What Paddy Shot At

I am beginning this at 3:30pm on Wednesday, the 24th as I am in the parish center because I have the 5:30PM Mass. I will finish it up tomorrow when I have the 8AM Mass and I will publish it then.

I last wrote on August 11th but I mentioned what I’d be doing for the following days. I did drive Fr. Beattie to the funeral in Southern Maryland – and it was as hot as they forecasted. I’m glad we went and we saw lots of old friend. It was a good turn out as he had been pastor there for over thirty years. RIP
That evening I went to Gaithersburg and had a great time and supper with former GC students and their spouses and children and their Moms. Two former teachers came and we laughed and talked and teased for hours. I didn’t even notice the heat outside on my return.

Spent all day Saturday in my suite. And on Sunday, the missionary preached and after 9AM Mass, I was picked up by Joe and Pat Villani and we had lunch. It was so enjoyable to hear about some of their travels and just fun to be with old friends. Later in the day, My nephew, Michael came and got the tickets and I went to bed early. I had the 11AM Mass on the Assumption but it wasn’t very crowded because it was not a Holy Day of Obligation. I stayed in my suite as it was over a 100 degrees.

On Wednesday, the 17th, I had the evening Mass and afterwards, Brian took me and the Vittones out to supper with him at a nearby Italian restaurant. We had a great time. They are wonderful parishioners; but I have known them since their sons were at GC. We got home just before a terrible storm came. I was sure we’d lose power so I kept my lantern nearby but it just made noise and rained a lot.

On Thursday, I had the 8AM Mass and then drove Jerry to the doctor’s. We stopped in Queenstown to eat at a place called “Atlantic Seafood”. It was very good. I went to bed early and didn’t set the alarm as I didn’t have Mass on Friday.

On the 19th, I drove to Rick and Peg’s and left my car there. They drove me to the hotel in Alexandria and I took a nap. At 5:30, they got me and we went to St. Mary’s for the wedding rehearsal. There was a young priest there who could not have been nicer and he helped so that everything went well. We went to Joe Theisman’s for dinner and I had a great time seeing all my cousins and meeting James’s parents. I returned to my room around 10pm and slept well.

On Saturday, I worked on my homily and tried to relaxed. I was still nervous about getting around the old fashioned altar area with my oxygen. Around 6, Rick and Peg picked me up and we went to the church. The wedding was at 7pm and the young priest had gotten three altar servers who helped me get around. I preached from a chair – and fortunately there is a great sound system there – so I could be heard. James and Kate smiled through the whole service. Aunt Debbie and Kristin gave out Communion and that worked out well. We went to the Torpedo Factory for the reception and there was a great breeze coming from the Potomac. Maggie and Kerri sat with me, Rick and Peg, James’s parents Jim and Lucy and the best man and his wife and a neighbor. We all had a wonderful time. Music and food were great and lots of people up dancing – not me!

We took a lovely shuttle back to the hotel. Maggie and Kerri shared my room and we laughed and talked for hours.
In the morning, they dropped me off at Rick and Peg’s. They can’t be out of Southern Maryland for very long!!!
We had a nice brunch out under a tent (It was not hot!) and again I got a chance to see and “catch up” with relatives. I left around Noon and went right home and to bed!

On Monday, the 22nd, I did a homily during a prayer service for the faculty of our school. It was great to see them all again. I had the 5:30PM Mass and it was very nice that all four of us priests were at supper together again. It’s been while.

As you can tell – even though the weather was rough, I still had a great time. The dinner with the GC crowd and the wedding of my cousins were especially delightful. God is so good to me.

It’s getting close to time for Mass, so I’ll close and write another message in a day or two.

It is going to be about 100 degrees today. I had the 8AM Mass and have the 5:30PM Mass also, so I think I’ll try to spend the day here in my office and not go back to the rectory. The air conditioning is not as low as it is in my suite but I also have a huge fan and I will relax here and finally write something for Paddy.

