What Paddy Shot At

On Friday, the 1st, I slept in and did not get to the talk by Jane Belford, our Chancellor. I heard she was good and later that day, I understand that the Obama administration has made some adjustments to their health care plan, which is what she was speaking about. I hope it all works out.

I did go to the school Mass for Catholic Schools week at 9am, but I didn’t help with Communion as I had a funeral at 11am. The kids choir sang some beautiful Latin hymn.

The funeral was for James. I had stopped by the funeral home to meet his family because I did not know him. He and his wife had moved to North Carolina but when they lived here, all his children went to the school and got married here. The funeral went well and they had asked for the parts of the Mass to be sung in Latin. It wasn’t what I would call “full and active participation” on the part of the congregation but it sounded nice. It is very cold here and so I asked Martino to go to the cemetary, which he did. I also did not get down to the hospital to see Heavy as Joan had therapy and even if she dropped me at the door, I’d still have to walk down those long corridors. I did call and talk with Brenda. Also I went to lunch late and Humberto made me chicken soup! Ah, good.

I had the 5:30pm Mass and afterwards joined Martino, Fr. Ron and Fr. John Dillon at the table. I didn’t eat because I didn’t feel good but by the time supper was over, I felt better. Then Ron offered to make a fire and the four of us sat in the big room and relaxed, talked and laughed. Around 8:30, I went upstairs and played Solitaire and watched TV. I was glad to get into the nice warm bed.

Today, is the feast of the Presentation and in my office prayers, I am remembering all those religious who made vows on this feast. I called Sister Natalie. I am going to visit her when its not so cold. Neither of us wanted to go out in the cold.

I had the 11am Mass and said it for Carolyn’s parent because today is her 70th birthday. Her sister flew in from St. Louis to help her celebrate. It was a nice Mass. Afterwards, I met with a lady to talk about her grandson.

Brenda called to tell me the surgery went well and that he is on machines and unconsciencious and so she and kids have gone home. He won’t know they are there for a couple of days. They all need a break and some rest. Keep them in your prayers.

I have confessions at 4pm and there is a pot luck dinner for the bay retreat group. It isn’t far but I don’t know if I’ll go out in this cold.

Tomorrow, I have the 7:30am and the 10:30 in the church but don’t have to preach as Ron will be showing the film of the Cardinal and having the In-pew collection for the Cardinal’s appeal. I don’t miss that pastor’s responsibility at all. I’m going to the first grade and bless their throats; I don’t think we’re doing that in church but a CCD teacher asked me to come. I have the baptismal class at 1:45 and then I’ll go home, watch the game and relax.

Today is Thursday, my day off and I plan to “hang around” my suite and get some paperwork done. I will go down to the hospital and visit Heavy Ridgell, who has been transferred up here because they don’t seem to be able to relieve him of his pain down at St. Mary’s.

I did have a great time on Monday night in Philly with the guys. The waitress said, “sounds like you guys are church people, is that why you took the ‘Monsignor’s’ table?” Fortunately, he didn’t show up.
Joe and I had planned to get up early and go to breakfast at the little diner nearby but I slept till 9:50 and decided I should get on the road. I stopped at the Holywood casino on the way, as I had an email offering me a scraper and brush for my car. I got it and, of course, had to plan a slot. Won, $100. AND LEFT!!!
Then I stopped at AAA and got some maps and booklets for the trips to Wisconsin and Texas that I will do in March.
Got home and did the 5:30pm Mass and then met Fr. Beattie for supper at D’Carlo’s.

Wednesday, I received some sad news about a friend who resigned his job. Keep him and all involved in your prayers. He is a good guy. I had the 11am Mass and didn’t preach because I really was feeling badly. Then I worked on my presentation on Vatican II. Had expostition at 3pm and then interviewed 5 confirmandi. We will do that for the next month. It is always so nice to meet the 8th graders and learn about their service work and why those chose the saint’s name. I also met with a lady who is being married in March about some paperwork. I really am not good about paperwork and worry about having it all done correctly.
Relaxed and watched TV.

