Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

When someone is very ill in the hospital; recovering from surgery or a severe accident or perhaps with a very dangerous illness, we forget that they are not thinking like their normal self. In order to stay alive you have to be somewhat self-preoccupied. And in today’s hospital most people have to sort of manage their own care, or have relatives that manage it. Things have become so compartmentalized that people get ‘lost track of’ in the hospital unless they have a good family physician watching out for them. Be patient with sick people who appear to be overly preoccupied with their own illness and symptoms. Remember that you may be sick some day yourself and that the same impulses that motivate them at this time will motivate you, then. I always think of the word of the man at the gates of Jericho, “Lord, that I may see! Lord, that I may see! Jesus did not pass him by, even though he was talking about himself. Don’t expect the sick to be heroes. The sick are struggling to try to get better or to stay alive. One of the things that happen to a person when they are in the hospital is that they can become quite lonely. They are surrounded by people who don’t know them. It’s been my experience that nurses & nurses’ aides are extremely kind, but I was after all, a priest, so they went out of their way. I observed many elderly people who aren’t able to respond very much, who aren’t very interesting and who remain for weeks at a time in the hospital with no one coming to see them. A hospital can be a very lonely place, but not quite as lonely as a little apartment or house where an elderly person lives all by themselves. It is important that we recognize Christ around us when He suffers. In America we don’t like to let other people know that we are suffering and so we suffer alone and we suffer in loneliness. We might be very surprised on judgment day to find out those people that we did help with friendly visits, and those people who we failed to visit who we should have gone to visit.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Thanks be to God that you have returned home. In the short time that I have begun to know you, I have found so much in your wisdom from God that has spoken to me. Thank you for helping me see the Light. I will continue to pray for your recovery.- Cathy, Wichita, Kansas

I'm so glad you're still alive. I wish to start a study group/oratory. Do you have any advice on what to do?- Beverley, Auckland , Ak, New Zealand

Dear Fr. Benedict, It's so wonderful to now that you are improving so well. It's great to have you back with us again from wherever you are. You are so wonderfully inspiring. Thank the Lord that he allowed you to stay a while longer. Thank you God!!! - Barbara , Texas

Hey Fr. B! I haven't seen your website in a while seeing how I just moved and I was getting a lot settled in. I haven't been able to get on the internet. I saw Fr. Luke CFR at a wedding here in Steubenville, and asked him how you were doing and he told me that you were back home. I was so excited for you. It is amazing how I have never actually met you, but I feel like I have known you forever after visiting this site so often. I am glad I finally had a chance to catch up on your daily reflections. It is such an inspiration to me to see that after your accident, you don't sit and whine, or even boast about it, but you are so humble, and use this "accident" to teach us the true meaning of life. Sometimes I wonder if there are really accidents in life... God has a PERFECT plan for us all, and I am so excited to see this plan day to day! God Bless you and all the Friars and Sisters! -Jen, Franciscan Univ. of Steubenville, Ohio

OH HAPPY DAY...There is truly no place like home and now you can get back to some semblance of a normal routine in a familiar environment. How joyful every one at Trinity Retreat must be at your long awaited return. I share in that happiness and my heart is glad and filled with anticipation that we will again share dinner at Christmastide. You remain always in my prayers, Love, - Len, New York, New York

Dear Father Groeschel, I am writing to wish you a speedy recovery. Your work on EWTN has influenced me so much. I enjoy your shows. I now find comfort and joy in my life because I have been trying follow the path to God. Thank you for helping to light up that path. God Bless You!! Love, - Beth, Parma, Ohio

Good morning Fr. Benedict! Your doing it! Giving words of hope and support to all of us "walking wounded"! (and I do mean "all" of us!) Love, - Marie, wilton, Maine

Dear Father - So glad you are home. Your messages are wonderful and help me start and end my day. I read and re read them. Would you consider keeping them up even when you are all better. With love and continued prayers, - Mary, Phila. Penn.

Dear Father Benedict, I'm happy to hear that you're finally home. I know your recovery is far from complete, but there is some relief knowing you're coming along--you scared us to death a few months ago! I will continue to pray for you, as I have done every day since you were first hurt, and I will add your wish to know God's will for your life and to do it well. It's the same thing I ask for myself daily, so I know I'm not alone! Love, - Mary, Jersey City, New Jersey

I read your website often, but don't write often because I'm sure you're overburdened with loving greetings! I'm the nurse from Johns Hopkins that has experienced a few miracles from Fr Solanus Casey. My whole family has been praying for you, and are thrilled that your mission on earth is not yet finished! We love your tapes and videos, and you have most certainly brought us closer to God. We appreciate your wry sense of humor - you speak our language! With love and prayers, - Nancy, Severn, Maryland

Dear Father Benedict,
I am truly overjoyed at your miraculous recovery. Like you state "when God calls you go, if He doesn't call you, you stay!" You say He has more work for you to do. I sincerely hope it is in this internet ministry. I check your website every day & am truly inspired by your messages & all the e-mails. It is gratifying that in this day when our faith is so constantly bombarded & shaken we can turn to the computer to find inspiration. Your video messages are wonderful, like a mini homily everyday even when I am unable to get to Mass. My prayers are with you always and am looking forward to tomorrow's message. God be with you.
- Betty, Cayuga, North Dakota

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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