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Prayers for Prodigal Catholics
THE MANTLE We Join in Prayer Under the Mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Please send your prayer requests to pray@marianmantle.com or maryann@marianmantle.com]
++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR ++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR Hi, Everyone, (Sorry this is a day late.) In the words Father Dennis Wait uses so often, WOW! It's been an exciting two weeks with more to come. Bob, I, and several of the Marian Mantle group spent a couple of wonderful evenings at St. Joseph's in Leavenworth. A week ago I gave the "Silent Strength" presentation. I finally met the dynamic Jane Strucker who organized the event in less than two weeks. Jane is a capable and very humble person who truly wants to make a difference in her world. She said she had been asking the Lord to give her something to do. Boy, did he answer her prayer! There were 72 people in attendance. Over and over I heard the comment, "I didn't realize all these people had the same problem I do." My thanks to those from my own bunch who attended with me--there were 6. I introduced them all so that they could share their experiences and answer questions at the coffee afterward, too. They were great, as usual. I am so blessed with those the Lord has planted in my garden! To our delight we found an open and loving bunch of people there. They brimmed with hospitality and overflowed with love for their children. We felt so welcomed. Associate pastor, Father David Fontaine had suggested and encouraged the event as did the pastor, Father David McEvoy. With the clergy involved, the parish responded mightily. The result? Three prayer groups are forming. A daytime and an evening group at St. Joseph's and another at St. Casmir's. We were asked to return this past Thursday for a "kick-off" meeting. We began with the rosary and then a discussion of what was beginning. The Spirit is so evident among those people. I believe God has something wonderful planned for them and look for great things to happen there. Please keep me in your prayers as I have two large group to speak to this week. Those in the area might want to consider attending the Catholic Conference at Avila University, just across the state line in Missouri. It runs for the entire weekend (I speak on Friday evening). There are 30 speakers--several of them national and international figures in the Church. The email address is on the Marian Mantle web site on the schedule listing. On June 12, I will make my first solemn consecration as a Marian Catechist. This was a difficult two-year preparation program, but ultimately I gained a great deal from the experience. It had been many years since those college theology classes back in Iowa. The National Marian Catechist apostolate has a web site at www.mariancatechist.com (I think--it may be .net) Although it seems to have the reputation of being a "very" conservative group. I found it to be pretty much "normal" Catholicism. This "college student during Vatican II" person found its approach compatible with my faith. Catholicism is presented with all its rules and regulations drenched in the love of God and with the admonition that we are to love always and that God alone is the one who should judge others. Bob and I sure could use YOUR prayers, as life keeps unfolding. We pray for each of you every evening. May ALL of our prodigals find their way home.
I would love to hear
from YOU! PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY 7, 2004 [Prayer intentions submitted to this group are shared only in the semi-weekly email update sent to members of the online prayer group. Please keep all of us and our prodigals in your prayers--just as we will pray for you.] __"May your day be filled with.......sunchine and flowers.....Hope you have a good turn out at Leavenworth. Our son has gone to church a couple times since I started the novena." --L., Kansas __"Things are looking up for my son and his not attending to church." --S., Kansas
"I enjoyed
the meeting very much and found it very comforting knowing that I was not
struggling with this heartache alone but at the same time it is frustrating to
see so many people also going through this. I keep telling myself it is the era
we are living in and not the mistakes that I may have made. __(Following is a Note from a woman who was instrumental in helping Marian Mantle get off the ground last year.) "Praise and glory to God!! It's wonderful what He can do with an open heart. I feel deep in my heart and soul much, much more is coming. Please know that both of us are keeping you and your ministry in prayer. I'm honestly not sure why I deserve any thanks - your obedience and open heart and a faithful God and a loving Mother have done all of this. Peace to you and your family (the ones you related to and the new family forming)," --T., KS
__"Thanks
so much for coming to Leavenworth at St Joseph's to tell us of your What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Romans 8:31-32 “Love Mary!... She is loveable, faithful, constant. If you are in danger, she will hasten to free you. If you are troubled, she will console you. If you are sick, she will bring you relief. If you are in need, she will help you. She does not look to see what kind of person you have been. She simply comes to a heart that wants to love her. She will even be at hand to accompany you on the trip to eternity." -- St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother RECORDING OF "SILENT STRENGTH" We have been given a wonderful gift here at MM. So many have suggested the talk be recorded that we have been praying for the ability to do that. A few weeks ago we were offered the use of a professional recording studio. On Pentecost Sunday, MaryAnn recorded her presentation (WOW what a day God picked for this to happen!). It will be available soon on both cassette tape and CD. If you are interested in ordering it and would like to reserve a copy, please email her at maryann@marianmantle.com or check the website in a few days for further information.
"SILENT
STRENGTH" PRESENTATION INFORMATION:
NEW MEMBERS:
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