Wednesday, March 31, 2004

My Diocese gets a new Bishop

The Holy Father has appointed a new bishop for the Diocese of Richmond, USA. The new bishop is Mons. Francis Xavier DiLorenzo who is currently the ordinary of the Diocese of Honolulu, USA.


From STAR-BULLETIN


May God grant him wisdom, courage, and great charity as he shepherds the Diocese of Richmond.


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Tuesday, March 23, 2004

Pope reiterates the Church's teaching on those in a "vegetative state"

From Zenit:

Patients in a "vegetative state" do not lose their dignity or rights, and withholding food and water from them amounts to euthanasia by omission, says John Paul II.

"I feel the duty to affirm energetically that the intrinsic value and personal dignity of every human being does not change, regardless of the circumstances of his life," the Pope said Saturday when receiving the 400 participants of an international congress.

The theme of the congress, organized by the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations and the Pontifical Academy for Life, was "Life-Sustaining Treatments and Vegetative State: Scientific Advances and Ethical Dilemmas."

"A man, even if he is gravely ill or limited in the exercise of his higher functions, is and always will be a man, he will never become a 'vegetable' or an 'animal,'" the Holy Father stressed during a lengthy address to the congress's participants.

"Our brothers and sisters who are in the clinical condition of 'vegetative state' preserve all their human dignity," he said. "God the Father continues to look upon them lovingly, recognizing them as his children, especially in need of assistance."

"Doctors and health agents, society and the Church have moral duties toward these persons, of which they cannot exempt themselves without betraying the demands of professional deontology and of human and Christian solidarity," John Paul II stressed.

"Therefore, the sick person, in a vegetative state, awaiting recovery or his natural end, has the right to basic health care, and to the prevention of complications linked to his state," the Pope continued.

The prolongation of the vegetative state "cannot justify ethically the abandonment or interruption of the minimal care of the patient, including food and water," he said. "Death by hunger or thirst, in fact, is the only possible result should these be suspended."

If caused, in a "conscious and deliberate manner," it is "genuine euthanasia by omission," the Pontiff concluded.


Thank God for our Church which proclaims a consistent pro-life position which accounts for all of human existence--from conception to natural death. Pray that this message permeates us in order that we would faithfully proclaim a pro-life message in our words and actions.

For the month of March, the prayer request for Priests for Life has been that, "the spirit of Lent may help God's people to repent of their role in the abortion tragedy." This really cuts to the heart because I know that I should be doing more to bring an end to abortion and promote a culture of life. It must begin with prayer, and the fruit of my prayer must eventually be concrete actions. This is a very appropriate examination of conscience for Lent.


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Monday, March 22, 2004

Father Groeschel continues to recover

Thanks be to God that Father Groeschel continues to recover from his accident. By God's grace, we are able to receive his reflections on his accident and recovery only a couple of months after the actual event. Today's reflection ends with a reminder for all of us who are prone to become discouraged in "these times." After

One of the great realizations that comes when a disaster wipes you out in a few minutes is how good and faithful people can be. Not only have the friars and sisters kept going; it's my realization that they have done better than if I were around putting in my two cents!

Several groups of lay people have also come to the rescue and continue to assist in the collection of alms, in the thanking of benefactors, and in the paying of bills. Beyond that, several apostolic endeavors that I felt inspired to start kept right on going. The St. Francis House never missed a beat. Yolanda and Jerry Cleffi visited me recently and gave me a marvelous report on the growth of the Oratory of Divine Love, a prayer movement for informed lay people.

It is wonderful to know that these works go on so beautifully - because it shows that they are works of the Holy Spirit. He is still running the world.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict


We should never forget that God is in control. These are dark times indeed, but these are also time filled with great hope because our Lord is always working in the midst of the storms and troubles that afflict us. He has taken a terrible accident and used it to bring people to their knees, to bind people closer together, and to demonstrate His power to heal not only flesh and bones but broken hearts, relationships, and fainting wills.

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Friday, March 19, 2004

Solemnity of St. Joseph

St. Joseph is a tremendous saint for our times. Scripture does not record anything that he said, but instead St. Matthew, in particular, recorded what he did. He was given dreams in which angels told him what he should do to help bring about the salvation of his people.

