Brother JR: are you/is he OK? And a thank you

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Just now found this. I will be adding him to my prayers, that he be comforted and at rest.
 
Praying that God will heal and bless Brother JR. May Also that God blesses the new family service and evangelization centre and the new religious house. I pray that God will send the Holy Spirit to help those involved to discern God’s will and keep Him center of all. Also praying for the new postulants and novices.
 
UPDATE:
My dearest brother:
Thanks so much for posting for me in TC Forum. Let my brothers and sisters know that I need their prayers and they can count on my own. I’ll try to get back soon.
I had several commitments this week that I’m canceling. It’s probably the first time in years that I have ever canceled an entire week of commitments. However, I’ve discovered something during this event. Part of the grace that God gives us is the grace to TO BE, not just to do.
I’m taking this time to be:
  1. A dad, first. I want to watch my children for a few days. When I’m gone, the world will know that I was here because they’re here and they’re wonderful human beings. However, I have never stopped to watch them. I’ve spent my entire life doing something for them or with them. Now that they’re adults, thriving and moving on with their lives, I’d like to get a look at what the Lord helped me to plant. No one should leave this world without taking one last look at the gifts that God has bestowed on him. You can’t detach unless you know what it is that you’re leaving.
  1. Then I’m a brother (religious). Again, I want to be a brother for a few days, not a superior. I just want to be with my brothers. The guys are awesome. All of us got together for St. Patrick’s Day in the evening. Instead of me delivering a lesson, we just shared stories, like a real family as St. Francis used to do with the first generation Franciscans.
  1. Finally, I’m a living breathing human being who shares the world with some amazing creatures. Do you know that I have two dogs and two cats? I love them dearly; but I never stop to watch them, much less love them. They have always been pets. St. Francis praised God for Brother Sun and Sister Moon. He relished being part of God’s created world. I have not done enough of that. I’ve been too busy trying to save the world to notice it. I think it’s time to be part of it, at least for a few days.
I probably sound very silly and very selfish. I hope not. However, I feel at peace. I may be here for a day, a month, a year or a decade. Only God knows. Whatever time I’m down for, I want TO BE. I just want to let God be who he is and let him take care of the world. I want to take a last look around without feeling that I have to save the world. That’s God’s job, not mine.
I can’t explain it. The only way that I can describe it is God is the woodworker and I’m the little knife that he has used to carve some amazing pieces. There comes a time for the knife to rest in the hands of the artist. The artist loves his little knife. I want to allow myself to feel that love.
Finally, tell my friends that I am always their brother,
***Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.***
 
Dear Brother JR,

As wise as ever. The times we spend simply being, are when we sit with God, appreciate the wonderful blessings He has given us, quietly yet joyfully reminiscing and marveling. A moment of living prayer between a Father and His child.

There is a poem by William Henry Davies that sprang to mind when I read your message, I hope you like it. Still praying for you. May God bless you abundantly.

Leisure

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

PS. Thank you CM for being our postman.
 
God bless and help Brother JR. He has been so helpful to me, a convert to Catholicism.
 
Another update from Bro. JR:
Tell the folks to pray for us. We’re opening a new house. Someone gifted us a house. Now we have a problem. We Franciscans of Life own nothing. We’re working with the donor to see if she will continue to own it and allow us to use it. We’ll see what the Lord wants.
This week is our community’s Lenten retreat. It will be the first time that I miss a retreat. I’m a little sad about that. However, God always has a plan. Maybe he just wants me to spend some quality one-on-one with Him. I can certainly get into that. 🙂
Pray for me. Temptations are attacking me from left and right. When one is idel it’s easy to think uncharitably, to feel sorry for oneself, to entertain impure thoughts, or to feel proud of how much one is suffering. Whatever the temptation, they are real. Pray to the Immaculate for me. I need her help to remain faithful
God bless all of you for your thoughtfulness.
 
May Our Lady guide you to her Son. Amen.
God be with you, brother.
jeannetherese
 
Thank you to everyone who has participated in this thread, both for the updates and for keeping all of this in plain sight.

Inspired by the discussion you all have head, I’ve gone through some of Brother’s old posts, and of course find them to be highly edifying. I’m quite enjoying my evening as a result. 🙂

Naturally, prayers for Brother will soon be on my lips. God bless you all.
 
“No one should leave this world without taking one last look at the gifts that God has bestowed on him. You can’t detach unless you know what it is that you’re leaving.”

Beautiful. Thank you, Brother. Praying for you.
 
  1. Finally, I’m a living breathing human being who shares the world with some amazing creatures. Do you know that I have two dogs and two cats? I love them dearly; but I never stop to watch them, much less love them. They have always been pets. St. Francis praised God for Brother Sun and Sister Moon. He relished being part of God’s created world. I have not done enough of that. I’ve been too busy trying to save the world to notice it. I think it’s time to be part of it, at least for a few days.
My daughter is always posting funny animal videos. This is one of them
youtube.com/watch?v=AqP_ulyeTFM
 
Hail Mary full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of they womb Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of out death.
Amen
 
Hail Mary full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of they womb Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of out death.
Amen
 
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