Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Saturday, July 3, 2004

Among the many friends that the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal have are the members of the Bruderhof Communities. This is a very old Anabaptist Protestant Community that goes back actually of the time of the Reformation. Unlike most Protestant groups, the members of the Bruderhof live together in something like religious life. Although they have families and the parents and children live together, they have some meals in common every day, especially the main meal and they pray and sing together every day. They also observe the common life, personal poverty and a life similar to Catholic religious except for the fact that they are married.
We became friends of the Bruderhof because of their interest in causes that we are also interested in, including pro-life, opposing abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide. Many of the friars are also completely opposed to capital punishment as I am. The Bruderhof have published a number of very fine books on chastity and marriage.
Representatives of the Bruderhof Communities led by Johann Christian Arnold, the former elder or superior of the community met with the Pope in the Vatican on June 26. The friars assisted in several ways to help make this meeting happen with the help of Cardinal Egan. It was a beautiful meeting and the Holy Father spoke to each of the eight delegates who came. Elder Arnold thanked the Holy Father for many of his stands, for life, for world peace, for the cause of justice. The Holy Father himself was pleased to welcome them. He said this speaking to the representatives of the Bruderhof Communities. “You share a tradition in which Christ’s call to discipleship finds expression in common life in the Spirit and in daily witness to the evangelical law of love. Christians always need to hear anew the radical summons to holiness, which is the heart of our Savior’s message. I greet you with affection in the Lord and I pray that the growing contacts with the Catholic Church will bear fruit in ever greater mutual understanding, respect and cooperation.”
The friars and sisters of the Franciscan of the Renewal are very gratified that our Protestant brethren were so warmly greeted by the Holy Father. We are grateful to them for taking the trouble to arrange the meeting and to go to Rome. It’s a model of what should be done for relations between the different Christian communities.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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It was wonderful seeing you on EWTN tonight Fr. Benedict! My 2 sons (aged 11 and 15) sat on the couch with me and even though they said they werent' interested, sat quietly for most of the half hour. They do know that I pray for you every day, and I believe that they do too. They ask about you every time I go on to your website. Anyway Father, I would like to see what you and the Friars do, and I think it would be very nice if you could write something to us once a week. The other Friars could also take turns writing. That way, everyone gets a turn, and we get a taste of something different every day. I have grown very fond of you these past 6 months. I first became a little interested in you when you gave a talk at a Catholictherapists.com workshop, and I received a tape from a friend of mine with your talk on it. Now, I feel like you are a long time friend, whom I have known for years. I did meet you a very long time ago in Dunwoodie , when my brother was ordained as deacon. I most recently saw you at St. Patrick's Cathedral one year ago, when you vested my dear friend Richie Salhany when he became a deacon. He is a very lucky man to have you for a spiritual director!!!!!! May God Bless and keep you with us for a long time, Father. Affectionately, - Joan, Staten Island, New York

Fr. Benedict, I thank you for asking us for input about the future of this part of your website. I strongly encourage you to continue it. I like your idea of having different friars write or record messages on the different days of the week. This enables you to show those of us far from NY your work and enables the different friars to focus on different aspects of life/spirituality/doctrine/ etc. It also shares the burden, as you mentioned, and broadens the focus so the death of a friar doesn't spell the end of this vehicle to strengthen the people of God. I encourage you to continue the practice of concise, powerful messages. Having video "spots" could be something that is updated far less frequently than the written messages, too. I hope this helps. One last thing: proclaim the Truth boldly and call us to heroic virtue; our age needs saints and it is difficult to grow in sanctity and surrender to God's will. Help us learn to discern rightly in the unclear parts of our lives (e.g., taking care of elderly parents while raising children - determining priorities, when and how to challenge family members who are living worldly lives to live the fullness of their Baptisms, to homeschool or not, etc.) Thank you and God bless you. - Katherine, San Diego, California

Praise God for your continued healing Fr Groeschel and for the new program "Catastrophe & Faith" which I viewed last evening...I agree this Franciscan web-site is important tool for reaching out to those who are "thirsting" for God's Word & I believe that a bible-study ministry (parables of Jesus) would be absolutely wonderful for starters...but please remain on EWTN...love, - Mary, South Philly

Dear Fr. Groeschel: I watched your first broadcast since your accident on EWTN last night. (I even got my husband to watch!) I know that Mother Teresa said that she saw Jesus "in the distressing disguise of the poor." I also know that you hate it when people "gush" over you, but please allow me to say that I see Jesus in the uplifting words that you bring to us. God Bless you Father Groeschel, and may you continue to recover. - Toni, Morrisville, Penn.

Your suggestion that several of the friers take turns writing something each day, would be wonderful... just be sure to take your turn. We feel we know you and can hear your voice when we read your words. I agree with you..having to come up with something everyday is stressful. One suggestion, before a new frier writes, could you do a short video introducing him so that we can identify with his writing. Really, the important thing is that this internet family be fed. I have made this my home page it is the first thing that I see each morning. I am not a shut is like so many in our little family, but I am the soul care giver of my handicaped husband and can not leave him for long. The compputer such a blessing when it feeds my soul. God bless, - Mary, Tucson, Arizona

Good morning! Glory to God. He is good and He gives me a joyful heart. What a blessing He has given us in you, dear Father Benedict, and all of your wonderful brother Friars and sisters. I like your idea of having a variety of writers on the website - Father Glen was so inspiring and comforting when you were in the darkest part of your recovery. I believe that he, as you, and all the holy souls which work and pray with you have much to offer and I am so thankful for each of you. God bless you all!
Love, - Becky, Beaverton, Oregon

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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