What Paddy Shot At

I had a memorial Mass today for a man, whose died last October and Fr. Jim had done a funeral Mass for him. However, a lot of his family and friends were not at it and so we had this Mass today in the chapel at 11:00am. It was a big Irish family, originally from New York but who had lived in Blessed Sacrament for years and all the adult children (in their 60’s) went to the school. So in addition to family, many parishioners came as well. I was able to use a lot of Fr. Jim’s homily as well as my own thoughts. His brother spoke after Communion and said, ” Well Fr. O, besides looking like Santa and Anthony, you certainly captured his personality”. He had great stories and comments and so afterwards we all went to a bar called Mussels?? in Bethesda and laughed and talked. I knew people who knew people and it was fun.

I drove out to Darnestown and heard confessions and then said the 5:00pm Mass. There were two First Communions, Jason and Amanda. It turns out that Amanda was baptized here at Blessed Sacrament, so I told her that the pastor asked me to come especially since she had started her journey of faith here in Chevy Chase. I really had a good time and then Fr. Ray, Javier, the cantor, and John, who often goes to the deaf center for Mass, and I went out to an Italian restaurant. I really do have to cut out all this Italian food but its sooooooo goood!

Have the 7:30am Mass and the 12:30pm Mass and then three baptisms and then I think I’ll just collapse and go to bed.

Today was a very quiet day. I went over to the office around 10am and Fr. Ron Potts, our new pastor came for a visit. It was great to see him as he was a seminarian at St. John’s in Hollywood, Md and we’ve been friends every since.
I got to St. John’s because in January 1980, Fr. Beattie who was director of priests personel called me at Good Counsel. I had been there about three months and he said, “What are you going to do this summer since you’ll be off school for three months”. I said, “I hadn’t thought about that”. and he said, “You want to go to Hollywood for a month?” I said, “Sure” and he said, ” Good, go to Waldorf and make a left and go thirty miles”. So I did and for the next 7 years, I spent one month at St. John’s, one month at Our Lady of Grace, Leisure World and one month on vacation. It was a great assignment and my first introduction to Southern Maryland.
Fr. Ron will be coming on July 6th and we are all looking forward to his coming.
The rest of the day, I was on the phone or trying to get medicare and retirement information settled. It is a labarinth and impossible. I’m sure I won’t get any money in July.
I had the 5:30pm Mass and Fr. John came and joined me. The Mass was for Madeline Firth, a very dear lady who died a few weeks ago and was very involved in Blessed Sacrament and a Baptist church nearby. We had a large congregation of her neighbors and friends.

After Mass, I drove – on the beltway – over to Bowie. I dropped off some marriage papers at Sacred Heart rectory and then went on to Annapolis where I met Rose and Patty Petrone, Molly and Philip Levine, and Jerry Trancone at a nice Italian restaurant on Riva Road. We laughed and talked for hours (I think about three) and it was so good to be with them. I love fast wit – even when I am the butt of it!!!
Got home and tried to communicate with Sacred Heart by email but wasn’t very successful. I wrote a friend nearby and asked her to check on the papers. The wedding is not tomorrow but next Saturday and I want to be sure all the paperwork is right – I’m not very good at that.
Have a busy day Saturday, so I’m off to bed.

Yesterday, I got up early and said the 8:00am Mass. Then I went to the office and had intended to spend a little time there and then go by St. Bernard’s and see the older gentlemen who meet there on third Wednesday for Pizza and laughs. Mr. Utermohle had kindly invited me. However, I was needed at a meeting to discuss our changes and by the time that was over, I went for a ride. It was a lovely day. I dropped off a yearbook from the school for Pat Mullan at his rectory. Then I came home, ate some tortolinis and ginger snaps and went to bed.
I was sick all night.

This morning, I slept in (well I went back and forth to bed) and called Kass and told her I couldn’t come to see her new parish. I stayed over in the rectory (drinking ginger ale) and came over to the office around 3pm. I’ve done a lot of cleaning and throwing away and filing. I did the 5:30pm Mass and told the people about St. Romauld, the founder of the Camoldolese hermits. I also prayed for Fr. Romauld Dibble, SDS, who was a great friend and mentor from Mt. St. Paul days.
I’ve cleaned out all my voice mails and emails and now I’m reading to go home. I will have some chicken soup and I hope sleep well. Have the 5:30pm Mass again tomorrow and can sleep in but the new pastor is coming around 10:00am and I want to be over the office by then, so he doesn’t think the senior priest thinks he is “retired” already!!!

