Fr. P_______ announced that he would hold a “Day of Recollection” that would cover a lot of the material used in our retreat. He also said this would be open to anybody who would like to come. It was decided that this would take place at Phil and Aileen’s house on the day after Thanksgiving from 10 AM to 4 PM. which is Fr. P_______’s last full day here.
Last night Sr. Genevieve called and I mentioned it to her and she asked if she could go. I told her it was open to everybody. I have to be honest by saying I was not thrilled when Sr. Genevieve said she wanted to go because it is difficult handling a person in a wheelchair in a place that is not handicapped equipped. We hung up the phone and at that instant the feeling of peace and reassurance hit me. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13.
I went to bed and it was very quiet in the house because S.C.C. and C.R.C. stayed in "hometown" for a few more days after Thanksgiving. I woke up fairly early the next morning and just as I was getting dressed the feeling of peace hit me just as I was putting on my watch. The time was 5:33.
I sat down at my computer and continued writing the Nov 18-21 paper. I stopped later in the morning and called Phil to tell him that I would be bringing Sr. Genevieve with me to the Day of Recollection. As I was telling this to Phil I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. We hung up and I went back to working on the paper. I completed through the 19th and just as I finished I knew it was time to go pick up Sr. Genevieve. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.
I left the house and while I was driving I thought about stopping for just a minute at St. Joseph’s to say a quick prayer. Very suddenly a thought ran through my mind that I should not go to St. Joseph’s but go pick up Sr. Genevieve first. It was so strong and sudden I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. I continued to drive and I still wanted to go to St. Joseph’s. Suddenly an even stronger thought CRASHED through my mind to go get Sr. Genevieve. Again my watch said XX:XX:33.
I drove straight to St. Catherine’s and pulled up to the main entrance and parked. At the very instant the car came to a complete stop the clock on the dash switched to 9:33. The CD player flashed 33 and the odometer was 33.0. I walked in and told the receptionist that I was here to pick up Sr. Genevieve. She had me sign in and you have to fill in your arrival time on the sheet. I glanced at my watch and it said 9:33:33.
I helped Sr. Genevieve get in her wheel chair and we had to wait for a nurse to fill her portable oxygen bottle. We then left and I then stopped at St. Joseph’s to say a prayer. Just as we arrived the CD player flashed 13. I glanced at my watch as I walked in the church and it said XX:XX:33. I prayed 3 Hail Mary’s and left. We then rode to Phil’s house and I got Sr. Genevieve back in her wheelchair. We got her up the steps and into the house and the time was 10:13.
Fr. P_______ gave 2 talks to the 30 people who came. We then had discussion groups and lunch followed. Later in the afternoon we had mass and just after receiving Holy Communion I returned to my seat and knelt down to pray. Suddenly the peace hit me again and I glanced down at my watch and the time was 3:33.
Mass ended and Fr. P_______ said he would be hearing confessions for the rest of the afternoon for however long it took. The Day of Recollection ended and I felt the sudden sense of peace just as I walked out the door. I glanced at my watch and the time was 4:13:33.
Sr. Genevieve then asked me if I could wait long enough for her to go to confession. I told her yes. Fr. P_______ took her first and when she was done I got her out of the wheelchair and back in the car. I started the car to leave and the time on the dash was the last possible glimpse of 4:33.
The peace that accompanied this was so strong that it made me feel numb. My mind went straight back to the moment on the phone when I originally rejected the idea of taking Sr. Genevieve with me. It made me think of my self centered nature.
I drove Sister back to St. Catherine’s and got her back in her room. I then left and while I was in the elevator I had the sudden urge to go back to St. Joseph’s. I got in my car and drove there and just said a few prayers. When I arrived the odometer was 3.3.
I then rode to St. Peter’s Books and had a cup of coffee. I then went home and got Fr. P_______ a copy of my papers that cover the last 8 months since he was here. I put them in an envelope and sealed it. I glanced at my watch and the time was 6:33:00.
I drove back over to Phil’s house (which is next door to Gianna Sullivan) to give the papers to Fr. P_______. When I arrived the odometer was 13. I said good by to Fr. P_______ and he assured me he would be returning to Emmitsburg. I then drove home and just as the car came to a complete stop the CD player flashed 33.
I was not tired so I sat back down at my computer and continued writing the Nov 18-21 paper. The time was 9:33. I completed the paper at 2:13.
R_____ C___
Nov. 28, 2004
12:13 Am
