What Paddy Shot At

It is once again, early in the morning (around 5am) and I fell asleep early last night. I worked on the Thank You notes most of the morning yesterday and then came over around noon to take a nap and work from this office. I just never went back to the center and was in bed and asleep before Jeopardy. I have been taking a lot of Iviprophene (sp) because my leg does hurt and maybe that makes you sleepy.

Today, I will go over to the center around 7am and work till Mass at 11am. Then I have an appointment and will work again at the desk until I hear from Jeff Healander. He and Beth and their three daughters are up from Kentucky to tour DC. I officiated at their wedding many years ago and am looking forward to seeing them and the girls. They will call me on the way home from downtown and I will meet them at the Metro.

I happened to see Beth’s comment on Facebook and knew they were heading this way. I wrote and now we may get together. I guess this social network thing is something I need to get into!!

I will write again tonight as I hope to get back into a normal sleep schedule today.

It is 4am and I just woke up. I came upstairs last night after supper and put my leg up and relaxed and watched TV till about 11pm. Then I thought I’d lay on the bed and watch the news and I fell asleep till now. I didn’t do much yesterday. Even didn’t have Mass as we had a visiting priest come for the funeral at 11am and so I spent most of the day at my desk writing Thank You notes. I got a lot done but I guess it took a lot of energy to work on the notes.

When Maggie ordered them from the printer, the lady said, “Should we leave them blank, so your brother could write a long note to each person?” Maggie said, “Oh, no. let’s use a printed message and then he’ll have a limited amount of space to write something personal. Otherwise, he won’t get these “Thank You”s out until 2018!”

I guess she really knows me because it takes more energy to try to put a short message in that space, rather then to ramble on as I often do. I guess that is why I was so tired last night. I will go to the desk today and except for having the 11am Mass, I’ll work on the rest of the Thank You note and hopefully be finished tonight.

Also, reading all the messages, gets me to day dream about what a wonderful couple of weeks I’ve been having. I didn’t get a chance to speak to everyone who came to the celebrations but from the notes I have gotten, they got to visit with old friends and “catch up”. And that really was the purpose of the gatherings. I really am blessed in my family, friends, and those I have come to know during my priesthood.

“Oh, how Good is the Good God”, thus spoke St. Julie, co-founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

I just realized that I didn’t write anything yesterday. I don’t know how that happened.
I had a very relaxing morning watching the Sunday talk shows here and over in my office. Then I took Communion out to an elderly lady, whose usual EM was away this weekend. She lives nearby and I have visited her before. We had a very nice visit.
I then had the 12:30pm Mass. My leg was bothering me but I did OK at Mass. I preached an interesting concept that I read about recently where in the gospel of the day, an author suggested that when Jesus appeared to all the disciples gathered on Easter Sunday evening, he spoke to all of them when he said, “whose sins you forgive they are forgiven…” It is the church – you and I whose are called to forgive people. It is one of the actions that the followers of Jesus are called to do – just as Jesus did. We are not to “judge lest you be judged…” Wouldn’t it be a better world if one of the hallmarks of Christians was our constant willingness to forgive? We could give such hope to the world. And good example too.

After Mass, my cousins, Rick and Peg Jensen, and our friend, Sheila, who works at Madira School, and Pat Delaney, up from Florida and visiting her daughters, and I, drove to Clyde’s for a meal and some laughs. We had a great time.
Then I came home and had the 5:30pm Mass. I decided not to process and just entered from the sacristy. I had two great servers who helped me around the altar. I didn’t help with Communion but extra Eucharistic Ministers came up and helped. After Mass, I came home and relaxed. I watched the Jessica Fletcher marathon and went to bed early. I guess that’s why I forgot to write.

Today, since I slept well; I decided to drive down to Maggie’s and pick up the Thank You envelopes and notes that I had left there. I figured that I’d have a very easy day today and so I could begin to work on them. The roads were almost empty so I got down, had a short visit, and was home with plenty of time to be ready for the 11:00am Mass.

After Mass I celebrated the Anointing of the sick with Brother Malachy, a Christian brother who is a friend and teaches Scripture here in the parish. He will have a knee replacement surgery tomorrow, please keep him in your prayers.

Then I went to the office and addressed all the envelopes and read all the messages and cards I received. Over the next few days, I hope to write a message and get stamps and send them out. It felt good to accomplish so much.

I worked until 5:30pm, when a couple whose wedding I am concelebrating in September came by to talk. Then I came over here to the rectory, grilled some hotdogs and had a “cookout”. Now I am watching TV – now it’s a Perry Mason Marathon. Am getting this message out to you and will go to bed soon. Have the 11am Mass tomorrow.

I think the cortazone helped. I slept well and got out of bed easily. I had the 8:00am Mass and still used the cane. It is still awkward to go and down steps and I didn’t give out Communion. I lean again the altar during the Mass but I have nothing to lean again if I give Communion.