Let’s see, I last wrote on July 29th. I did go out to Barnesville for the chicken dinner and Mass on the 30th. We then drove to Brian’s brother’s house for the birthday party. It was a torrential storm and some of you may have seen the news about the flooding in Ellicott City. We were in Colombia, which is higher than the City. The house lost electricity but fortunately, Brian was driving and I was a quiet (and prayerful) passenger. Glad to get home. I had the 10:30 Mass on Sunday and retired to my suite.

On Monday, August 1st, I had the 11am Mass and then met with an appointment about a program we are having in the Fall encouraging Confessions. I’m glad to be involved in that. Today was hot but not full of humidity.

I had the 8AM Mass on Tuesday and since the humidity was lower, I picked up Fr. Jim Beattie and we went to his favorite restaurant (IHOP) for lunch. I wanted him to have a ride in my new car because it has a handle over the passenger seat and he can pull himself into the car. I use to have to open the moon roof so he could pull himself in. We had a great time.

I had the 5:30PM Mass on Wednesday and I spent much of the day relaxing in my suite and working on the jig saw puzzle that Carolyn’s sister loaned me. Fr. Alex came and helped me after supper.

I had the 8AM Mass on Thursday and drove up to visit Betty Neary. I’ve been trying to get up there since October; but the weather (snow, ice and or heat) has kept me home. The humidity was not bad today and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth and her grand daughter, Theresa joined us for lunch. We had a great time. Betty looks great and while she does have a cane, she gets around a lot. I took her a magazine from Good Counsel that had a great article about a boy who use to be in our musicals and now is a movie star in LA. He was and is a great guy.

It’s been hot again. And so most of the week, I’d come over for Mass and then return to the suite. I keep it at 62 degrees and someone said to me, “You could hang meat in here” and I said, “I am!” I’ve been watching the Olympics and I can’t believe how exciting it is.

On Saturday, the 6th, I did go out to Manor Country Club for Gloria Poulos’ 90th birthday. I have known her since I was a seminarian. Her husband was Monsignor Dade’s altar boy when he was at St. Patrick’s and I use to drive him to their house for great spaghetti dinners. She is now living at Leisure World and is one of my “girls” I have lunch with out there. Her kids and grandkids were there as were lots of old friends of mine. Her sister is Vickie Donoghue from St. Bernard’s, her brother-in-law was Archbishop Donoghue of Atlanta. I sat with her and had a great time. Terry Gribbin was there with Mary Alise, her wife and I caught up on their family. I met a lot of “old time Washington” people and I even met a lady who is best friends with the daughter of a distant cousin of mind. I had a ball and “endured” the humidity. Came home and had the 5:30PM Mass (the deacon preached) and afterwards, I relaxed and watched the Olympics.

On Sunday, the 7th, I had the 9AM Mass and again the deacon preached. Then I drove to the Mayflower, which is a senior citizens’ apartment near St. Jane de Chantel, and had brunch with four friends. We had a great time and I came back to the air conditioning and watched the Olympics.

On Monday, the 8th and Tuesday, the 9th, I had Masses and then came back to the suite.

On Wednesday, the 10th, Joan drove me up to a new dentist for a cleaning and evaluation. My dentist, whom I’ve had for 40 years has decided to retire (Can you imagine that?). He was great and in College Park and I’ll miss him. When I told Joan W that I needed a dentist; she suggested this new one whose office is about 2 miles away near St. Ann’s. Well it was wonderful and his assistant, Kate is from Pittsburgh and the dentist has a sister whom I met about 5 years ago. She was Fr. Bill Feeney’s secretary at Immaculate Conception in Little Washington. It is a small world. I had the evening Mass and then to the Olympics.

Today, I had the 8AM Mass and will have the 5:30PM. Father Ron will be back on the weekend and so we’ll be back to one Mass a day starting next week.

tomorrow, Friday is the funeral for Msgr Marty Harris from St. John’s in Hollywood. I use to go there for the month of August when I was at Good Counsel so that he could go on vacation. He was 92 and living in retirement near the parish. He was also Fr. Ron’s first pastor and so he is staying down there and preaching tonight at the Wake. I am picking up Fr. Beattie at 8:15am and we are going down to the funeral at 11AM. It’s going to be near 100 but we both feel we should go. In the evening I am having supper with people from GC.

