Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Live From His Hospital Bed
April 2, 2004

Outside my little office at Trinity Retreat is a rough artificial stone with the printed words:
Do no great things, only small things with great love. -Mother Teresa

I put it there some time ago to remind myself that at times I experienced success in apostolic work and some devout people were kind enough to think I did a few great things. Although I am not a founder, but only one of the founding friars of the Franciscans of the Renewal, our community is making a noticeable contribution to the reform of religious life.

I have reminded myself very often that God does His best work with those whom the world thinks of as fools, that He does not need any one of us, and that the most productive life ever lived was cut off at 33 years by malice and jealousy. Now I realize after months in the hospital that I still overestimated the impact of my preaching. I've learned the hard way that God is still running the world and that Christ is still saving the world.

St. Catherine of Siena made a startling statement that I used to find overly severe. She said that the Lord revealed to her that she was nothing and that He was everything. Some of us learn the hard way. Our most important task is to live by love.

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I'm 14 years old and I met Fr. Groeschel last year at Holy Innocents in NYC, where I'm from. I'm living in Florida now and I want Father to know that I am praying for his complete recovery. So are my parents and all our church family at Holy Family Church in Orlando. Sincerely, -Angel, Celebration, Florida

DEAREST FATHER BENEDICT...THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME MY BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER YESTERDAY, APRIL 1, BY WALKING ABOUT 40 FEET... AND IT WAS NOT AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE EITHER...MAY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND OUR BLESSED MOTHER CONTINUE TO GUIDE YOU INTO COMPLETE RECOVEDRY....-ANGELA, - BERKELEY HTS., New Jersey

Dearest Father Benedict - We thank Almighty God for your progress. Be assured of our constant support and prayers. We love you deeply and are always lifted up by your profound words of God's love to us! Clearly He speaks in and through you. He knows how much we need your heart and voice! Please know how much we are "walking" with you each day as you struggle to take the next step, the next word. You are not alone...may you find complete comfort in the embrace of Jesus' and Mary's love revealed in us - the Body of Christ. We love you,-Roseann, (Archbishop's Myers' office) Nutley, New Jersey

We have in our Bible your First Mass card, dated June 20, 1959. And is says, "Let us pray for each other." With love and prayers.-Velda & Ed, Placentia, California

Dear Father Benedict, May God Bless you richly for the way you share your love of God with the world. I s-o-oh love your audios at EWTN.com library. I listen to you and a number of other talented and intelligent speakers fairly frequently and I feel very well re-nourished with the education I was taught as a young child. There was such a wealth fed to us in those days - in the church, the home and even talked about in the community. I'm so glad to be hearing it all again. God bless you and all the friars. Keep up the good work. Oh, by the way, isn't the traditional hymn the sisters were singing to you called "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring"? That's the name of one we sing at church. So beautiful. May God Bless you and continue to walk with you during your rehabilitation. Thanks so much for the spiritual nourishment.-Sue, Pointe-Claire, Quebec

From the Nurse in Batavia, N.Y....Father Benedict"s 40 ft. miracle marathon is proof of God's good angels carrying him forwards! Bravo and Blessings!-Jackie, Batavia, New York

Dear Father: I thank the lord that he uses you and your fellow friars to help spread the truth, the light and the word of God. You have been a blessing in my life just to sit back and learn more about my faith thru your wisdom and knowledge of scipture and the church fathers. My prays are with you, for a speedy recovery.-Daniel & Kimberly, Osceola, New England

Dear Father Benedict, Greetings on the first of April. It's almost the second but I just read that you wallked 40 feet with your walker! Great job! Everyday you will get stronger and you'll gradually loose the walker. How happy I was to read the message. I am looking forward to tomorrow's message. We are having visitation with the Minister General on April 2, 2004. Then on the third we are going to have a TAU meeting here at St. John's to hear about the government structure. Take care of yourself and know you are thought about and in my prayers. As always,-Sister Rose, Colonia, New Jersey

Dear Fr. Benedict, We continue to pray to our heavenly Father...that you are fully restored to good health. We have so enjoyed your learned and heartfelt teaching. May God grant you continued strength,endurance, and perseverance. With the love of Jesus,-Tom and Diane and family, Amesbury, Massachusettes

To Our Dear Father Benedict, Our prayers and sacrafices are with you. Thank you for the example of courage and faith that shows the way...to take up the cross and follow Him. In our continued prayers,- Caroline, Lutherville, Maryland

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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