What Paddy Shot At

I had a wonderful time on Thanksgiving. In addition to Maggie, Tim and Kerri, there were Tim’s grandmother and his uncle, Derrick. We had dinner at Chris and Diedra Keith, Tim’s parents. They live near Lusby and have a lovely home. I think they had spent the week getting food together. We had a regular feast and they even sent home food with us. For the first time in a number of years, I had turkey for sandwiches on Friday. What a treat!!!
I drove home that night and slept late. I had the 1:30pm Mass at Chevy Chase House, which is a senior residence. I also had the 5:30pm Mass and there were lots of people at the Mass. For supper, I had soup (the sandwiches had run out!!) and I went to bed.
Since the office was closed, I spent the day working on genealogy. I got a lot done.

Saturday, I had the 11:30 Mass and then a baptism – Torin (it’s Gaelic for Terrrence). His grandparents and God mother came from Dublin. They invited me to a real Irish “do” but I had to say no as I had the 4pm Confessions and I still am not feeling so good. Keep getting congestion in my lungs. Have been using the oxygen at night and between events.
Saturday was also Sister Natalie’s birthday. I offered Mass at 11 for her and her parents. I called her and I will go over and take her to lunch this week.

On Sunday, I had the 7:30am Mass and I had to use the oxygen during the Mass. I came right back and was in bed till 11:30. I used the oxygen and I didn’t cough and I slept fine. I went over and did the 12:30pm Mass. Again, I used the oxygen and I think I wasn’t “weezing”. i will call the doctor tomorrow and see what he thinks.
A very kind parishioner, who is also a nurse and “looks after me” went and got my a steak and cheese from Ledo’s. It was so good and I haven’t used the oxygen this afternoon.
Again, I worked on geneaology and now I’m going to watch some TV and go to bed. I have the 11:30 Mass tomorrow, so I won’t set the alarm!!!

I just finished the 8am Mass and in my homily, I shared three letters that some of our students wrote to thank God. They were delightful and thought provoking. Then I told the congregation of a custom I began a few years ago. On Thanksgiving Day, I mention aloud by name all the people that I am grateful to God for putting into my life. It is amazing how blessed I have been. I think of someone and that opens up memories of lots of others whom I then name. I do it all day long and by bedtime, I have lifted up in prayer a lot of people. I closed the homily by giving the congregation a few moments to think of people and bring them to our celebration around the altar. It was a nice Mass.
I will concelebrate the 10am but will sit in the choir stalls and again bring more people to the altar.
Joe Stoutzenberger called me while I was in the office between Masses and we had a great talk. He is off to Lancaster to have supper with Mary, his sister and others in his family. As we talked, lots of others came to mind and after the call, I prayed for them as well.

Oh I forgot to mention that on Tuesday, after I took Janice to Maggie’s; she and I joined JoAnn at On Our Own, a drop in center for people with different needs. There was a dinner and about 70 people came; many of them, the homeless. It was sad to see children there also; but it was a good meal and lots of laughter.
Then I stopped to see Bob and Jane Connelly in Lusby. They had agreed to take Christmas ornaments to the rest of the Team this weekend; as I couldn’t be there because I have a baptism on Saturday.
Then I stopped at the funeral home but I missed the family. I did get to say a prayer over Ann. Please keep her, Joe Pat, and their family in your prayers.
I drove home and was in bed by 10pm

Yesterday, I had the 11am Mass and then drove Joan Ward over to the hospital. She is back now from Charleston, SC, where she had a very unique surgery. It went well and now she is home but has to go to Sibley hospital for therapy. She had a ride home.
I returned to meet with a nice couple, who are moving to the parish and want their marriage blessed. I really enjoy helping with things like that.
Rest of the day, I ate soup and worked on genealogy.

After Mass, I will drive down to Maggie’s and join her, Kerri and Tim at Tim’s parent’s house for dinner. Depending on how I feel, I may drive home tonight, so I can sleep in my own bed. Have the nursing home Mass tomorrow at 1:30, so I could spend the night. We’ll see.
Know that you and your families and your needs were in my thoughts and prayers all day. Happy Thanksgiving.

Just have not been able to shake this congestion in my lungs.

On Sunday after Mass, I took some daytime Niquil and went to bed. I did sleep and not cough a lot but I was mistaken when I thought I had the day free. I was suppose to go out to a winery with Barb Ostrye. (I had put it in my book for the next Sunday {the 25th}) She called when I didn’t show up. I really am getting worse (Msgr. Eckert’s revenge!!)

