Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Message for April 4, 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.

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Dear Father Groeschel, I was sorry to learn of your accident and injuries, but thankful to hear you are making a steady recovery. You are in my prayers. Your presentations on EWTN have been a great blessing to me. I am a Lutheran pastor (have been for nearly 51 years), and I feel a close kinship with you. I pray for Christian unity as I know you do. I appreciate your warm and loving spirit. God's blessings. Sincerely in Christ - Jerry Moe, Valparaiso, Indiana

Fr. Benedict, I just experienced your latest teaching from your hospital bed and it was amazing to be able to see and hear you. What came to my mind were words so very near and dear to my heart: God does not necessarily call us to be successful only faithful and you certainly are a living testament of that. Jesus, I Trust In You! With love and prayer. - Madelyn, San Pedro, California

Dear Father Benedict, You looks so wonderful, speaking and preaching from your hospital bed. I'll bet that you've learned alot of things about yourself, your faith and God's powerful mercy through this terrible ordeal. I am sure that your preaching will be even more authentic and relevant and that you are being tried as silver is tried. You are a beautiful vessel of God's love and mercy. Oh, how we love you and are so encouraged by your progress. I look forward to hearing more of your messages from the hospital and offer all of my daily works and prayers for your recovery. May the Lord bless and strengthen you, and may Our Lady protect and cheer you on! Love - Mary, Bayside, New York

When we are weak, we are strong. - Xienna, Bronx, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, What a thrill to see you and hear your voice! I met you last year at St. Edmund's Retreat on Enders Island in Mystic, CT. Just to let you know you are in my prayers and the prayers of the prayer groups I attend. May God continue to strenthen you and give you his peace and comfort. In His Love and mine. - Terri, Guilford, Conneticut

Dear Father Benedict, I am thirteen and my mom thinks highly of you also...Everyone in our family does. There are seven of us total. I am praying that you will be better by Easter. With love and prayers. - Jessica, Lexington, Kentuckey

Dear F. Benedict.- We Mexicans loved your reflections and photo from the hospital. "ALL" of you teach us how to work in a team. Thanks, God Bless you - Yoya, Mexico

Dear Fr. Benedict, I just got a chance to watch the video of you speaking to us from your hospital bed. Thank God you are on the road to recovery. My parents consider you one of their favorite priests on EWTN, especially my father. I had a chance to meet you at a summer conference at Franciscan University at Steubenville a few years ago. You noticed my name tag, and told me that my name (Umile) translated to Italian means 'humble'. Let's just say that it was a moment I will never forget, so thank you for the memories! I'll continue to keep you in my prayers. Many blessings. - Umile, Westerly, Rhode Island

Dear Father, We have just finished viewing your video message from your hospital bed and we can't stop crying. Thankyou, Thankyou, and thankyou for your entire community - Steve and Charlene Manchester New Hampshire

Dear Fr. Benedict, Thank you so much for sharing your photo with us. I know you aren't feeling very well right now but you look phenomenal (considering all you've been through). Please don't ever underestimate the power of your preaching. You've brought many souls to Christ. I think it was Mother Teresa who said "we should be a living example of faith because we may be the only bible some people read." I believe with all my heart, you are a living example of that faith. I pray for your continued recovery. God Bless. - JoAnn, Long Tona. New York

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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