What Paddy Shot At

I really should do something serious about my “Irish Guilt”. I have been running around for the last couple of days doing all kinds of social, ministerial, and pastoral activities to “make up” for having gone on the cruise. I am so tired now!

On Monday when I tried to get you up to date on the cruise; I had celebrated the 6:30am Mass and that got me a good start on working at my desk. After I wrote, I anwered 40 emails and responded to 12 phone messages. Then I treated myself to dinner out with Barb Ostrye and Barry Fitz. I picked up Barb early so we could “catch up” and we got to Mama Lucia’s an hour before Barry came. Honest to God, he looks even younger than he did at Good Counsel. We had a wonderful time and laughed and talked about everybody. One of the bartenders was Richard Werden (from St. Camillus) and part of the family I am the “family priest” for. It was nice to catch up on his family as well. When I got home, I was ready for bed that’s why there was no night addition.

Tuesday, the 14th was a full day.
Again, a ministry of phone calls. Also I drove over to Washington Hospital Center to see Jim Vidas. Then I had the 11:00am Mass and afterwards I met with my “Tuesdays with (FR.) Maury” senior citizen group. Our topic was “Church” and our discussion was lively. Then I did take a nap.
I met with Andrea about RCIA and then I drove over to St. Bart’s and gave a two hour presentation on Church History as part of their continuing ed program. I really enjoyed it. It was suppose to be 2000 years in two hours but I only got through the 4th century. You know how “off the topic” I can be!
I read for a couple of hours before I went to bed. I think the nap through me off.

Today, Wednesday has been busy too. Heard some confessions in my office and again, called a number of the sick to make arrangements to come and visit on Thursday. I met with Elizabeth, who can’t make evening RCIA classes. She is a social worker and so we’ve decided to meet on Wedneday at 10:00am and try to get her up to date for entrance into the Church.
I just came back from lunch at the rectory and am going up to the chapel in a few moments to hear confessions for the 8th graders who are on their Confirmation retreat today. Many of these kids are from my 6th grade Religion class of two years ago.
Then I have exposition at 3pm and the 5:30pm Mass. I will have supper with a friend afterwards and again -maybe to bed early.

I just looked at last Monday’s issue and noticed that I forgot to say that we arrived back in Baltimore on Saturday and then I had the 5:30pm Mass and afterwards a home Mass to celebrate Jackie’s (a parishioner)80th birthday with her family. Then I went over to College Park to participate in Jean Pizza’s 80th birthday bash. Roger, Dave and Kathy were at the same hotel but had gone to bed by the time I got there.
Next Morning, Sunday, I drove over and picked up Roger. We stopped here so I could help with Communion at the 12:30 Mass; then I drove him to the airport for his return to Wisconsin.
Then I stopped by the Deaf center because they were having their Bazaar and Turkey dinner. My sisters, Marie and Maggie were there. Maggie had brought up from Calvert county a deaf young lady whom she goes to Bingo with. Kim can sign and so she had a great time signing with all the other deaf people who were there. I also saw the Degenhardt’s, Gail Battle, and the Petrone women. It was a nice gathering and I was sorry to have to leave early to get back and say the 5:30pm Mass. I fell into bed around 8pm.

Now you really are up to date!!
I will try to get back on schedule and write each day.

I am back at my desk in the center and listening (in the background) to the Bishops’ Conference on TV.

I would like to bring you up to date on the cruise and events of the last few weeks.

We (27 of us) left from Baltimore on the Royal Caribbean ship, Enchantment of the Seas. We were to travel for two days down to the Caribbean, where we were to visit San Juan, Porto Rico, then St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, then to Samana in the Dominican Republic, and then Labadee, Haiti. Then we had a two day return to Baltimore.

