Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,
From Trinity Retreat
Thursday, June 24, 2004
People have often told me that if they come near me they end up losing
money or having to get involved in some kind of work that they didn’t
foresee. I think this is absolutely true. You’ve been reading these messages
for some time and I’ve been behaving myself nicely, but for the next few
messages I’m going to tell you about some of the projects which the Lord
has put into my lap and which to some degree have suffered because of my incapacity.
One of the projects that I am involved with is Good Counsel Homes. This is a
series of residences for homeless mothers with their babies, which Chris Bell
and I founded back in 1985. Our St. Francis House in Brooklyn was the umbrella
that we put it up under. Since that time more than 4,300 girls have received
services from Good Counsel and right at this point we have 50 mothers and 50
babies. We get practically no support from the government, nor do we want it
because the government support might lead to cost you sterilization or an abortion.
Many of you know of Good Counsel and Chris Bell. If you don’t know about
it, on the Internet look up www.goodcounselhomes.org. This is a very, very beautiful
and necessary part of the Kingdom of God in New York and New Jersey to keep
children and mothers from being destroyed. We are just opening another home
in a convent in Hoboken, New Jersey. I hope you’ll go to our website and
join us in our attempts to save mothers and kids. God bless you.
Let us continue to pray for each other!
Father Benedict
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Dear Fr Ben, The Website would be an excellent place to iniatate the beginnings of the Spiritual Journey of Francis and His Spirituality. So many truly do not understand his simple way and it would be a wonderful chance on a daily mediation to take us all on Francis's Journey of Spirituality. I know I myself would love it as he so loved Jesus and the Cross. So if you could help us to understand even a small part of his life that would be so awesome.Prayer life and Contemplation when you are homebound and ill becomes almost a central part of your life which would be another aspect to cover. I keep throwing out all these lists pretty soon you'll bounce me from the site. Take care dear Fr Ben from one Celtic soul to another. - Cathy, Baldwinsville, New York
Dear Father-You are in our prayers. I hope your missives on visiting the sick and shut-ins will be published in a small booklet to be given to those who visit the sick and especially for family and friends who feel so helpless and unprepared for helping their loved one and who,sadly turn away out of fear. May God continue to bless you and turn your life into a blessing. - Anna, Gig Harbor, Washington
Dear Fr. Benedict, here is a little suggestion for the daily slot on the webpage. Why not have a weekly meditation or prayer in preparation for the beginning of the 'Year of the Eucharist'. The great treasury that is in the Franciscan Resources has a few gems on the Eucharist that must be shared with everyone. Pace e bene, - George, East Kilbride, , SCOTLAND
Thank you Father for your wonderful words of wisdom. I thank God that we live in the time of the internet. What a wonderful thing that we "lay" people can converse and learn from the "religious." I look forward to hearing from you and your brother monks on how to live a holy life. God bless you! - Gary, Lake Ariel, Penn.
Father Benedict, I think what is special about this site is the sharing of the sufferings, hopes and prayers of others. The inspirational thoughts and response emails are a means of sharing. I think that is what has been different about this site. Thank you for all for reaching out even as you suffer. - Stephanie, Santa Rosa, California
Dear Father, Your reminder of the importance of laughter was a refreshing one. I loved the quote from your Irish great-grandmother. MY Irish great-grandmother Maggie Stack used to say in times of trouble "The Lord makes a back for his birds." -- meaning that God doesn't give us more to deal with than we can handle. I think she meant "burdens" ... but the birds quote was passed down in family history and we all get a chuckle out of it whenever it comes to mind! Continued prayers for you Father...my granddaughters, aged 5 and 7 always remember you during bedtime prayers and ask me how you are doing. Peace, - Jean, Williamsburg, Michigan
I just wanted to answer the question posed by Father in
his message today. I would like very much for what he proposed to happen. A
little inspiring spot like that would be great! You wouldn't have to do it daily,
maybe weekly. I would love to see Father Benedict and Father Andrew sharing
their thoughts with us. It could be comments on Sunday's readings or critical
news items, or anything that comes to mind. Thank you for asking. My prayers
are with you and your community. - Joe, Baltimore, Maryland
