What Paddy Shot At

Today has been a strange day.
During the 8:00am Mass, my knee was hurting so much, I almost cried. After the Mass, I took some Ivprofen and went back to bed. I slept till about 2pm. I got up and had some eggs and toast and then came to the office. My leg felt a lot better – I guess just being off it helped.
Spent much of the afternoon calling people and “catching up”. It was fun. Joan went and got me some more pain pills, which I’ll use tonight. I met with a couple who are getting married in August and needed someone to help them with paperwork. They were very nice and I’ll send the paperwork off tomorrow. Leaving now for the rectory. Have therapy at 12:30 tomorrow and no Masses, so I can sleep in.

Yesterday was the feast of St. Camilllus. It use to be on the 17th but in the new liturgical calendar it was moved. Still I offered Mass yesterday for all the parishioners and staff of St. Camillus parish in Silver Spring – living and deceased. There is a treasure trove of memories of that parish.
Yesterday, my knee hurt all day. I had the 11am Mass, Exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. The rest of the day, I tried to keep my leg up while I worked in the center. I took some pills but it still hurt and after supper, I went to bed and fortunately slept through the night. We had a storm but it didn’t keep me awake.

Today, I have the 8:00am Mass and then I hope to rest most of the day. Am meeting a couple who want to get married and I am doing the paperwork for them tonight at 6:30. Then I hope to go to bed early. The heat during the day and the storms and knee at night are all I really remember of a day.

I didn’t notice till the office last night that yesterday was the feast of Mt. Carmel. One of my favorite feast and I love the Carmelites. So I said a special prayer for all those who are and all who love their spirituality before I went to bed.

I also had long phone conversations with Betty Neary and with Joan Beall. Haven’t done that for awhile and it was fun to “catch up”. Like most of us, Betty has been suffering with the heat but also she has been to Disney World to see a grand daughter dance and then she worked the Lion’s club carnival in over 100 degree weather; so she has been sticking close to home and the airconditioning – and drinking water, which she doesn’t like but she was dehydrated. But she is good now and we had a great visit.

I slept well. I think the therapy put some of my muscles and tendons to rest. I got up early and had the 8:00am Mass. I am going to try again to drive around the parking lot. I do miss driving. I couldn’t get the seat correct yesterday and it was so hot, I gave up quickly. Before it gets too hot, I will try again today.

I hope to drive over to pick up Msgr Duffy at 5:30; so we can meet Msgr. Beattie for dinner at DeCarlo’s at 6pm. I’ll let you tomorrow how I did. No therapy till Friday but I am doing some exercises at home.

The funerals and wakes and the retreat all went very well. I would write about them except that I had therapy today and I am really tired. I am going to bed in a few moments.
They tell me at therapy that I am right on track but sometimes I just get exhausted and sometimes the exercises hurt; but I just keep at it. I didn’t have Mass today because we had a funeral and a family member who is a priest did thing. I have the 8:00am Mass tomorrow and then I’ll do some work at my desk. I’ll write about the high lights of the last few days. Good night.

I wasn’t feeling good all day yesterday. I did say the 11:00am Mass but spent most of the day lying down.
Joan drove me to DeCarlo’s at 6pm where I met Fr. Beattie and Father Duffy and Fr. John Clark, who lives with Fr. Duffy and drove him. As always, we had a delightful dinner and talked and laughed. Fr. Beattie drove me home, through a pouring rain. I was soaked by the time I got into the rectory. I got out of the wet clothes and went to bed around 8pm. Slept soundly till 2am and then was awake the rest of the night. Couldn’t get comfortable. Finally fell asleep around 5 and was up again at 7.
Didn’t have Mass today because a visiting priest had the funeral at 11. Went to therapy at noon and they really worked me. I feel good and feel tired at the same time.

Am waiting now for my sister, Marie to pick me up and take me to Southern Maryland. A good cousin of mine, Jack O’Brien died and the girls and I will go to the wake tonight in Edgewater. Then I’ll stay at Maggie’s and tomorrow the three of us will go to the funeral in Annapolis.