On Monday, I had the 11am Mass, had some hot soup and went to bed. I did make a presentation on prayer to the RCIA in the evening and then back to bed.

This morning, I had the school Mass at 9:15am. They had done a great job on the theme of Thanksgiving. For the homily, I told them a story that Fr. Tom Kane told us when I was in 4th grade about the three rooms where Angels answer prayer phones from humans. The “request” angels’ phones ran constantly and even the “praise and adoration” phones rang regularly but one room had only one angel and on his wall was a calendar with the 4th Thursday in November circled with the message “Get more help in”. It seems that only on that day (Thanksgiving in America) does the angel need extra help; the rest of the time, the phone rings so slowly that he can handle the calls that thank God for prayers answered and blessings bestowed. That story is over 60 years old but still fresh in my mind; I hope it will be in the minds of these students.

In 15 minutes, I’ll meet with my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” group and then I’ll drive over to National to pick up my nephew, Michael McLaughlin’s wife’s mom, Janet, who is flying in from Wichita, Kansas for Thanksgiving. I’ll take her down to Maggie’s and then stop by a wake in Leonardtown and get home around 9pm and hit the bed again. Might stop and pick up some Musilex (their commercial looks good!!)

Yesterday, November 16th was my Mom and Dad’s anniversary. I think it was 1936 but I have to check that out. I said Mass for them and their parents at 11:00am. I met with a couple who are having their child baptized at the Apostolic Nunciature in December and needed to get some paperwork done. After Mass, I drove to Union Station. I had a ticket on the 2:02 to Philly, where I was going to meet with Joe, Terry, and John for our Fall birthday celebratory dinner. It got cancelled because of Sandy!!
It takes me a while to walk and so by the time I got to the cars that you could enter, every seat was filled, I walked through 5 cars and finally met a conductor, who told me that they had over sold. That I could stay on but I’d have to stand till a seat became available. I got off and walked back to the station. I couldn’t breathe by that time, so I sat for awhile till my breath came back. Then I went to get my car and on the way I lost my parking ticket. I had to pay $22.00 for the two hours I was there. As I left, I saw I needed gas so I went to a Shell nearby and it wouldn’t take credit cards, so I had to walk in and pay. By the time I got home, I got some soup and went to bed. I used the oxygen during the night. It turned out to be a rough day.

This morning, Saturday, was breathing was back to normal and I had the 8:00am Mass. Fr. Lucas and he presided and I preached. Then I went back to bed and came over for a 1pm Baptism. It was William Albert and the great grandson of Ruth and Al Sindall, who were in my first parish. I saw lots of the family and it was delightful.
Now I am going up for 4pm confessions and I think a bite to eat and back to bed and oxygen.

Tomorrow I only have the 10:30 gym Mass and the rest of the day free.

It has been a very quick and full week.
On Wednesday, the 7th, I had the 11:00am Mass and then went to the “retired priests” gathering at John Vianney house. It was, as always, good to see the guys. A few new guys came and the group is now about 17.
As soon as that ended, I got in the car and drove to Maggie’s to spend the night.
On Thursday, the 8th, we (Maggie, Marie, JoAnn, and I) headed to Myrtle Beach. Rick has arranged for three time shares. The girls had one, he and I had one, and his son, Wayne and his wife, Valerie and their six kids (ages 12 to 11months) had the other. We had such a good time. The weather was great (in the 70’s) and we used the outdoor pools. We saw a couple of the Christmas shows and had some meals out (Rick makes a great breakfast). 5 of Rick’s friends also came by and Rick and Anita (Marie’s son and daughter-in-law) who live in Columbia, SC came and camped nearby. We had Mass in one of the suites (no collection). It was a real family celebration just like Maureen loved (you could feel her there).
The girls and I sent out thanks you for the Masses and cards we had received (Rick had done that from home). It was so nice to read the messages of comfort – and they really were!!
We left on Tuesday, and made a stop in Wilmington, NC to see Patty and Peggy Kirk, old friend who moved there about 5 years ago. They have a lovely home and we had a nice visit. We got home around 8pm and so I just drove back to DC after dropping them in Dunkirk. I was in bed by 10:30pm.
I slept in on Wednesday and had the 11:00am Mass. I spent the day unpacking and relaxing. I read my emails (140) and took care of my phone messages and went to bed early.
Thursday is now my “Day Off”. So today, I just hung around my suite and made a brief visit to the office. I am now heading over to the rectory for supper and another early to bed.
I’ll try to be more faithful to a daily message.

