I hope my being on the passenger list didn't jinx the whole adventure for everyone...ha. Our group leaders, Gerusa and Nate, did everything in their power and imagination to make the trip still a possibility. When all was said and done, it would have taken a major miracle to pull off all the details that go into such an undertaking of reorganizing a tour in such a short time. I could not find the patron saint of cruise ships & tours. So...What did Father do?

It just so happened that the Wednesday before we were scheduled to leave, my uncle died. He was 99 years old, just shy of his 100th by 29 days. I would have still been able to be back on time for the cruise, but because of the cancellation I didn't have to rush. I visited with me Mon for a short time and left for the Farm, my Mom's homeplace, to get some work done. It also worked out that my brother was going to have to leave town and needed someone to help look after my Mon while he was gone. Because I was now without a holiday destination, I volunteered to spend the next week with her.

Just to let everyone know, I do 'go to church' when not celebrating at St. Mary or St. Joseph. My first weekend away I celebrated Mass at the small church near our Farm for the small mission that is now closed. The congregation is notified by phone that 'Father is going to be here' and the Church is full. I imagine that there are many such small communities throughout the country that are grateful whenever a priest is available to come celebrate. I am always given a worm welcome and feel a sense of the history and continuity of the church where so many of my ancestors came and made there faith home.

I am deeply grateful to Fr. Ben Zientek for his willingness and readiness to come and take my place from time to time. When the cruise was canceled, I had though of notifying him that I ws not going anywhere and that he was not needed. However, knowing how precious rent-a-priests are and how important and necessary it is to book them far in advance, I knew that Fr. Ben had most probably turned down many requests for his help and it would be almost inconsiderate to just say 'sorry, we don't need you now'. I also know that Fr. Ben really enjoys coming here and that Bridget is his most favorite dog in all the world. Bridget was pushing me out the door and waiting for Fr. Ben to arrive. I also am well aware that everyone looks forward to hearing and laughing at Fr. Ben's latest round of jokes which enlivens every liturgy he celebrates. It was an easy decision to leave, knowing that I would be barely missed with such celebrants as Fr. Kelly and Fr. Ben holding down the fort.

I spent the next week with my Mom and her Chihuahua, Spunky. I have to say that it's been a long while since I've had such an extended stay with my Mom. We had a good time reminiscing and going out for a Whataburger: #7, toasted wheat bun, no pickles, no onions, no tomatoes, mayonnaise only. I'm not complaining. Dining out is good. She knows I'm not the best of cooks. I have learned to cook her Irish oatmeal, which I introduced to her a while back and on which she is now hooked. She also looks forward to what I call 'McNanny bread', an Irish bread that she reminds me not to forget. She's also been spoiled by certain parishioners who send along small presents. When I come home, she's expecting Christmas....ha. The second Sunday of my absence, I celebrated Mass at her new parish church for the second time since she's moved into the area. The parishioners are now recognizing me as the priest/son of the old woman who sits at the back of the church. It's a small gothic styled church, much like our churches of St. Mary and St. Joseph. It was once the cathedral of the Diocese. The pastor is very gracious. He and I share a fondness for preserving the heritage of our communities. After a whole week with my Mom, I have to say that I was fondly anticipating the return of my brother and his wife. I now have a deeper appreciation of his care and attention to my Mom....ha.

My last and third Sunday away I decided to spend with my classmate, Fr. Tim Bucek and concelebrate with him at his mission of the Immaculate Conception in Industry. His main church in in Bellville, a distance of some 18 miles. [I am grateful that our churches of St. Mary and St. Joseph are separated by only 6 1/2 miles]. I didn't prepare him for my coming but surprised him and the whole congregation. They know me by sight and because he tells stories [mostly fictitious or remembered wrongly] about me. His church of Industry was once noted as the only church in the Diocese with two tabernacles....Jesus' summer home and Jesus' winter home. He has since moved Jesus into a main residence, eliminating, I guess, the summer home. Must have been hard to pay on two mortgages. Fr. Tim is an excellent homilist who thrills his assembly with several homilies each Sunday. You learn so much. He pointed out on that particular Sunday that the human body had three trillion blood cells. I was trying imagine that and had to ask him when he sat down for reflection after his homily [ we meditated and meditated and meditated....] if, considering the size of some bodies [his in particular], some bodies might have more than three trillion. He wasn't amused and announced my query to the whole congregation. I might add that his deacon is quite an accomplished singer. I don't think I heard him speak at all. Taking his queue from the Cardinal, he sang all the parts of the deacon at Mass, as did Fr. Tim [who, unlike his deacon, is always slightly off key]. Unlike our deacon, David, and myself who are musically limited, both Fr. Tim and his deacon are presumably destined to sit at the right hand of the Cardinal. I just hope Fr. Tim remembers his lowly associates down the country road in Plantersville/Stoneham.

As you can decipher from this narrative I made the best of a sad situation being stranded here in the United States and more specifically on home turf. I still hope one day to make it to the shores of New Zealand and Australia and enjoy the ministry of cruising with people from many parts of our country and abroad. However, God is good and helps us appreciate all that 'happens' in our lives. I have moments with my Mom that I will treasure. I have had the experience of celebrating Mass for communities that are special to me and that I don't have the opportunity to do very often. And have felt the warmth and love of communities that have welcomed me back home and said they missed me. Bridget was also glad to get home and once again be Queen Bee, with her pal, Y2K.