Yesterday was a perfect day. I was suppose to have the 8:00am Mass but switched with Fr. Jim for the 11. He had a conflict with a nursing home Mass. So after the 11am Mass, I headed downtown and rode twice around the statue of Columbus in front of Union Station and on the second time around, there were Joe Stoutz, John Bohrer, and Terry Odien waiting for a pick up. We drove around trying to find a Clyde’s on capitol hill but couldn’t and so instead we drove out to Bethesda and went to the Clyde’s there. We took almost 3 hours to just eat and catch up (and solve the problems of the Church). Afterwards we went to the Newman Book Store and “looked around”. I think everyone bought at least one book but we read through a lot. It was the same experience that I use to have when I was a young priest and would just go to Newman and spend hours “updating myself”. Then I took them back to the station and I think they caught a train around 6pm. I came home and read 100 pages of a book I got at Newman’s. As my friend Kass said, “Lunch with friends and then a trip to the Newman book store. Life doesn’t get better than that”!

Today I didn’t come over till 3pm. I read some more of the book. I had an appointment at 4 and then Mass at 5:30 and have been at my desk since. I listened to all my voice mails (16 saved) and answered or deleted them. I cleaned up my emails as I had 1300 and they are down to 650. I deleted or answered them. I usually keep about 400 that have information that I don’t want to lose. So it’s been a good and I am going home and will watch “The Good Wife”.

Rain down your Spirit……
Happy Birthday, brothers and sisters.
Our church is beautifullly decorated with red streamers hanging down from the red votice lights that are on the pillars of the body of the church. Two banners hang on either side of the tabernacle as well. It just made you feel festive.

I slept in and watched the Sunday talk shows from bed and didn’t come over here till around noon. I have group baptisms at 2:00pm and then the 5:30pm Mass. Then we priests are going to the Gorman’s for a farewell dinner for Fr. John around 7pm. I’ll leave this as a draft and will finish it from the rectory when I get home tonight.

My Baptism, Fletcher Jude went very well. A big family and I loved doing the baptism. Ryan assisted me.

I had a very good homily and I actually talked with a few people after Mass because they like it and had questions.
Then John drove Jim, Ryan, and me to a going away party. We had a great time and ended up staying longer than any of us had planned. These were the people who run SHARE, which is a program to help those in need of food. John began it a few years ago and it has just taken off and has much support from parishioners and also a dedicated group of volunteers.

I stayed in a chair and “held court”. There were a number of old time Wahington families and I had a great time talking with them. Also the Rahills, who were in St. Camillus when I was there and now live in SBS, were there and we had a great visit.
I traded the 8:00am Mass tomorrow for the 11am as it turns out the Joe, John, and Terry, who are coming down by train for a visit and lunch, cannot get here before 1pm. So I’ll meet them at Union Station and we’ll have lunch and a stop at the Newman Book Store before they head back around 5pm.
I’ll try to write tomorrow evening.

Again, two days have passed and I failed to write a message. It must be the heat. I only want to sit in my office or lie on my bed, with fans at both places blowing right on me. Thursday, particularly I didn’t go out during the day. I had the 11am Mass and then a very nice couple from Virginia came to see me about having their marriage blessed. Then nap time! In the evening, I went to a parishioner’s house and joined 7 other men to be taught by a professional gambler, how to play “Texas Hold’em” and other poker games. It was really enjoyable and it gave me a new appreciation for the games on TV. This could develope into a monthy poker night with these guys. Anther thing off by “Bucket List”.
Friday was another “scorcher” and I had the 11 and then I drove to Maggie’s and took a nap. Then she, Marie, and I went to St. Michael’s for the annual auction. I saw lots of people and it was nice to “go home” for a bit. I think the auction must have been a big success because they were lots of items and lots of people.
Then we went to Mary’s, Marie’s daughter, for a graduation / 18th birthday for her daughter, Erica. It was a pool party and there were lots of young people there. All of Erica’s aunts and uncles were there and it was great to sit and “catch up” with them and their lives. I got home around 1am and feel asleep easily.
This morning at 8:30, I met with Annie, a 4th grader, whose former neighbor from Connetticutt died and Annie’s mom called me yesterday to ask me to talk with her about the death of this “adopted grandmother”. We had a great talk about the “last things” and I think she left ready to face whatever happens at the wake and funeral. Now I am off to the deaf center to be available if anyone attending a workshop on children with special needs, wished to speak with a priest about the sacramental preparation needed for their children to recieve sacraments. It should be very interesting.

