What Paddy Shot At

On Sunday, the computers were turned off so they wouldn’t crash, so that’s why no Paddy.

Sunday after the 10:30am Mass, I met with a couple whom I will marry next year and then I drove out to Gate of Heaven cemetary to do a favor. On Saturday afternoon, an elderly gentleman, whom I met a month ago came by and spoke with Fr. Ron. He had arranged to have his mother’s ashes re-interred and a stone made for her near where his wife is buried and he will be buried. He wanted a priest to officiate. His daughter called me in the morning to explain that her dad was confused and the family was going to Mass at 12:30 at St. Patrick’s and then go and say the rosary at the new grave. She said I didn’t need to come but I told her, I’d be happy to be there.

It was very nice and the five great grandchildren led a decade each. I blessed the grave and we concluded. The gentleman has two daughters and I had already met the one daughter before I talked to her sister. That daughter had come with her dad to see me last month. She introduced herself at that time as Mary Alise Gribbin. I didn’t think to mention it to her but that was the name of a family at St. Camillus that I was very close to. Well it turns out her husband is Terry Gribbin, the youngest of that family. I saw him and met their two sons (students at Maryland U) and I felt very old but very happy.

Then I came home and prepared for Sandy. Sunday night, I kept waiting for the power to go out but it didn’t. I spent some time on Monday at the parish center but the computers were down, so after the 11am Mass (about 50 people came!) I came home and read and watched TV.

Monday night was again a night full of anticipation. I kept the TV on all night expecting it to go off but it didn’t. I watched all the drama of the Jersey and NYC coast. I could hear the wind outside but the rain wasn’t “driving” so I slept on and off.

This morning, I went over and had the 11:00am Mass (about 30 people were there). The rain was gentle but cold and so was the center, so I came home around noon.

About 4pm, Fr. Beattie called to see if I wanted to join him and Fr. Duffy and Father Clark for dinner at D’Carlo’s. I just came home. We had a good meal and lots of laughs and when we asked for the check; we found that the parents of William Alexander, who got baptized on Saturday had taken the check. I stopped to speak to them and discovered that they were celebrating their anniversary. Each priest came and met them and thanked them. It was very thoughtful and much appreciated.

So I’m home now in the rectory. Schools and the Metro are open tomorrow so we’ll see how things go. I have the 11:ooam again. Read the rest of this entry »

I guess I did spend most of Thursday “recovering”. After the Mass, which was a beautiful reflection on the relationships between mothers and daughters, I came home and met with a young man, who needed a letter of recommendation to be a substitute teacher in the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese. I am happy to do that. He’l make a great teacher for our kids.

Then a nice lady came for confession. Then I went and slept for awhile. Had the 5:30pm Mass and hung around for the parent meeting for First Penance (and heard a few confessions). I was glad to get in bed around 8:30 and went right to sleep.

On Friday, I drove over to Hyattsville and picked up Mary Conway to go to the Shrine for breakfast. Mary use to work for the Catholic Standard, our Archdiocean newspaper; then she went to the Virgin Islands and was editor of their paper and for the last few years, she has worked for the Redemptorists in New York. We’ve kept in touch and so it was so nice to visit with her and “catch up”. While we’re visiting, John and Mary Cermak walked by and I invited them to join us. John taught with me at GC and although I’ve known them well for 30 years, I found out that Mary Cermak had gone to the Salvatorian High School in Milwaukee. Also John is a deacon and Mary Conway’s brother, Neil is also a deacon and a friend of John’s. It really is a small world (in Catholic circles!)
Mary had wanted to come to the noon Mass at the Shrine, so I left her and went to say the 1:30pm Mass at the Nursing Home. Afterward I was dropped off at the Warren’s. We met to talk about the funeral and I met some more of the family, who are coming in from all around.

Then I had the 5:30pm Mass and decided to drive out to Good Counsel. They were having a reunion for all the classes that ended in a “2” or a “7”. A number of people had asked me to come but I was afraid that I’d have to park far away and by the time I walked up to the hall, I’d be exhausted. Well, there were “handicapped” spaces right near the door and I felt fine.