First, the angel told St. Joseph that he was to take our Lady to be his wife because the Child in her womb was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Scripture records simply that, "When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him" (Matthew 1:24). In others, he showed tremendous virtue by believing the word of the Lord and promptly obeying it. His actions speak much louder than perhaps any words might have.

The second time Scripture records an angelic visit to St. Joseph, he is told to take our Lady and our Lord to Egypt. He is told to flee because Herod is seeking to kill our Lord because the wise men had noted that Jesus is the King of the Jews and Herod would brook no usurper to his title. It was no small journey from Bethlehem to Egypt, but again St. Matthew writes succintly, "he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt" (2:14). St. Joseph demonstrated great courage and faith to take our Lady and the infant Child Jesus to Egypt.

Then, after the death of Herod who had murdered innocent children in his attempt to kill our Lord, an angel again appears to St. Joseph in a dream. This time he is told to return to Israel. And again, St. Joseph demonstrates his trust in the word of the Lord and his provision by returning to Israel. He settles in Nazareth with Mary and Jesus.

The last time Scripture mentions St. Joseph he is with our Lady as they anxiously search for Jesus for three days. The twelve-year-old Jesus has remained in His Father's house. When they find Jesus, He notes to his parents that their authority must be subordinate to that of His Heavenly Father's authority. Our Lady and St. Joseph accept this word. This demonstrates their humility and willingness to be obedient in all things.

It is no wonder that our Holy Father has noted that the Solemnity of St. Joseph is a time to reflect on the family's influence on children. In God's providence, St. Joseph was called to be the head of the Holy Family. He demonstrated the virtues which we must try to pass on to our children--obedience, courage, and faith.

John Paul II sees the solemnity of St. Joseph this Friday as a chance to reflect on the decisive influence of the family on children.

"This solemnity exhorts the families of today, comforted by the example of Mary and Joseph, who with love cared for the incarnate Word, to be inspired by their lifestyle in making daily decision of life and strength to overcome the difficulties," the Pope said in Polish at the end of today's general audience.

"Only in a genuine family, united lastingly and lovingly, can children reach healthy maturity, drawing from the example of freely given love, fidelity, reciprocal self-forgetfulness, and respect for life," he added.

Speaking afterward in Italian, the Holy Father invited young people to follow the example of St. Joseph, to "correspond every day with the Lord's wishes."

John Paul II presented Jesus' adoptive father to the sick as "support in suffering." The Pope also encouraged newlyweds to be "always docile to divine plans" as St. Joseph was.



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Wednesday, March 17, 2004

St. Patrick's Day

A Prayer for the Faithful by Saint Patrick:

May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
- Against the snares of the evil one.

May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!

May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.

I just learned that St. Patrick is a patron of engineers. I received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He must have been praying for me during all of those exams!

St. Patrick, pray for us!



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Thursday, March 11, 2004

Fr. Groeschel speaks

Fr. Sudano writes that Fr. Groeschel is now able to speak. And what were his first words to Fr. Sudano? "Praised be Jesus Christ!"

Fr. Groeschel wrote a very beautiful thank you to all who have helped him physically and spiritually since his accident. Yes, the body of Christ is rejoicing with this news and Fr. Groeschel's continued recovery. Indeed we should all offer praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has kept his faithful servant through his passion.

"Dear Friends,

This is the first opportunity I have to personally thank the people who have been caring for me since my accident. I was deeply moved by the amount of prayer cards and e-mails from many, many people. I don't know how to repay you for your expressions of support and letters of encouragement.

I am going to be laid-up for a while healing and hopefully getting stronger. I am thankful to God that I did not sustain any serious head injuries or facial disfigurement. God must be telling me to get back to work.

Today I spoke for the first time in 2 months. I am so grateful for the brothers who have attended to my needs, especially Br. Daniel and Br. Peter. They have shown infinite patience to a person in a desperate situation. I can't tell you how happy I am to be so well cared for by the staff of two very fine hospitals. I will be forever grateful to these generous people for the rest of my life. When we say love and faith are dying away in this country, here we see so much dedication and care - the attendants, nurses, specialists, and of course, the doctors.

