Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital:
Message for Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Many people have told me, including doctors, that at one point I had no blood pressure, no heart beat, and no discernible pulse. At the insistence of Father John Lynch, who was with me, the doctors kept working. In fifteen minutes they got a heartbeat and kept me going. Some were ready to give up and started to take off their gloves.
People use the word ‘miracle’ very loosely. In the Catholic Church a miracle is defined very precisely. It is the cessation of life-threatening symptoms without treatment, without recovery period, and without recurrence. That was not the case with me. I think what people are really saying is that it was an act of God. As a Jewish doctor once said about an event in the life of Cardinal Cooke, the hand of God was there. I do have the feeling that I went right to the doors of death and that I was sent back.
I hope and pray that I will use the time I have in the very best way for the kingdom of God. Isn’t that true of us all? Isn’t that what I should have been doing all along?

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Father Benedict, as last seen, in the April 26th rehab-video, has thanks be to God, made remarkable progress...but he reminds us..There is a continuous need for quiet and rest, to refresh both the mind, body, and soul. It is within the walls of silence, that Father seeks and finds the strength from God to do His Will. That IS the contemplative part of his life, and we join Father in that spiritual solitude, in our many prayers - Jacqueline, Batavia, New York

Dear Father Groeschel:It had been a several days since I checked how you were doing.I,m glad to see you up,dressed.It keeps the pneumonia away.I said the rosary for the first time,and I problably did it all wrong,but it felt so good,us protestants don't give Mary Mother of Jesus enough credit,and we Should.I hope in the Lord that you continue to improve.- Virgil,Jackson Michigan

Dear Fr. Groeschel: God's was are not our ways, but through you accident we have gotten to know more about the Fathers of the Renewel, like God said to St. Francis, "Save my church". He is using you and your Order to save the Church today. We pray for you and all your brothers and the sisters. It's always preach the TRUTH. May God keep you all as the apple of his eye and in the shadow of His wing. - Patricia, Avon, Ohio

Dear Father Benedict,
Thank you for reminding us that the Morning Offering is the best way we can start our day from home, all day, every day, from the moment we open our eyes and ears. Let us continue to pray for each other. Thank you. - Mari-Ellen, Mclean, Virginia

Father Benedict, you truly are AMAZING! Not only are you a philosopher, psychologist, theologian, miracle-worker (Well...sort of! Right?), preacher-extraordinaire, etc. etc. ... NOW you're writing about ETTIQUETTE!!! Your "advice" on PROPER hospital-visiting procedures is right on-target! How often well-intentioned visitors -- all of us at times! -- are completely clueless about a patient's REAL needs! The depth of Father's personal experience of shared-pain has blessed us all with new insights into the MYSTERY of suffering! Let us all remember Christ's own example as He ministered to the sick: Be attentive, be caring, be brief, and be gone! - Joseph, Shrub Oak, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict:
I am so very happy that you are getting a little better every day. You have proven to me that the power of prayer is real! I love you.Sincerely - Connie, Napa, California

Joining you on the Cross Fr. Benedict. Would that we might know him and the power of his resurrection and share in his sufferings. - Fr. Dennis, Milton, Massachusetts

Dear Fr. Groeschel,
You have been in my thoughts and prayers since I first heard of your accident. Please know, that I am truly inspired by your series on Ewtn, your many books, and now your messages from "Grassroots Renewal Project". I would have written sooner, but I was in the hospital myself for many months. I offered all my suffering and sacrifices, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, for you and for all our beloved Priests. We will have a renewal in our Catholic Church. Elaine, New York

Fr. Benedict, You have been in our thoughts and prayers. We are delighted to hear you are "coming along". God bless you and keep you.-The Cooke Family, Argentina

Dear Fr. Benedict, my name is Quinn and I am 5 years old. I pray for you. - Quinn, Solomon, Kanasas

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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