Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Message for Thursday, May 20, 2004

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A Reason To Believe

In the course of writing these little messages I am always aware of the fact that old men repeat themselves, and I don’t have all of the messages in front of me; so I may be repeating myself when I say make it a point to show special concern & charity to the sick, particularly friends and relatives who are sick. It is a strange thing but when you are sick some of your friends and relatives may kind of back away, and you may get badly hurt, you may think that they had better regard for you, or that they thought better of you. This may or may not be true. People get very involved in the comings & goings of life and some people have more time to visit the sick than others. But don’t let it be said of you that you forgot or neglected your friends or relatives when they were sick. If you can’t get to see them call them up, send them a card or gift, but especially try to visit them. People visit the sick and they don’t know how to do it when they get there. They arrive as “hail fellow well met”. The sick often need quiet and gentle approaches and not a lot of laughter. Meeting somebody who is sick in bed is not like meeting somebody outside of church. It’s quite different. If we think of the sick more frequently, then we will fulfill the words of the beatitudes: “I was sick and you visited me.”

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Fr. Groeschel, God has allowed you to be the inspiration to many of HOPE and Faith, even through Pain and Agony that you have suffered. You have indeed witnessed that "intimancy" of the CROSS, in some capacity . Fr. Stan Fortuna, is here at St. Therese Parish, giving witness, here in San Diego. We were delighted to have Fr. Mitch Pawca in Jan. for our Divine Mercy Conference. Now, we are preparing for the Steubenville West Youth Conference, here at the cox arena at San Diego State University in July. I first became familiar with your community, in Toronto at World Youth Day . Since, I have been pleased with several opportunities to view EWTN, where I have the priviledge to listen to speakers like yourself, spreading the GOSPEL. You remain in my prayers and I ask our Lord's generous Mercy in your healing and recovery. Thank-you, for your steadfast witness to "HIS" Love and Mercy. Through OUR LADY OF MERCY,- Sally, San Diego, California

Hello Fr. Benedict and Friars and techies! We love your newest streaming video, it is very powerful and I am about to order "A Reason to Believe" a.s. a.p.. My 12 yr. old son has been upset in his new school, a Catholic one, which teaches out of the Oxford book the theory of evolution seemingly as the truth! It has confused him to have to give answers about where we come from without a mention of the CREATOR. He has been taught by us the real truth and also at a Baptist school in the past so you can imagine how disturbing it is to find this in a "Catholic" school. I have spoken to his teacher to no avail. He is excited about seeing your video and I hope to pass it on to his teacher in the future and maybe the sister who runs the school! too! Thank you Father and to Fr. Glenn and his GRASSROOTS team in advance! We love you and keep praying! The Lord continue to pour out His many blessings upon all of you and your devotees!- The Bird Family, Tewksbury, Mass.

My son has been away from the Church since his confirmation, but he was touched and moved by your book, "The Cross At Ground Zero", as he is a photojournalist who took many photos of that cross, one of which hung in an exhibit in the Bronx
Borough President's office. Thank you for giving him something positive to think of about the Church. And I pray God eases your pain! I can't quite get around the idea of taking joy from one's suffering, so I pray for an end to yours. - Catherine, David, New York, , New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, I want you to know that God uses you -- to help me -- in a very sneaky way! Each day, my elderly friend, Jim McWilliams, calls me up at work and has me read your daily letter posted on your web site. I do it as a favor to him because he does not have a computer or access to the Internet. I, however, am also being helped -- inadvertently -- by your inspiring messages. I'm going through a very trying time in my spiritual and physical life right now, and your messages have come to my aid more often than not. I have only one thing to say to you, my friend.......THANK YOU! .....and THANK GOD for using you in so 'crafty' a manner to help this poor sinner!- John, Clifton, New Jersey

Fr Benedict, I rejoice to see your continued improvement. I will continue to pray for you, the friars, and Big Joe and the Grass Roots Renewal. Has he come through like a champ. It is truly awe inspiring to go to the friars website. Thank you for all you do. God bless, - Bob, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Dear Father B. each day I read your message to us & each day you inspire me to trust more in Our Lord...Thank you for your prayers & for sharing with us your cross...As I watched the Movie of The Passion & as I've read your messages I have felt very humbled...We speak of love & compassion but we don't always respond with it...I pray our hearts will be opened to all Our Lord has done for us & I thank Him for the gift He gave to us through your daily lessons...May God continue to Bless you with His love & compassion & His gift of healing.- Judith, Auburn, Washington

Fr. Groeschel, I'm glad to hear you are doing ok. I stumbled upon you site from Fr. Stan's site. All I would like to say is may Jesus continue to heal and strengthen you physically and spiritually. Keep getting the Eucharist; That will heal ya'. I can understand your struggle with trust in the Lord. I feel we all could work on just letting go. I also wish you the Lord's peace. Thank you for everything you have taught me throughout the years. God bless you,- Dr. Russell T., Norristown, Penn.

Father Benedict, Would you and your brother friars please pray for my friend's son, Joe. He is a loving father with several adopted children and will be going for a heart catheterization in a few days. He also has the complication of diabetes and is very concerned. I know all will go well if you, and we, pray for him and his family. Thank you, - Vicki, Bethlehem, Penn.

Hi Fr. Benedict! Get well soon! With love & prayers, - Mara, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, PHILIPPINES

Dear Fr. Benedict, Many people are praying for you, and know that you have been an inspiration to many. My friend, Kathleen,just gave me the tapes of the ROSARY for printing all these updates for her, they are wonderful! May you get better each day, and know that our church and the Prayer Group from WWCCR is praying too. God bless you and the friars.- Elaine, Mount Vernon, Washington

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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