| Deacon Giglio Please take a moment to read the letter from Joe and if you can, please respond. Thank you, Pete “It is Lent you know!” he said with great consternation. “I can’t take another Lent like this!” he muttered. As consoling as I could be, I pleaded, “Father, I’m not going to try to talk you out of what you think you have to do.” With great trepidation and hoping beyond hope that he did not notice the shaking nervousness of my voice, I said, “I’m just saying that we DO love you and I’m not the only one. There are many, many of us here at Opus Bono who DO love you.” Unexpectedly, he released a horrifying deep, guttural groan of exasperation. I could literally feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise up with the wrath of his mounting anger, which was about to explode directly at me. “Well, I don’t believe you Mr. Maher. I’m sorry, but I don’t. I’ve been alone too long. Nobody really cares anyway. I’m telling you, I’m just going to walk out in the ocean and never come back.” I pushed him; maybe I pushed him too hard. After all, he’s heard it before. He told me so. People, friends, family, even brother priests made promises. “But their lives got busy. They forgot all about an old broken man like me” he said earlier, as he sank deeper into his fit of depression. My mind was now flying, trying as best as I could to keep my own emotions in check. I was trying to say something worthwhile, something that would console the anguish inside him that was driving him away from living. On top of it, the anxiety that was now growing inside of me was beginning to turn my stomach into knots. “I’m losing him.” I thought. “Don’t panic, you can’t lose him. Think, Joe, think!” With riveting candor and more than a bit of impatient frustration, I blurted out: “Look Father, it doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not! That doesn’t change the fact that it’s true. We are here for you; we won’t give up on you - ever! You can call me anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and I will pick up. Didn’t I just pick up?” That was it. That was it! I knew it, because I could hear the sudden resignation in the tone of his voice. We won, we won! Thank you Jesus! The devil’s hold on Father Allen was broken: “Well, I guess that’s true. You did pick up the phone.” He sighed. “And I’ll always pick up the phone Father. Always! You CAN count on us.” I said emphatically. And Father Allen has counted on our friendship many, many times since then. For priests, the confidence that we will always be here when they need us is the essence of our mission of caring love for the Catholic priesthood. Through your support of Opus Bono, YOU saved Father Allen’s life and the lives of thousands of Catholic priests! I ask you to please consider making a special donation as part of your Lenten almsgiving of $100 or more so that we can continue to assist many more priests like Father Allen who so urgently depend on our care during this Holy penitential season. Gratefully in the Sacred Heart of Jesus The Crucified,
 Joe Maher
President P.S. Your assistance is urgently needed to help alleviate the sufferings of Catholic priests. Please, please consider making a special Lenten donation of $100 or more to provide for the pressing needs of priests who are desperately in need of your help during Lent. Also, the rising costs of utilities this winter has made it extremely difficult for many poor priests who are struggling with the basic necessities of life. With Father Allen, I make this cry from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your charity and goodness to care for thousands of Catholic priests. PSS And don't miss Father Clement's third homily on the priesthood:
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