I saw Jeff Healander, who really was the one who talked me into trying to come. He was having a ball. I think he was the co-ordinator and was pleased with the turn out. He is from the class of 87. Many of that class, looked the same and I remembered lots of their names (which I was a little bit worried about before). Also there were quite a few of the class of 82 and it was great to see them (and pictures and stories of their children). I ran out of stream around 8:30 but I was so glad that I went.

I have a funeral of a lady I really liked, Peg at 11am. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. Then I have a baptism at 2pm (William Alexander). Keep him and his family in your prayers. Then I have nothing till 10:30am Mass tomorrow in the gym. Maybe I’ll use the time to gather things in my room to give to the Sodality bizaar.

W’re all waiting to see what hurrican Sandy does. I was suppose to take the train to Philly on Tuesday but I’m not going. I don’t want to discover that the tracks are flooded and I’m stuck in Delaware. So the next few days are free. GOOD.

Also please keep Ed Colllins, Sister Kass’ dad in your prayers. In the hospital and that’s all I know for now.

Good comment from Dave Haas about what calendar I am using. I am using the Church Liturgical calendar. That means the church year begins on the First Sunday of Advent and runs through to the Feast of Christ the King. In 2011, the first sunday was November 27th; then we had Advent and Christmas and the Baptism of Jesus. Because Epiphany fell on a Sunday in January 2012, the first week of the year in Ordinary Time began on January 10th. With time out for Lent and Easter, this year we’ll only have about 34 weeks of Ordinary Time. So we’re coming to the end of the Liturgical Year. Hope that helps everyone. I love using my notes from liturgy class from the seminary.

So, speaking of the seminary. It is now 1am and I have just returned from St. Vincent’s. Today was Alumni Day and there was a Mass at 5pm and a dinner afterwards during which our class of 1972 were honored for our 40th anniversary. I sat with Bill, Bob, Tom, Richard, and Joe Klepner (who was with us for Philosophy but went to Rome for theology. Saw lots of old friends and teachers and it was a very joyful celebration.

I drove up yesterday after the 11am Mass and Tuesdays with Fr. Maury. We had a small crowd of about 7 but we talked about saints and the discussion and people’s sharing was very interesting. I also gave them all a copy of the 10 Saints that the Bishops’ Conference suggest we learn more about during the Year of Faith. Some of them had never heard of some of these American saints. If you have a chance, go on line to the U.S. Conference of Bishops and download a copy. You’ll enjoy it.

After our session, I drove up and spent the evening with the Morris family, Sheila and Keith, three of their daughter and one of the son-in-laws, and four of the grandchildren. We had a great time because we haven’t been together in awhile. It was a school night and so we broke up around 8pm and I was at my hotel in Latrobe by 10pm.

This morning, I had a nice breakfast at the hotel, then I went to Jiffy Lube and got my car done, then I bought some lottery tickets (Pa), went back to the hotel and used the hot tube. It felt so good on my knee.
Then I drove to Derry and visited the Prevics, Mike and Joanne and their daughter, Rachel (whom I think I last saw, when she was 5) and the Aunt Tish. Joanne and Tish were Rossis, a wonderful family from my days of teaching CCD in Greensburg. They have a large Italian family (that all lived on the same street) and we seminarians spent some great Sunday eating pasta and laughing for hours. I hadn’t seen them in maybe 15 years (my 25th anniversary) but we keep in touch and so I just called and “stopped by”. It was just like those Sundays (except I wouldn’t eat because I knew the dinner would be a lot – and also they need about 2 days warning to get all the food ready!!!)

Then I met the guys for Mass and you know the rest! They all wanted me to stay but I have Mass at 8:00am at Stone Ridge on Thursday morning – So I guess I’d better get to bed so I’ll hear that alarm at 6:15. The rest of the day will be relaxing.

I had a wonderful time at the baptism and party in Baltimore yesterday. It was great to see Annie and Matt’s three kids (whom I took phone pictures of but don’t know how to put them on this – but they are darlings!!) and all their families. I feel so comfortable with them.

