July 1- 4, 2004

Our First Few Days In Emmitsburg

Thursday July 1

When S.C.C. and I arrived home in "hometown" last night we went straight to bed because we knew it was going to be a very busy day hauling stuff to the new house. When I woke up this morning I looked over at the clock next to the bed and the time was 5:13. We both attended daily mass at "Parish Church" and when we arrived I felt that sense of peace. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.

After mass S.C.C. and I rode home and packed the truck with furniture and anything else that we could fit in. The entire time that we were loading the truck the feeling of peace would suddenly hit me causing me to know without any doubt that we are doing the right thing. Each time the feeling of peace would hit I glanced at my watch and it would say XX:XX:13 or 33. We drove the truckload of furniture to the new house and pulled in the driveway and the time on the dash was 12:13.

David, C.R.C. and myself unloaded the truck and stored everything in the garage until the interior of the house is finished being painted. We then left to go back to "hometown" to pick up another load while S.C.C. stayed behind to get some things done. We got in the truck and pulled out of the driveway and the time on the dash was 1:13.

We arrived back at our house in "hometown" and while we loading the truck the phone rang, it was Phil C saying he was at our new house. He said S.C.C. looked like she needed a break and he and his wife Aileen were going to take her out to dinner. We finished packing the truck and pulled out of the driveway for the return trip and the time was 4:13.

While we were driving back to Emmitsburg my cell phone rang and this time it was Sr. Genevieve. Sister said that she had a housewarming gift for us and she would like for me to stop by and pick it up. I told her that we were headed for Emmitsburg now and we would stop by. At the instant I hung up the phone the feeling of peace hit me. I looked up and the time on the dash was 6:33.

We continued to drive and we were delayed in Leesburg because of heavy traffic. We arrived in Emmitsburg and stopped at St. Joseph’s. When we arrived the time was 7:33. We then rode down the street to St. Catherine’s to pick up the housewarming gift from Sr. Genevieve. We were issued visitor badge #33.

David, C.R.C. and myself went up to see Sr. Genevieve and she was looking and feeling pretty well. She gave us a very nice framed print of the Crucifixion that was drawn by Thursday Night Prayer Group member Ray B. It is a very nice gift and it will hang in the living room of our new house. When we left Sr. Genevieve we drove back to the new house and when we pulled in the driveway the time on the dash was 8:13. We unloaded the truck and then S.C.C. and I drove back to "hometown" and David and C.R.C. stayed at the new house.

First Friday July 2

I attended daily mass at "Parish Church" and was Eucharistic minister. It was not until Caroline T came through the Communion line that I remembered it was 1st Friday. After Communion I returned to my pew and at the very instant I knelt down I was hit with the feeling of peace. I knew to glance at my watch. It said XX:XX:33.

After mass I prayed the Sorrowful mysteries of the rosary and then I went back to the house. S.C.C. and I did some work around the house before loading up another truckload to carry up to the new house. We needed to be back at the new house by 4:30 to meet Ron Cool who is going to paint the interior of the house for us.

We arrived back at the new house and met Ron and he will start painting the house next Saturday. We unloaded the truck and then I rode in town to get soda. While I was driving I had the sudden urge to go to St. Joseph’s for the Holy Hour that leads up to 1st Friday all night adoration. I arrived at St. Joseph’s and walked in the front door and the time was 8:13.

Fr. O’Malley was the priest and like last month he knelt before the Blessed Sacrament for a very long time. We then prayed Night Prayers and upon completion Fr. O’Malley again knelt before the Blessed Sacrament for a long period of time. When he got up I prayed the Luminous mysteries of the rosary and when I finished I glanced at my watch and the time was 9:13.

I drove home and later in the evening David and C.R.C. said they would like to go back to St. Joseph’s for adoration. S.C.C. said she was to tired. When they were ready we left and drove back to St. Josephs. I glanced at my watch as David, C.R.C. and myself walked in the front door of St. Joseph’s and the time was 11:33. We stayed for a little more than an hour and went home.

Saturday July 3, 2004

Emmitsburg’s 4th Of July Parade

Last night was the first night we ever spent in the new house. When I woke up this morning I could not see the clock that was next to the bed so I asked S.C.C. what the time was. She looked over at the clock and said 6:13.

Later in the morning we got up and S.C.C. said she would like to go to the Lay Missionary of Charity meeting with me that is held at St. Mary’s every 1st Saturday to see what it is like. We arrived and it started with daily mass. I was asked to lead the rosary that follows. I will take the vows of the LMC this August 15 at St. Mary’s.

After the meeting was over Karen Major asked me if I would carry the statue of The Infant of Prague out to her daughters car. The statue is fairly heavy and I put it in the back seat of Catherine’s car. I then walked back in St. Mary’s and at the very instant I hit the door I felt the strong sense of peace. I glanced at my watch and the time was 11:33:33.

Karen then reminded me to be at the Emmitsburg 4th of July parade line up area this afternoon at 5:30 because the parade was scheduled to start at 6:00. She had already asked me last week at the Miraculous Medal Novena if I would help again this year as I have done for the past 3 years. I told Karen I would be there right after the 4:30 mass at St. Joseph’s.

S.C.C., C.R.C., David and myself went back to the house and continued to do the work that needed to be done there. Later in the afternoon we all got ready and drove to St. Joseph’s for the 4:30 mass. When we arrived there were no parking spaces at all. We had to park down the street and walk back. When we arrived I glanced at my watch and the time was 4:33. Fr. O’Malley was the priest and at the very instant I received Holy Communion the feeling of peace hit me again. The time was 5:13.

After mass let out we all walked down the street to the parade line up area. Karen major was there and said we needed to change the plans because the 2 people it takes to carry the statue of Our Lady of Fatima needed to be the same height. She then asked David Guinn if he could carry the front part of the statue. She then asked me if I would lead the procession by carrying the statue of The Infant Of Prague. I told Karen I would do it. At that very instant I was again hit with the unmistakable feeling of peace. I glanced at my watch and the time was 5:33.

The parade started at 6:00 and took a different route than previous years. It was very hot but not as bad as last year. The route was up hill which made the statue of The Infant of Prague seem heavier than it actually was . When we arrived at St. Joseph’s I could not help but notice the clock tower on the church said 6:13. I glanced at my watch and it said 6:13.

The parade continued for several more blocks and when we got to the finish line I again was hit with the same feeling of peace that causes me to glance at my watch and the time was 6:33:13.

After the parade Karen and Mick Major said they would like to ride out to see our house. We told them that we would like that very much. They said they needed to go home first and then they would come. We walked back to my truck and drove home. We pulled in the driveway and the time on the dash was 7:13.

Karen, Mick, Catherine and Mickey arrived at the house about 8:15 and we had a very nice visit. When they left later in the evening I glanced at my watch as they pulled out of the driveway and the time was 10:33.

R_____ C___

July 12, 2004

12:13 Am