What Paddy Shot At

It is Saturday afternoon and I have been sitting here at my desk waiting to say the 5:30pm Mass. I wrote something last night but it seems to have dis-appeared. (the Friday the 13th curse??). I was going to “update” it but now I think I’ll just start an update and when it is time for me to go up for Mass; I’ll just stop and save a draft and then pick up after Mass over in the rectory.

Let’s see
I last wrote on Friday night from Cincinatti. I had driven down on Thursday to Lexington. I had hoped to see Jeff and Beth Healander and their three darling daughters but I discovered I had no phone numbers for them and so I just headed to Cincinatti and went to bed early. I had driven 400 miles.
On Saturday, I went to Mt Notre Dame for the 11am Mass. It is a beautiful complex of schools and nursing and retirement living for the Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. My kindergarten and first grade teacher, Sister Natalie (formerly Sister Ann Christine) moved there about a month ago from Villa Julie near Baltimore. She has lived there for the last few years but after a fall, it was decided she needed the care of this facility.
She didn’t come to Mass and Sister Betty told me that she had stayed upstairs “off her feet”. We went up to a community room and I was a big surprise to Sister. She said, “What are you doing here?” then she introduced me as her best kindergarten and first grade student. I don’t think she knew my name but as we sat there, she kept encouraging me to tell stories – “Like the time you kissed Dottie McBride on the playground” etc. Once I started, she would join in and correct me. The other sisters loved it. There were four others who were Notre Dame and three who were Ursalines. I have pictures but I still don’t know how to put them into this but I will learn. I also went and visited Sister Marguerite in his room. She was provincial and was always nice to me when I saw her. I brought her greetings from many old friends.
Then I left and drove to Chicago. I stayed at Pat Berry’s beautiful condo on the 35th floor in downtown. What a great view! We went out to supper at a restaurant where Al Capone use to have dinner. It was a Victorian house and the food was very good. I was ready for bed as it was a long ride (I think about 290 miles)

On Sunday, Pat and I drove to Indiana and participated – no, we sat through a beautiful service at St. Simon Serbian Orthodox church. It is the church of “Z” who is the manager of the condo and whom I’ve met a number of times. She invited us and so we went. The choir was excellent and we had books with Serbian on one side and English on the other to help us know what was happening. The altar area is closed off by a beautiful wall of Icons. The women were on the left and men on the right. Most stand for the service but old Monsignors and their friend can sit in the choir stalls (which we did). The service ran over two hours and again the music just made you feel “holy and prayful”. I’m glad we went.
Later in the day, Pat and I saw the musical “The Book of Mormon”. It is kind of irreverent because the authors are from the TV show South Park; but it was real Broadway, with lots of singing and dancing (good tap numbers) and we enjoyed it.

On Monday, we met a friend, Jose for breakfast and then Pat and I drove up to Milwaukee. It was only about 60 miles and we checked into the Intercontinental Hotel downtown. It’s a very nice hotel and within walking distance to a lot. (The guys walked a lot, I took cabs)
Pat and I, Dave and Kathy Haas, and Dwight Birket and John Bohrer all stayed at the hotel and so we got together in the lobby a lot. That first evening we went to Mader’s, a very famous German restaurant and had a great meal (and beer!). We laughed and talked all through the meal.
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After I wrote about Wednesday, I realized that I hadn’t said why we were here in Wisconsin. Sorry!! In September 1963, 40 of us young men from all over the country, arrived at St. Nazianz’s seminary. We were between 17 and 30 years of age and all came to study Latin because we had not had it in high school. We lived in a seperate building from the seminary and were called “Specials”. We went to class 6 days a week (with Wednesday and Saturday afternoons “off”) The rest of the time, was regulated and monitored. But we loved it and after a year, many of us went down to Waukesha and while still studying Latin, we also did the first two years of college. After that, some of us went off to other seminaries to study Philosophy and then Theology. Some stayed at Mount St. Paul in Waukesha and got their degrees there.
A few months ago, someone suggested we have a reunion of those who started off together in September 1963 and that’s why we are here celebrating 50 years of friendship. Now maybe some of what I write will make more sense!!
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On Tuesday, we got up early and drove to the Alexian Village. It is in northern Milwaukee and is a community with about 400 residents. There are many types of living situations for adult 55 of years and older. The Salvatorians have about 17 of their men there. Some live in apartments, others in assisted living, and some in nursing care. We had Mass at 11am and then went to the dining room. There was a table set for about 15. Fr. Aquinas Novak was our host and asked that we go around and tell about ourselves. It took awhile but it was enjoyable to hear about some of the men who have spent years in Africa, and those who have worked in various ministries of education and social work. The provincial of the order, Fr. Joe joined us and welcomed us as alumni. One of the Salvatorians started with us at St. Nazianz 50 years ago but many of us had not seen him in over 40 years. It was so good to see him. We had a great time.
Then we drove to the Mount in Waukesha. It is now part of the social service and criminal justice system of Waukesha. A very nice lady took us through the buildings but there is nothing left of what we had in 64 – except for the “Room with a Heart”. It was a door to the dorm room at the top of the stairs. It had a heart shaped pattern in the center – and some very kind people who lived there.
The grounds are still beautiful but it isn’t our home anymore.

