More on Fr. Benedict Groeschel -- What a Blessing!

A friend sent me the following email which I pass on because I found it so interesting and inspirational. So many holy men and women have died on days and at times that have such incredible links to special events in their lives. So it seems to be with Fr. Benedict. What a gift!

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Father Benedict Joseph Groeschel, a famous Franciscan preacher, died following the praying of the 'Transitus' ritual last night. For those of you unaware of this, the Transitus ritual is a significant devotion familiar to all Franciscans. Each year on the evening of Oct 3 they gather to ritually remember the holy passing (or 'transition') of their Founder, St. Francis of Assisi, from this life to the next. St. Francis of Assisi actually died on the evening of Oct 3, 1226. I'd say that it is a rather remarkable instance of Divine Providence that Fr. Groeschel's passing took place at the exact date and time of the passing of his spiritual Father Francis. The Universal Church celebrates St. Francis of Assisi's Feast Day on Oct 4, which is today. Father Benedict always had a great sense of the dramatic. It was no different in his death. Requiescat In Pace Fr. Benedict. St Francis of Assisi, pray for us !

(Hat tip to Sweat!)

RIP, Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Rest in Peace

I met Fr. Benedict only once, at the March for Life. He was standing on the curb and our group went over to say hello and thank him for his ministry, especially his preaching. His response, "I'm like a nickelodeon. Just put in your nickle and it comes spilling out." What a funny, charming man. He will be sorely missed. Fr. Benedict, pray for us. And let us pray for him as well. A priest once said to me, "There is no one deader than a dead priest" because a priest has no family of his own. So let us never forget to pray for our dearly beloved priests and for the repose of their souls. Which reminds me of several who have been important in my life who have gone on ahead:

Fr. Hugh Monmonier, the priest who witnessed our marriage, pray for us, dear father on our 45th wedding anniversary today.

Fr. Robert Bradley, S.J., who was my spiritual director for a time, pray for us, Father, I think of you whenever we travel to Texas. We miss you!

Bishop Thomas Welsh, who blessed our house in Alexandria and was always so gracious to me, pray for us. 

Fr. John Hardon, S.J., who gave me advice about the Les Femmes apostolate and was a retreat master for me on two blessed occasions, pray for us. We pray for your beatification.

Msgr. Richard Burke who was so supportive of Les Femmes in the early days, pray for us. 

Be assured, dear spiritual fathers, that we pray for you as well.

Is a Pandemic Coming? Pray the Rosary!

Missouri Doctor: ‘It’s Just A Matter Of Time Before [Ebola] Is Carried To Every Corner Of The World’
I've been thinking about Our Lady's warning at Fatima that if men didn't repent a worse war would take place. Of course she was predicting World War II. But even before that war began, the world was afflicted with the influenza pandemic of 1918 that carried off millions -- even more souls than died in the "great war."

Saints Among Us: Fr. Emil Kapaun, Pray for Us!

How much we need priests like this! "Evil, death, darkness...they do not get the final word....Love does."

Yikes! Is This the Way to Deal with a Deadly Disease?

Outrage! Ebola vomit washed down storm drain

Another Infamous Interview with Cardinal Kaspar?

Cardinal Kasper claims papal support, raps critics in new interview

Cardinal Kasper: Pope wants bishops to decide on Communion proposal

Every time I hear the word "interview" linked with Pope Francis or Cardinal Kasper I get nervous. If Cardinal Kasper is telling the truth about Pope Francis, we have a lot to worry about! Is the faith a case of maintaining doctrine as long as the majority of bishops support it? Is changing doctrine okay as long as "collegiality" is respected and the synod of bishops gives thumbs up?

Remember how the expectations of Catholics were raised by the Pontifical Birth Control Commission back in the 1960s?

Two Patients in D.C. Area Hospitals Exhibit "Ebola-Like Symptoms"

UPDATE 10/4/14: The Shady Grove patient is suffering from malaria, not ebola. (from WAPO article)

Shady Grove Hospital and Howard University Hospital...

There are also two cases in Richmond, Virginia being evaluated.

Read more here.

Don't panic, but keep in mind that none of us knows the day or the hour. When was the last time you went to Confession?

CDC: They're Either Lying about Ebola or They're "Grossly Incompetent"

Doctor Dons Ebola Protection Gear to Fly

More Ebola Cases Expected in U.S. 

Sounds like we are in for a rocky ride ahead. I wonder how the Spanish Influenza pandemic started. We may find out. And as you listen to these docs assuring us that there's nothing to worry about consider the respiratory virus hospitalizing hundreds of children across the mid-west. Do you really believe that the ebola virus is hard to catch? Guess we'll find out.

Congratulations to Chelsea and Marc

And a big welcome to little Charlotte. Let's pray that Chelsea has an "aha" moment recognizing that all babies are just as precious and worthy of protection in the womb. According to WAPO, Chelsea works at the family's humanitarian foundation:

Even in her late stage of pregnancy, Chelsea Clinton, 34, helped preside over the family's annual conference last week, conducting interviews onstage and announcing efforts to promote community service and to stop the killing of elephants and trafficking of ivory. An advocate for elephants, she warned that her child "could grow up in a planet without elephants."

That comment made me shake my head and laugh ruefully. It also reminded me of liberals' defense of baby seals, snail darters, kangaroo rats, eagles' eggs, etc. They defend the "rights" of all these animals even in the egg or lair. But babies in the womb? They are disposable.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if Chelsea were as concerned about her child growing up in a planet without the little angels born with Down Syndrome (Ninety percent are murdered before birth.) or the one-third of completely healthy children murdered for convenience who will be missing from her daughter's classroom?

Michael Savage on President "Obola"

Savage Blames "President Obola" for Spread of Disease to U.S.

A second case is already suspected and dozens of people including children in several different schools have been exposed. Few people alive today remember the Spanish Inluenza epidemic after World War I that killed 20-40 million people, more than the war. It decreased the anticipated lifespan in the U.S. by ten years.

Will ebola become the Spanish Influenza of the 21st century? Let's pray not, but it's pretty clear the Obama policies on open borders and the refusal to impose drastic travel restrictions from countries infected with ebola threaten the population of the U.S.