Sunday March 28, 2004
Several weeks ago Sr. Genevieve said that she would like to see The Passion of the Christ. I told her that I would take her before it leaves. It is showing in both Gettysburg and Hanover. We chose 4:15 PM matinee at the theater in Hanover because it is newer and is handicapped equipped. Fr. Messaro gave Br. Frank Myers permission to join us so he could assist with Sr. Genevieve.
The day started when I drove to "Parish Church" for CCD. I arrived at 9:33. Pat R passed out the forms asking if we planned to return for CCD next year. I checked the box stating that I would not be returning. The reason I am not returning is because we are moving to Fairfield this summer. Fairfield is just a few minutes from Emmitsburg. I felt a little sad about not returning next year and it caused me to glance at my watch and it said XX:XX:13.
I drove home and changed clothes before leaving for Emmitsburg. I was not paying any attention to the time (I never do) and when I pulled out of the driveway the time on the dash said 11:13. I glanced at my watch and it said 11:13:33.
I drove to Emmitsburg and went to St. Joseph’s first. When I arrived I glanced at my watch and the time was 1:33. I prayed the Glorious rosary and finished it just as they were getting ready to start a special 2 PM mass for the sick. I left and drove over to the Grotto of Lourdes and glanced at my watch just as the truck came to a complete stop and it said XX:XX:33.
As I was walking through the grotto I noticed a family praying the Stations of the Cross. As I walked past them I was suddenly struck with a very strong sense of peace. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.
When I left the Grotto I drove over to St. Catherine’s to pick up Sr. Genevieve. Br. Frank said he would meet me there. When I arrived and checked in I was given visitor badge #33. I walked up to Sr. Genevieve’s room and Br. Frank was already there. We helped Sr. Genevieve in her wheelchair. When we arrived at my truck and got Sr. Genevieve in the time was 3:13. As we pulled out to leave I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.
We drove to Hanover, Pa which is almost an hour from Emmitsburg, when we arrived at the theater we got Sr. Genevieve out of the wheelchair and into a regular seat. Br. Frank said he wanted to go out to the lobby to get a snack before the movie started. I joined him.
We stood in the lobby and talked as we ate. We then walked back in the theater and at that very instant I felt the powerful peace come over me and I instantly knew that it was because we had brought Sr. Genevieve to see the Passion. I glanced at my watch and the time was 4:13:13.
We sat down and the movie started. The Passion is more than just another movie. When it was over we got up to leave. I glanced at my watch and the time was 6:13:13.
We drove back to Emmitsburg and when we were approaching St. Joseph’s I felt the desire to stop for just a minute. We stopped I just walked up to the corner of the church and said thank you for everything. The time was 7:13.
Sr. Genevieve wanted me to drive by the house we just bought and show it to her. We rode by and just as we were pulling out from looking at the house my phone rang. It was S.C.C. and C.R.C. calling say that they were at the hospital because S.C.C.’s cousin Harvey had fallen out of a tree in our back yard while doing some work on them. The time was 7:33.
We drove back to St. Mary’s and dropped off Br. Frank because he lives at the rectory. As we dropped him off I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. I then drove back to St. Catherine’s and took Sr. Genevieve back to her room.
I then rode back to St. Joseph’s and arrived at 8:13. I prayed another rosary because of all of the things going on in my life. When I finished the rosary I glanced at my watch and the time was 8:33.
I was driving back to "hometown" and talked to S.C.C. on the phone. They were still at the hospital with Harvey. I drove straight to the hospital to pick up C.R.C. to take him home and arrived there at 10:33.
R_____ C___
March 31, 2004
11:33 Pm