Saturday, I have nothing, so I will spend the day in the suite and recover.

On Sunday, I have the 7:30AM Mass but we have missionaries preaching at all the Masses, so I can relax. Joe and Pat Villani are coming by after the 10:30AM Mass and we’re going to Clyde’s for lunch. Then back to the suite.

Monday is the Assumption; it is not a Holy day of Obligation but the office will be closed. I’ll have the 11AM Mass and then go back to the suite.

Since I’ve not been doing much work, I spent the week on the phone (in the cool suite). I talked to Fr. John Bohrer, Joe Stoutz, Patrick Berry and Roger Menting. We were all in the seminary together in Wisconsin and it was great to catch up. I called Dwight but he was probably out on his tractor getting in the hay. Which is what my bother-in-law Rick Thompson was doing when I called him. Dwight just called me back and we had a great talk. He is busy in retirement and will be helping out a Catholic High school in the Fall.
I’ve also talked with Eileen Lee Baughan. Her surgery was rough but she seems to be doing well now and is home. Terry McConnell also has been ill but is on the mend. My friend, Antonia is busy visiting doctors. Fr. David Mudd has also been ill. Please keep all these people in your prayers.

Well, I’m going over to the rectory for lunch and then a nap and back for the evening services. God bless.

Well, its two weeks since I wrote. It has been so hot here and the humidity has been so bad that I’ve tried to stay in the cool of my air conditioned suite most of the time; but today its suppose to be nicer and as I am here in the parish center because I have the 8AM Mass, I thought I’d bring you up to date.

On Monday, July 18th, I drove Jerry Trancone down to Manassas, Virginia. He was going to spend the week visiting his family. It was hot but the car was cool and I wore the oxygen down and was really only hot when we got out to go into a restaurant for lunch. His sister, Rose and his nephew, Anthony (who was having his 60th birthday) went with him and me to a nice “family” restaurant. Because it was suppose to rain later in the day, I left after lunch and was home by 3pm. A bad storm did come and I was glad to be in my suite by then.

On Tuesday, the 19th, I had the 8AM Mass and then Patrick Mullan came by. He brought the tags from my old car and he stayed for lunch with us. He was leaving that night for the World Youth Day in Poland. It was great to see him and hear that he had a great Summer assignment and was looking forward to returning to the seminary in late August. Just saw that there is a great article about him in the Catholic Standard, our Diocesan newspaper. Keep him and all the seminarians in your prayers.
In the afternoon, I had two appointments and that night I attended a meeting about a symposium on the Pope’s exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, which I will participate in, in November. I’m enjoying reading and studying it.

On Wednesday, the 20th, I had the 11am Mass and spent the rest of the day in my suite with the AC on.
On Thursday, the 21st, 8AM Mass and back to the suite
On Friday, the 22nd, feast of St. Mary Magdalene, had the 8AM Mass and back to the suite.
On Saturday, the 23rd, no Mass and spent the day in the suite. 4th day of 99 degree weather!

On Sunday, the 24th, I presided at the 12:30PM Mass and the deacon preached. At 4pm, Kate and James met with me in the rectory. I am doing their wedding on August 20th in Alexandria. Afterwards, we went to Clyde’s and met Rick and Peg for supper. Kate is their daughter. I baptized her and married her parents, my cousins. I love traditions.

On Monday the 25th, I picked up Jerry at O’Boyle and we rode up to Latrobe, Pa. We stayed at a hotel and met Bob Norton, Tom Kredel, and Karen and Joyce (our nurse friends from Pittsburgh) for supper at the airport. Had a great time – a Margarita and Drambuie (to help me sleep) – it did!

