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THE MANTLE [Please send your prayer requests to pray@marianmantle.com or maryann@marianmantle.com] Marian Mantle Prayer Group Update For October 20, 2006 ************************************************** ++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR ++WISH LIST ++PRAYER INTENTIONS ++LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ++GOD'S WORD FOR US ++WORDS OF HOPE ++FYI ************************************************** ++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR
Hi, Everyone, Several new members again this week! Welcome to each of you. We are so happy to have you joining us in prayer and faith. I was reading a book, Seasons of Grace by Mother Gail Fitzpatrick, OCSO, a Trappistine nun and abbess of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey in Dubuque, Iowa when the book was published. One of the chapters was titled “Encouragement” and made me think of those of us who pray together. Even though we live, physically, far apart, some outside the USA, many of you tell me you are encouraged by being able to joining with the others in this prayer group. You tell me how comforting it is to know so many are praying for your prodigals. Do you realize how important YOU are to all of us? As Mother Gail suggested, I would like to think of all of us who join together in prayer, as being a grove of giant Sequoia trees. The Arbor Society says these trees are the oldest trees on Earth. They grow in groves. The lowest branch on a giant Sequoia is about 150 feet above the ground, about 6 feet in diameter, and about 150 feet long. However, these trees have very shallow roots. Imagine how a tree that size, with shallow roots, is impacted when severe storms hit. How does it manage to stand for so long? The answer: As they grow, they intertwine their roots and their branches. Thus, when storms hit they hold each other up. Together, they are able to face the storm. Together, they withstand the strong winds, lightning, thunder, and driving rains that might fell them if they were standing alone. Together, they stand through each storm until the sun shines through again. Do we realize how important is it to support and encourage each other? When the storms of life come upon us, and, in the words of the song “I am tired. I am weak. I am worn.” When it can be difficult even to pray, how wonderful to know there are others out there who are praying for, and with, us! It is your faithful, caring prayer, and your encouragement through sharing your stories, that give the rest of us the ability to stand firm, without falling, until we can feel the love of the “Son” once more shining through on us to give us that peace that passes all understanding. I was told the following story just last night at a healing mass. A mother, who has been concerned for her son’s future because of past problems has been praying for his life to straighten out. He is in this early thirties. He lives three hours away from her. He has not been attending mass or receiving the sacraments. She, of course, has been praying. He has been dating a girl who the mom describes as a nice girl, from a nice family, although she is not Catholic. However, the mom told me a couple of weeks ago, “She is such a good influence on him and he is getting his life together, that I would have a hard time wishing he would not marry her.” Last night she came to me with a big smile on her face. “Guess what! I sure didn’t see this coming! My son’s girlfriend has entered the RCIA program. He is going with her! He said he knows he had been through 12 years of Catholic school but he got so much out of just the first RCIA session. He said they love it! What a surprise! I never expected it!” I asked her permission to share her words with you. What an encouragement to all of us. Remember the newsletter when I said when a prodigal returns I often hear the words, “Out of the clear, blue sky!” What power in prayer! What a wonderful God we serve! Remember the children’s song that goes, “Surprise! Surprise! God is a surprise!” May we pray for all our prodigals and share those wonderful surprises when they happen--to let the rest of the group know that “With God, nothing is impossible! We are not helpless and it is NOT hopeless!” May God grant each of us the perseverance of St. Monica and the unconditional love of the father of the Prodigal Son. May the day come swiftly when we, too, are able to say “the child for whom I have prayed has come home.” Peace, MaryAnn ………………………… WISH LIST + Volunteers to drive and pick up those who need a ride to the Silent Strength seminar at Sanctuary of Hope on Jan 21. please email maryann@marianmantle.com for more info +Volunteers to make cookies for the seminar at Sanctuary of Hope on Jan 21 please email maryann@marianmantle.com for more info +Volunteers to take flyers to your parish about the Jan 21 Silent Strength presentation to either be posted or handed-out. Again, please email maryann@marianmantle.com for more info +We still need some “pray-from-home” volunteers. Again, this can be done from anywhere. If you would be willing to spend time in prayer for special needs as they arise—such as, during Silent Strength seminars, praying for volunteers to appear, and other needs, please email MaryAnn. +I am still hoping to hear more from this group in regard to the Eucharist. If you have paused for a moment every time you read this and have thought. “Maybe I should tell her about…..” consider that the Blessed Mother may be nudging you to share your story. That’s probably because your words will help someone else. Please share the why, what, who, whatever you have to relate about the Blessed Sacrament in your life and the lives of those you love. We will not print your name if you wish to remain anonymous. Please email to MaryAnn@MarianMantle.com or write to Marian Mantle Group, PO Box 434, Gardner, KS 66030. New members! You are most welcome to share your thoughts and experiences, too. Don’t be shy! We’re glad to hear from you! +As always, we need stamps They are always at the top of our needs list. +Please share by email ONE, 1, I, -- one reason you pray the rosary (more than one if you wish.) Please email your reason to MaryAnn@marianmantle.com
………………………… PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR October 20, 2006 [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.]
