Today is Thursday, February 5. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Thank you for "checking in" on Father Benedict today. So many of you have commented how your "visit" to Father is now part of your day! Some sit in their pajamas late at night illumined by the light of the computer screen. Others make a visit while downing their morning coffee and scooting off to work or school. Many receive a daily update via fax, mail, bulletin board, or perhaps even by hand delivery in the office or at morning Mass. Well, however you get this daily update, do know the friars and Father B are immensely grateful!

Now that the initial shock and crisis is over, some may be tempted to take Father off of their daily prayer intention list. While other more intimate and immediate prayer requests will certainly come your way, we do ask your continued prayer support. As many of you have brought this special intention to contemplative nuns, may we also suggest you bring our special intention to the most powerful pray-ers - namely, the children! Have you ever heard a kindergarten kid pray a "Hail Mary"? It melts your heart. Now, if their prayer can soften our hard hearts, imagine what it does to the Sacred Heart?

I know a blind autistic man who is devotedly attended to by his sister. Whenever his sister is present at a talk or conference, he sits next to her with his eyes tightly closed and body slightly rocking back and forth. I always make it a point to walk behind him and whisper in his ear, "pray for Father Glenn!" He smiles, rocks, and repeats, "Father Glenn!" I walk away smiling like I just finished a forty day novena! Yes, these are the ones we should commend our prayers to - the children, the mentally disabled, and the afflicted innocent. Hermits are great, monks are fine, but if you want your message to go straight to God with no static, ask one of these little ones to pray!

So, how is our father doing? Well, both Father Joseph and Brother Thomas arrived today. They were dutifully picked up at the airport and brought directly to the hospital by a dear friend and Third Order Franciscan, Allen Ward. Allen is a married layman who follows the way of Saint Francis and, as Father Benedict would like to say, "schleps" back and forth to the airport each week picking up the friars and dropping them off - all for the love of God and Saint Francis! Both Father Joseph and Brother Thomas reported that Father Benedict "looked better than they expected". He is very attentive, focused, and most often, expressive - sometimes smiling, other times, appearing sad. Unfortunately, it takes about a week to get used to lip reading, but just when the friar gets the hang of it, it's off to the airport! This Tuesday we hope to employ a professional who works with the deaf and is adept at lip reading; hopefully this will prove helpful.

Father will finally be having his shoulder surgery sometime tomorrow. It is not a complicated procedure and should not take more than an hour. Meanwhile, in order to take even more time off purgatory, the physical therapist comes in to slowly extend his limbs and fingers. They give Father pain medication before this, thank God.

Joe Campo still reports that hundreds of E-mails come into the Grassroots Renewal office. He chooses some to put on the daily update. When Father is up to it, the friars read the E-mails to him. Some, as you might expect, make him uncomfortable due to all the praise and adulation. The friars know when one really "hits home" is when he either cringes or rolls his eyes!

Finally, Chuck Kinnane (20) and Cliff Azize (24), two young men who are part of the Grassroots Production crew, have been working on another video. It's amazing how much encouragement and inspiration can be packed into a minute! They hope it will be a blessing to so many of you who love Father Benedict. Like each of us - nuns, kindergarten kids, friends, friars, and yourselves - they want to do their part in this drama of hope. Until tomorrow, if God wills. God bless you.

Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R.
Community Servant (superior)
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

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Dear Fr. Benedict, in this days I think we see more then ever, how much we and our Catholic Church needs you. May His will happens but I hope, that HE want's that you give guidance to many people many years in future. - Helmut, Germany

Dear Father, Please know that the men and women in uniform serving around the globe know of your accident and are praying daily for you. We are also attempting to attend Mass and receive communion whenever possible. Rest up and recover quickly.... THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND GUIDANCE.... - LT, Philippines

The New York Lambs of Christ and all your Rochester friends send you their prayers. - Mary, Penfield, New York

Dear Father, I am originally from Slovakia, the country you have visited just before that horrible accident. You have made a great impact on many you have met there and I know for sure they are praying hard and asking Blessed Mother and her Son to heal your wounded body as fast as possible. God in His wisdom knows that we always needed you. We need you now more than ever, your strength, your endless love for us and your endless source of spiritual inspiration - to live our lives as holy as we are capable of. May God keep you with us, preferably, for a very long time to come. - Jolana, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jovenes de Valor continues praying for you. Remember father you are "TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED". We love you and expect God to bring you through this in a supernatural way. See you soon and God bless. - David, Brooklyn, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, How important it is for me to check each day and see how you are recovering. I was an ICU nurse for many years, how I wish I could help you more. In July of 2002 I lost my precious 14 Year old son in a boating accident. He knew how I loved EWTN and watched it for years. It so helped me raise my children in the faith. I know, through the loving kindness of St. Therese, that my son is in Heaven. So many times I ask him to go to the feet of Jesus and intercede for you. It moves my heart to read how you are so loved the world over. God Bless you and keep you on the road to recovery. - Rita, Redlands, California

Hi Father Benedict and Friars and Brothers, I am so happy to hear that you are "stable". That is such a big step in your recovery and I am rejoicing with all of you at this blessing! I know that you cannot speak and since my son who is deaf and autistic-like has sometimes used a "communication board" with black and white line drawings from "MAYER JOHNSON", I am wondering if a speech/language pathologist down there can get something like that for you use? It can be as simple as a paper on a clip board with specific drawings of items needed and written words for feelings that you can point to! If that could be useful do ask the folks at the hospital or have a clever deadlier draw one up and slip it into a clear plastic folder or something! I hope this helps. We Birds hold you close to our praying hearts and thank the SACRED HEART for your recovery however slow! I am also thankful for your SPUNK!!!!!! And how wonderful to be surrounded by so many of your dear brothers!! God bless you all. - Joni, Tewksbury, Massachusetts

Dear Fr. B, I have been praying for your full recovery since hearing the news. I am a friend of Fr. C.J. McCloskey and Fr. Robert Connor of Opus Dei and through them had the privilege of meeting you in N.R. last year. Your books and preaching have changed my life, and as a convert from Judaism, I am knocked out by your humor. I am confident you will make a complete recovery and be back with all of us before long. I refuse to accept any other result! God bless you and keep you and may his face shine upon you for many years to come. - Mark, New York

A couple of years ago, my (then) nine year old niece Chelsea wrote you asking for direction because she feels she has a vocation. You wrote her a long, lovely letter and sent her a few books to read. She was so excited to receive your mail, and showed the letter to everyone. We look on you as a much loved, distant family member. When I heard the news that you had been hurt, I telephoned my sister. She, her husband and their seven children have kept you in their prayers. I pray for you as well. You have touched so many people Father. People who have never met you in person, but still love you very much. I pray for your recovery, and the Lord's blessings on you. I pray our Lady will encourage you and give you strength. - Christina, Clifton, Tennessee

My family and I our Greek Orthodox and we send you our love and prayers. May the Holy Spirit be upon you for your quick recovery. - Anthony, Lake forest, Illinois

From all your friends in South Africa we are praying for you.We pray to the Father "Let Thy Will be Done". Yours in Christ - Raymond, South Africa

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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