On the way home, I stopped by to visit Joan (and show her the children’s pictures). I also saw Ginny and Laura (whom I haven’t seen in years). They were working on Halloween stuff!! Is that soon??

Oh, back to Saturday. I had a Mass at 11:00am. It was for Chris, the young man I went to see at the hospital. His parents and some of his siblings were there. It was nice and I spoke about mental illness. It is a topic that needs to be taken out of the shadows, so people will feel free to reveal when they feel badly. Keep that in your prayers, please.

Then at 1pm, I baptized Caroline in the chapel. It was so nice and her two older brothers, Sam and Charlie were happy to “sign her with the cross on her forehead”. Then I took a nap and afterwards drove out to Doug and Kathleen Hanratty’s. I have been carrying around their son’s marriage certificate for a couple weeks and I wanted to get it safely to them. We had a nice visit. He is slowly recovering from the torn muscles in his stomach. I hate to think of the pain but he is up and teaching every day!

Today, I have the 11am Mass and Pat Daly (from Florida) is coming to it and then we’ll go to lunch and she’ll go on the metro and sightsee. I’ll probably take a nap. I think I have the evening free, so I may watch the debate.

Today, I am catching up. I was suppose to have Mass out at Ray’s this morning but his assistant called and said I wasn’t needed so I’ve spent the morning here at the desk in the parish center and have cleaned up a lot of things and cleared my cell phone and the desk phone of all messages. I also met with a man, whose daughter is a 9th grader who didn’t get confirmed because they were out of the country so I and the seminarian will try to “bring her up to speed” so she can be confirmed this year.

I have the 12:30pm Mass and then I will head over to the Baltimore cathedral and baptize Matt and Annie Werden’s third son. It will be great to see Fran and all the family.

But let me bring you up to date since I last wrote on Monday night.
Tuesday I had the 8:00am Mass and was on the road to Pittsburgh. I got there around 3pm. It was a beautiful day for the ride and the trees – especially on RT 68 were a colorful picture! I relaxed at Bob Norton’s house and watched the debate. I fell asleep during it but I slept through the night till 9:00am.

On Wednesday, Bob came over around 11 and he (and Annie, his boxer) just hang around and relaxed. His place is perfect for that. However, I went out and met Mary Benke for lunch at the Olive Garden. Mary is Cardinal Baum’s cousin and she and I have been communicating for the last couple of years by phone and email on genealogy. We just talked and laughed and ended up going to an Office Depot and I copied some of her papers. She is just lovely and we had a great time.

Afterwards, I went back to Bob’s and eventually we went to supper with Bill Feeney and Tom Kredel. We, as we always do, had a great time and caught up. Richard couldn’t join us but next Wednesday is Alumni Day at St. Vincent’s and we’ll all be together again at the seminary.

Since they were forecasting rain on Thursday evening and Friday morning, I decided to drive home in the good weather. I was glad I did. It was again a great day for a ride. I was glad to sleep in my own bed and to just wake up when I did.
In the morning of Friday, I called the Little Sisters of the Poor Home and asked if I might come by and visit Cardinal Baum. I went over around 2pm and we talked and visited until after 4:30. It was so nice to be with him. He is a cousin of my sister, Maggie’s husband, Mac. We met at their wedding in 1968 and have kept in touch ever since. In 1973, he came to Washington as the Archbishop and was my boss. He is going to be 86 in November and although he kept saying how forgetful he is; he remembered many of the funny events and experiences that we have shared – especially when I was at St. Camillus. I just felt so good being in his presence and reliving some of those moments. As I left, I asked for his blessing, which he was happy to give me and then he asked for mine. I left walking on a cloud.

I stopped at the Shrine to buy a medal of St. Jude for a parishioner and I also drove over Ryan, our seminarian from last summer. We had a nice visit and hope to get to a movie together soon.

