed.

I had nice long talk with Sharon Beall today and she made a very good suggestion – that I look into going to California by train in March. I might do that. I went by train a number of years ago and loved it. I’ll keep you informed.

I don’t know where the last few days have gone. I last wrote on the 1st of October and now it is a week later. I haven’t been doing much except going through the bookcases and getting things together for the library book fare and the Sodality Bazaar.

On the 2nd, I attended the funeral of Luise but I didn’t go to the senior priests luncheon instead I went to bed for a couple of hours. I did do the 5:30pm Mass but skipped supper and went to bed early.

On the 3rd, I drove over to Marie’s and picked up my cell phone. Maggie had given it to her at Bingo. Maggie and Kerri had doctors’ appointments, so Marie decided to come back up and get her mail. I was glad to get the phone (even though it was dead).

On the 4th, I had the 11am Mass and met with a very nice couple who are in need of your prayers. She has ALS and of course, that will only get worse. We had a great visit but please keep Pat and Bill in your prayers. I spent the rest of the day in my suite.

On Saturday, the 5th, I had the 8:00am Mass and then I drove over near Baltimore for Dot Witte (Furnary)’s 86th birthday. It was at Bill’s house and we sat on the dock and watch some of the family be pulled along on a raft. Dot and I sat in comfortable chairs under roof and enjoyed the activities. We’re both glad we’re too old to try some of those things. All of her seven children were there as well as some grandchildren and nieces and nephews. I was so glad I went but I had to leave early as I was saying Mass for the Holy Cross Sisters at 5pm.

Sunday, I just hung around my suite and watched the Sunday talk shows. This “shutdown” is so stupid and it is really effecting so many people. I didn’t preach about it because I am so angry. Actually I preached about seeing a few hundred children at the Shrine on TV. They were participating with other children through out the world in praying the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament.Cardinal Wuerl preached and answered questions from the children. It as very good and lightened my spirits.

Yesterday, the 7th, I had the 11am Mass and then prepared to be the speaker at the RCIA meeting that evening. I spoke on Scripture and Tradition. It was my first meeting with the new catechumenes. I think we have 6. I enjoyed it but I think I was a little dry – not much humor in my presentation.

Today, I stayed over in the rectory till around 2pm and then came to the office. I had exposition at 3pm and will have the Mass at 5:30. The rain we had has helped to clean out the air and I am not struggling for good breathes like I was earlier. Probably early to bed tonight. I have 11am Mass and then I’m driving to Annapolis to meet Marie and Maggie and we’ll go up to Salisbury and visit our cousin, Margaret and see Jean Pizza, who has moved up there. We might see Jordan, Maggie’s grand daughter who is a freshman.
And that is that!!! I am very tired.

On one level, I still celebrate this feast on Oct 3rd but it was moved to the 1st during the time of Pope Paul VI; but I did send roses to Sr. Natalie today in Cincinnati, so I guess I have capitulated. (It is now 4 hours later)
I had the 11am Mass and then met with the seniors for “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was our favorite saint and of course, I spoke about St. Therese. I also told them about St. Uplio.
Then couple who is being married here at Christmas came to speak with me and fill out papers.
Then the phone rang and it was Sister Natalie to tell me how beautiful the roses are and they are on the altar. She sounded great and I told her I would be out again before Christmas.

I need to report that last Saturday I had a wonderful experience. I joined Joan Beall, Sharon Beall, Doug Lee, Eileen and Jay Baughan, and Mike Jones for a lunch at the home of Theresa and Michael Morse. We were there about 5 hours and laughed and talked (I heard some stories I didn’t know about when they were in the teen club). Mark Gribbin phoned from Seattle (his bill will be huge since we each talked with him). We just decided we needed to be together for a “happy” occasion and this was it!!!
Afterwards I drove down to Maggie’s and spent the night.

On Sunday, we drove to St. Michael’s for the 10:30 Mass. (We were very early, about 9:20) I thought the Mass was at 10:00am. It was to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the school. The Mass was lovely and the superintendent of schools gave a great homily. Local and state politicians made presentations. Afterwards there was a delicious luncheon and the opportunity to see so many old friends. I have been away longer than I realize when children I baptized are now in the 11th grade in high school. Although I great to see the young men and women they have become.
I was tired out and did use the oxygen. I came right home afterwards.

I took Monday off as I wasn’t scheduled for Mass because I had planned to stay at Maggie’s. I left photos for them to look through and talke what they wanted. Also Maggie tried to call me on my cell and it rang in her purse where I guess she had put it. So I have to figure out how to get it back

My couple is gone and I think I’ll head to the rectory.

I have not felt very well this week and so I kept close to home.
On Monday, I met someone for confession and then had the 11am Mass. The rest of the time, I stayed in my room going through stuff.

On Tuesday, the daughter of an elderly man whom I brought into the church last year, picked me up and drove me to Georgetown Hospital. I went to anoint his wife, who has since died. It was a lovely death with her children singing “Silent Night” in German to her. I think her funeral will be next Wednesday. Please keep Luise and Bill and their family in your prayers.
I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass and after a light dinner, I went to bed.

On Wednesday, I had the 8am Mass, which surprised a lot of people and then I drove over and had lunch with a dear friend and we caught up on things. I went to Kmart and bought two pillows. I have come to like the pillows in hotels and so I have been meaning to get some since my trip to Wisconsin. I tried them out that night and am very pleased.

On Thursday, which is my DAY OFF, I went shopping, which I really don’t lilke. A group of us from St. Camillus Teen Club are getting together on Saturday and I went to buy my part of the refreshments. I forgot that this is a terrible time of year to go into stores – there were piles of candy for Holloween (and on sale!) so I got some.
I think that was too much sugar and I went to bed early.

Today, I stayed in my suite all day and got together lots of photos to take to Maggie’s this weekend and let them look through them. It took all day because there were pictures of the Thank You party and Brother Mort and Regina Mancuso and cousin Catherine Jensen. I’d see a picture and go off and day dream. Such wonderful memories. I also put together some stuff for the ladies’ fair in November.
I just came upstairs from a delightful dinner with Bishop Holley, his nephew, Vincent, and five seminarians as well as the priests in the house. Some of the seminarians are part of a basketball team that comes to parishes with schools and plays against them. They also give some testimony about their vocations. It is a very popular program. It was good to be with them all. They have now headed over to the game but I’m ready to do some more cleaning and tomorrow I still have a few more things to pick up before the gahering.
Tomorrow night, I’ll go to Maggie’s and spend the night. On Sunday, I will concelebrate at the 10am Mass at St. Michael’s. It is the 95th anniversary of the school. I’ll spend the night at Maggie’s and come back on Monday.
I also got my car cleaned out and found the cover for my Ipad, which I thought I had left in Wisconsin. I also found behind my chair, the photo album, which I was looking for before the trip. It has lots of seminary photos. If I learn how to put photos “on line”, I’ll do some of them.
So now you know what I’ve been up to. I’m feelling better. Good night

I gave St. Maurice top billing because he doesn’t get much press.

Yesterday, I met with a couple at whose wedding I will officate on October 12th. So nice and so young.
Then I attempted to go to a 3rd birthday party of Charles Allen at a nearby community center. I baptized him and have been at each of his birhtdays but the parking lot was full (Some kind of fair day at the library) and I couldn’t park; so I missed it. I had hoped to see him at church (I had the 10:30am Mass) but I missed him. Oh, well!
I then drove out to near Colombia for the 25th anniversary of Larry and Renee Kunze. The Kunze family were great friends at St. Camilllus and always helped me get a huge tree for the church for Christmas. Larry was one of the best altar server and we’ve all stayed in touch. I got there early and watch a great photo slideshow, which brought back lots of memories. Renee knew nothing about this party and was surprised by 140 people (in tents and in her home). It rained but we had a good time. They repeated their vows and we had Mass (and Music). I left early but I’m sure that some of them are still there. It was so nice to see the kids and meet their children. Ah, St. Camillus was very special.

Today, I had the 10:30am Mass and just met with a couple who are taking their son, Fernando back to El Salvador for his baptism and needed a mini- course to get a letter for their parish. We all had a good time but do keep Fernando Oturo and his family in your prayers.
Now, a lttle lunch and a nap and then I am going out to St. Mary of the Mill in Laurel to have the 5pm Youth Mass. Then home to see the Emmys! Life is good on your feast day.

