What Paddy Shot At

This morning I had a service at Ft. Lincoln Funeral Home for the brother of Bruce Mulligan. His name was Mike and he was a veteran. His oldest brother, and his two nieces spoke. I think it went fine. There were a lot of people there and that always helps the family. Next weekend, one of the nieces will be married, so a happy ocasion is on the horizon.
Then I had the 12:30 Mass and afterwards drove up to Barnesville to perform a wedding. It was just a ceremony but it was lovely. So keep Greg and Shirley in your prayers.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass. Just got some food and I think I’m off to bed. I am exhausted!

I thought that I had written since last Wednesday but I can’t seem to find it; so I guess I didn’t write it. Well here goes an attempt to “catch up”.
On Thursday, I went and visited Mary Rose Mudd, a dear friend and my accountant. She and Robert, her brother have kept me out of jail for years. They get me extensions on my taxes as I am never ready on April 15th and then I’m still not ready on October 15th. She is the soul of patience and today she had gone through the file of material I dumped on her in April and had made sense of much of it. She only had a page of information that I needed to answer and then she could send it off. I worked on that much of Friday and sent it off to her on Saturday (she responded immediately – she was working on Saturday!!) and now I think I am again SAFE.
Thursday night, I drove out to near Frederick and heard confessions for the junior girls from Holy Cross who were on retreat. I love doing that and it was very nice. On the way home, I stopped by Doug and Kathleen Hanratty’s and had a nice visit with them and their family.

On Friday, I went to therapy at 8:30am. I am learning how to walk up steps and afterwards I am exhausted. I guess I’m using muscles and ligaments that I never use. I took a long nap.
Had lunch with Ann, a friend from the parish and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. Afterwards there was a dinner for new parishioners. I stopped in and met a few but didn’t eat.
Instead I went over to the rectory, where 12 seminarians were visiting us. Fr. John Dillon, an old friend and pastor of St. Mark’s was also there. He, Fr. Ron (and I have to say I also) regaled the seminarians with stories of our early pastors and life in the rectory. They still want to be priests, so I guess the stories weren’t too bad. I really enjoyed the evening but was glad to get to bed.

On Saturday, I had a baptism at noon. And it turned out that the aunt of Carolyn Rose was one of my therapist from Friday. She was the one who told me I could get up those steps without using the rail. She told me afterwards that I went up the steps of the altar very well during the baptism so the therapy must have helped. They had a little party in the parish center and I went for a while. His family are from Turtle Creek near Pittsburgh and we had lots to talk about.
I called and talked to Fr. Ray Fecteau as Sunday is his birthday.
Then another nap.
I had the 4pm confessions.
Then I drove over to near Baltimore to attend the 86th birthday of Dot Witte Furnary. All her kids and spouses were there, including Mike and Lisa from Wisconsin. I had a great time as I always do with the Witte family. I stayed late and got home around 10pm. I called Joe Stoutz for his birthday and had a nice talk.

Enough for now. I’ll try to finish this update tonight.

I had a very full day yesterday. I had the 11:00am Mass and
then the parishioner picked me up and we drove to National
Park for the last game of the season. I hadn’t been there since
I attended the Pope’s Mass there. Greg’s wife’s company has
4 season tickets and so we met another parishioner, Bill and
Lynn, a friend of Greg’s wife, who had gone to high school
with her. The seats were down just above the dugout and we
could see everything. They tossed out T shirts and I got one.
I can’t say I caught it, it bounced off lots of arms up in the air
and fell into my arms; but it was fun. The Nationals won (
Sorry, Joe Stoutz about the Phillies!) and now it is on to the
Pennant!
I was late getting home but my 5:30pm appointment, Greg,
was kind enough to wait for me and we had a great discussion
about Catholicism, which he is interested in. He’s marrying a
Catholic next Spring. Keep him and Catherine in your prayers.

Happy feast day to all who know and love Francis.

Also keep the Pope in your prayers as he travels by train to
Lorreto, in commemoration of the trip Pope John took 50 years ago
today to pray for the opening of Vatican II, which began on October
11, 1962.

Yesterday was the new feast day of St. Therese, the Little Flower. As I grew up it was on October 3rd but it got moved in the new calendar. I don’t like to fight change and I understand that it was moved because she actually died on September 30th and the 1st is closer than the 3rd. I don’t know why but it annoys me. Also Sister Natalie (Ann Christine), who gave me a great love of Therese also gave me a statue of her when I was 7 years old. I still have it up in my bedroom. Over the years, I have sent Sister roses on the feast day but this change of date has thrown me. So I sent her roses today with this message: “I am either a day late or a day early. In any case: Happy Feast Day. Love, Maury” I should hear from her soon.

Yesterday, I went and saw Dr. Solomon, my pulmonary doctor. I wanted to let him know about Maureen because we’ve talked a lot about her. Also he checked me out – and except that I have to lose weight – I’m doing well.

Last night, I taught a class on Scripture and Tradition to the RCIA. I am so grateful that I had those wonderful Benedictines who really taught me to appreciate scripture.

Today, I went out to therapy at 8:30am. It was pouring rain but I’m glad I went. We spent a lot of time on going up steps – which is still a problem for me.