In the afternoon, we’ll all come to Beltsville to Larry Pendergraph’s wake. He’s a friend of mine from St. Camillus and St. Bernard’s and his wife is a classmate of Marie’s from Notre Dame. We’ll all drive back to Maggie’s and come up Friday morning for the funeral at St. Joseph’s in Beltsville.
Then the girls will drive me to Camp Maria, near Leonardtown to join the Blessed Sacrament Family retreat. I will miss the morning session but will join in around 3pm. I’ll stay there till Sunday, when someone will drive me back up here and I will do the 5:30pm Mass. Then I think I will just collapse into bed. So, no more news till Monday.

Please keep Jack, Larry, another cousin, Mary Ann, who is recovering from hip surgery, Anna Marie Kinerney, from St. Bernard’s who is recovering from knee surgery, and all of the “Bay Believers” who are on the retreat, in your prayers. That should keep you busy! Know that you and all your needs are being sent to God through STS. Benedict and Scholastica!!!

Sunday, I got up around 7am and had Mass at 8:15. Jay provided the music and again, it was nice to see everyone. Deacon Jim helped me as I couldn’t stand for Communion. One of the parishioners brought me a Snickers and told me he misses me! How charming!
After Mass, I had breakfast at Judy Raley’s. She also invited Jack and Fran Cullison and the deacon. The food was great – but that’s no surprise – she always made a great breakfast for me when the nuns were down for a visit.
Then we had the 10:30 Mass. The choir sang and again it was so great to see all the families and how the kids have grown. I saw Mr. Potter and had a chance to talk. Afterwards, Pat Hall and Mary Rego helped me get stuff together with my sister Maggie and my niece, Kerri so that they could take me home. I had planned to stop by the brunch for the wedding crowd but I was really tired. I did see Kay and Ernie Fenhagen, who were in the rectory before I left. They are dear friends from my stay at St. Michael’s and have been a guest of their family many times.
The trip home took about an hour. It was 105 degrees outside. When I got home, I said the 5:30pm Mass and went to bed. I had turned off the air-conditioner while I was away but it cooled down the room by the time Mass was over and I slept very well.

This morning, I had the 11am Mass and went to the center about 9am. I wrote this morning article and after Mass, Joan drove me to therapy. I had felt so well this morning – the good night’s sleep – the lower temperature, it was 77 degrees this morning – and no pains in the leg. Well, they did some new therapy and when I came out, I was really exhausted. When I came home, John, the seminarian offered to take exposition and so I went and took a nap. I got up and did the 5:30pm Mass, had supper with the pastor (and learned about the trip to Ireland, which he enjoyed) and now I am bringing you up to date and going to bed.

Had a great weekend. My niece, Kerri and my nephew, Michael picked me up around 9:00am. I had celebrated the 6:30 and 8:00am Masses and was all packed and ready to go. They went to my room in the rectory, and my office here in the center and gathered all the things I had put together to take with me. We got to Maggie’s around 11:00am and took a breather in the cool of her house. Then we headed South. We had lunch at Stoney’s in the Solomon Island. I had the Ceasar Salad with crab meat. It was delicious and I think – healthy. As we are leaving, I run into Steve and Liz Matera, friends from St. Bernard’s. I had seen Steve at my celebration and he had brought me up to date on the family. Liz couldn’t come that day, so it was great to see her. She plays in the military band that was performing at St. Mary’s College that evening. What a nice surprise to welcome me back to the county.

Once I was unpacked, I sent the family home before the base let out and the traffic would be terrible. Marian Ann Blair, a dear friend, had dropped off a casserol for me. One of those great traditions from my years there at St. Michael’s was that the back door was never locked and people would drop off tomatoes, crabs, a casserol, or a cake. It was always a pleasant surprise and always quickly eaten. This gift, I only tasted as I knew that I’d be eating all weekend. I brought it home in a styrofoan container and it is in my frig. I had some late Sunday night. Then I took a nap.
The wedding rehearsal was at 6pm and went very well. Afterwards, I rode with Muffin and John (the bride’s parents) to the reception. We did a “ride through” on the way. The rest of the McCoy family was having crabs, etc as a picnic at the farm; and so we rode up to the house and the picnic area. It was great to see so many of them. Beth McCoy, the matriach of these 12 children, was one of the first friends I made when I came to St. Michael’s in July of 2000. She was a Washingtonian and we had great times together. She died in 2008 and I still miss her and her wit! It was a custom to come around July 19th and have a family reunion for her birthday; and the family has kept the reunion going. This year, with the wedding of one of the grand daughters, they moved it up.

