As I write this column early Monday morning, it is 42 degrees outside. It seems we have moved from summer to fall overnight. While the leaves haven’t changed much, the air temperature certainly has! Abby loves the cool morning while I bundle up in my fleece! Many of you hold-outs are still wearing shorts, but of course, that usually lasts until the bitter cold!

Last week I was in touch with Kiley Associates, the contractors who painted and repaired the outside of the rectory. I have asked them to come and to assess what needs to be done to the outside of the church. The roof seems to be in good shape but the siding and the paint are desperately in need of attention. Hopefully sometime during this week they will stop by and then send us a detailed estimate. Then we’ll go about finding the money! If we don’t do something soon, the weather will continue to deteriorate the structure and the work will be more and more extensive.

My friend, Fr. Bob (with whom I own my house) will be having shoulder surgery this week. His degenerative arthritis eats away at all his joints. He has had a hip replacement, a knee replacement, and now arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder to give him some pain relief until his full shoulder replacement.

He will be coming to the rectory for some recuperation before returning to his own parish in Johnston, RI. Of course that means that his yellow lab Honey (the terror) will be here as well.

So I ask for your prayers for him as he continues to carry this painful burden.