Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital: Message for Friday,

April 23, 2004

Encouragement of others, especially in difficult tasks, is not a common phenomenon in our society. It is probably most frequently seen in athletics for young people. There's a great deal of encouragement there. For the rest of us, we don't get much encouragement from the boss or the people for whom we work, and a word of praise is rare.

The opposite is true in rehabilitation. They all praise you all the time. Phrases like "That's good!" "You're getting there," "Big improvement," "Keep going," "Great job" - these are constantly repeated. It must be said that the rehabilitation people I have met are for the most part people of genuine charity. Yes, I mean charity - the theological virtue of charity. I watch them in other aspects of their lives, and I notice that they are kindly, thoughtful, and concerned to help others. One of my men in rehabilitation in the last agency I was in had a big closet full of all kinds of things, which he could use as props for rehabilitation. If someone came in and asked him for something, he looked like Santa Claus at his cupboard. This is rather typical. This is the kind of person who should do rehabilitation; in fact, it's the kind of person who should be a faithful follower of Sacred Scripture and of the example of the Gospel.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Hi Father,It's great to see you coming along so well. Please keep it up. Oh,you are always talking about your getting old. Can I call you Pop or Pops? I'm only 71 myself. May Jesus and Mary keep watching over you. - Herb, Franklin, Pennslyvania

Dear Father Benedict: after arriving at work each morning I spend time in prayer and then tune into your message for the day. I have found that I experience great consolation from your brief messages. It is a quiet, personal time spent with you. Having met you and spoken to you provides a unique personalization for me; however, I realize I am just one of thousands of people that have briefly touched your life. I find myself hoping that you continue with your messages even after your recovery. I suppose you can consider me a "Benedict Addict". Keeping you in my prayers. - Laura , Lancaster, Ohio

Dear Father, My husband and I continue to pray for you recovery, especially the infection that is keeping you a bit longer in the hopsital than you had anticipated. Thankyou for your honest and loving reflections. Your reminder of 4/21 speaks volumes, if we do not constanly examine ourselves our frunstrations can become dangerious situations that cut us off from the Life of Our Father. What a wake up call at 6am. Thankyou. - Steve and Charlene, Manchester, New Hampshire

Dear Fr. B: I sense your frustration at not being able to go to the treatment center because now you have an infection. Don't hide that anger--it's an honest feeling, and you certainly don't need me to tell you that God loves honesty. What might help is to mentally "go into a closet," close the door and have a good scream while "jumping up and down." You might be amazed at how good you will feel afterwards. Not only that, you will not have hurt anyone and God will appreciate those honest feelings. Meanwhile, we are remembering you in our prayers as we know you are praying for us. - Margaret, Fairport, New York

Brave, Fr. Groeschel: We have been enjoying your newest TV series on The Shrines of Eastern Europe -- getting a particular kick out of the way you engaged all the teens you encountered in an impromptu chorus of "Sto Lat" -- and pray that you find comfort and inspiration on the opposite side of the TV screen now that you're likely an EWTN viewer. Thank you for quenching our need to see you by offering us video snippets during your struggle for stable health and resumed function. We look forward to the day when you'll feel well enough to offer us an update of Father Glenn, who was our blessed lifeline to you for those first 2 months. I hope he doesn't feel that we, who make a daily Pilgrimmage to this website, no longer care/pray for him and all your Franciscan Friars and support staff. Love and Warm Wishes from Your Boca Raton Fans on the 'Lower East Side' - Terry, Boca Raton, Florida

Father Benedict, I wanted to tell you that you have been an inspiration to me and I love seeing you on EWTN. I recently became confirmed during the Easter Vigil this month. I pray for your recovery and I am very glad to see you on the video. ETWN's website would only give a brief detail of your recovery so it is very nice to see you again. Please take care and get well soon. Yours truly, - Laura, Hooper, Utah

Father Benedict, Praise God for your healing. I will keep you in my prayers for the complete healing of your arm. When I first saw your video, I was looking at your face, but then when I saw it again, I notice that there is a beautiful glow emanating from the cross above your head during the whole video. Have other people noticed this or is it my eyes fooling me? To me it is the Holy Spirit hovering over you and taking care of you. God bless you for such a beautiful message. - Genoveva, Laredo, Texas

Dear Fr. Groeschel, Our kindergarten class has been praying for you each day. We continue to say the special prayer for your breath. Of course the children all know the prayer by heart by now and we add other people who are having breathing problems. I was able to play the video of your message from your hospital bed on our classroom computer. As I played it there was not one child who took there eyes off the screen for the entire message. I wish that you could see the love in their eyes as they all listened so attentively to your words. Thank you for being such a good example for these little ones! Love, - Bonnie, Seminole, Florida

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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