We drove back to Milwaukee and I took a nap (I think the others went walking). We went to the 2nd most famous German restaurant in Milwaukee (Karl Ralzsch’s) for a great dinner. Mike and Lisa Witte, who live nearby, came and joined us. We had a great time.

On Thursday, we got up very early and drove the 75 miles to St. Nazianz’s. Jim and Audrey Alt, who live up in Green Bay joined us that day. It is no longer a seminary but a very welcoming Christian group has taken it over and is trying to restore it (It was damaged by a tournado and time).
It was amazing to go into the church, where we gathered three or four times a day and where we went to pray when the tolling bell told us that President Kennedy had died. It is a place of many memories.
We walked through the cemetery and “visited” so many special men like Romauld, Claude, Barry, Eric, and Chanel, who had helped us grow up. Then we had Mass, which Dwight presided at and preached a great “dialogue” homily. It was the perfect setting and it was still home.

We drove back and for our “ultima cena” decided to go to a Brazilian restaurant. All kinds of meats are brought around to the table and you can sit for hours and eat and eat. We did that but we also laughed and just enjoyed being together.

On Thursday, John flew back to New Jersey; Dave and Kathy took the ferry back across Lake Michigan, Dwight starting driving back to Kansas, and Pat and I headed to Chicago where I dropped him off and headed off to Toledo, Ohio. I spent the night there. The weather was great to us and even was cool at night.

On Friday, I headed home. I only had to drive 400 miles and I was home by supper time. It rained a little in Ohio but then the sky was clear and blue the rest of the way home. Both John and Dwight called me to let me know they were home and safe – and to say what a good time they had. I went to bed early.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this long missive, it’s Saturday. I got up early and went and got my haircut and my beard trimmed. I had wanted to do that before the trip but didn’t have time.
So looking cleaned up, I had a baptism at 1pm. Please keep Eric Xavier and his family in your prayers. I had baptized his older brother, Luke, two years ago and officiated at his parent’s wedding two years before that. I had taught the dad, Dominque at Good Counsel. My life is really blessed and it began in a special way in September 1949 when I started kindergarten at met Sister Ann Christine, SND and again on September 8, 1963, where I met some very special men in a place far, far away.
Ah, how Good is the Good God.

Hello, I am still in Milwaukee and will be heading home later today. I will stop at a hotel tonight and will bring you up to date then.

It is 8pm and I just got into a hotel near Toledo. i’m too tired to write so I am going to bed and may wait till i get back to DC to write. Good night.

I didn’t write on Wednesday because I spent the whole day looking for photos ( could’t find them). Also had to clean my office
Went to Maggie’s and had a nice dinner with her and Kerri and Tim. Didn’t find the photos. Spent the night

I’m in a hotel in Cincinnati. I am going to visit Sister Natalie in the morning and hope to be at Patrick Berry’s on Saturday night.
Last night, I stayed in Huntington, ky. I left Washington around 10am and got to Kentucky around 7pm. I drove about 400 miles. I got out of the car every 2 hours and walked around.
I can’t use my keyboard for now, so it means I have “to pick and peck” and it takes too long, so I don’t think I’ll write for a couple of days. The weather is great and I don’t use the oxygen except at night.
Just wanted to say “Hi”

I last wrote on Wednesday, Aug 28th after I had the 11am Mass but I wanted you to know that I spent most of the rest of the day watching TV as it was the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the 50th anniversary of the day my Dad’s body was brought by train back to DC from Mississippi. I was at Union Station and saw the crowds over by capital hill and the Mall. It wasn’t until that evening that I learned about Dr. King’s speech. One of those strange juxtaposition of historical events.