I want to share with you two principles upon which I have built my life. The first is from Saint Augustine: 'God does not cause evil, but that evil should not become the worst'. Second: 'There are no accidents. Evil things occur because of bad will or stupidity or fatigue, yet whatever the cause God will bring good out of it if we let Him'.

I had seen the movie, "The Passion" before I had my accident. How many times the haunting scenes (of Christ's agony) brought me consolation and hope when things were very dark.

Each day I will try to write a little something to the many people who have supported me. This can become a wonderful way we can grow and support one another and together grow in faith, hope, and love. God bless and keep you."

Fr. Benedict



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Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Good News for Pro-life Voices

I saw this mentioned on Catholic Analysis:

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that pro-life supporters have gathered enough signatures to help pass a partial-birth abortion ban over the Michigan governor's veto. Apparently, in Michigan if enough registered voters sign a petition, the law can be thrown back to the legislature and passed without concern for the governor's veto power.

This is, of course, tremendously good news on a number of fronts. However, at the most basic level, it shows that pro-life forces can win major political victories. It is very interesting to note that the volunteer efforts of committed pro-life people were able to accomplish what paid and, ostensibly, more organized forces have been unable to do. Pray that the law passes and is used to help save lives.

Backers of a proposal to ban so-called partial-birth abortions announced Tuesday that they have collected enough petition signatures to allow the Legislature to pass a veto-proof law.

The campaign, which calls itself the People's Override, reached its goal of 325,000 signatures in less than two months using only volunteer circulators, according to Right to Life of Michigan.

RTL President Barbara Listing said the petitions will be submitted to the Secretary of State on April 5. The group needs 254,206 of the signatures to be certified as belonging to registered voters for the Legislature to be allowed to enact the ban without Gov. Jennifer Granholm's approval.

Granholm vetoed identical legislation late last year.

"The people have spoken loud and clear to the governor," Listing said in a statement Tuesday.

Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the governor continues to oppose legislation to limit abortions that does not contain exceptions for the life and health of the pregnant woman. The proposed ban contains such exceptions, but Granholm and abortion-rights advocates regard them as meaningless and said the legislation could result in the prosecution of physicians.

Regardless, the signature-collection campaign, which relies on the formidable organization of Right to Life and the Michigan Catholic Conference, was a stunning success. No other Michigan groups have been able to collect signatures for ballot proposals or legislative initiatives without paid circulators in at least 20 years.


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Friday, March 05, 2004

What are we holding back?

"Hold back nothing of
yourselves for
yourselves, that He Who
give Himself totally to
you may receive you
totally!"

St. Francis of Assisi


This quote is at the end of the video showing the novices of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal making their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Given today's Gospel reading from Matthew about the need to forgive our brothers even before we come to the Lord's altar, perhaps we are holding back forgiveness and our efforts to reconcile with our brother.

Jesus said, “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgement’. But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny”.

I know that I have work to do in this area. I can feel the Lord's conviction on my heart like a heavy weight. Pray for me, and I will pray for you that we might make every effort to be reconciled with those with whom we are separted for whatever reason.


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Monday, March 01, 2004

Mother Angelica provides a Lenten surprise to EWTN employees

EWTN has provided another update on Mother Angelica.

Mother Angelica is doing very well. She received ashes on Ash Wednesday and thus began - along with the entire Church - "the great retreat of Lent." On Friday, February 27th, EWTN held its annual Lenten Employee Retreat at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, about 60 miles north of EWTN's Irondale campus. A highlight of the day for the employees was the opportunity they had to greet the Foundress of EWTN, Mother Angelica, in the parlor of the Monastery. Mother was as excited about this as the employees were! Before going to meet with the employees, Mother expressed how much she missed them. It was with joy that she saw all the familiar faces and had a chance to meet all the new employees. What a blessing and consolation it is for her to see the fruit of her love and labor! She dearly loves all the EWTN Family and keeps all of you in her prayers.

Continue to pray for our Lord to pour out many graces upon Mother, the EWTN employees and their families, the Poor Clare nuns, the missionaries of the Eternal Word, and the many people who support this incredible apostolate with their prayers and gifts.


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