Yours truly was invited to a luncheon at the Cosmos Club. The group was a number of Dames and Knights of Malta who invaded Washington this weekend for their annual induction of new members and their annual meeting and dinner. Why do I write this? At the lunch I learned that Cardinal Keeler is not fairing as well as one would hope following the car accident in Rome. Remember he suffered a broken ankle (now called smashed). His very close and long-time priest-friend was killed in the accident. The Cardinal had to have another screw placed in his ankle recently. He continues to recuperate in a Baltimore rehab center.
What a disappointment all of this must be for the man who has given so much of his last five years to raise funds to renew the "mother cathedral" of the United States Catholic Church. The upcoming weekend and the next are two major moments in the rededication of the Cathedral in Baltimore. Let us continue to remember him in our prayers. The Cardinal has submitted his required letter requesting retirement. In April he celebrated his 75th birthday --not only a celebration of one's birth but for Catholic bishops and Cardinals the sign up day for retirement ... a request the Holy Father can accept or put on hold.
