Dear friends of
Fr. Benedict,
From Trinity Retreat
Sunday, June 6, 2004
Visiting the very ill or the dying is a very special circumstance. They are preoccupied with words like survival and death. It’s not wise to bring in all kinds of other considerations, or to go through the news, even if it is ecclesiastical news; let them lead the conversation, if they will and don’t impose on them a lot of information that they really don’t want, need or care about. Often the sick are not in a position to be very gracious, they don’t have to be, they are excused from being so, but we always need to be gracious to them.
Let us continue to pray for each other!
Father Benedict
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Dear Father, We are so grateful for your recovery. My wife of 56 years threatens to leave me when I forget to print out your daily message. For one thing EWTN would have lost part of its soul without you. Incidentally, I have been looking for a left-handed computer ever since you have had so much trouble with your right arm. (bad joke) God Bless - Bob, St. Peters, Penn.
Father Benedict Groeshchel, I would like to tell you how much you have touched my familys lives, my husband, me and my 16 yr old son. My husband and I used to watch your show, and he was never the type to tune in to any religious programing. When he heard about your accident he was so upset as all of us were. Since I have been recieving your daily emails I have been forwarding them to both my husband and son. Before my son knew of you he has been thinking of becoming a franciscan frair he is only 16 and I dont know if he will change his mind. He has been reading all your emails and if anyone can touch someones heart....it is you. Thank you so much for sharing your pain and teaching us how to deal with ours, and the pain of others. You have insight and wisdom that touches many souls....thank you again.......Tina, Brooklyn, New York
Dear Father, My family has been following your progress and your messages since the accident. We thank God that you are still here to "show us the way." We have a request: put all of your daily messages into a book when you are able. There is much to meditate on, particularly advice on care for the elderly and the sick. We continue to pray for you, and are grateful for your prayers. - Robert, Glen Gardner, New Jersey
Dear Fr. Benedict, I praise God for you. I feel as if you are speaking to me directly in your recent messages on visiting the sick. I have been asking God for some time now to lead me where I could best serve Him by serving others and I have been lead to begin to volunteer at one of our local nursing homes. I am sure this desire was also awakened in me through the inspiration of our holy father St. Francis, since I am also a Third Order Franciscan. Your reflections are teaching me some valuable lessons and I am very grateful. I love you and pray that God will continue to heal you and that the Holy Spirit will continue to bless you with His wisdom. You are a wonderful teacher. Yours in Christ, - Michelle,Ontario, Canada
Dear Father Benedict, I read your daily messages and look forward to your video every day. It is hard to believe it has been nearly 6 months! It should be me, and others like me who visit each day, who give consolation and comfort to you, yet it is you whom we come to each day for precisely that very thing. Thank you so much, for your witness of faith and love. It reaches me to the very depths of my soul, and in some strange way, I know it is for the Glory of God's Kingdom that He decided to use you in this way. I know the words you will hear upon your entry into heavan one day. They will be, "Come my good and faithful servant, enter into your Masters joy." Oh, only if I would hear those very words too. God Love you alway, - Ralph, Cleveland, Ohio
Fr. Benedict, I am the spiritual director for the Legion of Mary at Divine Infant Parish, Orleans, Ontario, Canada. For over a year now we have been enjoying your video talks on the Catholic Catechism. We have learned so much from your tapes. Last week the Legion of Mary and I enjoyed listening to your powerful messages on your new video, "Good Friday". This evening on the internet I listened to your message on the Holy Spirit. Beautiful. We pray for your continued improvement Fr. Benedict because the world needs to hear more of your words because Our Blessed Lord said to his apostles, he who hears you, hears me; and you are certainly a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. God bless you Fr.Benedict. - Deacon Moran McMahon, Orleans, Ontario, CANADA
Dear Fr. Benedict, I'm the sister of Ed Dobransky's (Dunwoodie) and haave been happy to have met you twice, Father. After all you've been through, it is wonderful to have with us via the Internet - your new and most welcome ministry. It was amazing to watch your video "A Reason to Believe," and find that it was being taped from Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Yonkers. That was the church that Ed's and my mother and aunt attended in the 1910's and 1920's. They were of Slovak descent and grew up in Yonkers. That fact alone really endeared me to those inspiring talks of yours. Thank you so much for everything you are doing, even with limited mobility and, I'm sure, considerable fatigue and sometimes frustration. God bless. - Rita, East Lansing, Missouri
Dear Father Benedict, Please know that you are in my prayers every day, and I'm especially praying for your right arm. I've been enjoying reading all the messages that the good people have been sending you. In a good many of them, they mention the "Oratory of Divine Love". Can you please tell us what this is? Thank you and God bless you always. - Deborah, Philadelphia, Penn.
For information please go to the Oratory web site at: Oratorydl.com
Father, we have been away for several weeks and unable to check the internet. I was so relieved to watch the most recent video of you today. You are looking like your old self again! Your cheeks have filled out and your color has returned! I thank God for you every day! You are always such a comfort. God bless you! - Hope, Millersville, Maryland
Hello Father Benedict, I am very glad to see you improving. Your letters have provided some very thought-provoking and meaningful reflections on which everyone should contemplate. Perhaps you could compile these letters and thoughts into a book! God bless and best wishes on your recovery! - Mike, Lansing, Illinois