The rehearsal dinner was at the Broom – Howard, a bed and breakfast in old St. Mary’s City. The food was great and I enjoyed getting to know the groom’s family. We had some nice conversations and there were some very nice talks and toasts. Around 10:30, I began to fade, and I was glad to be brought home and get to bed.

I had forgotten how quiet the rectory is and I slept very quickly and very soundly. I didn’t wake till around 10:00am. Judy Raley, who lives nearby picked me up and we drove to Sheibel’s. We met Shirley and John Kovich for breakfast. Shirley just retired after 35 years as the parish secretary (and all around person who knew what to do, how to do it, and who could help in the parish). There had been a party last week, but I couldn’t make it, so we used breakfast as our party.

When I got home, Brenda Ridgell came by with crab cakes and we had a little visit. Then I took a nap.

I celebrated the 5:30pm Mass. It was great to see so many familiar faces. I was pleasantly surprised how easily names came back to me.
I didn’t give out Communion because it is hard to “free stand” but I did process to the back and leaned against the door to say “Good bye”. It was amazing to see children I had baptized or given First Communion to, who tells me they’re in junior year of high school or already in college. People I married are introducing their children to me. It was just great!!!

The wedding was spectacular. Kristin looked terrific and everyone had a wonderful and relaxed time. Kristin and Rick had planned the whole ceremony and it was so like them in it’s simplicity and beauty. The reception was also lovely. Lila (the school principal) and Dan, her husband drove me to the dock for hor’deuves and drinks. It was hot but a slight breeze off the river made the time together good. Then they drove me to the reception in a tent near the old town hall in historic St. Mary’s City. We had a fan over our table and so it was more than bareable, it was pleasant. I enjoyed my tablemates and the conversations. The food was very good and plentiful. However, once again, I began to fade around 10pm and my drivers kindly took me home. I was asleep in about 10 minutes.

More about Sunday – later today.

Yesterday began badly. I was wearing a wire to check my nightime oxygen levels and it bothered me so much I never slept more than an hour at a time – until 4:30am, when I slept through till 7:05. I was scheduled to do the 6:30am Mass. I was really upset by that. I looked at my alarm clock and after the power outage, I set the time 12 hours off. Instead of 5:40 am I had put 5:40pm. It really upset me BUT God is good because Fr. Percy, who gets up early, went down to get coffee at 6:10am and noticed the chair had not moved, so he came and did the Mass.
Then Joan took me to therapy. It hurt but I do believe the swelling is going down and generally I am in less pain because I do take those pills. I napped afterwards and at 1:30, I got a ride over to hear confessions in Silver Spring. Patrick picked me up around 5pm and we went to supper. I had pork chops and I really enjoyed them. I came home and worked in my suite and went to bed early – I checked the alarm settings.

I got up at 5:40 and packed. When I walked outside, I was stunned by the heat. It was already 80 degrees. I had the 6:30am Mass. Something was wrong with the system. If you turned on the microphones when the air-conditioning was on, then there was a terrible hummmm. The server asked what I wanted to do so that people could hear the readings. I told him to forget the microphones, the air was more important!! In addition, I hadn’t taken a pill, so my leg hurt. I didn’t preach and I think the Mass was over by 6:48.

I came down to the office and took the pill and feel a little better, I have the 8:30 and after that Maggie’s Mike is coming to drive me South. I think I’ll stop over at Maggie’s and then someone will take me to St. Michael’s. I have a wedding rehearsal at 6pm. It is for Kristin Padukiewicz, Muffin and John’s daughter and Beth McCoy’s grand-daughter. The wedding is at 7pm on Saturday. I will stay at the rectory for the weekend. It is all on one floor and Fr. Lee has gone to Seattle to marry a nephew, so I will be the “Father Sub” for the weekend. I have 5:30pm Mass on Saturday and the 8 and 10:30am Masses on Sunday. There are lots of events and some one from the McCoy family will “transport” me around. It will be great to see all of them and catch up on their activities. Also I will try to see lots of my former parishioners. Someone from Maggie’s gang will bring me home Sunday afternoon. I hope my energy level holds out.