On Tuesday, the 26th, we participated in the 70th annual priests day at St. Vincent’s. As always, it was great. It is always like coming home. The presider and homilist was Bishop Dennis Madden, auxiliary bishop of Baltimore. He was very good and I spoke with him at lunch. Brother Elliot sat with us (Jerry, Tom, Bob, Joe Klepner, Greg, Fr. Earl and me) and it was like we were students there again. Bob drove us up to the cemetery. I didn’t get out because of the heat but Bob and Jerry walked up to the latest graves – Frs. Demetrius, Paulinus, Jacque, and Sebastian to name a few. Archabbot Douglas told us later that he has buried 150 monks since he was elected 26 years ago.
There was a cookout around 4pm where we sat and laughed with a lot of the guys – especially Brother Ben, who taught me Hebrew! Again, it was a great day.
I called Josephine Merenda from Forbes Road. Her niece, Rosie was the desk clerk at the hotel and told me, she had been in the hospital. She is better but she is 87 and just runs out of steam. – I told her I understand and she just has to go slower. It was great to talk to her and her daughter, Denise. Caught up on all the family news!

On Wed, the 27th, we left around 10AM and on the way back stopped in Greenbelt to find Jerry’s dentist phone number, stopped in Queenstown to pick up food, and stopped at the pharmacy to put in a prescription and then I took him to O’Boyle. I came home and went to bed. It was nice to be in my own bed and to be in my suite!

On Thursday, the 28th, I had the 11AM Mass and the 5:30PM Mass. Fr. Ron has gone on vacation for two weeks and we’ll sometimes have two Masses in a day. I don’t mind as the humidity has lowered.

On Friday, the 29th, I had the 8AM this morning and will have the 5:30pm tonight. Again, I will just “hang out” in my suite. I had watched a lot of the conventions last week and this. It is a very confusing time for America. Like most of the world, I was shocked by the murder of the priest in France. When and where does it all end?

I’ve been on the phone a lot and also trying to catch up on my reading. I got new glasses as I think I left a pair on the 4th of July cruise. I also have worked on getting the title and getting rid of my tags for the old car. I got the tags put on my new car this morning.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the 30th, I will meet Anne and Walt Hayes at Clyde’s for lunch and then Brian, Rowena and I will go out to Barnesville for the 141st annual chicken dinner at St. Mary’s. I will say a Mass at 5pm and then we’ll go by his brother’s house. It is his nephew’s birthday.

On Sunday, I have the 10:30AM Mass. The weather is suppose to be decent. They say that we’ll be in the 80’s most of next week. I sure hope so.
Among my phone calls was a nice talk with Eileen Lee Baugh. She is having surgery on Tuesday. Keep her in your prayers.
I think you are updated!!

Hello,
I am in my office in the parish center. It is cool here and I decided that since I came over for the 8AM Mass and also have the 5:30PM, I will try to update Paddy. I went back and read stuff I’ve published since April. I discovered that I really did jump around and got out a few messages when I was feeling well enough; but I skipped over a lot. So I’ll try to catch you up.
In May and June, I was involved with a number of funeral. Some I wrote about but one that I mentioned but did not speak about going to it, was Mrs. Margaret Bleistine. She was 97 and the mother of Steve, whom I met in 1963 when we were in the seminary in Wisconsin. After college, he left but we’ve kept in touch. I officiated at his and Carol’s wedding and a few years ago, I stopped by and met their son, Stevie and saw Mrs. Bleistine in the nursing home. The funeral was May 18th near Penn’s Grove, New Jersey. I drove up and had a chance to visit with John, Dwight, Joe, and Terry. I drove through a terrible storm and I turned on my lights. I forgot about them and while at John’s rectory, the battery died. I had to call AAA and I got through that. The funeral was beautiful and Steve spoke well of his Mom, who had prayed all of us through the seminary and over the years in ministry. I think there were 9 concelebrants. Dwight rode back to DC with me and stayed over. We had supper with Jerry Trancone and on Friday, he took the train back to Philly and flew back to Wichita the next day. It was great to see all the guys.

In June, I bought a new car, a Chevy Equinox. My friend, Doug helped me – otherwise I’d still be deciding. I gave my old car to St. Michael’s in Ridge for their auction. I really am no good at all this paperwork. Pat Mullen helped me get it to the auction and is going to pick up my old tags so I can get it all cleared up with DC. I think it will all be settled by August. The car is a beauty and has all kinds of gadgets that I discover every day.

I got an extension for my taxes because I just couldn’t deal with all that in April. Again, I have to get that stuff straightened out by August. So, I really can’t complain that the weather is so hot that I mostly stay in my rectory suite, where the window air-conditioner makes it very livable.

