Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Saturday July 17, 2004

I’m old enough to remember when television first came out in the early 1950s. It was all rather innocent. Most people my age would remember Howdy Dodgy and various newscasters. Television has grown up, but it has not grown more virtuous. Many things on television now would have been considered obscene fifty years ago, but worse than that is the underlying philosophy of much of television. Not only does it induce people to buy things that they don’t need and can’t use but it presents a very materialistic approach to life. Also, any number of regular television features are often subtly anti-Catholic. It is important for religious people in general to be aware that television may be aimed right at the heart of the family and that its message is often aimed against God.
In a completely different sense than the words are ordinarily used, you are well advised to “watch your television.”

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Dear Fr. Benedict, Please don't think that I would ever expect a personal reply to my posts to you. I can just imagine how you would dislike writing e-mail, and I know how generously you love us. You have had enough Purgatory on earth, lol. Fr. Benedict, I think about you all of the time with so much gratitude. I am one of the many who came to you broken and was able to mend, and my gratitude to you overflows my entire life. You touch so many lives in such a deep and profound way. Thank you for writing forcefully about reverence. I want to say, "Yes! Father, PLEASE give us the TRUTH and straight up, we can take it, because your words are filled with the deepest love and concern for our souls and in getting us to heaven. Keep writing strong, Father. Never be afraid, your love shines through every word. We love you so very much and thank God for you.
Love in Our Lady, Joanie Haselman. - Roanoke, North Carolina

The media is powerful tool and I mean all forms. Here is the trick it exposes us to the same things
over and over again. That's implanting an idea and repeating it to create ascertain response or behavior. Eventually we start to believe what they say because it is all we are exposed to. I call it brain washing a very subtle brain washing.If I can make you think you see one thing when it's the other I can do anything I want to you and you will accept it. As human beings we need to be careful what we take in and how much. We are what we eat. When Eve ate the apple she found out it was a much different apple than she was lead to believe and I guess the rest is history. What can you call it a children's story for adults and adults don't get it. Maybe we should ask a child.
How does the saying go,"from the mouths of babes." - Don, Dakota City, Iowa

Dear Fr. Groeschel, I have tried on a couple of occasions to email you before to let you know you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I too find this website to be informative and inspirational. I have been trying by example (dressing well, genuflecting, showing reverence) to show others in Church how we truly are in Our Lord's presence. As I was reading through today's messages, my thoughts were about how God can bring good even from bad things (specifically I was thinking about the "garbage" that is also on the internet. Here He is using your website to bring about so much good. I'd like to suggest to your readers that they also look at the Catholic Answers website where there is an opportunity to sign up for the Catholic forum. I've receive encouragement and strength to stand up for my Catholic beliefs through this website too. Father, when I find myself having my private "pity party", I remember the clip from your video where you tell us that Jesus says to pick our crosses and follow Him. From that perspective, I thought my cross in life is like a sliver. My "cross" irritates and digs deep sometimes but it's really nothing compared to what Our Lord carried for me. God Bless and hold you (and all of us) close to His heart. - Carol, Lindenhurst, Illinois

I really enjoy reading Fr. Ben's reflections. Please continue this website. I agree, we should be allowed to forward these messages to our friends and families as form of evangelization. Thank you and God bless you all. - Marian, Union, New Jersey

Dear Father Benedict, I am so happy to see you over the internet and hear your healing voice and you speak to everyone. I pray for your recovery and my prayers are being answered. You look great, you have come a long road and I thank God that he has given you the strength to recover. May he help you everyday in your struggle to heal and be well again. prayerfully yours, - Camille, Bronx, New York

Hello Father Groeschel So glad to see you on the way to recovery and we continue to pray for you. Your comments on dress and respect at mass are very pertinent. Another sign I see more and more of lack of respect for Jesus in the number of people who arrive late and leave early. However, I cannot remember when the Priests addressed these issues. The dress has deteriorated to almost a playground style.I find it very distracting. I am a convert and was 40 yrs old at the time. I tell my friends that when we were kids and went to the Methodist Church, we wore suits. I'm afraid there are many Catholics who haven't really been taught what mass is all about. Maybe they should all be required to read "the Lamb's Supper" I thought it was a super book. Thanks and God Bless You. Wishing you could be at the Scranton Conference this Year. We will pray for you - Don , Endicott, New York

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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