I am moved in (sort of), and I have a new nephew
Even though it was 1 a.m. when I got to bed last night, I did get up somewhat early this morning to get more packing done. At 10 a.m., about a half dozen men from St. Theresa’s came to help me move. They had a couple of trucks, and in about a half hour we had nearly everything loaded up, and we were on our way to St. Mary’s. They were equally quick in unloading everything, so all my stuff was in the apartment and office by noon. Of course both places look like wrecks, with boxes all over, and I feel a bit overwhelmed with unpacking, but it will get done.
A little after noon, Kevin, my brother-in-law, called me. He said that my sister Ann was in the hospital. The baby had turned side-ways, and they were planning to do an emergency Caesarian section at about noon, their time (1 p.m. here). Mom was with me, so we decided to go to the Adoration chapel and spend some time in prayer that God’s will be done for both Ann and the baby. I guess it was around 2 p.m. (Mom and I had gone to lunch by then), we heard from Sydney that one of Kevin’s nephews had posted on Facebook that Ann had a baby boy. A short while later Kevin sent me a photo of the baby.
Even though they have been calling him Seamus ever since they found out last May that it was a boy, apparently they have not settled on the name. So baby boy Hennessey, was born at 12:02 CDT, and weighed 7.8 pounds, and was 20 inches. Both Ann and the baby are doing just fine.
Msgr. Ken and I went out to dinner this evening. It was just a nice social dinner; welcoming me to the parish. He thinks that I am really going to like it here. The people are very friendly. One couple (Mel and Doris) even brought me a container of turkey soup.
Time for bed. Tomorrow there is quite a few things going on in the parish; bagels and faith men’s group, I have Mass for the Confirmandi and their sponsors after their retreat, Confessions, the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Mary’s of the Pines (the mission church), and then the Knights of Columbus are lighting the bell tower at mission church. And of course I have unpacking to do.
December 10th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Hello Fr. JC. I met you in October of 2008 when I was in Tuckerton visiting Steven Tooth, the young man who died a few days after I left. I have 6 children and we were talking to you one day after Mass. I just wanted to pop in and say “hi.”
Anyway, I came across your blog quite by accident, but the intereting thing is I was just talking to a Tuckerton friend of mine who told me you had been transferred to St. Mary’s. I’m glad I found your blog and I know I’ll enjoy reading your homilies.
May God bless and keep you.
Kristen Vogel
December 13th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Dear Kristen,
I am glad that you found my blog. I started it a few years ago because I was getting a lot of requests for copies of my homilies from parishioners and my family who live around the US. This made it easier for people to get them. I also intend to include more than my homilies, and occasionally do have other reflections (like of books I am reading), but I often do not have the time. St. Mary’s is a very busy parish, so I might have even less time for blogging, but we will see. God Bless.
December 17th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hi Fr. JC,
The baby is beautiful!! Praise God for the gift of live.
I just heard about your transfer. My prayers are with you and your new assignment. St. Mary’s sounds like a vibrant parish. I know Cindy Craft, the Youth Minister. She and I were in ILEM together.
Have a blessed rest of Advent and a Happy and Holy Christmas.