I met with a young lady who is being confirmed tomorrow and then I had a baptism at 11am. I also had two more at 1pm. Then I came up the 17 steps and took a nap. I navigated the steps OK with my cane. Then I had confessions at 4pm. Fr. Ron asked if he could have the 5:30pm, which I was on the schedule for. I was happy to switch and will have the 12:30 and 5:30pm Masses tomorrow.

I decided to go out and find a place where I could get my hair cut and my beard trimmed. I have had that on my “to do” list for three weeks. Joe Healy posted a photo of him and me on facebook from the party last Sunday. All I could think of was my Mom’s favorite expression when she thought my hair too long, “You look like the wildman of Borneo”. And I did. I feel so much better. I am off to bed and do not have to set the alarm – that’s one of my favorite results of retirement.

Kept the morning light and went to the doctor at 10:15am. He was very nice and didn’t seem to mind that I was very bad as being able to describe my problem. He took exrays and said nothing looks broken. He suggested a cortazone shot into the knee and I’m going back on the 8th of June – unless it gets worse. Then I’ll have an MRI and we’ll see.
I had expostion and the 5:30 Mass. I am still hobbling around with the help of my cane. I’m heading over to the rectory, have supper, and then go up to my suite and relax. Maybe when I get up tomorrow for the 8:00am Mass, the pain will all be gone. Say a little prayer.

Yes, it was Chez Francois that we went to the other night. It was just lovely and delicious and very relaxing. It’s in a beautiful setting and the service was excellent.

Today was a slow day for me. I did call and get an earlier appointment to see a doctor about my knee. It has gotten worse and is difficult whenever I move. I went to bed early last night just so that I didn’t have to move around.
I had the 8:00am Mass and stood throughout all of it because it is hard to get up and down. One of the parishioners was kind and after Mass came in and gave me a cane. He said, “We had two of them in the car, so take this and see if it helps”. It does. Having something to lean on helps my left leg to stay straight.
After Mass, I met with a lady who does our parish newsletter and she wanted to hear about the trip on the Queen Mary2. If she decides to write something, I’ll put it on line.
Then I drove over to St. Camillus. I can drive because it is only my left leg that is hurting. I went over to preside at the funeral of Mildred Miller. She and her husband, Harry were in the parish when I was the assistant and they were just great people. They had 7 children and were involved in so much of the parish life.
One son, John was a part of the group of young men that Mr. Kunze got together every December and cut down a huge tree for the Church. He and the boys took care of finding it, cutting it down and putting it up in the baptistry area. It was usually about 25 feet tall and then the the boys helped the teen club to decorate it with ornaments that parishioners had made. They also put strings of lights and when we lit it during the childrens’ Christmas Eve Mass, it was always a big hit.
John, eventually married my cousin, Carole Apfelbeck, a parishioners and so Mildred and I got to be related.
I was honored to preside at the service. Fr. Mike, the pastor, preached and was very kind to me -as he always is when I come back to the parish – and he helped me up and down the steps of the altar. He also gave a wonderful homily and a little commentary about Mildred at the end of Mass. The family had planned the Mass and the music and readings were great.

I went out to the cemetery and with the help of my cane, got around fine. The family was having a luncheon but I needed to get home. I got in and took a three hour nap. I went down to supper with the pastor and now I am just relaxing and going to sleep.

My doctor appointment is at 10:15am and I have paperwork to do in the morning. Please keep Mildred,her family, and the parish of St. Camillus in your prayers. Even though she has been very ill lately, she was an integral part of the parish and her family for 90 years.

I am going to put an announcement on Facebook to invite people to come to this sight and read about Sunday. Hope it works.

I am now three days into “recovery” from the most exciting and enjoyable day of my life. I want to share some thoughts about it. When I first realized that this would be my 40th anniversary of being ordained a priest; I intended to let it go by with just a family Mass and dinner. However, when I talked with people – especially some of the former teen club members from St. Camillus – they suggested it would be a great time to have a “reunion”. As it grew and my sisters agreed to organize it – I am not good at organizing -, it became a time to bring together many relatives and friends who have impacted my life -especially in these last 40 years.

The Mass at Jesus the Good Shepherd community in Owings Md.was just what Vatican II meant by ” full and active participation by the people at liturgy”. Even the music ministers said, “It was so great to celebrate with a community where 300 people are all singing and responding”. The presence of six priests and a deacon – so well known and loved by so many of the congregation just added to the sense of the Spirit. In addition to the Communion hymn, there was a beautiful hymn by the cantor of the Breastplate of St. Patrick. Then the meditation was “The Ultima”, which many people knew and joined in singing.

The gathering at the Fire house was like an old fashion Irish wake but with no body having died. I didn’t get to speak to everyone – although I did very well – but people got to talk with one another. Some were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time and/or some were people who had heard about each other and never met. I know lots of my cousins, all of whom I knew, met some they hadn’t known. If I missed talking with you, know that I saw your face during Communion. My left knee was bothering me, so I sat down and didn’t distribute Communion. It gave me a chance to see each of you. There was little Madison, whom I baptized and who looks to be about 5 now. There was Mrs. Brady, from St. Bernard’s, who although 90 looks as young and alive as she always did. There were so many couples at whose marriages I had the privledge of officiating. Many children I baptized who now are married. The families of people whom I buried and at whose funerals I preached. There were my three sisters, my brother-in-law, my first cousin and so many of my family who have been such a support to me through seminary and priesthood.