Thursday, August 29th was the 27th anniversary of the death of my dear Godfather, Ed O’Connell. He was 15 when I was baptized and Nellie O’Brien, my Godmother was 47. I was blessed to have them be a part of many important events in my life.
It was my DAY OFF and I didn’t have Mass. I went to Bread and Chocolate, a nice bakery/deli on Connecticut Ave. I met with two Religious Educators to make plans for a retreat at Priestfield, WV in November. I love doing things like that.
Afterwards, I picked up Joan B and we went to see “Elizabeth’s Delight”. It was a farm house that was used by Fr. Jim Grace as a rectory and daily chapel till they built the parish complex off of Avenel. After the parish was established in the Oakview section, the house went through a number of uses and eventually became the home of the Davenport family. There were 10 children living there but now only one and the mother are still there. I’ve known the family since my days at St. Camillus and officiated at the marriage of two of them; so I was glad we were invited to tour the house and grounds with Mrs. Barbara Davenport. It was so neat to see where the chapel was. The confessional had become a laundry closet; also the doors that were the entrance to the chapel looked “churchy” . It is now surrounded by homes built in the late 50’s. The house will probably have to be torn down but there is lots of property. It was a great tour and then Joan took us to Boston Chicken for sandwiches and more talk. It was fun. Then I came home and took a nap.

On Friday, I had the 11am Mass and spent most of the day trying to map out my trip to Wisconsin. I plan to leave on Wednesday or Thursday, September 4th or 5th. I am driving out and will get to Pat Berry’s on Saturday. I am trying to figure out if I have time to stop and see Sister Natalie on the way out or back. It actually is a lot of work to plan a trip but I’m looking forward to seeing some of the guys I started in the seminary with in September, 1963.

On Saturday, I drove over to near Baltimore to celebrate with Gene and Anna Marie Kinerney. It was their 50th wedding anniversary. I was so glad to be able to join them and their children and grandchildren. Also present were some of the Scanlan family and other friends of theirs that I know. The weather was cool and not too humid and the hall, which is part of the complex where they live, was lovely and the food – Italian – was great. I did go to bed early and tired.

Sunday, I had the 12:30pm Mass, so I was able to watch the Sunday Talk shows at my desk and got a lot of cleaning done. After Mass, Rick and Peg Jensen came and we all went to Sheila Reilly’s home for crabs. She lives at the Madeira School where she is a counselor. Kate and Christopher joined us and we sat out on the deck, overlooking the Potomac and had a very enjoyable evening.

Monday was Labor Day and we were closed. I went to St. Angela’s Hall, the senior residence for the Sisters of the Holy Cross, in Kensington and said the 11am Mass. It was so nice to see the sisters, many of whom I know or know of. I hope that my being there is a reminder to them of the affection of so many of their former students, who think of them often. I also got some clarity about my genealogy as one of the sisters, Sharon Mihm is a cousin of mine and we had a nice talk. It was very humid so I decided to stay in my room the rest of the day and watch a Perry Mason marathon. I think I had seen them all before but I also worked on the photos and a review for the Catholic Historical Society. I had soup and it was very good. There was a priests cookout at Little Flower but I just couldn’t go since I would have had to park too far away and walk in that heat. Maybe next year!

Today is Tuesday, the 4th and I came over here early to get some work done. I cleaned up my emails and my phone messages and sent off the review, which Joe Stoutz had kindly (and professionally) edited for me. I worked again on my route to Wisconsin and am getting Paddy up to date as well. I have the 11am Mass and then I am going out to hear a lady’s confession. I may drive down to Maggie’s to see if my photo album is there. I had it for my 40th anniversary. It has lots of pictures from the seminary that I would like to take with me. We’ll see.

I’ll write again tomorrow as I will have time before the 11am Mass.

Sorry that I’ve not written lately but I have had a busy week. When last I wrote, it was the feast of St. Bernard’s and it was a day filled with wonderful memories of that great community I grew up in.

Wednesday was the feast of St. Pius X. I did some reading on him and he was very pastoral and that’s why he encouraged frequent Communion and permitted children to receive at a younger age. He also asked in 1910 that there be a church in every diocese dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament. Our parish was opened in 1911 and named “The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament”. The church was dedicated in 1912. I preached about that at the 11:00am Mass. As I was still feeling a little “queezy”, I spent the rest of the day in my suite – reading.

