Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Fr. Glenn Sudano

Friday August 27, 2004

"Don't feel guilty - enjoy!" That's exactly what I yelled into the phone. It was Father Benedict on the phone calling to say that he had arrived and was doing well at his lakeside retreat. A few close friends prevailed upon him, sort of "kidnapped him" so he could "get away" for two or three days. I knew him being away from the phone and by a lake away would make him feel a bit uneasy. Yet I knew even if he felt a bit guilty, he would also feel better being away. But I'm no fool - for sure he brought along a stack of letters to answer and a thick manuscript to work on! "you can only stare at ducks for so long" I can hear him quip.

Yes getting time away "from the rat race" is a wonderful gift we friars really appreciate. In fact, written right into our Constitutions is a mandate that we must go somewhere away into silence and solitude for at least an overnight every month. At times this "away" is even in the city, another friary equipt with a hermitage room. Yet, most times we pack up and head for the hills which are easily found only an hour outside the city limits. For myself, it's not the distance from the city that counts, but from the phone!

We all need to "get away"; to break from the routine and the regular. As I write this someone down the street is blasting his "boom box" (aptly named). They evidently enjoy this loud "music"(aptly misnamed) In the rich suburbs this would be considered inconsiderate, indeed illegal. A police cruiser would quietly pull up to the culprit within five minutes of the crime. Within seconds - silence. Well, that's not what happens here in the city. Loud music and laughter is much a part of the summer scene. In Harlem, the Bronx and even here in Yonkers, it's not uncommon to see small clusters of friends and family members enjoying some beer and laughter on a porch or on some street corner. While this is easy to accept during the day, at night when the windows are wide open (we use medieval air conditioning), guess who gets very annoyed?

While everyone should try to respect the rights of others, it also is good to see the whole picture. When you have little money, no car, and no friends who have a home by a lake or in the mountains, you do your best to escape and relax. Loud music, laughter and a few cold beers on the corner is a indeed a poor person's "get-a-away". Although this truth doesn't put me from thinking I'm better than others. Heading for the beautiful mountains or peaceful seashore shouldn't make us feel guilty, but being resentful towards those who can't enjoy these should.

Until next time…

God bless you,

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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I watch and listen to Father Benedict on EWTN and very much touched with his teachings. I read that he was sick and I pray to God that he may recover his health and go about his work in the vineyard of the Lord. Praise you Jesus. - Xavier, India

Hey Fr. Groeschel, I'm that teenager from Staunton with a "Face like a map of Ireland". That's no coincidence because my biological parents(i'm adopted in VA) are irish catholics from the Boston area. I'm a pretty used to a more rural lifestyle and I saw on the website that you might be opening a friary in Ireland in the future. Sounds like a great plan. thank you for your example, John, Virginia

Dear Fr. Glen, how wonderful to see how your order is flourishing. We will certainly pray for the twelve new candidates. It is when we see God working so powerfully in religious orders, it gives us all,I'm sure, great hope for the future of the Church and the world. I pray that God will continue to greatly bless all of you, friars and sisters of the Franciscan Friars & Sisters of the Renewal. Thank you all for continuing this website with daily reflections. You are a wonderful gift to all of us. Your sister in Christ, - Michelle, SFO Ontario, Canada

Dear Father Sudano; Congratulations on your soon to be expanded friar family. And thank you sooo much for sharing their activities with us. For those of us with small or distant families, and/or limited access to the outside world; this means a great deal. Please do continue your messages as regularly as you can. They are a major resource for our spiritual growth. As always these messages will be shared far and wide. Recently I sent one of father groeschel's messages to eight different places. All eight were well received and most of them were passed on yet another time. And speaking of Father Groeschel, I know your web-site is about Christ and His wonderful message not about Father Groeschel. But he is the shepard that many of us have chosen to follow as we take our feeble steps toward heaven and we love him dearly. So if from time to time, a brief sentence like "Father Benedict continue to improve" or "Father Benedict is working on a program soon to be aired on E.W.T.N." can be included in your messages; it will be greatly appreciated. Of course, we can participate in your fantastic works by praying for you and those you support. But perhaps there is more that we can do; even if we are far away and not terribly mobile or wealthy. Birthday cards to your residents of the men's home might be appreciated. Or maybe the new mothers in your unwed mother program might enjoy having a handmade blanket for their baby as they prepare them for baptism. Someone in one of your mission hospitals could be gladdened by a greeting or perhaps by corresponding with a person in the states, whatever. Again thank you sooooo much for all that you do for us. sincerely - Caroline, Conn.

Doing good, Fr. Glenn! Glad to know Fr. Groschel is so much better and is able to be quite busy. Being 80 years old, I know how little strength we have as years go by. Not our choice but our state in life. Could you print the prayer, Fr. Glenn, that you said for Fr. Groeschel . Seems it has taken on a life of its own. Love to all God send many blessings your way, I pray! - Mary, Mebane, North Carolina

To all that make this website possible, Thank you for your commitment. This sight has been such an inspiration to me, and it continues to change me and strengthen my faith. I truly look forward to checking in each morning. May God continue to bring many blessings to you and your work. - Ramona, Orlando, Florida

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Father Glenn, please accept a "pledge" of prayer for all. A priest once told us a story about the Gospel hypocrites and the Church being a "hospital for sick people", or several priests have told the story, about the man who said "I would never join you Catholics. You're all a bunch of hypocrites.To which the priest answered:"There's always room for one more".Someone else told me that we are like diamonds in the rough and we all are sometimes brought to our shining brilliance by "roughing up" each other in the daily events and circumstances of life. As St. Paul told us we have to "run the race", and the prize goes to one. Hopefully, and Gratefully, God takes each of us "one by one" to Himself over the "finish line". I am like a turtle, and there are much better turtles and fish than I, so I hope God carries me over that finish line, provided I've already started, that is. Take care. And God bless all your "new additions" who will share Our Blessed Mother's birthday. "Let us continue to pray for each other". - Arizona,

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