I am more confused than usual. I remember writing Paddy yesterday; but I can’t find it anywhere. Very sad!!!

I spent most of yesterday trying to clean up my desk and put things away so that JoEddie doesn’t follow through on her threat to just put everything in my office in the dumpster!! I also took the ocassion to put things in boxes for the Sodality bazaar, which is this Saturday. I did the same over in the rectory and will try to finish that today. I will leave on Wednesday for Maggie’s and spend the night; then we’ll all drive down to Myrtle Beach and meet Rick. I will have my I-pad so maybe I can write from down there.

Yesterday, Martino and I met with Caroline, the freshman at BBC, who would like to be confirmed with this year’s class; so we are doing some “make up” material with her. It went well.

Fr. Lucas, Martino, and I had supper together and gave Father a quick course in the election process. He is from Argentina and this is his first Presidential election.

I spent the evening filling the small oxygen containers to take with me to South Carolina. I want to have them in case!!

This morning, I got up at 5am and left at 6:30 for the polling place. It is about 5 blocks away but I drove and found a parking space at the Community Center very easily. I stood in line (with a book) and at 7am, the doors opened and the process began. I went to the K – S place and checked in. Got my card and went to pick up a ballot. There were 5 people at the alphabet desk but only one checking your card and then other person to give you your ballot. It’s paper and you fill in the circles with a pencil. Then you take it to a large machine, that takes it in like a copier and then you get a sticker that says “I voted today” and you leave. I was back at my car by 7:15. Based on my time spent getting my drivers’ license three years ago, I had expected this to be very difficult. It was actually easier than in St. Mary’s.

I’m going to spend the rest of the day continuing the organizing of my two rooms. I think a visiting priest might use my bedroom and I want him to be comfortable. Also I am taking stuff with me to South Carolina to work on and I have to get that together.

I have the 5:30pm Mass and then I’m meeting Fr. Beattie for supper. I guess I’ll spend the evening watching TV. I will write tomorrow.

I must have been more tired than I thought last night. It was my clock that I set!

Today I had the 12:30pm Mass. It was nice and there were lots of people even though the Redskins were playing. In my homily, I mentioned that it is also the feast day of St. Charles Borremeo, the cardinal – bishop of Milan. He had a great quote, “Be sure to preach the gospel with your lives.” The readings today reminded us to be “near the Kingdom of God”. We proclaim it by lives that show we are in it. I hope that I am helping to build that kingdom.

Spent most of the day, reading and watching TV. It was a very easy day. I have enjoyed it because I was tired by yesterday. Don’t have Mass till 11am on Monday, so I might sleep in.

Today is a special feast day to me. I have loved Martin (who was “Blessed Martin” for almost 300 years) since I was a seminarian. I share that love with Frances Sampogna, who is a dear friend from St. Camillus. I called her this morning and we had a great long talk. It’s been awhile but we enjoyed “catching up”. Tomorrow is her husband, Nick’s birthday. He died in 2010. Keep him and her in your prayers.

Then I concelebrated a funeral Mass for Leon Grant. Mr Grant was a coach at St. John’s High School and so Father Joe Kleinstuber, who was chaplain there for 25 years, presided and preached. I didn’t know Lee but his family are long time parishioners and the church was full. I was glad to be on and help.

Then I drove down to the Fairground at Leonardtown in St. Mary’s county. Today was the Cashbash, a big festival and fundraiser for St. Michael’s school. They sold tickets for $75 and there were gifts and money raffled off every ten minutes. I had a chance to see lots of old friends and to see lots of children who were little when I last saw them and now they are students from Kindergarten to seniors in high schools. Also had a chance to talk with lots of adults and “catch up” on their families. I do miss them greatly but I do know that this is where I belong and where God wants me. I spent a lot of time talking with Muffin and John Padukiewicz and got updated on the McCoy clan. Just as I was leaving, I was told I won a TV (that has 3D). That was a nice surprise and I guess I’ll find some 8 year old to tell me how to use it. For now, it’s in the corner. The Sullivan family and its in-laws ran the day and the whole process. It was great to see each of them. One of them is the person who set up this blog and so I talked with Mike and we’re going to “talk” by email and I hope to learn how to put photos on this blog. That will be fun!