I’ve done a few baptisms but mostly, I come and say Mass and then return to the rectory. They say that it will be close to 100 degrees over the next 10 days. Maybe I will catch up on my paper work.

I mentioned in other messages that I had my cousin’s wedding and that I’d covered a parish in Annapolis. I also did the burial for my cousin, Ellie’s husband at Gate of Heaven. I wasn’t up to going to the funeral of Ginger Burch but I heard it was great and lots of Good Counsel people were there. She was our “mother” in the kitchen!!

In the beginning of this month, I did go with Pat Berry, his brother and sister, Bill and Kate Berry on a short cruise from New York to Boston and back for the 4th of July. It was on the Queen Mary 2 and although I didn’t feel well on the trip, I’m glad I went and I enjoyed the company. I came home to this 90 degree weather and it has drained me,

Had a big shock when I returned. Dick Rosenberger, who lived two houses down from us on 62nd Ave, died suddenly. I wasn’t able to go to the wake but he’ll be buried in late August and I will certainly get to that. Please keep his wife, Sandy in your prayers.

Also please keep these children whom I baptized recently in your prayers.
Jane Sinclair
Morgan Thaddeus
Hanna Karen
John Cameron

Maggie is doing well. She had some surgery on her ears and it went well. She also has a sore on her foot, where she had that surgery but is on anti-biotics and was told to stay off her feet. That’s not easy for her but the humidity might keep her in.
Marie’s kids are doing well and while they miss her, they know that she is at peace.
Talked to Rick Thompson today and he, Shirley and all the family are doing well.

I just put out the Eucharist for adoration and will have Mass Benediction and Mass around 5pm. Then home for supper and early to bed after Jeopardy.
Have the 11am Mass tomorrow and on Saturday, the 8AM and confessions at 4PM. Have the 9AM Mass on Sunday. Will try to stay in the AC in my suite in between.
I think this kind of brings you up to date
I will try to write weekly.

I am sitting in my office preparing to say the 11am Mass. It is the day of ordinations for Washington and the other priests have gone to the Shrine. I wasn’t up to it and was glad to say the 11am.
I have not written for while because the humidity has been so bad that I spent as much time as possible in my air conditioned bedroom I only came out for Masses or special events.
I am leaving after Mass to go to Edgewater, where I will do confessions and 5pm Mass; then stay at a hotel and return for the 8:30am and 11am Masses. Then I’ll come back to the parish. I have the 5:30pm Mass here on Sunday night. I do have to learn to slow down. I’ll be glad to be back in my room with the AC and my large oxygen.

I can’t get on to Paddy from the computer in the rectory so I can only write when I am here in the parish center. I’ll ask the IT person to look into that. Till then, know you are in my thoughts and prayers and do the same for me.

Once again, I don’t know where the time goes. When I opened this up and discovered that I hadn’t written since May 31st, I was amazed. Well let me bring you up to date.

On Tuesday, the 31st, I had the 8AM Mass and then during the day, three appointments came to discuss religious Ed, the sacrament of reconciliation, and a wedding. It was a full day.

On Wednesday, June 1st, I had a very good meeting with the doctor. I seem to be “holding my own” and I have to use the oxygen 24 hours a day. I am getting used to it except for the cords, which I keep getting wrapped up in! I had exposition and the 5:30Mass.

Thursday, I had the 5:30pm Mass and then I went to bed early as it was very hot.

On Friday, I attended the kindergarten graduation. It is always such a delight to see these fifty some children singing about their year and looking forward to First Grade. The rest of the day was the 5:30pm Mass and a person for spiritual direction.

Saturday, June 4th, I had a full day. I had the 8am Mass and then a spiritual direction visit. I then had a baptism at 10:30. At 1pm, we held our 8th grade graduation and then I had the 4pm Confessions. I was in bed early.

I had the 12:30pm Mass and then spent the day relaxing on Sunday.