Then I went to the dentist. Was last there in June of 2010. I don’t know where the time went. I did well and may only have one cavity that needs to be dealt with. I always said that Mom gave us kids good teeth.

Now I am waiting for the 5:30pm Mass. It is for Maureen from the staff here. Then supper and I’m going to the Play Reading group. I haven’t been there since last March. I think it conflicts with dinner with Frs. Beattie and Duffy but we’re not doing that tonight as Jim is up at Mt. St. Mary’s for a special dinner, where Mike Roach is being honored!!!

Tomorrow I have the 11am Mass and then am being taken to the stadium for the last game of the Nationals. They have already sewn up the division but I think the game will still be exciting.

Just got a phone call from Mickey, my cousin in Florida. He came to Georgia and we had a nice talk there. He sent me some photos of his son and family and he wanted to be sure I’d gotten them. We had a nice talk again.

Have been busy.
On Thursday, I had the 11am Mass, then stopped into visit Joan Beall, we haven’t had a chance to talk lately and I had a nice cold drink of water and a nice visit.
Then I heard confessions. During the confessions, when no one was there, the fire alarm went off. I was on the second floor, so I looked out and couldn’t see smoke. Then I looked out the window and lots of people were standing around. I decided it wasn’t worth walking down the steps and so I went back to my rosary. After 20 minutes, the bell stopped ringing and sister came and checked on me. She said it was a fire drill but she didn’t tell them I was there (because she didn’t want me to have to walk down the steps!!) and so they pasted the test.
I came home and met with a lady who is in the RCIA but has a conflict for the weeks of October. We covered three classes and will do that again in late October. It was fun.

On Friday morning, I drove around to two parishes to get baptismal certificates for weddings I’m doing. It was easier than the phone. One of my stops was St. Bernard’s, where I am happy to say they have restored the lobby of the rectory (we had to put up walls for office space in my time). It looks elegant!!!
I also learned that the charter school that was there has left and so the school is not being used except for Religious Education. Too bad.
Then I stopped to see Marie and then headed home to go to the nursing home for the 1:30pm Mass. Martino went with me; he is such a help!
Then a quiet night of TV and reading.

On Saturday, I had the 11am Mass and afterwards, a baptism. Please keep Thomas Hunter in your prayers.
Then I had confessions at 4pm. Talked on the phone to my cousin, Mary, who was celebrating her 80th birthday and wanted me to come to dinner on Sunday but I was already engaged. We had a nice talk. I also had a great talk with another cousin, Helen Marie. I also talked with my brother-in-law, Rick who is being kept very busy by his family. He sounded good.

This morning I had the 11am Mass out at Our Lady of the Visitation, Ray Fecteau’s parish. He had something with the police, of which he is the chaplain. After Mass, I met Eileen, Joe DiJanni’s sister in law, which was a very nice surprise as I have lost touch with Joe, whom I went to grade school with. Also Jay Horman, who was a GC student and whose parents I really liked, stopped and introduced me to his wife, Stacey and their children, Jane and James. It was so nice to see them and catch up on family and friends.
Maggie had a pre-cruise meeting at the rectory at 2pm for some of her classmates from Notre Dame, who are going on a cruise from Baltimore up to New England. They leave Thursday and go for nine days. It is to celebrate their common 70th birthdays. I horned in on the meeting since I know a lot of them. Kerri and Tim provided wonderful food and drink and I think everything went well. Marie came, even though it is not her class. She knows lots of them also. She is going on the cruise!
I had hoped to go down to St. Mary’s county today for a farewell for Kevin Norris as he heads off to training as a Marine; and to get to a TEAM meeting with my married couples but the schedule got changed because of my being away and I ended up having the 5:30pm Mass today.
Now I am getting ready for the Mass, then some food and another relaxing evening of TV. I finished the book on Sister Therese and Tom Merton. It was great and it brought back wonderful memories of my days at Mount St. Paul, where Sister taught. It also awakened in me a desire to re-read some of Merton’s works. Maybe for Advent.

Tuesday was a full day.
At 10:30am, I had a funeral Mass for Josephine, who was 100 years old last week. She died two days after her birthday. I had seen her many times when I came out for Sunday Mass. She had a great smile.

I couldn’t do the burial, so the deacon did. I had the first of my “Tuesdays with Fr. Maury” around noon. I think I was 8 minutes late but we had a great discussion about Summer.
Then I met with a young couple who will get married here next Fall.
Then I had the 5:30pm Mass
Then I met Frs. Beattie and Duffy for supper
And went to bed early.

This morning I had a wonderful phone conversation with Steve Bleistine. We went to the seminary together 49 years ago. He had a mini reunion with some of the guys up in Philly and just called to “catch up”. We had lots to laugh about.

Then I had the 11am Mass; joined the staff for lunch and then took a nap.
I just finished a nice visit with a young woman, whom I had met with last year to “makeup” for the RCIA meetings that she couldn’t attend. We had such a good time that she contacted me because she is engaged and wants to get married here. I liked her fiance and we had a nice long visit. They’ll probably get married next Fall.