Am at Joe Stoutzenberger’s house in Philly. He is off to teach and I have spent the last two hours trying to get on line so I could write to you. I am not very computer literate and so at home things are set up so all I have to do is turn on the computer and go to my sites; it’s more involved when you have to go searching for the sites and then figure out how to get into them. But I’m here now. So let’s see why I am so far behind.

I wrote last on Thursday and Friday was relatively quiet. I did get some more work done on that stupid Tax thing. I hope it will be settled soon. I have good help.
I also, did get a phone call to come and anoint a 97 year old lady at Sunrise House. Joan drove me as it is hard to park there and in this bitter cold, I can’t walk very far without getting out of breath. Please keep Audrey and her family in your prayers.
I had the 11am and 5:30pm Masses and preached on the right to life march, which was going on in the city. I mentioned that Dr. Bernard Nathenson (I think that was the name) who began to perform abortions 40 years ago when the Supreme court made that legal. He says he performed 75,000 abortions and about 10 years ago, he began to study more carefully the material that was available on the fetus in the womb (we were able to take pictures and even see reactions to stimulus in the womb). He began to understand that these fetuses were human beings. He was an atheist but began to feel that abortion was wrong. He became a active pro-life spokesman. After a few years, he became a Catholic. He died almost 2 years ago. In my homily, I said that I thought that we have little chance of changing the ruling of the Supreme court but that our Marchs and our speaking up for life can change the minds and heart of people. If someone who had been so active in abortions could change, then we have to keep speaking out and helping people to come to appreciate and support LIFE.
I believe we can make a difference.

On Saturday, we had first confessions at 9am and again at 12:30pm. About 60 children at each session. Fr. Ron wasn’t able to be there because Pat Suite, who had been his principal at St. John’s in Hollywood, finally succumed to the cancer that she had been fighting for the last 10 years, and her funeral was that morning. So I preached and told the children my favorite story about Jacob, the shepherd and Abner, the “lively” sheep. I think it helps the children to feel better about coming to confessions. Of course, they were delightful and made my day. In between I had the 11am Mass and preached on Timothy and Titus, whose feast it was. I also prayed for all the Timothys in my life and all who have him as a patron saint.
In the afternoon, I met with a couple and their daughter, Elizabeth (who slept through the whole meeting) about arranging her baptism in March.
Then I got in the car and drove (although I got lost) to Laurel and an Italian resturant to meet with Father R, Joan and Tom Johnson, Vera and Jim Degenhardt, their sons, Bernie and Gary and Father T. We were celebrating Father R’s 91 birthday. We had good food but the best part was the stories, the teasing, and the laughter. I felt five years younger. Those St. B people were and are special.

On Sunday, I spent the morning at my desk with the Sunday talk shows on the TV. I find them fascinating. Then I had the 12:30pm Mass but I didn’t preach because Fr. Ron spoke at all the Masses about the Cardinal’s appeal. I am so glad not be doing that anymore. Joe Stoutz, his son Tim and his co-worker at CNN, Allison all came to Mass and afterwards we went to Clyde’s to use some more of thos gift cards. Again, we had a good meal and lots of good chatter. Both Tim and Allison worked on the campaigns and the inauguration. Allison got to go to the ball and had a great picture of Berack and Michelle entering the hall. Both are looking into being transferred to London for work. That’s why Joe wanted to come down and see Tim before and if the move goes through.
Then Joe and I drove up here to Philly and his house. It is so nice and so quiet. We talked and watch TV.
Also, in the mail, was waiting a new book that Joe, Fr. John Bohrer, and Frank, a friend had developes as a prayer book for the sick and housebound. A copy had come as it is ready for publication. It is going to be well received and used. It’s called “Placemat Prayers”.

After Joe went to bed, I read for while and then also went to bed. I slept great. I had brought some oxygen in case but I slept without it.

This morning, Joe headed off to the University because it snowing and he didn’t know how the roads would be. I came to try out this computer. Tonight, Joe, John, Terry and I will go out to supper and celebrate our birthdays (August, September, and October). We just couldn’t get together before this and its a tradition, so we were determined to get together. I’m sure it will be good food, good friends, and laughter. And what’s better than that!???

