What Paddy Shot At

I stayed at the party last night till after 10pm; I thought I was “leaving early” but actually the celebration went on till 1:00am. I was tired when I got to bed but it was a lovely evening and my tablemates were fun.
I slept in today and came over around 10:00am. I had the 11:00am Mass and confessions afterwards. At noon, I met with a young couple who Fr. John was to marry in June 2012 but now he can’t. They were very nice and had almost all the paperwork done – which I loved since I am not good at paperwork.
Then I took a nap because I had the 5:30pm Mass and confessions afterwards. Then I went over to the school reunion and made an appearance. I saw Madeline Wortman, whom I’ve know for years. I said, “Did you go to school here?” She said, “No, I was a teacher!” There was a lot of chatter and laughter and I felt badly sneaking away but I’m ready for bed. Tomorrow, I have the 10:30am Mass.

I had the 8:00am Mass today and spoke about the “Luminous” mysteries of the Rosary. I told the people that I was actually annoyed by Pope John Paul’s decision to add these new mysteries. I received a number of questions about what people should do with their old rosaries – should they buy new ones with the new mysteries? – did they need to add more beads to their rosary? etc!! I kept thinking that with all that was going on in the Church, how could we put time into changing something that has worked for centuries!
Then I went to visit a 90 year old sister in the infirmary at the motherhouse in Hartford and she says to me, the rosary in her hand,”Isn’t it wonderful about the new mysteries? We have had the joyfull events in His life up to His being found in the temple; then we have the sorrowful mysteries of His passion; and then the glorious mysteries. Now with these new mysteries, – of His ministry – we have the complete picture.”
I told the people how dumb and not very spiritual I felt. Sister was, of course, absolutely correct and I try to remember that as I say the Rosary daily.
After Mass, I finally finished up going through my tapes and packed them up for the library sale next week. I did find a lot of vhs and cassets that I kept and will see about getting them made into DVDs. They are tapes of St. Bernard’s and my family’s old super 8 films. I can’t lose them.
I met Ann for lunch and laughed a lot. Then I took a nap.
At 7pm – in just a few moments – we are hosting a cocktail party at the rectory for special former staff and parishioners. Then the sit down dinner in the gym and auditorium for 700 and then dancing. I am hoping to just make an appearance and get to bed early. I’ll let you know how successful I was tomorrow.

How do I keep missing a day?
Yesterday, Thursday I had the 8:00am. Then a peson stopped by to talk and visit. After that, I went out to Barnes and Noble and used another of my gift cards and picked up the book, “Sarah’s Key”. I had a chance to read about thirty pages and I think I’m going to enjoy it. There is also a movie, in French with subtitles, which I may go to see also.
Then I went to the Academy of the Holy Cross to hear confessions. I always enjoy that and yesterday was no exception.
Then I met Ray Fecteau. We celebrated his birthday by meeting at the Pines of Rome, a great old Italian restaurant in Bethesda. We had great food and lots of laughs. It is hard to believe we will be ordained 40 years next year. It’s been a good friendship.

Because I ate so late, I joined the priests at dinner time for a glass of water. Then I came to the office and tried to start organizing my tapes, VHSs, and CDs. I can’t believe that no one want cassetes of VHSs but they keep telling me they are only good for re-cycling. Oh well.
At 9:00pm, I led the Holy Hour that we hold in the chapel every Thursday before First Friday. It is well attended and I always enjoy it, especially doing a litany. I went to bed by 10:30pm

I am back from the cemetery and just put out the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. I decided to write a message and then head over to have an early supper and go up to my room.
The funeral today was for Kathleen Bishop and her brother, who is a Disciples of Christ pastor in Idaho was with me on the altar and gave a lovely eulogy after Communion. She had been an art teacher in the school and quite a few teachers were able to come over for the funeral, which meant a lot to her family. One woman, who is an aide in the primary grades for art and who worked with Kathleen wrote a very interesting and caring email about her to the faculty. I saw it and asked if I could use it in my talk. It went very well and since I only knew Kathleen when I went to anoint her, it added some very real qualities about her.

Just as I began this, Bob Ligday, from St. Michael’s stopped in for a visit. He had come up with the field hockey team from Ryken, who are playing over at St. John’s. It was great to see him and get updated on his family, whom I loved.

Well now I am off to the rectory and will write tomorrow!

Last night’s RCIA presentation was a dry run for the one I will do later today with Andrea. I think it was good. It was Scripture and Tradition both of which I love. I also enjoyed the group. I haven’t been able to stay for the whole meeting till last night and I got to see them interact and also to learn how well educated they are. I was very impressed. I shall try to get to more of the sessions in the future. There is no class next week, because of the Columbus holiday.

This morning I had the 11:00am Mass and talked about St. Francis. He is such a wonderful example of one who left everything to follow Jesus. I would like to be more like him.
IT IS NOW WEDNESDAY MORNING. I THOUGHT I HAD WRITTEN THIS AND MAILED IT YESTERDAY BUT OBVIOUSLY I DIDN’T!!