Then I drove over to the deaf center and had a delicious spaghetti dinner with Jerry, Patty Petrone and her children, Philip and Molly, and “Aunt Rose” Petrone, who really made the meal for us. I skipped dessert to have a third helping. It was so good!!!! And the perfect way to finish up a really perfect day.

Oh, it time for Mass. I’ll write about Saturday later tonight.

I had a great day yesterday. Did lots of priestly things.
Went to the psych ward to visit a young man, who has been very depressed. We had a wonderful visit. I anointed him and gave him Communion; and we just sat and talked. He has lived in Minneapolis for a few years and he knew O’Gara bar. (Steve O’Gara is a priest in St. Paul and was in the seminary with me in Wisconsin. We’ve stayed friends and get together every couple of years. His dad was O’Gara’s bar.) It is amazing to me how for the last 40 years, I have been able to develope instant repour with someone from that area by mentioning O’Gara’s.

Then I anointed someone going into the hospital today for surgery. Please keep Annie Lou in your prayers.

Then I met a man who spent 6 years caring for his skitzofrenic (sp?)
brother until he died and now has taken in off the street a woman who seems to have the same problem. He is very kind but I think he is in over his head with this new undertaking. Pray for Richard.

The staff had a little “party” for Fr. Ron’s birthday (which is the 17th) as he will be “on tour” of Southern Maryland with 50 of the parishioners today and Wednesday is his day off. We had Halloween cupcakes!!

I had supper with the house. Fr. Lucas came home from Italy in the afternoon and it was, as always, so pleasant to have him at dinner.

Then I went to visit the home of a parishioner. They were the host couple for our pre-Cana. There was another host couple who came. I like both of those families and it was nice to see the first couples’ children. Then 4 couples who are getting married soon, made up the rest of the group. I just enjoy the process the way it is done here. The engaged couples and the hosts will meet three more times and discuss a number of topics. The last meeting, I can not attend as I’ll be in Myrtle Beach with my family; but Fr. Lucas will be there. His first time and he’ll be great.

I am going up stairs now as I have the 8:00am Mass and then I’ll head out to Pittsburgh. Will write again on Saturday when I get home.

Had the 10:30am Mass in the gym. It was my first time this year. I was a bit unsteady on the platform and didn’t give Communion. It was great to see the kids and have them up around the altar. My homily was about how sometimes we can gather too much stuff together and how if we want to do what the young man told Jesus he wanted, “to have eternal life”, we have to let go of our plans, our needs, and our will. The poor young man couldn’t do that. He may well have had a good life and maybe went to heaven; but he didn’t get a chance to be in the inner circle of Jesus as one of His close friends. He could have done that because “Jesus look at him and loved him”. But he went away!!

Fr. Bill Montgomery came and said two of our Masses because Frs. Percy and Lucas are away. It was so good to see him. He was a seminarian when I was at Queen of Peace and I have loved him ever since. He looks great! – And they tell me his homily was very good.

Then Chrissy and Jeff came in to take the Focus test. They are getting married in April but he lives in San Diego so we have to get together when he is back for a visit.

Then I did the Baptismal class for six couples. A couple were people whose baby I am baptizing over the next few months; I love doing the class.

Then I had some lunch and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. I ran out of steam and didn’t do Communion; but I did walk to the back at the end of Mass.

I’ve been doing paperwork since here in the center and am about to head back to the rectory. I am tired but my blood oxygen is 98, which is good. I’m trying to get things together because after the 8:00am Mass on Tuesday, I’m heading to Pittsburgh to spend a few days. I’ll write again Monday night and then not again till Saturday.

