Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Thursday, February 19. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Greetings in the Lord!

Fr. Glenn has requested that I write you tonight since he is away at this time. My name is Joe Campo and I am the director of the YOUTH 2000 New York office and the Grassroots Renewal Project. I am happy to have served you by receiving thousands of E-mails for Fr. Benedict. I am also the director of The St. Francis House located in Greenpoint, New York.

It was in 1967 that Father Benedict Groeschel took on what he often describes as his most passionate project. "If you cut the bricks outside", Father Benedict says, "my blood will pour out." This famous saying Fr. Benedict often uses when he talks about the St. Francis House, a residence he established for troubled youth.

Fr. Benedict handed the reins over to me about twelve years ago. I introduce myself as Joseph Campo, but the boys call me "dad"! With the support of Fr. Benedict and through the grace of God, St. Francis House has developed into becoming a modern version of what St. Don Bosco began in the late 1800's. You may remember how he took many of Italy's orphaned boys off the streets, taught them an honest trade, and spiritually nourished them so that they could begin new lives. You can learn more about St. Francis House from a video entitled "Building Hope for the Future". This 25 minute video was actually produced by the young men themselves.

Since today's world has changed much since the days of Don Bosco, the young men at St. Francis House learn to use modern techonolgy for their future careers. In fact, many of you who have been reading these daily updates have already been introduced to David Miller, an 18 year old young man who came to St. Francis House when he was 15 years old. Although you have thanked Fr. Glenn and I for the daily updates - it's David who makes it all possible!

David and the other young men from St. Francis House are the backbone to The Grassroots Renewal Project, a new initiative in Catholic Evangelization under the spiritual direction of Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R. The Holy Father has called the Church to use modern media in order to evangelize an increasingly unbelieving world. Together with the help of these young men, we have recently produced a wonderful video by Fr. Benedict Groeschel entitled, "Good Friday: The Wounds of Christ, The Wounds of the Church". Many of you have been watching portions of this video on this web site and on EWTN. This is one of many videos the young men from St. Francis House are producing. If you are interested in learning more about The Grassroots Renewal Project or ordering audio or video cassettes, you can visit us at www.grassrootsrenewal .com

Fr. Glenn will have an update tomorrow night. Thank you for your prayers for Fr. Benedict - and please include me and the young men at the St. Francis House!

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Dear Fathers Thought I would say to Father Benedict that he is teaching and encouraging from that bed at least thats what comes to mind. Hope that the Holy Spirit is with you and that all is going well. Time is all it takes and you have that. Let the body heal so that you can move on from this. Use the experience for the good of God. Anyway have to go will check in on you tomorrow and find out when your coming back to NY. I know this isnt the time but I thought I would mention this since one of our Jewish brothers wrote this morning. In the wake of the so called controversy of Mel's Movie which I am going to watch please try to keep peace with our Jewish brethern. To me the movie is a tribute to Christ in the creative sense and should not stir up unnecessary Anti-Semitism because God instructs through the Holy Spirit and He (Jesus) will be the last word on this subject. Anyway Love in Christ. - Holly, Oswego, New York

Get well soon ! From the faculty and students of St Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary - Fr. Mike, Boynton Beach, Florida

Fr. Groeshel, I pray for you 2 times & more each day. Hope it helps. Hearing your voice on this site brings tears to my eyes each time I log on. Beautifully done, Brothers! - LaDonna, Valdosta, Georgia

Dear Fr, Benedict, You are in my prayers. You are such a wonderful teacher that surely our Lord will help you to improve. You are so "needed". I am a convert. I joined the Church in 94 at age 46. I have many emotional wounds that are mostly healed thanks be to God. Anyway, I have watched you on EWTN since 94 and also have managed to obtain some of your books. Particulary helpful has been "Healing the Origional Wound" (Hope this title is correct as the book is not at hand). I feel you have been able to help so many, probably many more than you realize. Please keep on fighting as we NEED you and your TEACHINGS. May our Lord continue your healing process and may Mother Mary comfort you. sincerly - Lynn, Tonawanda, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, I have seen and heard you on EWTN and pray for you and all connected with EWTN and your Community. I am praying to St. Padre Pio and Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta to intercede with Almighty God to get you back to all that you do for the Kingdom of God. May the Divine Physician, Our Lord Jesus Christ touch you with His Healing Touch and the Holy Spirit keep you fortified! Amen!- Gemma, India

Dear Fr. Benedict, You are always in my prayers. Wishing you quick recovery. We love you! - Irene, Zambia

Thank God for prayers answered so far. Thank you Fr. Sudano for the daily updates on Fr. Benedict's progress. They are a great inspiration and clearly are bringing people together in prayer around the world. Our Oratory of Divine Love in Rocky Mount, NC continues to pray and believe God is using Fr. Benedict in his suffering to bring His will into play for all of us who suffer in one way or another. United with Jesus there is meaning in Father Benedict's suffering and the pattern of your daily reports is an inspiration to all who read them. May God continue to bless Father Benedict and give him back to us so that the Oratory's around the world can fully develop into a true platform for renewal in the Church now when it is most needed as in the days of St. Catherine of Genoa. For me personally, it has drawn me closer to Mary the Mother of God and into a deeper service for Our Lord Jesus Christ. We love you Father Benedict. - Shirley, Wilson, North Carolina

Jesus loves you a lot. Be blessed and get well soon. - Ikonya, Kenya

Dear Fr. Benedict, since we heard of your unfortunate accident, ongoing prayers for your complete recovery are being offered by members of my two prayer groups. We thank and praise the merciful Lord for your miraculous recovery and may HE bring you to complete recovery so that you may continue your dedication and service to HIM - Tony, Malaysia

Fr. B. Prayers for a speedy and full recovery. Although Im new to learning the Catholic Faith, my RCIA class watches previously recorded videos of your show. I have to say, that Ive been moved by each and every one. May God continue to bless you. - Christina, N. Charleston , South Carolina

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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