After the Mass yesterday, I had my second “Tuesdays with (Fr.) Maury”. It was very good. We had about 14 people. Our topic was “A person who influenced me”. And we had a number of good reflections about people and circumstances that influenced us. It is a slow process to help people to feel free to share but I think the group is getting more comfortable. Our next session is October 18th and our topic is “The world of my youth”. I am especially looking forward to hearing peoples’ descriptions of the world that they remember from their youth.

After we closed, I went over to Pumphrey’s Funeral Home in Bethesda to visit the family of Kathleen Bishop, whose funeral I will have on Wednesday. She had been an art teacher here at the school and lots of people remember her with great affection.

I met with Andrea and we discussed Sacred Scripture and Tradition. It was easy as that was what I spoke on at the Monday RCIA. I am enjoying these sessions but I do wish that Andrea could come on Monday so she could get to know the rest of the group.

At 7pm, I went to the play reading group. We are reading “The Lion in Winter”. It is fascinating and I read Geoffrey, whom I really enjoyed when I saw the movie. It is great to see the people grow into their parts and take on the personalities of the play. We also have good discussions after reading. We only got half way through so in November we’ll finish and have more discussions. I didn’t get back to the rectory till after 10:30 and went right to bed. Thinking takes a lot out of you.
I SHALL SEND THIS OFF AND WRITE AGAIN LATER TODAY , WEDNESDAY.

Although I have adjusted to the Church’s decision to move Therese’s feast day from October 3rd to October 1st; in my heart, I now have two days on which I thank God for her influence in my life.

I have been very busy – oh it’s good but both Saturday night and Sunday, I just fell into bed and couldn’t even turn on my computer to write. So let me update you.

Saturday, I had the 11:00am Mass and preached about St. Therese’s life. She entered Carmel at 15 and died at 24, so she was only in Carmel for 9 years but Oh how her life changed the world. She wanted to be a missionary and she wanted to be a priest; but as Christ had called her to a cloistered life, she wrote to missionaries and prayed for them daily. At what would have been her 53rd year of life – had she lived – she was declared a Saint. She really was on the fast track to holiness. I called Sister Natalie to wish her a happy feast day.
After Mass, I heard confessions and then I met with Jim Bishop, his brother, his daughter and grand-daughter to make plans for Kathleen’s funeral on Wednesday.
At 4pm, I went to Knollwood, which is a community for retired military and is in our parish. Actually the Jesuits serve as chaplains there but on September 24th and October 1st, the had to be away and we covered it. I had a great time and was asked to stay for dinner. It turned out that I was the guest of what is called “the breakfast club”, three couples and two widowers who have been friends for years and sit together for breakfast every morning. If someone is travelling, they write and their note is shared. The leader is General Cushman and we were also celebrating his 90th birthday. We met for cocktails in the Cushman apartment and then went to the dining hall for a delicious dinner (except for a sliver of birthday cake, I ate a very structured meal!). I didn’t head for home till about 9pm and I hit the bed quickly.

On Sunday, I had the 10:30 Mass in the gym. It was cancelled for the summer but returned two weeks ago. It was my first time presiding there since last Spring and I forgot to send the children out before the Liturgy of the Word. They have age appropriate classes in another part of the building. They come back during the Creed.
The music is great and the congregation really participates.
I helped with Communion at the 12:30 and then I hosted at the rectory, some of those who are going on the cruise on November 3rd. We had good food (which my cousins, Rick and Peg helped with) and it was a good chance for people to meet each other and to see former cruise people. Fr. Percy came in to meet the people and said, “Maury, stay and visit your family and friends. I’ll take the 5:30pm Mass.” I was so grateful because after the meeting was over, I hit the bed again early!!!

This morning, I went to a diner and met with Gail Douglas, a friend for over 55 years. She retired on Friday and I wanted to meet with her and encourage her to really enjoy retirement! We had a very nice visit.
Then I drove out to Germantown to Mother Seton parish for the funeral of the father of one of my students from GC, Domenico Sofia. I couldn’t get there in time to concelebrate, so I joined the congregation, which was extensive! I also saw some of Dom’s friends from St. John the Evangelist, where he had gone to grade school. It was raining but a Spirit-filled church.
Then I went to the credit union to see about getting a replacement for my credit card. I haven’t been able to find it since I moved here but I didn’t want to cancel it because I know someday, I’ll move something or open a book and find it. It was easier than I thought and I hope to have my card back in a week or so to use.

I got about six things off of my “to do” list and I’m feeling accomplished. I did Exposition at 3pm and I have the 5:30pm Mass. It’s the Good Samaritan story and I love it. Then I’ll go home for supper and then back here to the center. I have the presentation for RCIA (Scripture & Tradition) tonight at 7:30 and then again, I think it will be early to bed for me. Keep me in your prayers.

