I sat in the car and said a few prayers and then left for Manassas. While I was driving to Manassas I started thinking about something that happened yesterday while I was praying in St. Joseph’s. Yesterday I was sitting in the very back pew on the right side of the church next to the center isle. I just happened to notice the grain of the wood in the pew 4 rows in front of me formed the image of the Suffering Face of Jesus. It was very clear to me. While driving this morning I suddenly remembered this and at that instant just happened to notice the clock on the dash switch to 8:13.
I continued my drive to Manassas and when I arrived at All Saint’s I glanced at my watch as the car came to a complete stop and it said XX:XX:13. The trip meter portion of the odometer said 13.0. I felt the peace as I walked in All Saint’s and so I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. Mass started a few minutes later and Fr. Cilinski was the priest. When mass was over I drove across the street to work and when I arrived the trip meter portion of the odometer was 13.3. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.
I had not been at work very long when I realized that I was going to need to go to "hometown" to take care of some problems that could not be taken care of from Manassas. I did not want to go to "hometown" but I had no choice. I left Manassas and started driving to "hometown". While I was driving the anxiety caused by my work requirements was suddenly replaced with a feeling of peace. During this time of sudden peace I suddenly knew that Our Lady and Her Son are always aware of everything and They know I am trying to do the best I can. It was at the peak of this peace that I just happened to notice the odometer was 33.3. I arrived at work in "hometown" and again the peace hit me just as I drove in the gate and the CD counter flashed 333. I parked and just as the car came to a complete stop the CD flashed 13.
It did not take me long to fix the problem that originally caused me to have to drive to "hometown". I ended up going to lunch with Carrol R and when we finished eating I left to go to "Parish Church" to pray the rosary. When I arrived at "Parish Church" the time on the dash was 12:33. I glanced at my watch as I walked in the door and it said XX:XX:13. I prayed the rosary remembering Sr. Genevieve and when I finished I walked over to the rectory and bought a mass card for Sr. Genevieve.
I then returned to work and a lady I work with named Darlene M (she took my old job) startled me when she asked how I got Frank K to go back to church. I had no idea she knew. I then explained to Darlene that it was not me who got Frank back in the church but it was Mary The Mother of God who did it. I then ended up telling her about Emmitsburg and when we finished talking I felt the peace and glanced at my watch and the time was 5:13:33.
Darlene and I finished up our work and left for the day. I had planned on attending Stations of The Cross at St. Joseph’s tonight but I knew I would never make it in time. I then decided that I would go to "Parish Church" and attend the Stations there. I drove to "Parish Church" and when I arrived and the car came to a complete stop I glanced at my watch and the time was now 5:33:33 and the CD counter flashed 13.
I went in the church and just sat in there and prayed. The Friday Night fish dinner was in progress in the parish hall but I was not going to go. I was just going to sit in the church and wait for the Stations of The Cross to begin.
I love "Parish Church" and I love the people there but sometimes I just do not feel like being present at social gatherings because I always end up being asked questions about living in Emmitsburg and why we moved there. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable answering these questions with crowds of people around. SUDDENLY while I was sitting there a CRASHING thought hit me like a ton of bricks that clearly said I should go to the parish hall and eat. I said to myself if my watch says 13 or 33 I will go. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. I hesitated and then I got up to go to the fish dinner. As I walked out the door of the church I again glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13.
I got my dinner and I was looking for a table to sit down. Suddenly I heard my name called out and Mary G invited me to sit at her table with George H, the H’s, Ginny F and others. I did get the Emmitsburg questions but they did not bother me at all. After the dinner I went back in the church and I very much enjoyed being at "Parish Church" for the Stations. It was wonderful. When it was over I was delayed leaving because Tom C stopped me and just wanted to talk. When we finished talking I left and SUDDENLY I felt the peace run through me. I glanced at my watch and the time was 7:33.
It was that very minute Mary G came back up to me and asked when the next public prayer group with Our Lady of Emmitsburg was. I told her Divine Mercy Sunday. Mary said she would like to come. I told her that we would be in Medjugorje but she could still come and stay at our house.
I then drove home and when I arrived in Emmitsburg I stopped at St. Joseph’s. At the instant I arrived the time on the dash was 10:13. The odometer was 13 and the CD flashed 33. I prayed the Luminous Rosary and when I finished I glanced at my watch and the time was 10:33:13.
R_____ C___
March 12, 2005
8:33 Pm