From
Trinity Retreat Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,
From
Trinity Retreat
Thursday, June 3, 2004
I had the opportunity recently to review a number of the Internet messages;
I receive them in such great bulk that I can’t read them all. I was amazed
at how many people said that they had taken up the suggestion to visit the sick
in the hospital and at home and how meaningful they found this. It’s too
bad we haven’t made it part of our religious education and Catholic practice
to visit the sick at home.
There are rules and regulations for visiting the sick that should be followed,
but just getting there and showing some interest, especially in the chronically
ill, is a wonderful work. Our Lord mentions it specifically in the Gospel in
terms of the Last Judgment: “I was sick and imprisoned and you visited
me.”
In the next few messages I will discuss how to visit the sick in order to be
really helpful to them. In the meantime look and see what chronically ill people
are in your life whom you could be helping on a regular basis without too much
effort.
Let us continue to pray for each other!
Father Benedict
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Dear Fr. Groeschell, Thanks be to GOD that you are getting better! Don't worry about sleeping too much. Your body needs lots of rest to heal. Also good food, prayers and those who love you surrounding you will aid greatly in your recovery. We continue in prayer for you here. Thank you for sending messages to us. It's an important part of our day to hear from you! Your mission now continues to sustain us. sincerely - R. Smith, Littleton, CO
Dear Father Groeschel, My heart is filled with joy knowing you are back home. Being a transplanted New Yorker, how does the saying go, you can take the girl out of the city but you can't take the city out of the girl. Since Oct. 2002, I have been ill and homebound. But your courage and your faith reminded me every morning to keep my eyes looking up and my roseary in my hand. Your two steps forward, one back, was my same course. But we are both in a better place right now. My prayers and thoughts are with you like so many others. - Gloria, Huntington Beach, California
Dear Father Groeschel, At a time when moral compromise is corroding our culture, your witness to the Cross, as you walk the Way of the Cross each day, is helping us to keep our hope in the Lord. The Church needs your silent witness of suffering, this martyrdom of pain, at a time when the value of convenience, success and power seems to dictate the behavior of the many. God has not silenced you; while the world is speaking in riddles, God has made your voice so eloquent, so plain, so unmistakably clear: Every life is a gift from God, and doing the will of God, not our own will, is the only determinant of success. Thank you for being a real Catholic, willing to give your all to Jesus! We will continue to pray for you; He will heal you for sure. He never fails to answer prayers! - Ellen, Mishawaka, IN
Dear Father ; I am so relived that you are back at Trinity and doing better . May the Lord bless and keep you , I know that as a result of your accident; I have reflected on our relationship through the years since our frist meeting at childrens village. I was fatherless untill then when God lead me to you .I have been working on myself spiritually and it,s all because of your example of Jesus' living his word.This August I will be witnesing on " the Father" Loving Care " for the mens' ," CHRIP " retreat at our chruch. Thanks for the love; - Antonio,
"It is not the burden. but How we bear it, that matters"...you, dear Father Benedict, show us how. Today's mini-homily, as I prefer to call it, reminds us that this is NOT our Home. That was a timely message for me, as I am active in the fair taxation for home owners advocacy. Yes, it brings much sorrow to see the injustices of our society...when some have so much..and some have so little, and someone else is out there trying to "steal" the rest! THIS IS NOT Our Home....When I read that message today, not only did I read it...I stopped to say a prayer, to allow the Holy Spirit to give me perspective. That is the fruit of Father's Website: PRAYER, and introspection. - Jacqueline, Batavia, New York
Dear Father Benedict.- Mexican children are very happy to know that you are at home again. Thank you "ALL" for your kindness and informations. I am sending a fhoto of our Viacrucis and we will still praying, later the girl who represented de Virgin will share with you her experiences of being in a hospital almost 3 years, she is l2 years now, and out of a cancer. We contact your address for the oratory of the Divine Love, we work with other children very poor, it will help us. Let us continue to pray for each other - Yoya, Jalisco, Mexico
Your voice is the light in a storm, when so many others are afraid to speak out. Thank God you are back.- LaDonna, Valdosta, Georgia
Dear Father, Glad to hear you are back home. There is a certain comfort level at home that you can never really appreciate anywhere else. I am so glad you mentioned the souls in purgatory today. Since I came back to church in 1992 (after slipping away for a while), I have prayed for the souls in purgatory. Not just the souls dear to me, but all the souls in purgatory. Now my four children pray each night for them, as well. We have the 4 "P's" that we pray for during bedtime prayers every night...the Pope, Peace, Patience,and all the souls in Purgatory. My husband also taught the children to pray for the souls in purgatory after our mealtime prayers. After we say grace, we follow by saying "May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen". This has become second nature to all of us, and especially the kids who many times take the lead at prayer time. I hope your reflection on this point today will help encourage people to pray for these souls who can no longer help themselves. They are so close to God's glory, and it feels really good to think we can help them get there. As always, we continue to pray for your recovery. - Ramona, Orlando, Florida
Thank you Father for your e.m. and the update on Fr. Goreschel is very encouraging. We hope to see him back on e.w.t.n. soon. I would also love to see Mother Angelica back on t.v. too, and wonder if this will every happen..... Prayers can work wonders, so heres praying!. God Bless you, Mama Mary keep you and St. Philomena intercede for you. Sincerely - Judy, Baguio City, Philippines.Far East Asia.
Dear Father Groeschel- I have so enjoyed your inspiring talks and am so grateful the Lord has answered our prayers and returned you to us. Have you noticed that special star that shines over Jersey City and the Retreat House... it is a guiding star created by your loving guidance and profound wit... We love you and continue to pray for your complete recovery. - Natalie, Brentwood, Tenn.
I check Father's meditations each day, they are a part of my life
now. I will continue to offer my little prayers for Father Benedicts recovery
and ask that he pray for us, especially remembering my brother Joseph who has
a
drug problem. May God bless you too for helping Father...I"m sure it was
a great blessing. Sincerely. - Joann,
