First Friday

April 7, 2006

This was one of those months where First Friday and First Saturday are split across two weekends because the 1st was a Saturday. The first weekend of each month is always very busy around here because in addition to First Friday all night adoration at St. Joseph’s we also have the First Saturday LMC meeting at St. Mary’s. We also have the 1st Sunday public apparition of Our Lady of Emmitsburg.

The unusual things that happen to me are always stronger and more frequent on 1st Friday and Saturday than most other days and this month was no different except that it spanned two weekends. This month it was like First Friday picked up right where First Saturday left off a week ago.

This morning as I was getting dressed the thought raced through my mind that last Saturday was First Saturday and today is First Friday. That sudden thought was so unexpected I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.

I left the house and drove to St. Joseph’s to attend the 6:30 am mass that Fr. Goff has during Lent. While I was driving another sudden, out of nowhere thought ran through my mind and this thought caused me to wonder if I had again been scheduled for First Friday adoration at St. Joseph’s from 3 to 4 am without my knowledge like I was last month. As I wondered this I just happened to look up at the very instant the CD counter flashed 333. I arrived at St. Joseph’s for mass and at the very instant the car came to a complete stop the CD flashed 013.

I attended mass and Fr. Goff was the priest. There were coffee and doughnuts in the parish hall following mass. I walked over to the parish hall and had a cup of coffee with Joe F before leaving for work.

While driving to work I had another sudden thought run through my mind about needing to check the expiration date on my passport in the event we go back to Medjugorje again. It was strong. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. While I was still driving a CRASHING, VIVID thought hit me that was so strong I could actually see myself looking out the airplane window on the way to Medjugorje again. It was at that instant I noticed the time on the dash was 8:13. I continued driving and arrived at work at 9:13. (When I checked the passports mine and S.C.C.’s were fine. C.R.C.’s expires in June.)

Later in the morning while sitting at my desk Frank K stopped by and wanted to go get a cup of coffee. We took a break and sat in the cafeteria and had coffee. The conversation was about Frank’s 13 year old son, Nathan who will be baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s in Fredericksburg this Easter Vigil. I will be Nathan’s God Father and sponsor. We finished talking about this and as I got up to walk back to my desk I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33.

Lunch time came and Frank called and wanted to go over to All Saint’s to pray the rosary. I had a job running and told him I would meet him there as soon as it finished. When it finished I met Frank at All Saint’s and prayed both the Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries of the rosary. At the instant I finished I felt the peace, I glanced at my watch and the time was 1:33.

Later in the day when I got off from work I started driving home. My cell phone rang and it was Phil C. Phil asked if there was any way I could fill in for Libby Briggs for First Friday adoration at St. Joseph’s tonight from 1 to 3 am because Libby was recovering from surgery. I was not aware of any other obligation so I said yes. We hung up and as I thought about this I looked at my watch and the time was 5:13:13.

When I arrived in Frederick I stopped for my physical therapy treatment and when that was over I finished my drive back to Emmitsburg. I stopped at St. Joseph’s and just as the car came to a complete stop the CD flashed 333. I glanced at my watch as I walked in the church and it said XX:XX:13.

The Blessed Sacrament was exposed and I needed to be back at 1 am so I just prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. When I finished I glanced at my watch and the time was 8:13. I got up to leave and as I walked out the door my watch said XX:XX:13. (8:14:13). I drove home and just as the car came to a complete stop the CD flashed 013. I walked in the house and the time on the stove was 8:33.

I set the alarm clock for 12:45 and went to sleep on the living room sofa. When the alarm went off I drove back to St. Joseph’s as Libby Brigg’s adoration replacement. When I arrived at St. Joseph’s the CD flashed 333.

I walked in the church and the adoration schedule was on the table and I was scheduled for 3 to 4 am again. I had mixed feeling about now having to stay for 3 hours but I accepted it and took my seat. I sat there for a long time and never looked at the time. Since I had plenty of time I prayed the entire rosary. At the instant I completed the rosary I felt the peace run through me. I glanced down at my watch for the first time since arriving and the time was 3:13.

I then walked outside to my car and got my Shorter Christian Prayer book and came back inside to read it. As I walked back in the church I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:33. My replacement arrived at 4 am and I left to go home and when I pulled in my driveway the time on the dash was 4:13.

R_____ C___

April 20, 2006

10:33 Am