Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Fr. Benedict is recovering slowly but surely. He's taken 28 steps on one occasion. For a short time he had to return to the hospital from the nursing home for what could have been a dangerous situation. Thank God that the test produced that his functioning was of a healthy body. In this regard he asked for your continued prayer especially in the next few weeks, his walking and movement will be determined. Of course he continues to ask for our prayers.

Message for March 31, 2004

From the Hospital:

Being seriously incapacitated, even for a period of weeks or months, makes us aware of a tremendous number of blessings we often take for granted. The other day, with the help of three people, I managed to take a dozen steps. I was exhausted for an hour or two afterward.

How many hundreds of thousands of steps do we take in life and never give them a thought? Because of this, we neglect many opportunities to thank God. When the friars distribute food on holidays in the South Bronx, a dear little old black lady, Ruby Davis, always comes by. She is forever smiling, and one day I asked her, "Ruby, what are you so happy about?"

"I'm so grateful to God for all that I have," she answered. "I can see, I can hear, I can walk, and I can talk." She's quite right to be grateful for those elementary functions. I spent two months unable to speak, and I still cannot walk. How thankful to God I will be when walking and other commonplace functions of life return to me through the mercy and generosity of God.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Father, First, we're so very grateful that you are still with us; second, we're grateful that you have come through with your faculties still sharp as ever; and third, and most important, we are grateful that the Spirit of the Lord is still shining through you as you reach out to others in your suffering. The gift of your preaching when you were mute reminded us of St. Francis' quip about preaching . . . and if you must, use words, or something like that. You spoke volumes to us when your words were not there, but oh how blessed we are now to now receive your letters. We continue to love and pray for you. Your Episcopal friends from Plano, Texas . . .- Patty and Jack, Plano, Texas

Dear Father Benedict, We want to thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom. We know having a multihandicapped son can and is a big challenge for us at times, and it is so easy to get disappointed and discouraged.But by seeing the wonderful example that you have shown us with your suffering and teaching us not to give up hope, it really helps to make our cross more bearable. You are a wonderful example for all of us to follow. Thank you again for keeping us close to Christ as you do by your great faith. We pray for you each day. God Bless you Father, -Lisa and Jim, Elyria, Ohio

Dear Father Benedict, Lord, have mercy. I mentioned to you in one of my emails that I am a native New Yorker. Today, someone emailed you from Massapequa with regard to Our Lady of Lourdes being their little corner. Father, that is the very elementary school I attended and learned about "offering it up". My eyes just welled up with tears. I am so grateful to all those who write to you and share their pain and suffering. What a wonderful example they set. My mother used to say, "Birds of a feather , flock together." I guess we're all in the same flock, eh? God bless you and keep you always.-Charlotte, Chariton, Iowa

Dear Fr. Benedict: You are one truly amazing source of blessing for all of us. No matter what day I check in on you I always find some loving words either from you or to you from so many others. Your ability to minister to so many even through your advances and setbacks is just such an enormous statement of faith in action. This might sound silly but, as I read your words and those of others, it is like a collective group hug that the Lord has orchestrated through you, Fr. Glenn and the work of this website. Keep on keeping on (like my mom always used to say, "God provides," and, wow, is this true!). You remain in my prayers, especially for a blessed Palm Sunday, holy week and Easter Sunday.-Mary L., Staten Island, New York

Dear F.Benedict and F.Glenn.- Mexican children ,and me are still praying for you "ALL". Will you please send me an adress so I can send one photo from the Via-Crucis, I am not able to send it by this way.God Bless you.-Yoya, Mexico.

Dear Father Benedict- I am so astounded by the heartfelt prayers and sacrifices going up for you around the world In yyour humility, you never let on you had so many friends! I remember my very first Adoration with you as the Celebrant at Franciscan U. I had been a Catholic two shorts months. You have prayed for me and my Mom who has advanced cancer. and my Dad,83 has growing deafness and short term memory loss. I am moving home to care for them and I am a bit frightened. But your courage gives me courage. I will be moving May 1,st-Our Lady's month...she too will carry me. Thank you for loving God so very much that you gave Him permission to do much through you. You are The Church personified: Christ by you, in you, through you.God Bless you always.May He Bring His Sweetness.-Christine, Newbury, Massachesettes

Dear Father Benedict; This morning, reading your message and the accompanying messages written by blessed others who are also suffering, I am once again reminded of the tremendous Grace that is given to those of us who, although so unworthy, are allowed to carry a piece of The Cross. Mired and self pitying this morning over my own tiny sufferings, your words and the words of our loving community of the faithful have reminded me of the special grace of suffering and the sublime opportunity to come ever nearer to the feet of Our Beloved Saviour. May God's will be to continue to heal you dear Father Benedict,- linda, Halesite, New York

Dear Father Benedict: As a "type A" personality, I have struggled all my life to have confidence in God. Your message today helped me "keep the faith" and helped me to again realize that I am far from unique in my troubles. I will continue to pray for you and your recovery.- Antonio, Camarillo, California

Dear Fr. Benedict, brother in Christ,I give thanks to God that the many prayers offered have been heard and you are making a good but slow recovery. Thankfully you will soon be able to return to your ministry which has been such an inspiration to me and to so many around the world. Although we are in different parts of the sadly divided church we are united in the Love of God through Jesus. We celebrate the same Sacraments and partake of the same Body and Blood of Christ. We adore the same Theotokas who is our Heavenly Intercessor. We preach and teach the same Gospel of Salvation. I pray that one day, in God's time, we may be able to celebrate at the same Holy Table. I keep you daily in our prayers and at every Liturgy I celebrate and hope that in due time you may be able to return to SW Florida and continue the task which was interupted by your accident. May God continue to keep you in the palm of His hand! With love in Christ,- Fr.Ian, St. Demetrius Orthodox Church, Naples, Florida

Fr Groeschel, I wanted to thank you for your service to God and his flock for the last few decades. I have read some of your writing and watched you on EWTN. I have been inspired and given hope by both. I would sum it up by my 10 year old grandsons words. "You know that old priest on EWTN? It's good he didn't die." I continue to pray for your recovery and for your ministry. Thank you,-Mike, Paul, Minnesota

Good morning father, I thank God you are doing so well. A youth leader in the parish said last week (after we showed 60 youth a segment of your Good Friday video)"Doctor Benedict- just what we needed in here!" Yes, your words seemed to be just what the doctor ordered to help us refocus our lenten journey on Christ and having the courage to accept the cross! Thanks! One more thing... There are a lot of people here who have strong hope and are praying that you will indeed be with us for SCRC. I'm praying that your doctors will be able to say to concur. : )-Juliana, Tustin, California

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

FastCounter by bCentral