Lastly, I have confessions at 4pm and then I am going to dinner in Gaithersburg. I am having dinner with Mike and Sue McLaughlin and Maggie to celebrate Maggie’s birthday. I’ll probably go to bed early and I can sleep in because I am free till Baptisms at 2pm on Sunday and the 5:30pm Mass. Stay cool.

Today we (all the staff) were suppose to have a luncheon with Fr. John. However, it was cancelled because the Cardinal wanted to meet with John. That meant that I was free all day. I was suppose to have the 8:00am Mass but I traded with Fr. Jim and took the 11:00am. Then I stayed in my office and Pat McGrath, a student from G.C. days stopped by and we had a great visit. Then I decided to come over to the rectory and stay out of the heat. It was another scorcher today. So I’m going to bed early and keep the fan on me.

Today it was warm again but this evening there is a breeze. I spent most of the day in the office. My cousin, Jean Denny came and we had a nice visit. She is on Ancestory.com also and we looked at some of my family tree. Her husband, Tom, who is deceased is my 2nd cousin once removed. His grandmother and my grandfather O’Connell were brother and sister.
I also worked on recording my wedding from last Saturday and worked on the paper work for two other weddings. I really hate paperwork but I won’t be doing many weddings in the future.

I had the 5:30pm Mass and then drove over to Normandie Farm and had dinner with Msgrs Jim Beattie & Tom Duffy. That was pleasant also.

I was surprised today to discover that I hadn’t written on Saturday or Sunday – where does the time go???????
Saturday was a full day. Graduation was at noon and was very nice. Then I went to my office and worked till my wedding at 3pm. It too was very nice – even though it didn’t start on time and we had to improvise the schedule of things. We finished in time for me to go to the confessions at 4pm and then I had the 5:30pm Mass. We announced all the changes going on here. Fr. John’s leaving and Fr. Ron Pott’s coming as our new pastor. We also announced that Fr. Jim was leaving to be made a pastor and that I was retiring but staying here at Blessed Sacrament. We also announced that Fr. Percy de Silva who had been as assistant here was retiring from his parish and coming here to live. Lots of people were not happy with the bishop for taking two priest away. I am trying to stay out of it. I knew that I couldn’t get to Joey Chamber’s graduation party but I drove out after Mass – thinking I could at least put in an appearance. They live near Baltimore and I got there around 8pm – thinking the party started at 6 so I wouldn’t be so late. There weren’t too many car when I got there – and I think they were planning to go to bed – as the party started at 1pm!!!!! I had a great visit with the family and a few people from the school – St. Mary of the Mill -who were still there. I didn’t stay long but I was glad I had go out even for a short visit.

Sunday was Ascension and after the 10:30 Masses, we had a picnic on the parking lot. It was well attended and had lots of good food. I went and sat down at a couple of tables but the topic of the changes kept coming up, so I left around 1pm and drove down to Southern Maryland for a meeting with the Teams of Our Lady. We had a great time and I left before it was dark and was home and ready for bed by 9pm.

Today I got up early and drove over to make a deposit in the credit union and then got home in time to hear confessions from 9am till 11am. We were able to do all the day school children and – as always – I loved it. School closes on Friday and I’ll miss the sound of the children on the playground BUT there will be enough to keep us busy.
I did get a nap today and then had the 5:30pm Mass. there was a dinner downstairs for the parish council but I skipped it and have been relaxing watching tv and working on the family tree. Nothing too pressing for the morning so I won’t set the alarm and will just wake up when I do and then go over to the parish center.

Today was a very nice day. It was sunny but had a breeze and I decided to go to Social Security and check on signing up for part B of medicare, which I can have once I retire on June 30th. It was pretty easy and I have the paperwork to give to the office.
Then stopped by and visited Joan Beall and then Mary Mudd. I had a great time and visit. Then I had a wedding rehearsal and the 5:30pm Mass. I had a nice talk with Fr. Jim. He told me that slowly the word is getting out about his transfer and it will be announced this weekend.
I heard from David Haas today and he and Kathy might try to join us on the cruise in November. That would be very nice.
Tomorrow is graduation for the 8th graders at noon. Then my wedding is at 3pm. I have 4 o’clock confessions and the 5:30pm Mass. I might try to get out to Joey Chamber’s graduation from 8th grade at St. Mary of the Mill’s. Maybe I can get by for the party. Sunday, I don’t have Mass till 10:30, so I can sleep late.