Then I stopped by and visited John and Shirley. Shirley was my office manager/secretary/book keeper/ and friend when I was pastor of St. Michael’s. They were watching their two grandsons, Nicholas and Kyle (who are students at St. Mike’s) while their parents worked at the cashbash. We had a wonderful and laugh filled visit.

Then I stopped by to visit Maggie (She, Marie, Kerri, JoAnn, and Patsy) were all at bingo. I just stopped in to see how they were doing. I think some people had won. But I left before the losers were in the parking lot – because Bingo losers drive fast.

I had a nice long talk on the car phone with Jerry Trancone and caught up on him and his family (and the Deaf center)

I’ve been home for an hour. Changed my cloke (we go back on hour tonight) and now I am ready to turn in. Had a great day!!!

Yesterday, I had a lovely day during which I thought of and joined in with the Communion of Saints. I concelebrated the 9:15am school Mass, which was so beautiful and the school choirs sang the modern Litany of the Saints. I was glad to hear it as it reminded me that I want that at my funeral. When I was cleaning up my desk, I discovered the form that I had sent to the Archdioces years ago for my funeral. I think I asked for it back when I came here and I had forgotten to update it and send it back to the Pastoral Center. I will try to do that during November.

Then I had the 11am Mass and preached about the wonderful custom that the first grade had at St. Bernard’s school, where the children dressed up like saints and had a little 4 lines to tell us about their saint. It was always informative about saints who you don’t know much about and the master of ceremonies, a first grader would always close with: “We hope you have enjoyed our presentation and we hope that you have learned something about our saints. We want to remind you that you are the saints of the new millenium. Someday young children will be dressed up like you and telling your story. Be the best saint you can be!!”

Then I finished the night with supper with the guys in the rectory and then came over to lead the Holy Hour from 9 to 10pm. There are about thirty people and it is deeply spiritual. We follow a program but there is lots of time for prayer and silence.
I came to bed tired.

This morning I came over to the Jesus in the Market Place talk. Our speaker was Major Garrett, who is a reporter and he spoke about the data driven election. It was most informative. About 50 men come to the 6:30am Mass and then stay for a talk and then head out to work by 7:45.
I had the 8:00am Mass and so I had to leave a little early. Good turn out at Mass and we prayed for all who have died since last October.

Then at 11am, I went down to Knollwood, which is our military retirement complex near by. I was available for confessions and had a great time and good discussions.

I had soup and took a nap.
Tonight we had four seminarians for supper (which was a lot of fun!) and then we had our annual Mass for the Deceased. We had an orchestra and a hugh choir. They sang Gabriel Faure’ Requiem in Latin. Joy Stevens, who was a child at St. Bernard’s and now is a concert singer, sang, Pie Jesu and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

There was a little reception but I’m skipping that and going home to bed. It is a good tired I feel.

My mom, Frances Anastasia Crory was born 98 years ago today (or yesterday???). The first reading at Mass today said, “Honor your Mother and Father”. So I talked about Mom, who gave me life, faith, and a lest for the arts. She passed on to me, from her father, a love of music, dance, and theatre. He was in vaudeville (much to my grandmother’s disapproval!) but DNA won’t be denied. Happy Birthday, Mom!!

There was suppose to be a memorial Mass at Elizabeth Seton High School tonight. It is an annual remembrance of all the alumnae and teachers who died during the year. Maureen’s name is in the program. Since school was out for the last two days, I called early this morning to see if the Mass was still on – and of course, it will be re-scheduled for November 19th. Marie, Maggie, and Ann O’Connell and I were planning to attend and we’ll see who is available on the 19th.

Then I drove to Waldorf and met Pat Mullan for lunch. It was great to catch up on his life as a youth minister in St. Mary’s county. I was also able to use him as a messanger for the CashBash tickets for the school, which is Saturday. I hope to get down there for some of it.

Then I went and got my hair cut and my beard trimmed. Then I went and saw the movie, “Argos”. It’s about the CIA and is the true story of the escape of 6 members of the embassy in Iran, who found sanctuary in the Canadian embassy when ours was overrun in 1979. It is a gripping story and I enjoyed it.

Now I’m home and ready to go to bed.