Among our travelers were me, my sisters, Marie and Maggie, my sister, Maureen and her husband, Rick. My cousins, Peggy and Rick Jensen; JoAnn Adams and June Wittington (friends of Maggie from Southern Maryland and now part of our family) and Peggy Dee (who went to St. Martin’s grade school with Marie and has been part of our family since the 50’s); Gerry Size (originally from St. Bernard’s and now living in Southern Maryland) and Mary Ann Smith (friend of Gerry’s and now our friend and part of the family);

Roger Menting (who was in the seminary with me 48 years ago – his wife Kay didn’t come with us because she had just returned from a cruise to Iceland – but she’ll come on the next one – they live in Wisconsin); David Haas ( another seminary friend – who use to take me to Grand Rapids, Michigan at Thanksgiving and Easter because it was too expensive to go home for short vacations – He and his wife, Kathy celebrated their 39the wedding anniversary on the cruise – they live in Canton, Michigan); Patrick Berry ( another seminary friend, who has travelled with us many time – His wife Carol died about 15 years ago and he lives now in Chicago). There were 51 of us who came together in the seminary at St. Nazianz’s Wisconsin in 1963. Nineteen became priests but many of us stayed good friend with those who left before ordination. You might remember that last January, I went on a cruise with Frs. Dwight Birket and John Bohrer, Joe Stoutzenberger and Roger. We had such a good time we organized this cruise. I think we’ll do it again.

More of the cast were Bill and Kate Berry, (Pat’s brother and sister-in-law) live in West Virginia and have travelled with us before. Claire Sheehan, who is a good friend of Maggie’s and mine and who lives in Virginia. Winnie Jahn, who is a long time friend and who has been our travel agent for years came with us for the first time. She brought her sister, two of her golf buddies and their families. As I said, twenty seven of us! We had a ball!

On Saturday, I went to the purser’s office to see if I might get a room for Mass on Sunday. It was too rough on Friday to have Mass so I waited till the seas were calmer. The purser said, “Are you a priest? Would you be willing to say Mass for the passengers?” I said, “Sure”. They put out the word that Mass would be in the Spotlight lounge and there were almost two hundred people there. Afterwards they offered us the same room at 8:30am and we Mass each day. I think about 30 to 40 people came regularly. I enjoyed it very much and met people who knew people I knew – like Fr. Ed O’Connor from Scranton and Fr. Carmen Carlone from New Jersey! It really is a small world in Catholic circles.

I think I’ll take a break and finish this tonight.

We are just pulling into the harbour at Baltimore and will dock in a few moments. I noticed that I still had some time left on the 0-Line account; so I thought I’d just say hello.
The trip has been very relaxing and we seemed to miss Sean because except for a couple of bigger waves and the wind, it was actually sunny outside.
Yesterday was Dave and Kathy Haas’ 38the wedding anniversary and we all sang for them.
No one won the big BINGO stuff.
Well, I’d better go and see if our limo is waiting.
Tonight many of us are going to Jean Pizza’s 80th birthday in college Park
May write tonight or tomorrow

Hello, we are on our way home from this great vacation. Time to just sit and laugh – and eat too much! We are off the coast of Florida and have been going at a high speed. We are going to meet Sean (the hurricane) at a point off the North Carolina coast and we probably will only be able to go about 10 miles an hour. We can’t go around it because it is on the same path as us – moving to the coast. The captain says that the swells could be as high a 20 feet but that we can sustain them easily. Sean will probably follow us all the way up the Bay to Baltimore.

I have been having daily Mass and today it was really rocking! Don’t know if we can do it tomorrow. We have as many as 40 people there. I have not been able to write a message every day but I’m kept a journal so will try to transport it to a later Paddy when I get home. I just wanted to say hi for now.

Please remember in your prayer Joan O’Reilly, wife of Vince, mother of Kevin and Tim, and former librarian at GC. She also did much of the construction of sets for the musicals we use to do at the high school. I’ve been fortunate enough to see her many times lately when I would come to Kevin’s parish, St. Mary’s in Barnestown, to help out. RIP.

