From
Trinity Retreat Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,
From
Trinity Retreat
Friday, June 18, 2004
Progress is one of the things you become very aware of when you’re
struggling to overcome disabilities. Usually we all tend to think of progress
as great big steps: we take a pill, or get treatment, and suddenly we’re
supposed to be all better. Actually, it doesn’t work that way at all;
progress is slow and gradual. I’m often amazed that people see me ten
or fifteen days apart and tell me how much progress I’ve made. I’m
not aware of having made any, but they see it because it comes in small increments,
which add up at the end of a period of time.
If you’re struggling with trying to overcome something in your life, or
if you’re helping someone else overcome something, remember that God gives
us progress in little doses. Perhaps He does this to keep us from becoming proud,
or perhaps He wants to keep us prepared to struggle on. Life is very realistic;
it is not a children’s story. Progress comes at a cost: it is the price
of struggling on, trusting in God to give us the strength to keep going.
Let us continue to pray for each other!
Father Benedict
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Dear Fr. Benedict, You look great! All the prayers are being heard and through it you are reaching out to all the world! The website is very helpful to keep track of you and the Friars as it is. Seeing a "live person" on the video clip is a great asset and allows you to father many around the world who can't be with you. Happy Father's Day ... Fr Benedict. Peace be with you always. - Pattye, Aquebogue, New York
Dear Fr. Ben...when I read the comments of others who visit you everyday since the last 6 months..need I say anything more..it's all been said so well by so many.. I'am so glad to hear that there are plans in the wing for making this a regular website for all your people..sometimes I think..oh this is is so hard for Fr. B to do.. I used to think..I bet he is so tired..that was at first..but now it seems better...and on the website I think it'd be great to have Fr. Glenn..he became such a friend to us all when u first got sick..I'd love to see and hear him too...as well as your other brothers who were with you in Florida and the sisters...we feel so personal with you..and it's like you are talking to each one of us alone..we all experience that..I'am so grateful to God that you are still here and you always in my prayers and thank you for offering the Mass for me and for all of us..it brings tears to my eyes...now back to the website..i'd love to hear more about St. francis and what he was really like..somehow i think he did more than shock the people of his day..also the young men from Grassroots ..we'd like to meet them too..maybe Fr. Stan Fortuna or someone else who talks alot could go around interviewing them or something like that..and the good sisters too....your website might turn into another catholic cable network...wouldn't that be great...also maybe a monthly update on Mel's movie about St. Francis...there's so much that could be done on this website..also the address so we can send money to help support your boys and the home..stuff like that...also maybe the mass can be taped and we can pray with you from here...and how utterly utterly kind of you to talk to us so much..it means the world to so many...you will never know until you are on the other side of eternity how much it means to so many..keep on keeping on and we will with you...sincerely, - Elizabeth, New Waterford, CANADA
Dear Father Benedict, Not only have I been blessed in my heart and soul by your insights but it's like the "wave" at a sporting event. Those that write to you have indeed reflected on much in their own lives and I have grown from all they have taken time to share. The fruit from your pain and suffering has been tremendous. Thank you for loving us and trusting us enough to share these deep reflections of yours with us. You are dearly loved. - Lorraine from Florence, South Carolina
Dear Fr. Groeschel, Please know that Sr. Regina, all the Sisters of the Cross and auxiliary continually pray for you daily. At our weekly bible class, we read your daily messages and Sr. Regina showed your tapes during the Lenten season. Sr. Regina suggested that maybe all these wonderful,truly Holy Spirit inspired "mini daily messages and lessons" could be put into booklet form. What a wonderful gift that would be for people to be able to meditate. We are sure it would be a "best seller" - a top 10---as you are All Gods continued blessings and graces for your continued recovery Fr. Benedict....we love you! - Val, Modesto..Oakdale, California
Dear Father Groeschel and Father Glenn, First, Please don't get discouraged with the healing process. I for one like to get things done "yesterday" and get on with my plan. As I have written before my progress over the last two years has been slow but I learned something. If I had followed my plan, the results of the last two years would not be as glorious as they are now, primarily in the spiritual sense. My life being put on the back burner, so to speak, had a wonderful change on my intimate circle of family and friends. Well worth the price! Now I had another thought about the web site. I always read all the messages of the day. I realized how much I have learned from others who shared their feelings. Jacqueline, Batavia, New York, said "this website is the spiritual communion of mind expressed by the members of the site" Also, Mary, Jersey City New Jersey says "this experience has brought so many people into contact who otherwise would never have "met" If you think about that, it is really AWSOME! So maybe once a week, or month, we can have a couple of pages of letters from our network family, sharing their spiritual walk. Just an idea. This web gives us the opportunity to reach far beyond our own parishes, and gives us an opportunity to share and learn. Once again, you and your family are in my prayers. - Gloria (transplanted Big Apple) Huntington Beach, California
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE WEBSITE: I would appreciate lessons in how to pray and messages that are linked to the daily scripture readings. Debbie O'Connor, Whitestone, Queens. It's so wonderful to see Father Groeschel each day and to hear his messages! - Debbie, Beechhurst, New York