+Our Lady of
Sorrows, pray for us and for our children.
………………………………………… GOD'S WORD FOR US
The Father of compassion and God who gives every possible encouragement supports us in every hardship so that we are able to come to the support of others in every hardship of theirs because of the encouragement that we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives, so, too does the encouragement we receive through Christ. ~2 Corinthians 1:3-5
………………………………………. WORDS OF HOPE
"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. " ~Unknown
"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do." ~~Unknown
If you want to see the rainbow ...You have to put up with the rain! ~~Unknown
And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free. By Maya Angelou
………………………………………. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Mary Ann, Received the beautiful Rosary Novena last week—also the Parents Way of the Cross. I can’t thank you enough. The meditations are truly inspired. I can honestly say I look forward to my daily rosary and find the prayers so encouraging. Also, the fact that my prayers for my son are joined together with all of yours in the group gives me great comfort. Please know that I am praying for all of you and especially for MaryAnn and her husband because your ministry is extremely important and necessary at this time. God Bless you all. ~Peggy in PA ……………………………………….. FOR YOUR INFORMATION (FYI) +The “Silent Strength” Seminar will be presented in the Sanctuary of Hope Chapel in Kansas City, Kansas on the afternoon of January 21, 2007. Father Dennis Wait will lead the prayer service and Laurie Oswald will lead us in song. The afternoon will consist of two talks by MaryAnn: 1. Has Someone You Love Left the Church? (Bob and MaryAnn’s story of their journey with their prodigal son and how they learned to cope and take positive action to bring him home.) 2)Has Anyone Seen My Hula Hoop? (Improving our intercessory prayer when praying for our prodigals.) Please call 913-526-8977 to reserve your seat. Refreshments will be served. If you or someone you know needs a ride please email MaryAnn. If you could volunteer to drive and pick up those who need rides or to make cookies for that day, again, please email maryann@marianmantle.com
+The “Silent Strength” Seminar is available as a presentation given by MaryAnn--either in person at your group, or as a CD presentation. For more information, email pray@marianmantle.com
+Stamp Contributors. My heartfelt thanks to those who send stamps to help with the newsletter mailing. We will continue to try to provide the newsletter at no cost. Your help with postage makes it possible. God bless each of you.
+ 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 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.
+Audio Recording of Rosary Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows for the return of our loved ones to the practice of the Catholic Faith is now available. Be sure to indicate if you want CD or Cassette Tape. Suggested donation for Audio Rosary Novena is $10. email your order to pray@marianmantle.com, or send to Marian Mantle Group, PO Box 434, Gardner, KS 66030
+At your request, inexpensive Prayer Cards for your adoration chapel or prayer group are again available in quantity: Cards have a picture of the Pieta on the front and the Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows: For the Return of Our Children to the Practice of the Catholic Faith on the back. Suggested donation is $5/50 cards or $1/6. These are available in both English and Spanish.
+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
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