The Situation with Father Groeschel

I have worked with Father Groeschel over the past five years and have known him as a friend and trusted spiritual advisor for over twenty years. Father's health has always been an issue over that period of time especially with regard to his heart.



The problem that he is having right now is that he takes a certain type of blood thinner medication that is preventing the medical staff from performing surgery on Father's head injuries where there seems to be some bleeding in the brain. Besides a broken arm and leg, Father also suffered broken ribs. Add to this, as I mentioned yesterday one of the C.F.R. brothers in New York told me that Father suffered a heart attack when he was struck and had to be resuscitated on the spot. The situation appears very grave and your prayers are needed.



While I was still recovering from the shock of hearing about Father's accident, I was opening my mail and found among the parcels received yesterday a large envelope from overseas. Contained within it was a letter that began--"Father Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. suggested that you might be interested in publishing this..." The "this" in question is a lengthy interview, book length, with Father on every topic imaginable. Reading it yesterday I was reminded of the greatness of this humble friar and the difference that he has made in the Church in the United States and beyond. He frequently talks about his own death in the interview--with joyous anticipation of meeting the Lord. There is another part of the interview where the English man interviewing Father, pesters him with questions, about how he came to start all the charitable enterprises that he has during his life. Father Groesechel repeats his answer a number of times..."No plans, be led."



I'm sure that is the situation right now for Father, as it has been through out his life. Whatever God wants, Father will be led in that direction.



My favorite Father Groeschel book:

Father Benedict News from The Orlando Sentinel

Nothing new here...



From OrlandoSentinel.com: Orange County News:



"The Rev. Benedict Groeschel, a nationally known Roman Catholic author and religious television personality, was in critical condition Monday after a traffic accident at Orlando International Airport.



The Franciscan priest was injured Sunday while walking to a restaurant, according to the Eternal Word Television Network, based in Irondale, Ala.



Groeschel, who is director of spiritual development for the Diocese of New York, was reported in critical condition, according to Joe Brown, a spokesman for Orlando Regional Medical Center. EWTN officials said Groeschel had suffered broken arms and legs, as well as head trauma. Brown, citing new federal privacy laws, said he could not confirm the nature of the injuries."

Deal Hudson on Father Groeschel

Dear Friend,



I'm afraid I have some very bad news. As you may have already heard,

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the

Renewal in New York City and long-time friend of CRISIS, was struck

by a car last night and is now in the hospital in critical

condition.



Details are still sketchy, but sources say that Fr. Groeschel was

walking to a restaurant in Orlando when he was hit by a car near the

Orlando International Airport. He's now in intensive care at the

Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical but stable condition.



We spoke with Fr. Groeschel's assistant this morning who confirmed

the news, saying that the situation didn't look good. "We need

nothing short of a miracle," she said.



At this point, the most important thing we can do is pray. The

Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is broadcasting a Holy Hour

for him this morning, and Fr. Groeschel's assistant requested that we

ask for prayers from St. Francis, the founder of the order, and St.

Augustine, who has been Fr. Groeschel's favorite all his life.



Father Groeschel is one of the most powerful voices for the Church

in this country and around the world. Not only that, but he's been

absolutely selfless in his generosity to numerous Catholic

apostolates, including this one. I know you don't need any

encouragement from me to pray for this truly holy man.



I'm very sorry for the bad news, but I knew you'd want to be kept

informed. I'll let you know as soon as we learn anything new.



Best,



Deal

Father Groeschel Update

I spoke with one of the C.F.R. brothers who told me that Father Groeschel was struck by a car while crossing the road at the Orlando airport. He sustained injuries to his head, arm and leg. He also suffered a heart attack and had to be resuscitated. I think he told me that Father currently is semi-conscious. He also said that Father had bleeding in his brain.



He said that the C.F.R. site will provide updates as they become available. Although as I write this there is nothing there yet.



He asked that we continue to pray for Father's recovery.



Update: The promised update information has been posted on the web site--although at this point it is pretty much the samething that has been reported here. Check back on their site for future updates.

Father Groeschel Seriously Hurt

Hard to find out anything online about this. But supposedly Father Groeschel was hit by a car over the weekend and suffered two broken legs and has slipped into a coma. If you know anything further, please post in the comments.



Please pray for Father's recovery!



Update:

Spirit Daily is reporting the following:



Renowned TV priest Father Benedict Groeschel, author of numerous books and popular on the Catholic network EWTN, was hit by a car near Orlando International Airport Sunday night, according to sources in Alabama, where the network is based. He is in stable but critical condition at the intensive care unit at Orlando Regional Medical Center. Details remain unverified and sketchy but reports are that he had just arrived in Orlando and was walking to a place for food when he was struck, breaking a leg and arm. At latest reports he is partially conscious and awaiting surgery. We ask all to pray for this fine priest.



I would only add that my information came from the C.F.R. community--not sure where Michael Brown is getting his info from.



EWTN has added a similar posting to Spirit Daily's.

You Can Tell Dean is an Outsider

If he were a real New Englander, he'd know there was nothing rude about those remarks...



From Reuters News Article:



"The former Vermont governor had just finished his standard stump speech blasting President Bush for, among other things, his Iraq policy and his stewardship of the economy. He asked, as is his custom, for 'questions, comments or rude remarks in the New England tradition.'"

Who Makes the Coffee?

A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.

The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get

our coffee."

The husband said, "You are in charge of the cooking around here and you should do it, because that is

your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."

Wife replies, "No you should do it, and besides it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."

Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."

So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and shows him at the top of several pages, that it

indeed says "Hebrews."