I am a little late with this, but I have just returned home to tell you that the Marian Mantle Group has a new advocate in Heaven. My mother, Clementine Haas, died last Saturday at the age of 96. Mom had been in good health, but had broken her hip the week before. Since she lived in NE Iowa, I never dreamed it would be possible for me to be with her when she died. God gave me a great gift in that I spent her last 12 hours on this Earth alone with her. When the night began, she spoke to me by name, and began the Hail Mary. I prayed it with her. It was the last she spoke. She had often said, "Surely the Blessed Virgin with be with us when we die since we ask her to be there every time we say a Hail Mary." Throughout the night her room was filled with such peace it was easy to sit and pray. I told Bob later that the reason the room had such an atmosphere must have been because half of heaven was surely in it. The next morning, with Bob in the room with her, she simply stopped breathing-so easily that he didn't realize at first that she had died. God allowed me to be there and fulfill my desire to pray a rosary at her bedside while she was dying and pray one at her bedside after she was gone. I am eternally grateful to a God who, in His Mercy, grants us the desires of our hearts.

Mom prayed throughout her life for the return to the Catholic Church of those persons she loved who no longer practiced the Faith. I'm sure she continues those prayers today. Please say a prayer for the repose of her soul and ask her to pray for the return of all our beloved prodigals.

+For those in the Kansas City and outlying areas: There will be a mass in honor of Our Lady of Siluva (find the story of her at www.marianmantle.com ) on September 10th at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish in KCKS. I thought we might like to attend. If you are interested in attending and possibly getting together for coffee and maybe doughnuts or brunch afterward at Sanctuary of Hope, please email maryann@marianmantle.com or phone her at 913-526-8977 by August 1. (If you live outside the area and would like to attend, I can help you make arrangements to stay overnight at the Sanctuary of Hope Prayer and Retreat Center.) If there is enough interest, we will make definite plans to attend and gather together afterward.

+Print Newsletter: The next issue of our newsletter will mailed soon. It’s been a little delayed again due to Mom’s death. We can always use a few more stamps if you have some to spare. If so, send them to Marian Mantle Group, PO Box 434, Gardner, KS 66085. Do you have some thoughts you would like to share with the readers. Send them to me in an email and we'll put them in the newsletter. New members, if I do not have your postal address we won't be able to mail a copy to you. Please email ASAP. Thanks.

+ Please print a copy of this update and take it to your next prayer meeting to share prayer requests, etc with everyone.

+Share the Good News: If you have seen prayers being answered in regards to a loved one beginning to turn back to the Church to please send me an email about it. We need to hear these praise reports to spur us on to continue in prayer and trust. First names only, please. As always we will keep all names anonymous if you wish. Write now, please.

+ Catholic Family Life Conference In Wichita, Kansas: The Marian Mantle Group, in conjunction with the Hutchinson area Silent Strength Prayer Groups will host an information booth. If you are at the conference, please stop by and say hello. The dates are August 4-6. Learn more at their website www.catholicfamilyconference.org If you live in Hutchinson you can contact Barbara at b.sanborn@lycos.com for more information.

+Please forgive me if I have missed your prayer request or other email or phone request. I assure you it was unintentional. Just contact me again and I will try to answer your questions, etc. ~MaryAnn