Today is Sunday, February 8. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Br. Thomas had a bit of a scare this morning. As he entered Father's room he saw four nurses hovering over Father's bed; they did not look very happy - at all. They suspect that it was the pain medication, but once again the blood pressure dropped dangerously low. After a few anxious minutes the digital reading began to perk up to an acceptable level once again. Just when we thought he was standing on solid ground, the stone began to crack in two.

Father Joseph tells me he is quickly becoming quite adept at reading the numbers on that mysterious blue box which stands vigil next to Father's bed. The glowing red numbers register blood pressure, pulse rate, oxygen, carbon dioxide levels, and rate of respiration. Many of you who are nurses are familiar with this helpful diagnostic tool. Even while we were speaking on the phone, Fr. Joseph had to quickly excuse himself to check the machine, which was indicating a sudden dip in the level of oxygen; yet within seconds it came back up again. So this is the plight of the very ill or injured and those who care for them - every good day is a gift. While loved ones look forward to a joy filled welcome home party, it would be foolish to order the food just yet.

Father spent much of the day sleeping, still exhausted after Friday's surgery. Sleeping is nature's way of slowing down all unnecessary activity in order to allow the body to heal itself. So, today he slept. By this evening, Fr. Joseph said Father Benedict had awakened and appeared somewhat strong and mentally alert.

Trying to communicate with Father, who still cannot speak because of the tracheotomy, has been a source of frustration to both he and the friars. Yet at times frustration suddenly flips over to the other side - humor. For example Father was spelling out the word "ribbon" evidently speaking about a ribbon tied to his arm. Fr. Joseph was saying to Father: "are you trying to say something about a rabbi or a rabbit?" Another frustrating, funny, yet failed attempt at Fr. Joseph's lip reading: "Fr. Benedict I know you're not saying this, but what it looks like you're saying is 'I want to walk in the rain'". Evidently Fr. Joseph is more adept at reading numbers than lips.

I am very pleased so many of you have commented on the new video clip. I believe I told you that the average age of our Grassroots Production team is 21! While David Miller puts everything up on the web page, it's Chuck Kinnane and Cliff Azize who actually film and edit the tapes. Chris Patrasic , the newest member of this young creative team composed the music. Under the direction of producer Joe Campo, these young men are taking up the Holy Father's challenge to use modern tools to bring the Holy Gospel to the world.

E-mails continue to come in every day; in fact today the Grassroots Renewal office received over 300 new e-mails. Here are a few which prove once again that despite the desire of some, the mystical body of Christ, although wounded, stands strong before the gates of hell.

May Father Benedict's words "follow me" not only touch our emotions, but also temper our wills, especially when we are tempted to go down a wrong road. Yes, let us continue to pray. The welcome home party will come - but in God's time. 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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Thank-you for the new video clip. I have been blessed to see and experience the teaching and gifts of Father Groescel in New Orleans at the CCRNO functions. It has changed my life and ministry. We join you in our home and community in prayer and service in the Lord. Bless all your work - Bonnie, Marrero, LA

I pray for your recovery. Thanks for your words to take up our cross and follow Him.. That is the only way to Jesus. It is hard, but it's good to hear your voice and I want to believe. God is Love and Love finds a way to do what seems impossible. - Rosario, Mamaroneck, New York

Father Benedict. Pax Et Bonum from the big blue ocean. I am currently stationed onboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf Thank you for what u gave to me when I served your mass at Kellenberg Memorial HS on long island NY. My prayers are with and for you. You inspire me to become a Friar Minor. With the Help and Grace of God, and the protection of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, I hope to one day join your community. Again thank you... and May God Bless you. - Nick

Fr Benedict, You are 3 to 4 AM friend, thanks to EWTN. When I'm nursing my sweet 2 year old daughter Christina who is blessed with Down Syndrome, in the wee hours, and then can't sleep, I look for your face on TV for solid spiritual advice and some good NY wisecracks. My favorite is the Jewish mother who told her doubting son "you were there?" Christina prays for you with her sisters every night, and we look forward to meeting you in person some day. We've already enjoyed meeting so many of your brothers, and have been blessed also by Fr. Stan's music, Fr. Mariusz's preaching, and the witness of a brother I can't name, who told me, right after Christina's birth, that his best friend growing up was a young man with DS. God bless you Father,and speed you back to us. The Church stands in need of you! - Leticia, East moriches, New York

Fr. Groeschel, I know you give many talks about God. I hope you get better. I wanted to send you a "smiley" face, but I couldn't....so I'll just say HI!! Love, - Joseph (age 5)

Dear Father, Our prayers are always with you for your continued recovery. After having known you personally for over 35 years, you continue to remain an inspiration to my entire family. The daily updates on your progress are of great comfort to my wife as she herself recovers from cancer surgery. She speaks with your sister regularly to get reassurance on your improvement. Know that you are always in the hearts and prayers of the entire Our Lady of the Valley parish, especially the school children who look forward to your annual Christmas visit. We look forward to seeing you back on the alter at our son's wedding this October. God bless you on your road to complete recovery. - Ben, Wayne, New Jersey

Dear Fr. Benedict, yesterday I prayed a Rosary for you in front of the Tabernacle at my church. I was home from school sick with a cold and I thought about you. My Mom told me you were going to have an operation to fix your shoulder sometime during the day. My Mom gave me some medicine and I felt better so I wanted to go with her to pray for you at the church. Every morning we go to the website to find out how you are doing. Today we saw the message that your operation turned out very good. My Mom said we had to give praise and thanks right away to Jesus for helping the doctors and nurses do such a good job. I hope the medicine they give you makes you feel better. I hope someday I can give you a hug and kiss when you get better. Do you think you would ever come to my church? It is St. Joseph's and I go to the school of St. Joseph also. I am in the fourth grade. I am 9 years old. It is in a city called Jacksonville. I will keep praying for you every day because Fr. Glenn says the prayers of little children are special to Jesus. I love you. My Mom told me a story about Mother Teresa. She said that once there was a woman who was suffering a lot and Mother Teresa told the woman that she was so close to Jesus on the cross that Jesus was kissing her. The lady told Mother Teresa to tell Jesus to stop kissing her so much. Do you think you should ask Jesus not to kiss you so much too? - Mary, Jacksonville, Florida

I read your report and send it to a girlfriend in NY because doesn't have a computer and she told me because of you after 30 years she came back to the catholic church. I am blind but I pray for you because I love to listen to all your tapes. I help my pastor with our new library and purchased many of your tapes for our library so people in the parish can listen to you. This is how I help my parish. I found him over 5000 out of print books, tapes, vcr tapes. If you have any extra tapes we would love to have them for the parish. - Margaret, Manassas, Virginia

My wife and I pray for your fast recovery. Your tapes and T.V discourses helped us immensely during our re-conversion to the Church from the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses. We'll keep you in our prayers. - Ray, Coral Gables, Florida

Dear Father , you are on the most glorious place on earth "The Cross " where you'll come down from and tell us once again all of it's wonders . with your special charm and wit!! I can't wait. - Mary, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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