On Monday, the 6th, I drove up to Fenwick Island. The ride was horrid, as I kept getting lost. I was in and out of Delaware and Maryland three time. My OnStar was useless and when I finally got to see the Morris family, I was exhausted. I had hoped to stop in and see my cousins, Ellie and Ray Gibbons but had to call and reschedule.
Also on the trip, I noticed that I had left the electrical cords for my oxygen at home in the parish office. Another catastrophe!! I met Sheila and Keith Morris 45 years ago when I came to their parish in Swissvale as a deacon. They had one daughter, Kristin who was not a year old. Over the years, I had baptized her three sisters; married three of the girls and baptized the grandkids. There were 16 of us in the house and we had a great time. My oxygen could be re-charged through the cigarette lighter in the car, and they took turns getting it charged. I tried to be still so I didn’t need to use it all the time and I think that worked. I slept all right and I got time to visit with each person. That was the best part of the trip just spending time together.

On Tuesday, my cousin, Andrew came over to drive me to visit his parents. We gathered at his bed and said prayers for the dying. People took turns being with Ray and the rest of the family sat in another room and shared great family stories. When I was leaving, Ellie said, “Oh pray God comes for him and this is over” I said, “St. Joseph will come for that happy death we all pray for”. Andrew took me back and I told him to call me. St. Joseph came around 4am.

On Wednesday, the 8th, I drove home and it was good to get on my big oxygen tube in my room. I slept well.

On Thursday, I took the 11am Mass and then relaxed. At 6pm, Pat Kavanaugh, our social concern chairperson, and I were driven by Brian to Patrick and Georgie’s house for a lovely social with many of the members of the Mulholland Foundation board. The weather was excellent and we sat on the patio and had a great time. I went directly to bed.

Friday, I slept in and came to the 11am Mass, then lunch with the guys. I took a nap and then met with someone for spiritual direction. I had the 5:30pm Mass (Fr. Andy is away and sometimes we have two Masses on a day. Fr. Duff and Deacon Burney joined the 4 of us for supper. It was delightful. I went to bed early.

On Saturday, I came to the rehearsal at noon for my cousin’s wedding on Sunday. Mary ran it and I just wanted to be sure that I could get around without causing a scene. Then I had a baptism at 1pm. James helped me with it. Then I took a nap. I did the 5:30pm Mass and preached. It was very hot and the air conditioning was so loud that I preached a short homily. I did stand at the front door to say hello to people. I always enjoy that when I can do that. Early to bed!!

I am able to spend the morning relaxing here in the parish center. Watching the terrible news about the shooting in Orlando. So many to pray for!!!
At 2:30, I will officiate at Philip and Little’s wedding. Jerry will assist me and afterwards, he’ll drive me to the reception nearby. It will be nice to see some of my relatives, whom I don’t get to see often enough.
I had to return for the 5:30pm Mass and then I’ll lay in bed and watch THE TONY AWARDS – I hope I stay awake long enough to see some of Hamilton.

Monday, I hope to go car hunting. I usually hate doing that but my friend, Doug Hanratty will take me through it. I’ll keep you informed.

I had a very pleasant but busy week.
On Monday, May 23rd, I presided at the funeral of Mrs. Raney at St. Patrick’s in Norbeck. Fr. Martino Choi concelebrated and (really) led me around the altar. There was a very nice seminarian, Michael Russo who also helped me around. Among the Arimethians was the father of two boys whom I knew at Good Counsel, Mr. Beiter. We went to Gate of Heaven cemetery and as I rode around I offered prayers for all my family and friends resting there for the Day of the Trumpet.

On Tuesday, the 24th, I had the 8am Mass and then met with the Tuesdays with Fr. Maury group. Our topic was the blessed Virgin. He talked about our family customs and our parish customs as we grew up. We ended by doing the Litany of Our Lady. So beautiful and full of great titles for her. We also joined in a CD by singing Marian Hymns. Bring Flowers of the Fairest was the big hit!

On Wednesday, I drove out early and said Mass at our Lady of the Visitation at 9:15am. My classmate had an appointment and asked me to cover. I was happy to do that and enjoyed the company of the daily Mass attendees. I got back in time to do the 11am Mass here. Then I took a nap. At 6pm, Marie picked me up and drove me to a restaurant nearby. We met Jim and Cleo and had a great time. All of them are friends of the lovely lady that I went to anoint a few months ago and whose funeral we held here later. In honor of Ruth, we got together to celebrate her and her bringing us together.