On Thursday, I drove down to Maggie’s. She, Kerri, Marie, and I went to BINGO to celebrate my birthday. I got in free! I didn’t win but I did have a good time. JoAnn joined us and I think Kerri did win something.

On Friday, which actually was my birthday, we just relaxed. We had a Mass at 6pm at Jesus the Good Shepherd chapel. I offered it for my Mom and Dad, which is a custom of mine for birthdays. Three of Maggie’s kids and grandkids and two of Marie’s children also were there as was Aunt Joan Clark. Afterwards we all went to Abner’s for crabs. They were very good and we had a great time.

On Saturday, I drove to Pittsburgh. I concelebrated the 5pm Mass at St. Bede’s and afterwards, the pastor, Fr. Brice and I had the pleasure of baptizing James Keith, the new son of my godchild, Kathleen Morris Haven and her husband, Dave. I officiated at their wedding two years ago. It was great to see all the family and to relax with them.

On Sunday, we continued the “relax” theme most of the day and then went to Kerri and Ed’s for a pasta dinner. It was so nice out that we sat in their yard from after supper till almost 10pm. Very pleasant.

On Monday, I stopped by to visit Betty and Norm DeLuca, dear friends from my diaconate days at St. Anselm’s. I caught up on their 5 boys and their families. Betty filled me up with cookies to take back to DC. I know, I didn’t need them but she makes great cookies! The ride home was beautiful and there was no humidity on the trip. I got home around 5pm and took a nap.

On Tuesday, I slept in because I didn’t have anything till exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. I preached on St. Monica. I have (since the seminary) loved St. Ambrose’s words of consolation to her. She prayed and cried for Augustine, her son and he said, “A child of so many tears, could never be lost to God”. I think that is encouraging for parents and grandparents.
I’ve been having very interesting talks at meals with Fr. Justin, our new associate. Mostly I have just been relaxing.

Today, I had the 11am Mass and preached on Augustine, who like many of us came slowly to Christ. “Too late have I loved you” he wrote. Fortunately, as long as we come to Him, late doesn’t matter.

Lastly, I wanted to write something about “social networking”. I still don’t get it or find it easy to do BUT I really enjoyed all the birthday greetings I got on Face book, by mail and email, and by phone calls. It was so great to hear from friends and family, near and far. I read each comment and the words of the cards (e cards and by mail). I just let myself bathe in the love and it was so much fun. Thanks for taking the time to let me hear from you. God has been very good to me and surrounded me with great friends and family.

Sorry that I’ve not written lately but I have had a busy week. When last I wrote, I had a very relaxing Sunday as I only had the 5:30pm Mass.

On Monday, the 12th, I drove over to Villa Julie to see Sister Natalie. We had a nice visit and went to Mass together. I didn’t concelebrate but sat with her. She fell a few weeks ago and it was decided that she should move to their health care center in Ohio. I told her as I left that I would not say “Good bye” as I will stop to see her on my way back from Wisconsin around the 13th of September. We have known each other since 1949.

Tuesday, was Bob Beall’s anniversary of death. I said the 11am Mass for him, Joan, and the family. I also had the 5:30pm Mass as Fr. Lucas didn’t return till the next day. By next Thursday, we will be back to the 5 priests.
Fr. Beattie and I went to Positano’s for dinner (pasta must be the reason Mrs. B didn’t recognize me!! – that will make sense later in this article!). He is doing very well and is even driving – although I drove that night.

On Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then I went to bring Communion to my 98 year old Spanish lady. Then I headed off to New Jersey.
Since I was dressed like a priest, I decided to stop in the nursing home in Jersey where Mrs. Bleistine lives. She is the mother of Steve Bleistine, who is one of the 50 guys I met on September 8, 1963 when I entered St. Nazianz’s seminary in Wisconsin. In the early years, I saw her often as she lived near Carmen in Penns Grove but I have not seen her in over 45 years. I told that to the nurse because I didn’t want to shock her. She went in first and said, “Margaret, you have company. A visitor”. She said, “I have a visitor, who is it?” I said, “Mrs. Bleistine, it’s Maury O’Connell from Washington, DC.” She said, “It is not!!”. and I went and hugged her. We had a nice hour long visit. She brought me up to date on the family. She was as funny as ever.
At one point, I said, “You haven’t changed at all. I would have recognized you at a Mall” She said, “Well, I wouldn’t have reconized you!” I said, “Oh the beard has changed to white” and she aid, “Yes, that’s true but I meant your body. Now you need to get that weight down”. It was still a great visit!!!
Then I drove over and visited her son Steve, his wife, Carol and their son, Stevie at their house. I officated at their wedding in 1974. We had such a nice “catch up”. Although I did too many of my stand up routines about life in the seminary. It sounded like a combination prison and insame asylum. It was so good to see this great family.
Then I drove to Philly and met Terry, John, and Joe for dinner at a nice Italian place. We had, as we always do, a lot of laughs. I stayed the night at Joe’s.