I have been very busy organizing my weddings and cleaning up my desk for the last few days. I am also trying to get a “tax problem” worked on. It really is one thing after another.

But I had four nice events.

On Tuesday night, I met Fr. Beattie at Clyde’s and used some of my gift cards to have a nice dinner and lots of laughs.

On Wednesday, I went and visited my cousin, Eileen. She has been ill and in and out of the hospital. Two of her daughters were there and had small children. Ross wanted to know who I was and I said, “your cousin”. He said, “No, really who are you?” It’s another generation of that family, whom I have always enjoyed but I guess I haven’t seen the newest ones very often.

I also went to Georgetown hospital to anoint a nice lady, Marilyn, who had run the kitchen at St. Bernard’s for years. She is in a coma but her son, Michael, who was one of the best altar servers at St. B’s, got my number and called me to come. Please keep all that family in your prayers.

And lastly, I went to Katie’s house tonight and met her newly born son, Carrick, whom I hope to baptized in a month or so at St. Mary’s in Rockville. Her mother, is Joanne Rossi Previc and her aunt is Tish Rossi. The Rossi family were in St. Paul’s parish in Greensburg, where I taught CCD as a seminarian. It was a big Italian family and I often had Sunday pasta at their home. Katie and Ryan moved to Maryland and had this adorable baby in December. So naturally, I was invited for pasta and to meet the boy. We sat at the kitchen table, which is where we always sat at the Rossis and laughed and talked for the quickest two hours I’ve had lately.

Oh, and today is my feast day, Maurice Vincent O’Connell and so I prayed for all the Vincents, I know and those I don’t and all the wonderful guys and families I came to know at my time at St. Vincent’s in Latrobe. It was nice to be with the Rossis and remember those people and days.

Today is so many different things, Dr. King Day, Inauguration Day, and Monday of week 2, that I decided just to put the date. I plan to just spend the day here in my suite and relax.

On Saturday, I had the 8am Mass and then met with a teenager who wants to be more involved with the church – I hope he’ll join the youth group. Then I met with a young man, who has been seeing me about being baptized. He’s in his late twentys and is marrying a Catholic in the Spring. At our last meeting, I gave him the creed and said, see if you can say and believe this. He sent me an email and said “yes and I think I’m read.” So I said, “let’s get together on Saturday”. The point of this story is I thought we were meeting to talk; while he came with his future wife and his parents intending to be baptized that day. I did some quick running around and I baptized him in our chapel. It was very nice but I was a little “frazzed”. Then I met a couple whose marriage I will bless in late June. Then, bless her, Joan Ward came over and we straightened up my office and got a lot of stuff filed or thrown away. We went to supper at Clyde’s and then stopped over at Our Lady of Victory for a farewell for Fr. Duffy. Long and busy day.

On Sunday, I had the 7:30am Mass and then I went back to bed. I watched a lot of the Sunday talk shows and napped. I had nothing in my book, so I stayed here in the rectory all day. I did go over to the office around 6pm and met with another couple that I will marry on March 17th. I think I have 10 wedding envelopes on my desk and I think they are all up to date with the paperwork. I just don’t like paperwork and there is so much in the church.

Oh well, back to TV and the President!!

The funeral on Tuesday was very impressive. Many people from the State department came. Afterwards, I went to my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” and we shared on Christmas 2012. It was very nice to hear about everyone’s Christmas.
Then I took a nap and went to supper with Fr. Beattie. (I am having another one of those “dejavu” moments. I remember writing about this and that Fr. Duffy couldn’t come but went to lunch with Fr. Hill – Now where did that article go?????)

Wednesday, I had the 11am Mass and then met my sisters at the Washington Harbour restaurant. It was Maggie’s class from Notre Dame and I have gone to a couple of their luncheon reunions. They are a good group and always fun to see.
Afterwards, Maggie and I went to her house. (Marie had a doctor’s appointment). I took a nap and then had a nap. Afterwards we had supper with Kerri and Tim and then played cards.

On Thursday, the girls and I went to the pool and exercised and enjoyed the hot tub. Because we were suppose to have lots of snow, I came right home afterwards (NO SNOW came!) I joined the brethren for supper and came up to work on the talk on Vatican II.

