First Friday September 3, 2004

It gives me strength when I stop and think about how none of what I have described is routine. There is no schedule or regular routine that would repeat itself. Today was a perfect example of how unexpected events that could not have been predicted caused the perfect timings that I am going to describe today.

Like so often the day started by a sudden feeling of well being and peace and looking over at the clock only to see that the time was 6:13. I got ready for work and when I pulled out of the driveway the feeling of peace hit again. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. I drove to St. Joseph’s on my way to work to say a short prayer and when I arrived the CD counter flashed 13.

I needed to work in "hometown" because of a heavy workload and I wanted to attend mass at "Parish Church" but because I got a late start I realized that I would not make it in time for 8:30 mass. I had a sudden thought that I should go to St. John’s in Warrenton. I glanced at my watch as this thought hit and it said XX:XX:13. I arrived at St. John’s and glanced at my watch at the very instant I arrived and it said XX:XX:33.

After mass I went to work in "hometown". I was extremely busy and it made the morning go by very quickly. I went to lunch with my co-worker Carrol and after eating I left to go to "Parish Church" for the remainder of my lunch break. I looked at my watch as I walked out the door and the time was 12:33. I arrived at "Parish Church" and glanced at my watch as the car came to a complete stop and it said XX:XX:13 and the odometer was 33.

I walked in the church and the strong feeling of peace hit me at the instant I walked through the door. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. I sat in the pew and did the work page that was assigned for the LMC study group meeting tonight at Phil C’s house. When I finished the work page I knelt down and started the rosary. At that instant the feeling of peace hit me again and I glanced at my watch and the time was 1:13. I prayed the Sorrowful mysteries and when I finished I looked at my watch and the time was 1:33.

I drove back to work and when I arrived the odometer was 1.3. I was busy the rest of the afternoon. When I got off work I pulled out of the parking lot to go back to Emmitsburg and as I did the CD player flashed 13.

While driving home I had a sudden desire to call Sr. Genevieve because she has not been feeling well lately. At the very instant that thought hit I reached for the cell phone and noticed the CD counter flash 33. I called her and while we were talking she said “I can tell the move to Emmitsburg is perfect for both you and S.C.C.”. I said “Yes it is”. At the very instant I said that the oncoming car had a license plate of 33313. The timing was perfect. We talked for a few more minutes and when we hung up I noticed the CD counter flash 13.

I drove home and got something to eat before going to the LMC study group at Phil’s house. When I walked out my door to go the feeling of peace hit me again. I looked and the time was 7:13. I arrived at Phil’s house and Phil said he had been trying to call me to tell me that the LMC study group had been cancelled because 2 members were unable to attend. This was the unexpected event that changed the course of the rest of the night.

Phil and I sat and talked for a few minutes and then we carried boxes from his basement out to my car from where we were storing some of our things from the move to Emmitsburg. When we finished I left and at that very instant I had the sudden urge to go to St. Joseph’s. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. I drove to St. Joseph’s and at the very instant I arrived the clock on the dash switched to 8:13. I got out of the car and at the very instant I arrived at the corner of the church the peace hit me again. I kissed the corner of the church as I walked by and glanced at my watch. The time was 8:13:00. I walked in the church and at the very instant I walked through the front door the peace got even stronger. I glanced at my watch and it said 8:13:13.

I took my seat in the church. The Holy Hour had already started and Fr. O’ Malley was the priest. After the prayers were completed and Fr. O’ Malley left the altar I continued with the rosary I started earlier in the day at "Parish Church". I prayed the Joyful mysteries. When I finished I got up and left and as was pulling out of the parking lot I glanced at my watch and the time was 9:33:33.

I drove home but had the intention of returning sometime during the night because of all night adoration. I arrived home and fell asleep in a chair in the living room. When I woke up I drove back to St. Joseph’s and looked at my watch as I walked in the front door. The time was 12:13.

I just sat there and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament. I then completed the rosary by praying the Glorious and Luminous mysteries. During this time Phil C came in the church. After the rosary I prayed for a few more minutes and left. I looked at my watch as I walked out of the church and the time was 1:13.

Phil followed me out of the church and said he was having a problem with his car. He said the interior light would not go out. He was afraid his battery would go dead before his adoration slot ended at 3 AM. I discovered the back hatch was ajar. I closed it and the light went out. Because of this unexpected delay I arrived back home and pulled in my driveway just as the clock switched to 1:33

R_____ C___

Sep 8, 2004

10:13:13 Pm