Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Saturday, March 6. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Thank you for "checking in" on Fr. B today!

I must admit I am hesitant to use the phrase "smooth sailing", yet this is the best way to describe Father's situation right now. He was off the ventilator all day today, and continues to be responding well. I know he's "been there, done that" already, but thank God, Father appears to be progressing and not, in any way, regressing.

Presently, the doctors are keeping an eye on two things; the lungs and the elbow. Frequent suctioning of the lungs often irritates the windpipe and causes some minor bleeding; in itself, this is no problem. However, Father is taking a blood thinner, so any bleeding needs to be closely monitered. Secondly, there's the painful elbow. Hopefully, another operation will not be necessary, but the doctors should know within the week. Then, of course, there's the ventilator business. Yet, all in all, as these realities exist, we are looking at transfering Father to a "sub acute" facility; simply put, a nursing home. Of course, this too will only be a temporary step so he can build up enough steam to move once again to a rehabilitation facility - each of these should be close to home; that is, Westchester County, New York.

I'm sorry to report that I must once again push the "pause button" down on my daily updates. Once again, I'll be spending a few days in our hermitage upstate New York. I will be calling the hospital daily and will send up a flare if need be; but do pray Father's smooth sailing continues! A Hail Mary for the friar-in-hermitage would also be greatly appreciated.

Now some extra news - and a request. Some of you may be aware that the friars will be posting an open letter to Mr. Gibson on our website. It should be up and running by Monday eveing. This letter is a letter of gratitude and support for Mr. Gibson's wonderful production, "The Passion of the Christ", but it is also a petition which I am asking you to read and sign (if you agree, of course). In short, the friars are requesting that Mr. Gibson produce and direct a sequel to "The Passion of the Christ". It will be a movie about a man who most perfectly responded to Christ's passion, namely, Saint Francis of Assisi. We are proposing he entitile the movie, "Man of the Passion".

The rationale you can read in the petition itself, I don't want to present our reasoning here. I do, however, want to ask your active and ongoing support. Obviously, a petition is, by its very nature, a "numbers game". We are hoping for big numbers. The petition is also international; it will be translated into five or six different languages. This proposal rides, in a certain sense, on the "wave" of "The Passion of the Christ". If you saw this movie, you'll be well aware how powerful a movie on this great saint could effect many, many people inside and outside the Church. Our first target is the States, then at the end of the month, England. Italy and Spain come next. If you have family members or friends in Europe or who speak any European language, please contact them!

Now, there are approximately 8 to 10 thousand "Friends of Father Benedict", not a small promotional committee! This is the approximate number who stop by to visit everyday. I want to ask each of you to do two things. First, read and sign the petition. Secondly, get others to do the same. We've become friends since Father's terrible accident, haven't we? so, let's become co-workers for this cause? The website will offer suggestions on a "How to Help" page. If but a quarter of you (pl) roll up your sleeves and "go to town" via computer networking, we can quickly get thousands of people interested in this project in one week!

I don't have to mention that Father B obviously supports the project - as would any Franciscan with a pinch of mental health. We, more than anyone, are well aware that Saint Francis has been poorly, poorly portrayed by Hollywood. Why? Because he was, without a doubt, a most Catholic Saint! In the petition, I'm asking Mr. Gibson not to make another movie about Saint Francis, rather, the first! You will understand better when you go to the website this Monday pm. (EST). I will also ask Joe to send you an e-mail as a reminder. I am also asking Joe to post some more of your wonderful and inspiring and sometime funny E-mails.

Well, that's the news. I thank you for support and active promotion by becoming part of the team. If "Man of the Passion" ever sees the light of day. We're going to rent out Yankee Stadium and have a party. Maybe, just maybe we'll ask Father Benedict to say a few words! Whata ya think?

Oh, by the way. I got an e-mail asking why I had such a short beard. Ask my great-great-great-great-Chinese grandfather, How he emmigrated to Italy would be a movie in itself!

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

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Father Ben, we are all praying for you welth and hope that you get better soon! We all miss you very much. Hope to talk to you soon. Julianne age 17 - Hastings, NY

Fr.B....Keep smiling and pressing on! It's great to read your updates every day! God is with you and so are thousands of others! Fr. Glenn, Please tell us when your open letter to Mel Gibson is going to be written. I and thousands want to write him, to support him and his movie 'The Passion of The Christ' He needs to know he's one of the New Evangalizers of our time! Thank you and God Bless! - Bonnie, Basalt, Colorado

Dear father glenn, i don't see hardly any messages from new england!i am very surprised! - Mary, Rumford, Rhode Island

Dear Fr.Ben,the offer still holds for the lawn chair,sunglasses,ream of paper and box of pens in NM.I'm glad you can read again and have the Eucharist in your room.What is the name of your chapel? Bed and bliss? I don't mean to discount your suffer.You do eeverything well Mr. Big Heart including suffering.Padre Pio said the holiest sermon is a good example,pat on the back to you,my friend.Love. - Stephanie, Danbury, Cinnitti

I can only say that I know, that in heaven St.Francis is really proud of you and your order. There is no order I would like to join more thn the CFR. May the Lord bless you all now and in the future in all and in every way. - Rob, South Africa

Dear Fr. Benedict, My husband Gary, and our five little girls, pray for your strong recovery. Thank you for touching so many lives as you did ours. We had the honor of meeting you back in November of 1992 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City. We were immensely blessed to married there by Fr. Apostoli. You have continued to help me through times of trial with your books. Thank you. - Susan, Shady Shores, Texas

Dear Father Groeschel, I offered my day for you today, work, prayer and fasting. I went to church for the Stations of the Cross for you. I hope that you are better today and I will "Press on" for you!Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged. Your family loves you and is praying for you. Love. - Mary, Bayside, New York

Father Benedict, know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many of us who have, through your writing and TV ministry, "sat at your feet". You have been a prophet for our time and always, you have pointed us to Jesus. With my sincere affection and esteem. - Jim, Naperville, Illinois

Dear Fathers, As i Read all the e-mails and when I saw the Passion of Christ it made me so glad that finally everyone can see Christ though technology, a device that had brought so much evil to the world finally brings wonderful spiritual news. My family continues to prayer for Father Benedict and the Catholic Church. - Linda, Mahopac, New York

Greetings once again from Bonnie Scotland, I'm delighted that you are back in the Big Apple I love New York and have often visited it.I'm still praying to the Scottish Saints for your recovery especially to Duns Scotus and of course to our Holy Mother, Mary Immaculate, Love and Prayers - Ann, United Kingdom

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

FastCounter by bCentral