It is Friday morning and at 11am, I will have the funeral for Nancy, my 100 year old Communion call. She died on Sunday. We had a big Mass and party in November for her and she died peacefully talking with her sons – just the way she would have wanted.
Then I’ll have the 1:30pm Mass at Chevy Chase House and a wedding rehearsal at 4pm. Then I think early to bed. I have a busy day scheduled for Saturday.

I wonder what happens to those messages I write or is my Introvert working overtime?????

On Sunday night, I sat down to write a message, and as I did, I had a “dejavu” moment and thought to myself – I wrote about all this. I went looking for that article and could not find it anywhere. by the time I finished looking, I was so tired and confused that I just closed out and went to bed. Never did find it, so here is an update since last Thursday.

On Friday, the 11th, I went to the church at 9am to watch the kindergarten students (dressed like St. Lucia and Starboys) give a concert on Light. It was just delightful and actually did dispel the gloom and darkness of Winter.

Then I had the 11am and 5:30pm Masses. And the readings about which I preached were about “who has victory over the world but the one who believes in the Son of God”. I’ve been in bit of a “funk” and the Scriptures and the children did lift me up.

Then I went to Jiffy Lube and because I didn’t want the men to see all the paper and trash I’ve been tossing into the back seat, I clean up before I got there. Once they changed the oil, etc, they vacumed the car and I just felt better driving away.

On Saturday, I had a memorial Mass at 10am for the brother of one of the parishioners. He had been a long time 6:30am Mass attender here but about 6 months ago, his daughter took him to Florida, where she is a hospic nurse. They had a funeral in Florida but he had other family, co-workers, and friends that we had this Mass up here as well. I didn’t know him well but heard so much about him that my homily and the people who spoke after Communion seemed to capture the goodness of the man. Keep his sister, Peggy in your prayers. I’m more conscious now of how much the death of a sibling can effect the rest of the siblings.

I drove down to Leonardtown afterwards to meet with my TEAM group at a restaurant. They are good about putting us off to the side, so that we don’t frighten people when we read Scripture or pray out loud. It was great to see the couples as I’ve had to miss a number of meetings recently. We broke up around 3pm and I was home in plenty of time to preside at the 5:30pm Mass. I was glad to get into bed around 8:30pm.

On Sunday, I slept in and watch some of the Sunday Talk Shows from bed. Then I had the 10:30am Mass in the gym. The children did not have a seperate liturgy of the word, so I had the come up and sit around my chair. It was the baptism of Jesus and a number of them, I had baptized so the talk went well. They still can’t come up around the altar because of the poinsettas but maybe next time.

After Mass, I picked up Maggie and Marie at Maggie’s and we drove to St. Mary’s county to visit some of the Cullisons, who were having a little reunion because Sister Mary Rita was down from Hartford. We had a great time and (of course) great FOOD!! We left before it got dark because we had very bad fog. I was home and in bed by 9pm.

Monday, I had the 11am Mass and then a person who had not been to confession for a long time and was nervious came to see me. We had a great visit and as he said, “I’m leaving feeling like a million dollars”. God is so good. I joined the others for supper and had a good time as always and then I wasted the evening playing “Spider Solotaire”

Today, at 11am, I have a funeral for the former Ambassador to the Vatican, to Haiti, and to Chad. Should be a be one.
So now you’re up to minute!

Yesterday was the birthday of Msgr. Adam Kostick and the birthday of Sheila King Morris. I celebrated both at the 6:30am Mass and then returned to my suite and Jammies and spent the day relaxing. I did get dressed and go to the “Play group”. They were reading “Pygmallion” by Bernard Shaw, that was turned into “My Fair Lady” as a musical. It was a small group – so many people have colds or the flu – but we had a good discussion afterwards. I stayed up and played Spider Solitaire as Thursday is my day off.

I slept in today but called Sharon Beall, a very good friend from St. Camillus days and we met and went to see “Lincoln”. I thought it was excellent. the actors and the script. It reminded you of what a great president he was and might have been even greater for our country. Then we had a nice sensible lunch and I came home and took a nap. Around 8pm, a couple I am marrying on the 19th of January came to the rectory for a brief meeting.
I got a nice voice mail from Pat Watters. They are expecting 16 inches of snow tonight. OH, how I envy her (NOT!!!!) but it was nice to hear her voice, I’ll call her tomorrow since she’ll be “housebound”. Well off to bed.