Don’t know where I got the idea it was the 33rd week; I must have turned too many pages in my breviary. Anyway, it is the 32nd week and I am going to be say Mass at 8:30am starting tomorrow and through Friday. It was so rough coming down that many people were sick (not me!) and it was hard to walk and be steady. I didn’t try to say Mass but on Saturday I went to the office to see if I might get a room to celebrate Mass for our group on Sunday. The office was thrilled to know they was a priest on board and asked if I’d say Mass for the ship on Sunday. I said, sure and so we had it in the bulletin and they annouced at the show that we’d have Mass at 8:30am on Sunday in the Starlight Lounge. There were over 200 people there. I got three other Eucharistic Ministers and three different voices (Bill from West Virginia, Rick from Georgia, and Deacon Charlie from New York) to read the Scriptures. I told the people I’d preach so they’d hear a real Tidewater accent in addition to those “foreigners”! It went very well and we were out by 9:05am (No collection or announcements!)
Late Sunday night, the cruise director called to see if I’d be willing to say a daily Mass, I told him we couldn’t find a room; he put me on hold and then said, “how about the lounge at 8:30 starting Tuesday. So we begin tomorrow.
We are all having a good time. I don’t get off the ship but many in our group do. I stay around and read or go to the pool or NAP!
Today we were in St. Thomas and are now heading to the Dominican Republic. We’ve been playing card – Maureen seems to enjoy that and she can hook up her oxygen and breathing is not a problem.
Food is wonderful and I will have to get real structured on my return.
Heard from Pat Watters today and she is still undergoing test. Keep her in your prayers.

I am having a very good time with family and friends. Am not staying as “structured” as I was but I am in the pool, which I hope makes up for the rolls at meals – they are so good!
We are just about to leave San Juan and it is in the 90’s. I love the air-conditioning.

I did receive a shocking email that I want to share with you. Sandy and Jim Vidas, who are members of my Teams of our Lady up here. I was with them while I was at Good Counsel and St. Bernard’s. I left them when I was in Southern Maryland but reconnected with them since I came to Blessed Sacrament. Actually I had gotten a notice that there was to be a meeting on the 13th (at their house) but I wrote and said since I wouldn’t get back till the day before, I’d have to skip this meeting.
Their house caught fire on Wednesday. Jim was seriously burned and it in intensive care (burn section) at a hospital in DC and Sandy died. I still can’t get that idea into my head. Please keep them and their children and the Teams in your prayers. I will write something about the trip later this week.

Am on the high seas but couldn’t let this feast day without a word of thanks and praise to St. Martin (whom we called “Blessed” for so long). I told the people at the 6:30am Mass how Blessed Pope John XXIII said, in canonizing him that he was a perfect example of humility always looking for a way to make others feel better about themselves as God’ children. Good thought – even years later!
I called and talked to Frances Sampogna as we have always had a special love for Martin – and tomorrow is Nick, her husband’s birthday and I have always called them on this day. Nick died two years ago but good traditions keep going.
I got Dave, Kathy and Rog from the hotel and we met Marie, Peggy Dee, Pat, and Bill and Kate at the rectory. There was a hugh funeral at 11am that didn’t get over till about 12:30; so we didn’t get into the limo and on the road till 1pm. But we made good time and by 2:30, we were on the ship.
We left around 4pm and now are cruising past St. Mary’s county on the Bay. We had a good dinner and all 27 of us made the ship. Many are going to the show but I am heading to bed, a few sudukos and a long sleep. May only do this every couple of days but we’ll see. Bon Nuit.

My desk is clean and clear (and not because things are hidden in the closets) so I can go off on the cruise with a relatively clear conscience.
Today I went to the Retired priests’ meeting at 11:30am. There were only ten of us there. I think a number are out of town. Those present were Msgrs Beattie, Duffy, Bazan, Brady, Kehneur, and Ranieri; Fathers Crisculo, Brown, Hill, and me. We had a nice discussion and then lunch. I left half way through to go to meet Roger, Dave and Kathy. We went to a Chinese restaurant. They seem to be very content at the hotel and are just relaxing. We all bought Powerball tickets – it’s 254 million. You have to play to win!
I have the 5:30pm Mass. It is in the chapel because we are having a big Mass at 7pm and the choir needs to practice. I’m not going to that Mass because my sisters and my brother-in-law Rick, and my cousin Eileen and her husband, Phil are all going to meet at 7pm at Peggy and Philip Caruso’s house. We had such a good time at lunch that we wanted to try to get together while Maureen and Rick were here.
I am almost all packed and I’ll finished when I get home tonight. I have the 6:30am Mass on Thursday. That’s good because it will get me moving. The Limo will be here at noon to take nine of us to the port, where we’ll meet the other 17 and the ship will pull out at 4pm. I am really ready to relax on the high seas.
Don’t know if I’ll have computer access on the ship but I’ll try to keep in touch. (23 hours to go!!)

