Just received this email from the Remnant
http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/3048-urgent-john-vennari-needs-prayersJohn Vennari
A few moments ago I spoke via telephone with a Catholic gentleman, a beloved husband, a father and dear friend. His name is John Vennari, and he was told earlier today by his doctors that he is now in the “active stages of dying.”
John asked me to do him a favor and help him notify his many, many friends all around the world that he may not live to see his birthday on Friday. He wishes everyone to know that he’s not in pain. He wishes us all to know that, as he put it, “either we believe in Divine Providence or we don’t. I believe in it, and I know that God has known for all eternity that I would be here in this hospital today, ready to die.”
John also believes in miracles, as do I. And so anything is possible with God. But John said nothing about miracles just now. I think he wants us all to know that he’s ready, that he loves God, and that his faith is so much stronger than his body just now. He wants our prayers.
After all this man has done for us, for the Church, for the Catholic cause, I don’t think I need to beg for prayers for John Vennari. All I need to do is tell you that this beautiful soul wants us to pray for him, and I know that tens of thousands of grateful Catholics will do it.
His last words to me just now were to plead that , no matter what happens, we not give up the fight for Catholic restoration. “Please, keep it going. You must keep it going.” What does it say about the caliber of this warrior for Christ that, from what his doctors are now calling his deathbed, John Vennari’s concerns are still for the Traditional Catholic cause he defended all his life.
I will share whatever updates and information I receive from John and his dear wife, Susan—who now stands faithful watch at John’s side. Also, please pray for John’s beloved young daughters, Elizabeth and Philomena, and for his loyal son, Benedict, and especially for their dad who they love and cherish and respect more deeply than I can describe.
Thank you, John, for everything. God is with you, Mary is at your side and, all over the world, thousands of your brothers and sisters in Christ are with you right now, every step of the way, united with you in prayer. You are not alone, and your unshakable faith shines like a beacon for us all. Pray for us, John. And I know you know these are the most difficult words I’ve ever written.
God bless you, and Mary keep.
St. Philomena and Our Lady of Fatima—please pray for our brother John.
The past few days I've been re-reading some of the old Catholic Family News issues and I'm surprised to find there are many articles I never read the first time. All I have to do is read them once, and I'm done with that, but to think John Vennari actually WROTE the ones with his name on them and he formatted and published ALL of the CFNs -- since it's his newspaper.
Add to that all the research, footnotes, traveling he has done. His whole career has been the CFN. Plus, he is husband to Susan and father to their three beautiful children. I still recall seeing him carrying his youngest daughter around in Hamilton, Canada for the 1999 World Peace Conference (with Fr. Gruner). He let her hold the handbell, and when it was time to call everyone back to the conference room she smiled and shook the bell, as her father carried her in his arms down the hallway. She did a fine job, too. That got everyone's attention. I recall telling him as he passed by, "She certainly is enjoying herself, isn't she?" He heartily agreed. A good father doesn't miss the chance to let his child experience something joyful and good.
John took us visitors by bus to Fr. Baker's Basilica of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, NY, where there are so many angels' images inside and outside that no one has been able to count them all. They're still finding angels in the crawl spaces where no one has gone since the Basilica was built. He treated us to a short lecture on the church's history before we arrived to greatly enhance our visiting experience.
John Vennari has been a courageous leader for traditional Catholics for as long as he has been able, and I can't imagine anyone having done more with his energies than John has to defend Holy Mother Church. But defense of the Church and Sacred Tradition is the first duty not of any layman, but of the Pope..................
.......... Speaking of which, it seems to me that the present pontificate has been so very trying on him that it couldn't have done otherwise than to negatively affect John's health. I can only imagine him cringing every day as he forced himself to read the latest scandal coming out of the Vatican. But he would have offered it all up, I have no doubt, for the conversion of sinners, for the Holy Father, and for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Hey, John, do me a favor: When you meet Jacinta, Francisco and Lucia, tell them "Hi" for me, will 'ya? Thanks for all you've done. We're going to miss you.
Topic: John Venarri URGENT (Read 12953 times)