I hear the food was delicious – I couldn’t eat, I was too excited just seeing people, getting a hug, and a few minutes of “update”. So to those who came, my sincerest thanks for gifting me with your presence. To those who couldn’t come, I understand. No matter what day in May or June, there were going to be conflicts with weddings, graduation, and other celebrations. Know that you were prayed for and remembered at Mass and the party.
Lastly, to those who live far away, I hope you understood why I didn’t send invitations. It was just too far to ask people to come. Washington is far from most places but parts of Southern Maryland are even farther. You too were prayed for and remembered.

There was much laughter – and a few tears on the day; but I got an addition laugh when I got a phone message from Terry McConnell, who is a great friend and was my office manager at St. Bernard’s. She said, “Great time yesterday but the 45th will have to be held at FedExfield!!!” I just roared.

I stayed at Maggie’s yesterday in my pajamas all day. I did a little work on my mailing list on the computer with the help of AnnMarie. We had Ledo’s pizza for supper and then played cards till midnight. We had a great time.
I decided to drive back to Blessed Sacrament rather than spend the night. I was home in bed by 1:30am. I was scheduled for the 11:00am Mass and so I just loungec around my suite till about 10:00am. After Mass, I had Tuesdays With Fr. Maury. We had about 10 people. We talked about the ways we remember our family or parish honored the Blessed Virgin when we were young. The responses were very interesting and different. Some people grew up in rural America and some in the city. May processions were common to all but the family rosary, while important was done differently. We closed by singing along with a tape, the hymn, On this Day. We remembered the words.
We also celebrated the feast of St. Rita with stories about her and donuts.

This afternoon, I took a three hour nap. My left leg is really causing me pain. I have an appointment to see a doctor a week from tomorrow; but I’m not sure I can wait. It’ hard to walk and difficult to get out of a chair. We’ll see.

I took the nap because I was joining my cousins, Rick and Peg Jensen, their children, Kate and Christopher, and our friend, “Aunt Shelia” Reilly. We were celebrating Rick and Peg’s 35th wedding anniversary, Christopher’s graduation from Syracuse University, Sheila’s birthday, Kate’s new job, and my anniversary. We went to a lovely French restaurant in Great Falls and we ate too much but we laughed a lot and I think that takes off calories.

I am going to bed soon because the first thing I have scheduled is 3pm Exposition. I’ll just get up when I want, eat breakfast (or lunch) and go work at the desk. The leg is bothering me, so I am trying not to agree to things until I feel better.

Where do I begin??

Yesterday, we had Mass at 1:30pm at Jesus the Good Shepherd parish in Southern Maryland. The church was almost full. There were people I see almost daily and some people I have not seen in over 25 years. As the Mass began, I looked out to the congregation and I knew everyone there. Each face had a special story with me and my mind and heart were just flooded with those memories. I was glad that there are moments in the liturgy when you can just sit there (like I did as Communion was distributed) and look at people and remember.

It is still too fresh to write a good report of the day. I am “recovering” today and will write later. I think I got a chance to speak to most people at the church or later at the fire hall but the important thing for me was that so many of them got a chance to speak to one another. Ah, how good is the good God to give us opportunities to be together as Church and family.

Had a good night’s sleep and got up around 9am. Had the 11:00am Mass. Not many people there but the Gospel, which I read last night, gave me an interesting thought. I read an article recently on the phrase, “Whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give you”. The author said that you often people say, I bellieved that and when God didn’t answer my prayer, I just stopped believing in him. The author suggested that Jesus was saying that if we ask for anything in the way Jesus did (which was to always ask for the Father’s will) then we would be at peace by how things turned out because we would know that God was present in the situation and what was best would occur. I preached about that and have been thinking about it all day. I have to be more trusting of God.

The rest of the day, I spent at my desk. I’m still trying to correct addresses so that I can mail out my copies of the newsletter. I’ve found a lot of people but some I just had no lead. So I wrote on Facebook that I was looking for someone and asked for help. The response was great and Kevin contacted me. I have to rethink my feelings about Facebook.

I had confessions at 4pm and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. I extinguished the Easter candle during my homily and reminded people that they have the Light of Christ and must go out and share it with the world. I think it worked.

I should have gone to the school play, Grease; but I am too tired. I am going over now to get a bite to eat and then go to bed. I have the 7:30am tomorrow and then I head down to Dunkirk for the last of my 40th anniversary celebrations. I am staying over night at Maggie’s on Sunday and Monday to enjoy the familly. Maureen and Rick will leave on Wednesday. I don’t think I’ll write again till Tuesday or Wednesday.