flight 1549

AN AMAZING EMAIL FROM A SURVIVOR OF FLIGHT 1549

This is an absolutely amazing email from one of the survivors of Flight1549--the airliner that went down in the Hudson River on January 15. FredBerretta was on the plane and sent the email below to Vinny Flynn (author of"Seven Secrets of the Eucharist"). We are sure you will want toforward it to everyone you know.

FRED BERRETTA'S EMAIL TO VINNY FLYNN:
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Subject: Passenger of Flight 1549

Vinny,I sincerely hope this email finds its way to you. I was a passenger onflight1549 and my name is Fred Berretta. You might have caught a glimpse of me orheard me on CNN or Fox the night of the crash. I interviewed with Lou Dobbs,Wolf Blitzer and Bill O'Reilly and discussed the crash that night.I had been on a one day business trip to NY and sat in seat 16A just behindtheleft engine. My trip was a last minute decision the day before. I finishedmymeetings early on Thursday and realized I had time to attend the 12 noonmass atSt. Patrick Cathedral. It was unusual for me to have the extra time, butthatday I did. After Mass, I stopped by the gift shop just across from thecathedraland purchased your book, "7 Secrets of the Eucharist." As I waited toboard flight 1549 bound for Charlotte , where I live, I began reading yourbook.I continued reading while we taxied until just after take off.I think I got through about half of it and then decided to close my eyes andreflect on the incredible insights your book gave me regarding theEucharist. Wewere climbing out and just a minute or so into the flight I heard the impactofthe bird strikes and then the explosion in the left engine. I could see itonfire and the cabin began to smell like jet fuel. As a private pilot, once Irealized the second engine was also not functioning, things became quitetense.While I had known about and prayed the Divine Mercy chaplet years before, Ihadnot really focused on it in quite a long time. Ironically, I had prayed thechaplet the day before at 3 pm. I had forgotten that in my briefcase I hadlongkept a copy of a booklet of the Divine Mercy chaplet which had excerpts fromSt.Faustina's diary. When I arrived in NY, I had some time at my hotel anddecided to clean out my briefcase, something long overdue. I found theDivineMercy booklet, prayed the chaplet, and read some of the words of Jesus toFaustina.Before we hit the water, I thought about the words Jesus said, that nothingwould be refused if asked for during the hour of mercy.* I really thoughttherewas a good chance myself and others would die that day, but I asked God tobemerciful to us, I prayed the Lord's prayer and a Hail Mary. I then prayed toSt. Michael, and we impacted the water. The odds were not with us that day,butGod clearly was. I believe it is the only jet airliner to successfully ditchinthe water without fatalities in the history of aviation.I just want you to know that your book gave me comfort as we were goingdown,and for that I am grateful.. I know a lot of people prayed on that plane,and Ibelieve the Miracle on the Hudson was a testament to the mercy of God, and asign of hope.Take care and may God continue to bless your ministry and all you do tospreadthe message of Divine Mercy and the wonders of Holy Communion.Best regards,