On Thursday, the 26th, I picked up Fr. Jim Beattie and we drove to St. Peter’s parish in Olney for the funeral Mass of Mr. Raymond Bocabella, the father of Fr. Jim, who is pastor of St. Francis Xavier and was the assistant here when I came. It was a beautiful Mass and Fr. Jim gave a great homily. He is one of 13 children and his brother, Paul wrote and read a moving letter to his Dad. I haven’t been to the church in many years and the present pastor, Fr. Tom Kalita did a great job and it is very beautiful and functionable.
Fr. Beattie and I drove out and met Frs. Duffy and Hill for lunch. I drove Fr. Duffy back to Little Sisters and then Fr. Beattie to Our Lady of Lourdes. The traffic was terrible (I guess lots of people were trying to get out of town before the holiday) and I couldn’t get back in time for Benediction at 5:15. I called and Fr. Ron took that and I was back in time for the 5:30 Mass. I went to bed early and tired!

On Friday, I had the 8am Mass and a doctor’s appointment at 1:40. I am as well as I can be for being as well as I am. I am using the oxygen most of the time. I went to bed early again.

On Saturday, I had two baptisms – one at Noon and one at 2pm. I did well at both because Jerry (our summer seminarian) helped me. He is from the Eastern shore and is going to be in the third year at Catholic U. I tease him that the fine print in his contract says, “take care of the old priest”. He is very good at it. I had the 5:30pm Mass and at it, I noticed Maggie was in the front pew. I went to talk with her after Mass and found out that she wanted to go to the casino on Sunday, so Mike and Sue drove her up to the vigil Mass. We all had a nice visit.

On Sunday, the 29th, I had the 7:30am Mass and Jerry helped me around. We took up a collection of bags that we had handed out last weekend for the pantries in Southeast. As always the parish was generous.
Then I drove up to St. Ignatius parish near Fredrick and did the 12Noon Mass. A little girl, Gabriella (whom I baptized 7 years ago) and two other girls, Fiana and Ayla were making their First Communions. It was delightful and that parish has a great pastor, Fr. Mike, and a vibrant community.
After Mass, a man named James who I knew as a child at St. Bernard’s came up to speak to me. He said, “as soon as I heard your voice, I knew it was you”. I just saw his Mom, Mary at Marie’s funeral. A small world. Then I went to Gabriella’s house for a party. She is the granddaughter of Fran Werden. I had married her Mom and Dad and baptized many of her cousins. It was a great time to “catch up”.
On the way home, I stopped at the nursing home and visited Loretta Favret. Her husband, Andy was also visiting and while there, one of the sons, Thomas came in. Again, it was so great to be in the company of old friends and talk and laugh. I was in bed by 9pm.

Memorial Day. I slept in and then made myself a big breakfast of ham and eggs. I took it to my room and just relaxed and watch TV. I always enjoy the Memorial presentation on the Mall and get emotional as I watch all the events around the country. It is a great country we live in and we must never forget those who paid the price for our freedom.

Today, Tuesday, the 31st. I had the 8am Mass and afterwards (I watched as) many of the parishioners carried the bags from the altar area out to the van Brian had parked near the side doors. The altar area was full of the goods that people had brought over the weekend and the van was filled. People are so good!
I have three appointments today and I have another doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so I think it’s early to bed again for me.

I am having a relatively quiet weekend. I had the 5:30pm Mass on Saturday night and the 7:30am Mass on Sunday. The deacon is preaching at both and so I am using Saturday to clean my desk up, get some mail done, and just relax.

I really have not written a decent message since April as I have been busy with funerals and the pollen has kept me low when I didn’t have to be up and around.

As I mentioned earlier I had participated in the funerals of Mr. Vincent O’Reilly; Mrs. Dot Witte, Mrs. Mary Goldbeck, My sister, Marie, Mrs. Margaret Bleistine in New Jersey and a few parishioners whom I knew here at Blessed Sacrament. While each was sad because of a leave taking, each had it’s on type of joy because of the faith that each had.
This coming week, I will have the 11am funeral on Monday at St. Patrick’s in Norbeck of Mrs. Vivian Rainey. Her parents (the Sullivan’s) were my Communion calls 44 years ago at St. Camillus. I buried them but kept in touch with Vivian and her daughters. It turned out that Vivian and her family were great friends of my Great Aunt and Uncle, Josie and Will O’Connell and my cousin, Catherine O’Connell Jensen. Their families have stayed close. She and the girls have been living in Leisure World; I have visited them since Christmas. Vivian was 94 and the last time I visited, we looked through old photo albums and laughed – and remembered!

Later this coming week, I will concelebrate the funeral of Raymond Bocabella, he is the father of Fr. Jim Bocabella, who is pastor of St. Francis Xavier and was here as a newly ordained when I came to Blessed sacrament in 2010.

After the 7:30am Mass, Brian came and took me to the rectory where he made breakfast for me and Fr. Andy. We had a great time. Both of them are good friends to me.

This afternoon, I will have two baptisms. They are the great grandchildren of Mrs. Beth McCoy, who was a parishioner of St. Michael’s in Ridge and a dear friend.
I just came from the baptisms. It was beautiful and delightful. Please keep Evan Lucas and Gracyn Elizabeth as well as their parents and Godparents in your prayers. We had a family celebration in our community room and I think there were about 60 people. The food was great – one of the dads is a chef! I caught up with some of the goings on of the McCoy clan. Hard to believe that a little girl I met when she was 4, has now graduated from college and is working on her Master’s degree. Where does the time go???

I’m going to copy in here now, a message I put on Facebook on May 14th because I couldn’t get on to Paddy.
I just want all of you to know what a great time I had on Friday, the 13th!

I want to share with you about last night. I was with 23 of my family and we ate crabs. We met at the firehouse as we were too many for Maggie’s house. We got there at 5:30pm and left at 11pm. We had such a great time and laughed and told stories and laughed some more It was the 44th anniversary of my ordination; but we were just celebrating family and Marie was so “present”. People brought corn, salad, and even hot dogs and chicken for those who don’t eat crab – Can you imagine that – not eating crabs???? We had a nice cake – as nothing tops off crabs like cake. If I knew how to add a photo, I would but I hope this message will convey how much fun I had being with my family.

I got lots of comments and affirmations that “Family is where it is!!”

I’m off to the rectory and maybe an early to bed because of Vivian’s funeral on Monday. Do keep her daughters in your prayers.

I am so sorry for the long delay in writing. I tried to do this from the rectory but was unable to get Paddy on that computer; so I had to wait till I was here in the parish center to write.
I am just getting on to say I am OK and not to worry about me. Everything went very well with Marie’s funeral and – although we will miss her – we are content that she is in a good place.
I will write on the 11th.

So sorry for the delay in writing but the pollen has been the highest in recorded history here in Washington. I have had to be on steroids and anti-biotics and staying as close to my air-conditioned bedroom as possible. I have said Masses and heard confessions – and also participated in the wake and funeral of Mary Goldbeck (What a celebration of her life and family that was!!!). And I do apologize for this delay.

I am writing today because this will be a busy week and I may not write till May.

On Friday morning, April 22nd, Jesus came and took my sister, Marie home to heaven. She was diagnosed with liver cancer in November of 2014; but decided not to have treatment. She had a number of things she wanted to do and did not want to be too ill to do them. She was able to do them and has really only been limited in activity since January of 2016. She has been living with her daughter in Southern Maryland and her children have been making it possible for her to live there by sharing time and responsibilities. Please keep them and their children and my sister, Maggie in your prayers.

Someone suggested I might put up information about her arrangements on Paddy.
The wake is Thursday, April 28th from 2 – 4pm and from 7 -9pm at Gasch’s funeral home in Hyattsville, Md.
There will be a viewing on Friday, April 29th from 9:30 – 10:45am at St. Bernard’s Church in Riverdale, with the funeral Mass at 11am.

There have been so many messages on social media and emails. It has meant a great deal to our family. Thank you.

May she rest in peace.