August 3, 2003

 

The day started when Karen Major called from Emmitsburg asking for prayers for Billy M because earlier in the morning he had been involved in a car accident that left him with life threatening injuries. He was trying to avoid a deer and struck a tree. The call came in at 9:13.

Later in the morning the phone rang again and it was David G. He asked me if it would be possible for me to bring the Eucharist to his mother who was confined to bed after undergoing surgery. He said he had already asked Fr. _____ and permission was given so I told him that I would do it.

David asked what my plans were for the day and I told him that I was thinking about riding to Emmitsburg and going to the Grotto. I asked him if he wanted to ride along and he said yes. He said he was going to the 11AM mass and would be home around 1PM. I told him that I would bring the Eucharist to Pam when I came to pick him up. David said “I really appreciate this.”

A little later while I was sitting at the kitchen table talking to S.C.C. I had the sudden urge to go and get the Eucharist for Agnes C and Pam. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. Normally I would have also taken the Eucharist to Bob G but he called the night before saying that he would not be home. I told him that I would bring the Eucharist to him sometime later in the week. I drove to "Parish Church" and arrived at 12:13.

David was standing in the parking lot talking to one of his friends and said he would see me at his house. I picked up the Eucharist and drove to Our Father’s House and gave the Eucharist to Agnes C. Her mind comes and goes but she always knows she is receiving the Eucharist no matter how bad her mind seems at times.

I then drove to give the Eucharist to Pam and pickup David. She was in a lot of pain after her surgery. We said some prayers and then David and I left to ride to Emmitsburg. I waited for David to finish getting ready and when we pulled out of the driveway the time on the dash was 1:33.

While we were riding up David and I talked about his 2.06 grade point average and he said that he fully intends to do whatever is necessary to bring his GPA up to Franciscan University entry level at Germanna Community College. He also said his vocation goal will be reached. His mother has said before that the reason his grades do not match his ability is because they don’t teach anything Catholic.

We were delayed by yet another serious car accident. This time it was on Rt. 15 just before entering Maryland. Traffic was stopped in both directions and Medivac helicopters were transporting the injured. We sat in traffic for about 25 or 30 minutes. After traffic started moving again we continued our trip and drove to St. Joseph’s. When we arrived we walked up to the front of the church and was very surprised to find the door locked. I have never seen St. Joseph’s locked this early in the afternoon. We got back in the truck and the time on the dash was 4:33.

We rode over to see Sister Genevieve but she was not there either so we rode over to the Grotto of Lourdes. David and I walked around and David said it was wonderful to be back in Emmitsburg. It had been quite a while since his last visit. David and I walked over to the Grotto spring and got some water. I was standing behind David while he was drinking and again I could not help but think of the very positive effect this whole experience has been, not only for David ,but his whole family. I suddenly became filled with peace and looked down at my watch and the time was 5:33.

David and I then walked over to the statue of Our Lady of Fatima and we prayed the Glorious and Luminious mysteries of the rosary, passing my rosary back and forth between decades. When we finished the rosary David reminded me that S.C.C. had given me 2 jugs to fill with Grotto water so we went back to the truck, got the jugs and filled them up.

We then left the Grotto and rode back to St. Joseph’s despite the fact that we knew it was locked just to say one last quick prayer. I kissed the corner of the church and we got in the truck to go home. The time on the dash as we pulled out was 6:33.

We drove back to Virginia and I took David home. When we pulled in his driveway the odometer was 1.3. I drove home and pulled in my driveway at 9:33.

R_____ C___

August 8, 2003

12:13 Am