Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Tuesday August 3, 2004

They are such beautiful names: Margaret Mary, Catherine, Veronica, and Elizabeth. These are the names that were taken by the four young ladies who entered the novitiate for our Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal on Monday, August 2. When you belong to a new religious community that is thriving, you go to all kinds of celebrations. This is one that was particularly meaningful because these sisters will be part of the life blood of this new community founded by Father Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., with the assistance of Sister Lucille, C.F.R. The sisters work along with the friars, but soon they will have their own apostolate with working with the poor and the homeless.
It is wonderful to see very representative young people coming from different countries like Ireland and Holland joining a religious community that is dedicated to the poor and that follows traditional religious observance. Different priests who have met our sisters’ community have been very impressed by the quality of people who belong to the community, as they have been by the friars. How grateful to God we are for these vocations.
Every year when we have a profession, Father Andrew and I, the old men in the community, always stop and say to each other that it is a work of God, which it certainly is. We are grateful to all our friends who have helped us over the years to make this work of God grow and who assist us in working with the poor. Lift up your hearts and be filled with hope because the young, despite all obstacles, are coming to serve Christ in His Church.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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I thank God that He has continued to "loan" you to us and to this world. God Bless you sir! - George, Alexandria, Penn.

Dear Fr. Groeschel, As a recent Catholic convert, I have learned so much about the faith through your books, appearances on E.W.T.N., retreats, etc . I thank God for your deep spirituality, wisdom and humor. I pray daily for your complete recovery; that you would be freed from danger, relieved of suffering, and held fast in the loving arms of our savior. Your friend in Christ, - Sandy, from California

Dear Father Benedict, I am so grateful for your spiritual comments each day. Please keep it up. I feel joined to you and to each of the writers to this website. We see a world enriched by your presenting Christ to us. In this time when we feel unsettled by all around us both inside and outside the Church, it is with a sense of security that you come to us each day to enrich us along with our daily Mass and Eucharist. - Geri, Marion, Iowa

I pray the lord to make you whole. Question; I would love to know more about you father. - Obi, NIGERIA

Dear Father, I have prayed every day since your accident for your welfare. And I am grateful for messages on the website. Regarding what can be done with the website -- clearly and forcefully encourage people to earnestly pray, fast and offer sacrifices for our presidential candidates. And keep reminding people to do that and what Our Lady said at Fatima about people lost to hell because there was no one to pray for them. Thanks for everything. - Elizabeth, New York

Dear Father Benedict, I am a retired priest in the Diocese of Buffalo (NY) and a member of the Cardinal Cooke Guild. Since my retirement due to hemolytic disorders resulting in chronic fatigue, I have expanded my time for prayer and spiritual reading. I just completed reading what I consider the best inspirational and motivating book that you wrote, namely, "A Priest Forever, the Life of Father Eugene Hamilton." May I suggest that this outstanding young man, who now eternally exercises his priesthood in the company of the saints, be promoted as a "servant of God" in the cause for Sainthood. I have been spiritually moved and uplifted by the account of Father Hamilton's life and life-long desire and preparation in response to God's call to become a Priest. May I make, what you might presume an unusual request. I would like to obtain, if you can arrange to do so, the two ordination cards of Father Hamilton that became his memorial cards as a holy relic of this saintly priest, whom all seminarians and priests should emulate. Thank you for your kind consideration in this regard. Asking God to bless you and your good work, I remain, in Christ, - Fr. Doug, Tonawanda, New York

Father Groeschel, I've just finished your book, "Healing the Original Wound," and sensed that I'd like to know more about you and your work. In the process, I discover that you are not well. With all my heart I'll put you on my prayer list, as long as you put far greater trust in God's incredibly beneficent will for you. Christ's peace to you, - Larry, Ridgewood, New York

It is inspiring to see the progress that God has allowed you to make. We look forward to the day when you can speak to us at Conferences in person. Meanwhile we enjoy your tapes and books. God bless all those who have helped you on the road to healing, too, including not only the doctors and the nurses, but the people who prepare and serve the food, those who clean the floors and walls, the electricians, plumbers, and all those who contribute to the healing of the sick at the hospital. - Anne, Huntington Beach, California

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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