On Thursday, we went to breakfast (maybe all these meals out are why Mrs. B wouldn’t have recognized me??) and then went and saw a great move, “Way, way back”. If you get a chance, go see it. Slow start but I loved it. Then I drove home to DC.
It was also Mr. Milton McGreevy (Mac’s) 96th birthday. I called him in Denver and we had a great talk. I hope to see him when I drive to California next Spring.

On Friday, I went to a cemetary because they had buried someone in the wrong gravesite. It was very strange to watch them bring up the coffin in the vault. It was my first dis-interrment but saying the prayers as it was put in the right grave was strangly consoling.
That afternoon, I was feeling ill and cancelled going to the nursing home. I went to bed.

Since I didn’t have Mass till 5:30pm on Saturday, I spent the day in my suite and bed. I watched a Matlock Marathon – there was one I had never seen before.

On Sunday, I came over for the 12:30pm Mass and then had a baptism. Please keep Penelope Marie and her family in your prayers. She is also the grand daughter of Doug and Kathleen Hanratty. It was great to see them, Carlo Mancuso, and other family members.
I still was feeling funky, so I didn’t go to the party and went back to bed.

Monday, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards, I drove down to the Little Sisters and visited with Cardinal Baum. It was lovely to be with him and although he says he forgets; as soon as I start a “Lorenzo” or “Msg. Eckert” stories, he remembers them. We talked about genealogy and he said the nicest thing, I asked him if in addition to the cousins in Texas, and Pennsylvania, he had any other relatives out East. He touched my arm and said, “Only your family”. My sister, Maggie was married to his cousin, Mac. He was on the altar for their wedding in 1966.
I was visiting the Cardinal because I was driving Msgr. Tom Duffy out to meet Fr. Beattie and the three of us were meeting Fr. Paul Hill out in Laurel for dinner (Oh, pasta again!!). We had a great time as we always do. I was ready for bed at 9pm.

This morning is the feast of St. Bernard. I have the 5:30pm Mass and will offer it for all the wonderful people that I came to know and love through St. Bernard’s school and parish. Today is also Diane Leach Flanigan’s birthday. She is older than me.
I came over to the chapel at 8:30am and we had a prayer service for the faculty and staff of the school. I was pleased to be ask – but I know also that the pastor is on vacation. I think he returns tomorrow.
After Mass tonight, a couple who couldn’t make the baptismal prep meeting are coming to see me for a “mini-course”. I loved those kinds of thing.
I hope another early to bed evening is in my future.

Again, I am sorry for the long delay in writing. I’ll try to do better

I just finished the 5:30pm Mass. I had spent the day relaxing as I only had that one Mass. I had the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday at St. Angela’s Hall, a senior residence for the Sisters of the Holy Cross. It turned out that I knew about 15 of them. Many had been stationed at St. Bernard’s. We talked at the door after Mass and one was so funny. Her name was Sister Philothea but she said that Monsignor Dade use to call her Sister Philadendrum. I remembered her. I think she taught Maureen in the younger grades. Anyway, I had a great time and will say Mass there again on Labor Day. I think they have a steady stream of priests to call on.

Today at the Mass, there were college students who had walked across America for LIFE. They had left L.A. on May 18th and met up with others at the Capitol building yesterday. They were impressive and college students have been doing this for 18 years. They meet lots of people and evangelize just by being who they are. I liked them.

Had a great phone conversation with Steve Beleistine and a number of emails with some of the other guys. It looks like we might really meet in Milwaukee in September. And that will be fun.

Today is Tom DuBusky’s birthday and I called and had a nice conversation. I put him on my travel list.
I also talked with Joe Stoutz and I am planning to go up there for dinner with him and John and Terry on the 15th.

Tomorrow, I’m going over to say Good bye to Sister Natalie. Pray for both of us.

I did have a great time at the ball game. They lost but I loved the company. We got home around 10pm and it didn’t rain.