On Friday, the 12th, I had the 8:00am Mass and immediately
afterwards I headed to the Port of Baltimore to pick up the
girls (my sisters and two friends) who were returning from
a cruise that went up the coast through New England. They
had a great time with some of Maggie’s classmates from
Notre Dame High School who are celebrating their 70th
birthday this year.
I drove them back to Southern Maryland and then stopped
by Rip’s and met Jim Kehoe, Helen and Sister Mary Newett.
Mary was in town to attend a memorial Mass for her blood sister,
Kathleen, who was the pastoral sister at St. John’s in Clinton.
She died in early September up in Scranton and the parish
wanted to have a Mass. It went very well. Sr. Mary was the pastoral
sister at St. Bernard’s when I was there and is living up in
Scranton in retirement.
Then I drove up to near Hickory for the wedding rehearsal of
Madeline and Chris. I had baptized her 26 years ago and had
married her Mom (Mary Louise Jones) and Dad (Bruce Mulligan)
28 years ago. I got to see all her family – grandparents, and aunts
and uncles and even a young woman, Kathy Gallagher, whom
I knew as a young child. Caught up on her mom, Ann, and other
members of the family. It was great fun and we had a delicious
Italian rehearsal dinner.
I had a room at the hotel with a hot tub and I really enjoyed it.
I watched the Orioles and the Nationals lose and slept well.
Wedding was at 11am and the reception was at the Mulligan’s
farm. They had a tent and great food. I stayed for much longer
than I usually do because it was so much fun and I caught up
on lots of old friends – Julie and Dave! Julie use to answer phones
at the rectory at St. B’s.
I stopped in to see Kathleen and Doug Hanratty on the way home.
He had been in the emergency room for an incident and we just
had a nice visit. Got home around 8pm and went to bed.

Yesterday, I had the 11am Mass and then went to see Dr. Lucas, my primary doctor. She was pleased with my health (even though I gained 8 lbs.) and we had a nice visit.

I had expostition at 3 and took a nap. Had the 5:30 Mass and then met with a couple whose wedding I will officiate at in 2013. I had 10 weddings on my schedule. I think I have to learn to say No because they deserve a younger and more energetic priest. We’ll see.

Had a nice long talk with Rick, my brother-in-law. He’s missing Maureen a lot but that is most natural since they were a good example of the scriptues, “the two shall become one”. I preached about them on Sunday. We (Maggie, Marie, Rick and I) are all meeting in Myrtle Beach around November 8th. It’s his birthday and for a number of years, we all got together then and we’re keeping that tradition alive.

Fr. Leonard, whom I became friends with in Colombia is in Florida to give a retreat. We are trying to connect by phone. I’m a bit nervious about that since I haven’t spoken Spanish in awhile. So far a very kind English speaking couple has been our go between. Again, we’ll see.

Today I am meeting Barry Trick for lunch. He was the vice principal at Good Counsel when I was there and a good friend. It will be nice to catch up.

Then I’m going to visit the Newman Book Store, one of my favorite haunts and then meet Sr. Kass for supper. (All these meals, do you think that is where the 8 pounds came from??) Then I’m going to stop by and visit Joan Beall and Mary Mudd.

I have begun to take Thursday as my “day off” so that I won’t have any Mass committments and I can just do my “personal” things. It should free me up a bit – again, we’ll see!!

Yesterday was going to be a quiet day. I had a confession at 9am. Another at 2pm and then the 5:30pm Mass. I was going to “straighten up” my desk. I don’t think I got much done today. I did call Pat Berry and had a chance to speak with his brother and his wife, his sister and her husband. I knew they were all coming to visit him for his birthday, which is October 9th. I thought I’d call early because the last time I looked, it was October 4th. I do get confused!!
Then I met Fr. Beattie for supper at DeCarlo’s. Neither of us could make Tuesday and Fr. Duffy couldn’t make Monday but we had a nice dinner and a good talk.

Today was a very busy day. I had a 10am appointment. Then we had a very large funeral. She was 86 years old and the mother of 16 children. She had 59 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. There were 9 priests on the altar. It was, as the Irish say, “a great send off”.
Then I had Tuesdays with Fr. Maury (which started 45 minutes late because of the funeral) and our topic was “Elections and inaugurations I remember”. The farthest back people could remember was Roosevelt (FDR). Two of our newest members are from Rumania and Spain and they told us about elections there. Very interesting.

I had the evening free and I did some genealogy stuff and talked on the phone with some friends. Had a great talk with Tonya and Dennis Essig on his feast day. Caught up with Marilyn Cavallaro and that branch of the family. A relaxing evening.