I didn’t get home till after midnight last night and went right to bed. This morning I have the 11:00am Mass and then am meeting with Jim Bishop, whose wife, Kathleen I anointed a few weeks ago. We will meet to plan her funeral, which will be this Wednesday. So I am trying to clean up my office.
Yesterday, I went to Social Security and turned in my papers and then I stopped by Joan Beall’s and my cousin, Phil Ballenger was also visiting. We had a great time and I am hoping that Phil, Eileen, Maggie, Marie and I will meet for lunch sometime in the next two weeks.
I had the 1:30 Mass at the Chevy Chase House and then headed to St. Mary’s country. I stopped and had a cup of cream of crab soup with Lila, her husband Dan, their daughter, Reggie, Robin and John Pajac at Sheibels, which had just re-opened under new management. It was just as I remembered it.
Then I went to Ed and Fran’s and met with some of my Team members. I say “some” because Alex and Maricell and Bob and Jane weren’t able to attend. We had a great meeting with a very good discussion about Mother Teresa. I left about 9:30pm and as it rained a lot on the trip, I didn’t get home till late and I was very tired. I will write again later tonight.

Joan and I did go to St. Martin’s and got my vestments and then my prescriptions and then I had the 11:00am Mass. Prayed for all those who have these Archangels’ names or celebrate today as a feast day. Of course, prayed for all the people at St. Michael’s parish and school in Ridge. Then I went to lunch and drove over to Social Security to try to get this Medicare B stuff cleared up. They had no record that I was retired so I got another form and got Fr. Ron to sign it and tomorrow I will take it back to the office and hopefully get this settled.
Ann O’Connell called me and was just too tired from a day of travelling around, to go to dinner tonight with the other cousins. I understood but I still went. We went to a Chineses retaurant and had great food, lots of talk, and lots of laughs. It was Jim and Eileen Denney, Jim’s sister Sue Rogus, and Jean Denney, whose huband was Tom. Jim, Sue, and Tom are all grandchildren of my grandfather O’Connell’s sister, Aunt Mamie. We swapped lots of stories and some genealogy material. We also each order a different entre and shared. I had some “hot” stuff that I would not normally have ordered but I enjoyed the experience. I’ll probably stay up late tonight because I don’t have Mass till 1:30pm at Chevy Chase House. Might do some work on genealogy. “Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle……”

Today’s saint is the protomartyr of the Philipines. I learned about him at one of the saints’ processions that the first grade at St. Bernard’s school use to do every All Saints’ Day. They use to dress up like a saint and had a little talk to give about their saint. A Filipino boy told us about St. Lawrence, who had recently been canonized. He was so proud and I think of him and pray for him every September 28th.
I had two doctors appointments this morning. I hadn’t seen them since May and so I received a wonderful surprise. I knew that I had lost about 20 lbs since I went to Structure House but today I learned that since I was last weighed at the doctors, I have lost 30 lbs. Just the word of encouragement I needed. So I am going to try to keep doing what I have been doing. Keep me in your prayers as I am not a good patient and I do miss the Snickers!
I spent much of the day working on getting dates and information settled for Baptisms and Masses for October. I called Maureen and Rick and had a great visit. She is trying a homapathetic medicine that she heard of and it is too early to tell if it is helping. We are all looking forward to the cruise in November.
The Cash Bash at St. Michael’s has moved its date from October 1st to November 5th. We will be on the cruise then but I am sending in my tickets next week.

Tomorrow, I have the 11:00am Mass and Joan (Ward) and I are going to drive around 9am to St. Martin’s to get my vestements and then the CVS to pick up prescriptions and drop off some new ones that the doctor gave me to help figure out my blood sugar. Good health is a lot of work.

Today is a special day for all those in the Vincentian family so I asked everyone to pray at the 11:00am Mass for those living and dead members of the Vincentian Fathers and the Daughters of Charity.
I went to the Hebrew Home and brought Communion at Marie Wallace and I also visited Deacon Bob Connelly, who is recuerating from carrotted arties surgery at Surburban Hospital. I also met his daughter, Heather and her husband. Boy, parking is really hard there. And I had left my wallet home and had to tell the cashier that I had no money. He told me just to write my name and my phone number on the ticket. I was dressed like a priest so maybe that’s how they do it for clergy or maybe he just thought I was a deadbeat and let me go.

I had lunch then a nap and then I met with Andrea for the RCIA material. I also spent a lot of time on the phone today. I discovered that I had 24 saved messages, so I tried to contact all those people – and I did a decent job! Around 4pm, Jim Beattie called to say that he, Fr. Duffy, and Fr. John Clark were meeting for dinner at DiCarlo’s. So I went over about 6:30. It was a nice evening and now I’m going to bed. Have two doctors’ appointments tomorrow and the 5:30pm Mass. Should be a “quiet day” and I hope to get through all those CDs and the books and tapes for the Library. I’ll let you know how I do.