Although Thursday is my DAY OFF, I took the 11am Mass as I think Fr. Justin had three. Then I went to hear confessions nearby and then worked on my photos. I am planning to have them put into some DVD for my wake. I have lots of great memories and it takes so long to work on them because I drift off into daydreams of the people and/or events.

Today is my niece and Godchild, MaryAnn Walburn Pearson. I’ve been trying to call her but I think she is out “running around” with Marie.

I had the 11am Mass and then some confessions and the 5:30pm. I preached on Edith Stein (St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross). She was a convert who died in the Nazi camp.

I was on the phone a lot. I was making plans to go to New Jersey and Southern Maryland in the next few weeks. I must go see Fr. Mike Dolan. We laughed for 30 minutes today and we didn’t cover everything we wanted to laugh about.

Tomorrow I have the 11am Mass and will say a Mass at 5pm for the Sisters of the Holy Cross over in Kensington. I have some friends there.

On Sunday, I don’t have Mass till 5:30pm, so I guess I’ll watch the Sunday Talk shows. Probably will write Sunday night.

Yesterday was Maureen’s birthday. Her good friend, Edith put a great picture of the two of them on Facebook and I really enjoyed it. The staff here arranged for the 8am Mass to be said for Maureen and Pat and Janet Kennedy had the 5:30pm Mass offered for Maureen. It was very thoughtful and meant a lot to me and my sisters.

I spent most of yesterday working on a “reunion” for September 9 – 11 in Milwaukee. On September 8, 1963, I joined the “Specials” at St. Nazianz’s Seminary. We can’t decide how many we were (51 or 54) but we were there to study Latin. About 8 of us have stayed in touch and so we are trying to contact the others and arrange this reunion. I will keep you apraised of our progress.

I talked on the phone to lots of people and had a good talk with Joe Stoutz, John Bohrer, Joan, and my sister, Maggie.

Today is a special feast day (it is the day I met Dan Poje for the first time in 1971) and also the 35th anniversary of the death of Pope Paul VI. Boy, I really do have a lot of history!!!

I have the 11 and the 5:30pm Masses as three of our priests are away. Only Fr. Justin, who came here about three weeks ago, and I are covering things and have at least two Masses a day. It’s not a burden.
Also I have a blessing of a marriage at 6pm.

I will probably spend most of the day working on the reunion.

Tomorrow, I have the 8am and the 11, so that I can go to the 7pm National’s baseball game with a parishioner and Frs Jim and John. That should be fun but I probably won’t write again till Thursday.

Everything was lovely at the wake on Friday. Fr. Beattie was on a roll and had them laughing and telling stories like you should at an Irish wake. I took him home as he wasn’t interested in eating out. I had soup and went to bed early.

On Saturday, I went to St. John Baptist in White Oak. Fr. Brault, the pastor was very welcoming and gave a great homily on the Baptismal promises that are fulfilled at the time of death. I just sat on the side but he had the deacon bring Communion to me. I did use the oxygen. Two of the siblings gave surprisingly similar sharings about Robert (they had not discussed their talks). He was an important part of the family and he will be missed at family events. Do keep him and his Mom and family in your prayers.
I saw Joan, Eileen and Jay, and Mike Jones there and we all agreed to “horn in” on Michael and Theresa some Sunday afternoon in August or September and just laugh!!!

I spent the rest of Saturday working on this 50th reunion for the guys of St. Nazianz. Again, I’ll keep you posted.

This morning, I drove out to Darnestown and had the 9:00am Mass. I think I had a good homily on “getting rid of stuff”. I told them I was really preaching to myself. (I do have two boxes for the Sodality fair in November already full in my room).

I had the 12:30pm Mass here and then I had a baptism. Keep Molly Carroll and her family in your prayers. Also her Dad and Uncles were students at GC. Then a lot of cousins and friends who also went to GC (Some were girls!!!) joined Molly and me in a photo op. I hope to get a copy and learn how to put photos on this blog.

Now I am waiting for the 5:30pm, which I have and then home for soup and relaxation.

I talked to Bette, Sister Natalie’s cousin and she told me Natalie fell and is in a wheel chair. On August 15th, she will move out to Ohio to their health care facility. Bette and Tom are visiting this week, so I think I’ll go the beginning of next week and say “Goodbye”.
Also Barb is back from New Jersey. She thinks her sister, Jane, knew she was there. She had a nice visit with her nieces and I think she is ready to let her go. Keep all of them in your prayers.

Time to go to Mass.