Again, I can’t believe Tuesday got away from me.
I love the Feast of All Saints and gave three good homilies but can’t remember them now.
I got up around 7:30am and came over to the center. Joan and I went out and put some clothes in the cleaner. Then I went and got my hair cut (not as short as in the past – I learned that I want him to use a 3 when he trims the beard). I don’t look shorn!
Then I had the 10:00am Mass at Inglewood. Saw my 94 year old friend that I visited a few weeks ago. She came to the Mass and I made an appointment to see her after the cruise. (36 hours and counting!!)
Then I had the 11:00am Mass. Lots of people and I processed out at the end and who should be standing in the lobby by David Haas. He and his wife just drove in from Michigan and they are going on the cruise with us. I gave them to Joan to take to the rectory because I had Tuesdays with Fr. Maury to go to. It was very nice and we had about 12 people. Our topic was “people I have loved”. I really enjoy those discussions.
Then we went to the hotel and got them settled and went to lunch at Sir Walter Raleigh Inn. They are “vegan” (?) and so I chose that for its great salad bar. And who should be see but Kathy Gallagher and Mike Gorman – Kathy (Bunkie) is a friend from back at the Camp St. Vincent de Paul days (1964). It was great to run into them.
Then I came home and took a nap.
At 7pm I went to the Play reading group. We finished up “The Lion in Winter”. We had a very interesting discussion. I had only planned to stay about an hour but Roger called me and said he was still in Chicago and wouldn’t be in till 10:15pm; so I stayed for the discussion. We are planning a very controversial play for next month, “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot”. More to follow.
I picked up Roger at National. They have a very convenient parking area where you can go and wait for a call on your cell phone when your party has gotten their luggage and is ready to come outside. It saves so much hassle at the curb. Got Roger settled in the hotel and then we stopped in IHOP for a snack and talk. We left after midnight. I got home around 1am and I fell asleep very quickly so no time or energy to write last night.
Today have lots of loose ends but will write about them tonigh.

Today would have been Mom’s 97th birthday. Offered Mass for her parents and her. My friend, Fr. Michael Roach and his siblings got together on what would have been their Dad’s 100th birthday and I think that would be neat to do on Mom’s; so I marked Oct 31, 2014 in my appointment book.
I woke up at 4am and stayed up all day. I had lots of “loose ends” that I wanted to get done. I had a lot of things brought over to my office to give to the Sodality bazaar, which is November 12th. Then I went to visit Joan Beall and Mary Mudd for Holloween. We had a nice visit and then I took Communion to Nancy. She is the 91 year old who was taught by Sister Victoria in high school. We had a nice visit. Then I went shopping for some clothes for the cruise. (Whatever made me say, “I think I’ll start packing” – I didn’t on Sunday night!!!). I will pack some on Tuesday night.
I went and pick up some more prescriptions – now I have enough for the trip. I stayed in my office and watched all the children parade by in their costums. Many were really clever.
I had expostition at 3 and then had an appointment and then drove Joan Ward to the Metro. We stopped down in the little shopping area we have. Lots of little children were in costums and going from store to store. The managers were sitting outside of the stores handing out candy. It was very cute and I was surprised by how many fathers were walking the children around. I don’t think my Dad got home from work until we were already out “trick or treating”. I do like that men are so involved in their children’s lives.
Had the 5:30pm Mass. There were lots of people there because it was the vigil of All Saints’. We had music and I talked about “our” saints – the ones we’ve known who will probably never to be canonized but are amoung the Communion of Saints. Having it be Mom’s birthday fit in well.
I had supper with Fr. Ron and then he went to man the front door for the “trick or treaters”. I came up and laid across the bed to read and woke up at midnight. I realized I hadn’t written so that’s why this is in the middle of the night.
I think I’ll go back to bed now as Roger and Dave and Kathy arrive today and again I have a full day on Tuesday.