Today was filled with much JOY. I was able to go and visit Fr. Eamon Dignan, our former pastor at OLHOC who served for 17 long years: 1987-2004. It was a most JOYFUL morning. I had been told that Fr. Dignan's memory was failing him. I was simply planning to give him the Eucharist and say some prayers. I discovered that we could have a small conversation talking about his old days at OLHOC. He may not know where he is now or may not recognize people he has known for the last 10 years. But as soon as I mentioned Waldorf and Our Lady Help of Christians, his eyes brightened. He had a BIG SMILE.
When I reminded him that he was the one who built our church (completed in 1990), he immediately referred to the fact that it was hard to find the money and he had to cut expenditures (sounds familiar?). We even laughed together as he began to speak in Gaelic ...to get a conversation going, I had just reminded him that he was Irish, and I was French...as he recognized my French accent.
Before I gave the EUCHARIST to Fr. Dignan, we prayed together the Our Father, which he remembered very well, and he could also recite the “Lamb of God” prayer. Praise the Lord!
Fr. Dignan was sitting comfortably in a wheelchair, and he looked peaceful and healthy. It was a most pleasant morning outdoors: sunny and cool... He clearly enjoyed having someone to visit him. Our conversation reminded me of the pastoral ministry I provided to elderly Jesuit priests in Weston, M.A . when I was at the seminary in Boston. One of the retired priests had lost almost all memory. However, he was delighted to speak with me in French and kept asking me always the same questions... and I gave him always the same answers, which he forgot immediately... and he kept smiling.
Two years ago, on June 2nd, 2019, Fr. Eamon Dignan visited our parish as we celebrated with him his 60th anniversary to the priesthood. He was so joyful to be back with all of us at the 10 am Mass. He had the opportunity to meet many of his friends and he was "all smiles". I had arranged that Deacon Bill picked him up at St John Regis, Hollywood, since he had already begun losing his short-term memory. For example, when he returned to Hollywood that day, he could not remember he had been at OLHOC for Mass when asked by his pastor Fr. Schmidt.
Fr. Schmidt was the one who had told me recently that as the health of Father Dignan had deteriorated, he could no longer stay in residence at his rectory and was now living at St Mary's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown (21585 Peabody St, Leonardtown). It is about 45 minutes away from Waldorf (as you well know, every place is 45 minutes from Waldorf: the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the St Matthew Cathedral, the White House, National Airport, Nationals Baseball Stadium, depending on traffic).
The activities Director of the Center was most grateful and arranged for Fr. Dignan to come and meet me outdoor. She agreed that next visit, I could meet him inside and celebrate Mass with him in one of the common areas. Fr. Dignan would love to have visitors from Our Lady. Some of you may have already been at the St Mary's Center. Currently, they still have some Covid restrictions and limit each resident to two visitors a day for thirty minutes per visit. You must call in advance to make an appointment (preferably two or three days ahead) and talk directly to the Activities Director (301-475-8000).
I chose to write to you about Fr. Dignan as a reminder that there are so many people that live alone away from their friends and families. I am sure that each one of us knows someone like Fr. Dignan who will benefit from a short visit. This is part of the Corporal Works of Mercy. With the psychological impact of the pandemic on so many people, visiting the Homebound is more important than ever.
We are all grateful to Fr. Dignan for his sixty-two years of priesthood, including 17 years of commitment and dedication to OLHOC. May God continue blessing Fr. Dignan and may you all join me in praying for him, his relatives, and all his friends.
One in Christ,
Fr. Alain