Since I have a busy Monday morning with Mass and therapy; I may not write again till Monday. Know that, as always, you and your needs are in my prayers.

The electricity came on around 10pm on Monday, so it was cool again in my suite.
I didn’t do much on Tuesday because I had the 8:00am Mass and then someone drove me to the nursing home where I had a Mass at 10:00am. I came home and just hung around my suite till 5pm, when Patrick came and drove me over to meet Jim Beattie and Tom Duffy for supper at DeCarlo’s. Pat and I picked up Tom as he has given up his car, and we met Jim at the restaurant. I think Patrick really enjoy them. We had lots of funny stories of the priesthood. When I got home, I discovered that the TV and computer were out – that’s why no Paddy yesterday. I watched DVDs as that part of the TV will work.

Today, it is very hot here. I had the 11am Mass and just now the 5:30. Joan came in to work – although we still had no computers – and so for lunch we had New Haven Pizza from somewhere nearby. It was delicious.
Just before Mass, the computers came on line and so that is why I am writing this while still over in the center. I don’t know if it’s working in my suite. When I finish, I’ll go home and finish the pizza and if I can, watch TV. I think they cancelled the celebration on the Mall but maybe I can catch the Boston Pop show. I have the 6:30am Mass tomorrow and then therapy at 8:30. I am looking forwardd to the therapy because my leg has really been hurting – and I did take the pills!!
More tomorrow.

We had a terrible and powerful storm on Friday night. I was in bed and I slept through much of it. I could hear the wind and the hail stones as they hit the roof and air-conditioner. We did not lose power so my alarm worked and I got up for the 8:00am Mass. From many of the people there, I learned that power was out to many people and the traffic lights in our area were out and causing lots of problems.

I worked at my desk in the parish center and went upstairs for the 11am Mass. Again, I heard stories of how many people were effected. I had a baptism at 11:30. Katherine Barley was unconcerned about the weather and she and her family were delightful. Patrick came to help me around the altar and stayed to help me with the wedding at 3pm.

Because of the roads, we didn’t start the wedding till 3:35. After Communion, I got a message that the father of the bride wanted to make an announcement. He said, “As some of you may have noticed, we had a bad storm here last night. We were having our reception at the country club just down Conneticut Ave; but they called this morning to say that they had no power. We are going to the old Ebbit Grill on 15th Street in downtown DC.” I found out afterwards that he had not shared that concern with the bride and just said a prayer and then began calling places all around the city. I was most impressed by the way, people handled these unexpected changes.

The rest of the day, I spent just relaxing and continuing to clean up stuff in my suite. I went through about 100 cards and envelopes and organized them.

On Sunday, I had the 7:30am and 9:00am Masses. My leg was really hurting and I was grateful to Fr. Percy that he offered to take the other three. Maggie had offered to come us and drive me down to St. Michael’s for the retirement party for Shirley Kovich; but I called her and said that I was already exhausted and I thought I’d better stay home. I went back to my suite and worked on the family tree and watched TV. I had set the alarm for 4pm, in case I fell asleep because I was to have a meeting with the people working on the family retreat at Camp Maria on the 12th.

Just before I came over to the parish center, we lost electricity in the rectory. I figured that they were probably restoring power in our neighborhood and had to shut ours off. Well it was off all night and is still off. I don’t know what that means but I did miss the AC last night. I wasn’t worried about time as my first activity is therapy at 11am today and then exposition at 3, Mass at 5:30 and an appointment with a couple who want to get married at BS next year. I am just meeting with them to get the process started; after the weddings that I am already committed to through October, I don’t think I’ll take on any more – except family and close friends. They deserve better and younger!!

So that brings you up to date. My leg is hurting but not too bad. I’ll just keep on “trucking”. More tomorrow.