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Letter From Terri's Brother
Week of February 18, 2008
On Tuesday, February 5, 2008, my parents and I were honored to be in attendance with the Most Reverend Bishop Frank Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, Florida, for the third annual dinner for the Terri Schindler Schiavo Scholarship of Ave Maria University located in Naples, Florida. This scholarship was established in July of 2005 and is the first of its kind in the United States to be named on behalf of my sister, Terri.
Mr. Joseph Grady, president of My Jesus Mercy Ministries and father of current Ave Maria University student Matthew Grady, initiated the idea of establishing the scholarship to help pre-theologate students finance their educations. They have organized the annual dinners to help raise funds and awareness for this scholarship.
Father Dennis Cooney, Pastor at St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, Florida, graciously hosted the event at his Parish for the third year.
Mr. Grady, who began the evening, explained the reason for the scholarship. He also spoke about his efforts to raise awareness in the hopes of one day having Terri beatified. Mr. Grady displayed a beautiful enlarged photo of Terri on her wedding day with a picture of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and eloquently shared why he believed that Terri will one day be canonized a Saint.
His Excellency, Bishop Dewane was then introduced to speak on the importance of the value and dignity of all life, the significance of the pre-theologate program and the need for more priests to fight the growing culture of death saturating our nation. Bishop Dewane also referenced Pope John Paul's 2004 allocution on life sustaining treatment, making it clear that starving and dehydrating to death persons in situations like Terri's can never be tolerated and is not an act of love or compassion.
Afterwards, my parents and I stayed and spoke with many of the people in attendance, listening to how my beautiful sister continues to touch so many people in such an extraordinary way. We have been so truly blessed by the friendship and support of those who continue to carry on her legacy.
On behalf of Terri and her Foundation, we thank you for your continued support.
God Bless,
Bobby Schindler and the Schindler Family
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Lauren Marie Richardson is a twenty-three year old woman who suffered an anoxic brain injury after an accident on August 28, 2006.
Lauren's life is endangered by a recent court decision made by Master Sam Glasscock III, by which her feeding tube will be removed. As a disabled citizen, she is defenseless against the court-approved, imposed act of dehydration and starvation intended to cause her death.
The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation
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