I’ve been trying to contact my brother-in-law, Rick in Georgia but keep missing him. I’m sure the family is keeping him busy and comforted.

I’ve been getting a lot of cards and messages and yesterday, a lovely flower arrangement arrived from Dan and Stephanie. I talked to them last night and thanked them. It brightens up the office. Friends are such a joy.
Time to go home.

I guess I have been busy since last Thursday. Let’s see.

On Friday, I had the 11am Mass and then drove over to Baltimore. Sometimes, it is very difficult to arrange a meeting in advance but on the same day, you can sometimes find yourself or the others being free. So I called a nice couple, whose wedding I will officiate at in about a month and we have not been able to get together to fill out paperwork. I called and we met at a diner in Baltimore. It wasn’t the perfect enviorment to ask questions like, “Do you intend a marriage that can only be dissolved by death?” but we got through it and had a nice visit.

I also was able to stop in and have a nice visit with Sister Natalie, my kindergarten and 1st grade teacher. I also visited with other Notre Dame sisters that live at the Villa. It lifted my spirits. See how God keeps on giving – especially when you need it.

On Saturday, I had a full day of doing things I love. In the morning, I had a baptism – John Joseph Casper! Keep him and his large family in your prayers. Then I blessed a marriage in the chapel. There were only about 8 people there but it was lovely. I had baptized their son a few months ago and they hadn’t been married in the church – and now they are. How good is the good God!!

Then I had the 5:30pm Vigil Mass and after a little supper, I went to bed early.

On Sunday, I went out to St. Mary’s church in Barnesville. The pastor, Kevin O’Reilly is a good friend and he was on a pilgrimage to Fatima with parishioners; so I took the 8, 9:30, and 11am Masses. I was a little tuckered out with all the standing but I got the chance to give Communion, which I still don’t do here at Blessed Sacrament yet.

Afterwards, I had lunch with Doug and Kathleen Hanratty. It was a nice visit with them, the daughter and grand-daughter and some future in-laws. I had a great time and then drove back to meet with a couple about a wedding next year. So far, I have 10 weddings between now and next June. I was planning to stop doing weddings (I’m not good at paperwork) but each couple is so nice, I couldn’t say NO. Then I had the 5:30pm Mass, got some supper, and was in bed by 8pm.

This morning, I had the 8:00am Mass and am back at my desk – I think it is looking much better – I think I saw wood early today and even JoEddie says she noticed the recycle bin is full of paper, so I must be accomplishing something!!!

Everything was beautiful in Warner Robins. Maureen looked lovely and peaceful – the struggle to breath was over. The wake was from 5 to 8pm – but lasted beyond 9:15pm as there was a constant stream of visitors. About 1000 people came and many stood for hours to pay their respects. So often you heard, “She was the kindest person, I ever met”; “She always had a smile and a friendly word”; “She welcomed me when I came here, I thought she was born here” At the funeral, the preacher spoke about how many people had told him, “I never heard a negative word from her about anyone”. He said, “She preached her own funeral homily by the way she lived her life”. The readings and music were things she had chosen and her bible looked well worn and with things underlined and comments in the borders. She was buried walking distance from the church and at the end of the service, a nephew played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes. There was a very full luncheon in the hall afterwards and again people came up to tell us how much they loved Maureen. We told them how much she loved them.
It was also a time to spend with family – especially children who keep growing up too quickly. They enjoyed the company of their cousins and the newest grandchild, Hannah Rose, about 3 months old, liked her great uncle Maury big stomach and large shoulders to rest on. He liked it too!
Please keep Rick, the boys and their families in your prayers. She left a large hole!!
There were lots of flowers, card, and prayers from so many different groups. Please know how much strength and comfort they were to all of us.
Marie, Maggie, and I flew back on Wednesday. Most of their children and grandchildren had left on Tuesday.
Now, I am back to work and trying, once again, to clear my desk.

I am waiting for Joan Ward to come by and meet me and we will drive over to the Port of Baltimore to meet Marie and Maggie at 8:30am, when they disembark from the cruise. Then we’ll go to BWI airport and wait for a plane at 1pm and then fly to Atlanta, Georgia. We should get there around 3:20, rent a car and then drive to Warner Robins. The wake is from 5 to 8 pm and we may be a little late in arriving but many other family members and friends will be there to support Rick and the family. The funeral is at 10am on Monday, with burial afterwards. Marie, Maggie and I are staying until Wednesday but many others will leave Monday and Tuesday. We retired people will stay and visit with Rick.

Again, a big thank you to all who have contacted us with condolences and prayers. We are blessed in our friends.

First, let me thank so many of you who have written on this blog or on facebook or called or sent emails about Maureen. You can not imagine how helpful and comforting they have been to me and all our family. I have spent a lot of time, talking with Rick and I know he and his boys and their families feel the same. What do people without family, friends, and faith do in the face of death????

I’m not going to write much tonight. I just returned from supper with Fr. Jim Boccabella and Msgr. John Enzler. We all miss being together as we were for a year (seemed longer – so many great memories) and so we try to have a meal together at a restaurant so we can just sit and talk and catch up. It was great.

I’m going to bed now because I have the school Mass tomorrow at 9.