I guess Sunday just flew by. I had the 10:30am Mass in the church and the 5:30pm Mass. I think I napped in between. I know I was “running out of steam, walking and preaching”. I did watch the game and it was disappointing to see the Redskins lose.

On Monday, I had the 11am and the 5:30pm Masses. Fr. Lucas is still away and so we have more Masses to cover. I went and met with the widow of the funeral I will have on the 15th. He was an ambassador and a good Catholic and I think his funeral will be a celebration of both. We worked on the readings.

Joan has been “bugging” me about the brakes on my car so I finally took them in and the guy says they’re good for another 3000 miles. Joan is angry with me because I told him to wait. I left the car overnight as I had no plans for Monday night. I was going to work in my suite on pictures that I’m going to have put on a DVD. However, at 7:25 (just as Wheel of Fortune was ending), Martino came to say they needed someone to lead the discussion on Eucharist for the RCIA. So I went and we had a very lively discussion. I was in bed by 10pm because I had the 6:30am Mass on Tuesday.

I had that Mass today, and afterwards Joan drove me over to pick up my car. Then I drove to Laurel and concelebrated the funeral Mass for Fr. Jim Betz. He was my associate at St. Bernard’s. He came into the priesthood late in life and retired last year. He had been a construction project manager and he did some great physical work in the churches he served. The funeral was at St. Nicholas and I had not been there for many years. He did a great job with the sanctuary. I saw a lot of the priests and a number of parishioners from St. B’s.

Since I had no other appointments, I decided to go to the movies. I tried to see Lincoln but it had already started; so I went and saw “Skyfall”, the James bond film. I do enjoy those films and I liked this one. Then I came home and took a nap. I slept through supper but I’m not hungry (Did eat popcorn at the movie!!) so I think I’ll go to bed because I have the 6:30am Mass tomorrow.
Well now, you’re up to date!!!

Met with a lady who is undergoing cancer treatment this Monday and we prayed together. Please keep Julia in your prayers.
Then I had the 11am Mass. Today is the feast of the first male American citizen to be canonized. He was born in Bohemia but became a Redeptorist and worked in Baltimore and much of the middle Atlantic states. He was the 4th Archbishop of Philadelphia. When he first heard he was being considered for the position, he wrote to the Pope and told him that he was very short (5ft 1in) I think. He felt the Archbishop of Philadelphia should be tall and stately. The Pope wrote back and said, “I know you are not tall; but I am told that you are prayerful, that’s what Philadelphia needs! So accept my decision. I love the story behind the story and that’s why I love Church history.

After Mass, Bobby Chamber ( a GC alumnus) and his wife, Sue and their children, Joey and Abbey, and his mom, Corky picked me up and we went to Clyde’s for lunch. It was to celebrate Corkey’ birthday, which I had to miss. We had a great time. They are a family very special to me. When they brought me back, I gave them a tour of the rectory, which is decorated beautifully for the holidays. Then I took a nap.

I had confessions at 4pm and it was steady till 5. Then I drove over to Peter Connel’s Italian Inn, where we had a family gathering to see Justin Walburn. He has just returned (thank God) from Afganistan and is home in South Carolina for a month and then returns to California. His grandmother (Jean Pizza & Marie O’Connell Walburn) arrange for his aunts, uncles, and cousins to come and help him celebrate his 22nd birthday. It was loud and fun!!!

Then I stopped in to see Joan Beall. Her daughters, Ginny and Susan; and Scott, Sue’s husband were there and we had a nice visit. Sue and Scott have a plane and fly out to Wisconsin, so we talked a lot about that wonderful state. They brought me up to date as I didn’t know there were casinos there. Should make my March trip very interesing!!!

I have the 10:30am Mass in church tomorrow and the 5:30pm, so I will probably take a nap between them, so I can watch the Redskin game, which I think is around 4pm. So I’m going to bed now.