I had a great day yesterday. I went to see the movie, “The Butler” and I really enjoyed it. It does make you a little uncomfortable to see and hear the racism but the acting is very good and you care about these people.
Afterwards, Gail Douglas came and met me for dinner. We had a great time and “caught up” on her family and her. She has retired from Maryland University Lutheran chaplain’s office but keeps busy. We’re gling to go to a casino soon.

On Friday, today, I spent the whole day on the phone or emails. I got a lot of “loose ends” tied up and had a great long talk with Marilyn Cavallaro and “caught up” on that part of the clan.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and then Fr. Justin was kind enough to drive me to a gathering of parents from the second grade at one of the homes nearby. Since we will be dealing with these children for Holy Communion and Confessions, so we thought it would be good to meet some of the parents. We had a good time and he brought me home before 9pm.

Now some TV and early to bed.

Today is Thursday and my DAY OFF but I realized I haven’t written since Sunday; so before I run off to play, I thought I’d bring you up to date.

On Monday, I was sitting at my desk trying to “catch up” on things, and my sister, Marie called to see if I was watching TV. I wasn’t and she told me about the shootings at the Navy Yard. Her daughter, Mary Ann works there and was able to call her mom and say she was OK but “locked down”. I turned on the TV and like most of the city was glued to it all day. In the evening, Marie called to say that Mary was home and safe. It has been such a tragedy. We can only pray for the dead and their families and co-workers.

I did go to my doctor as my right foot was swollen and had a sore. She had me have a doppler to make sure that the blood was flowing and that there was not a blood clot. There wasn’t.
I had driven about 2000 miles on the trip but I got out every 2 hours and gave my legs a chance to relax. I guess it was all that good German food and sauces! I was put on directics and am doing OK.
I also got a phone call from my cousin, Rick Jensen that the mother of Sheila Reilly had died up in Syracuse. Please keep Marie, her husband, and the family in your prayers.

On Tuesday, I had the 11am Mass and then our first session of “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury”. Our topic was “My summer vacation” and we all had interesting stories to share. I showed pictures from my Ipad of people I was with in Wisconsin and Ohio. They all thought that Sister Natalie and Father Aquinas looked too young to have taught me 50 years ago!!
Tuesday night was the first session of our Play reading group and it was good to get back and set the schedule for the year. I do enjoy those readings and discussions.

On Wednesday, I spent the day working at my desk and “caught up” on mail and little jobs. Also seemed to be on the phone a lot, which I enjoy. I had supper alone and then just relaxed. In the evening, I got a call that Mary White, the sister of Sheila Morris (They went to the Holy Land cruise)had had a stroke in Atlanta. Please keep all the family in your prayers.

Today, I am golng to see the movie, “The Butler” and do a little shopping. And that’s it!!

I got up very early and drove to Laurel. My friend, Msgr. Mike Mellone, is on vacation and I told him I’d be happy to come out and do a few Masses. Today, I had the 7:30 and 9:00am Masses. It was a little taxing as today is Catechetical Sunday and at each Mass, I blessed teachers. Also Communion took a long time. I say that because I did perspire a lot and was out of breath by the end. HOWEVER, I saw lots of people at the doorways from parishes I’ve been in. Phyllis Cooper, Tom Traber, and Frank Duff were there from St. B’s. Bridget, the daughter of Steve Ash also spoke with me. I had been there a few months ago to concelebrate her Mom’s funeral. Martin and Susan Shoch and Patty Delozier were there from St. Camillus. And the daughter of parishioners at St. Michael’s came up to speak to me. It was so nice to see them and to have the Masses.

I did come right home and eat breakfast and then went to bed.

I had a great nap and just finished the 5:30pm Mass here. I preached at all the Masses on the merciful God that was in each of the readings and the prayers as well. I ended by encouraging us (myself included) to try to manifest the mercy of God by forgiving someone who has hurt us. I think it was well recieved.
In the afternoon, I had read Pope Francis’ talk at the Angelus in Rome today. He ended by asking everyone to be silence and in the silence to grant mercy and forgiveness to someone they have been with holding such feeling from. I did not footnote that at my 5:30 Mass since I used it earlier than he did.

Now some supper and again to bed. I have the 11am tomorrow.