• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Close calls all around

April 7, 2020
By Father Joseph Breighner
Filed Under: Commentary, Wit & Wisdom

On March 1, I celebrated my birthday.

On March 3, I almost had my death day.

I was driving home about 8 p.m. from a day of ministry at Oak Crest, along with a stop at the Maples in Towson. I was only about five minutes from my home at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen rectory.

As I pulled out onto Charles Street from one of the side roads, a southbound car plowed right into me. The car struck my car just behind my driver’s seat. Had it hit my car a foot forward I likely would have been killed.

All I remember next is that my car was spun around, broken glass was everywhere, and cars were stopping all around. I hope you never experience anything like it.

Some of the traffic managed to drive around the wreckage. One car, however, did stop, and a nurse got out. She leaned into the passenger window, and asked if I was on coumadin, a blood thinner. I said that I was. She then reached through the passenger side and bandaged my bleeding hand. I think she saved my life.

Police and an ambulance arrived shortly. They had to cut away my driver’s side door, and lift me out of the car. I was taken to Sinai Hospital for treatment. It was a busy night at the hospital. There were five stretchers in front of me at the emergency room. I asked someone if they could call my good friend, Bill Kristofco. Bill stayed with me in the emergency room from 9 p.m. until I was released the next morning at 5 a.m. It was the longest night of my life.

There’s an old saying: “Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.” I’m blessed to be alive.

Along with the world, I am watching the coronavirus. I pray for those who have died from the virus. I pray for protection from the disease for all the world.

To paraphrase Jesus: “Fear is useless, what is needed is trust” (cf. Lk 8:50) In fact, I have been afraid. I think many others have been afraid too. But what gives me courage in the face of darkness is that Jesus promised to stay with us. Death is a part of time. Life and love are the promises of Jesus for for all eternity.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Father Joseph Breighner

Father Joseph Breighner is a priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and a columnist for the Catholic Review.

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Seeing as God sees by embracing a sacramental worldview

So much of evangelization depends on how we sow

Analysis: Is the U.S. church’s Hispanic Catholic hope slipping away?

Chance encounter showed Brooks Robinson’s Catholic spirit

That Time We Met Brooks Robinson

| Recent Local News |

Father John Cunningham, former pastor of St. Thomas More and St. Jane Frances de Chantal, dies at 74

Paws for prayer at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen

For love of Grace: Mother of daughter lost to suicide battles online bullying

Baltimore showers love on Capuchin Franciscans

Radio Interview: The amazing life of Sister Mary Wilhelmina

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Father John Cunningham, former pastor of St. Thomas More and St. Jane Frances de Chantal, dies at 74
  • Cardinal Burke says his concerns about synod are sign of faith
  • Paws for prayer at Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
  • “El camino más justo para todas las víctimas sobrevivientes” – La Arquidiócesis de Baltimore presenta la solicitud de reorganización bajo el Capítulo 11
  • Nicaraguan priests kidnapped from parishes amid continued crackdown on church
  • Lawmakers seek FACE Act repeal, say law weaponizes federal power against pro-lifers
  • ‘Hard work’ of standup comedy a labor of love, faith for Jen Fulwiler
  • For love of Grace: Mother of daughter lost to suicide battles online bullying
  • U.S. bishop commends refugee allocations, urges bipartisan support for resettlement

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED