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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 November 3, 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, We welcome more new members with this update! We are happy to have you praying with us. Let us hear from you! One of the questions I am often asked is, “Is this group ONLY for parents and grandparents of someone who is no longer a practicing Catholic?” As you all know, this answer is an emphatic “NO! All are welcome.” Bob and I began this group because of our son and with the urging of other parents we met along the way. However, we welcome all who are praying for a prodigal to return to Holy Mother Church. This group includes, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, cousins, friends, godparents, confirmation sponsors, teachers who are praying for former students, co-workers who see a friend in need of the Lord, and the children of prodigals. Our youngest member joined us when she was 13 years old. She is praying for her mom to return to the practice of the faith in which she (the daughter) is able to practice because of her grandmother’s love. I often think of this child and pray for her daily—even though I only met her one time over two years ago. I hope she knows we all are praying with her and for her and her mom and grandma. So, if you are using the Marian Mantle prayers and the words read “my child” just substitute my “niece” or “uncle” or “mom” or “sister” or “grandfather” or whatever the case may be. God wants us all back! And we all want to help those whose hearts are open to finding the truth to find the path cleared by our prayers for them. That makes me think of when we lived five miles from the city in the flat prairie country of the Northern Plains for two years when our sons were adolescents. One Sunday evening Bob was on his way home from working a men’s Cursillo weekend when a blizzard began. Our eldest son vowed he would keep our long driveway plowed so his dad could get into the garage when he arrived. Those who live in such areas know that winds cause the havoc when snow falls. Three inches of snow can be blown into insurmountable drifts. Our son took our small tractor and plowed a path to the end of the driveway. The blade was small. The progress was slow. But, finally he reached the end of the driveway. He looked back toward the garage and to his dismay, the wind had come behind him and the path was drifting shut again. He turned the tractor around and continued clearing the path. For Bob, the drive home treacherous and slow. Our son kept plowing up and down the driveway. Finally, his dad’s car rounded the corner and was able to drive easily into the garage. That’s what I envision this group doing as we pray together. Our prodigals’ trips may be treacherous and slow, the winds of the world may swirl around them, but with our collective prayers we trust, through the help of God and the Blessed mother, the path will opened, the doubt cleared away, and they will receive the grace to find their way home to the Eucharist. So, let us pray. 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
+Again, we have had a request for more of the “Prayers for Prodigals” Series to be translated to Spanish. We often receive this request. If you could help, or know of someone who might be interested in helping with this, please let MaryAnn know.
+We thank Frances who volunteered last month to join our at home pray-ers! We still invite more “pray-from-home” volunteers. You simply pray from your home—anywhere in the world! If you would be willing to spend time in prayer for special needs as they arise here at Marian Mantle, please email MaryAnn
………………………… PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR November 3, 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
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me! Thou hast said, "Seek ye my face." My heart says to thee, "Thy face, Lord, do I seek." Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the Lord! ~Psalm 27: 7-8, 14 ………………………………………. WORDS OF HOPE
Note: Today’s words were contributed by Pat, who offers both a quote from St. Augustine, and then a prayer that Pat says, “This came from Father Doug McNeill in New Mexico. It always comforts me to say it when I feel the lowest.” Thank you, Pat. It comforts us, too.
Lord, you are the only friend who never goes away. ~St. Augustine
Prayer
I know not by what methods rare, but this i know. God answers prayer. I know not when He sends the word that tells us fervent prayer is heard. I know it cometh soon or late; therefore, we need to pray and wait. I know not if the blessing sought will come in just the way i thought. I leave my prayers with Him alone whose will is wiser than my own. ~Author Unknown
………………………………………. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Note: Even though we cannot all gather under the same chapel roof to pray together, we are a community that supports one another in our joys and our sadness and all the events of our lives. These notes were received in response to an urgent request for prayer for one of our members whose husband had been diagnosed with a recurrence of malignant melanoma.
+Dear MaryAnn, I will be praying and remember this family in my daily rosary and chaplet, Also at Mass and Comunion. May St. Raphael guide the medical people what to do and Blessed Mother give her nurturing touch to this family!
+Hello MaryAnn, I am sorry to hear about about this couple, I will pray for them both. ……………………………………….. FOR YOUR INFORMATION (FYI)
+ 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.
+Please tell us about the Eucharist and how it has touched your life. Your words will help someone else! We will not print your name if you wish to remain anonymous. New members: You are most welcome to share your thoughts and experiences, too. Don’t be shy! We’re glad to hear from you!
+Do you pray the rosary for your prodigal loved one? What is one reason you choose the rosary? (tell us more than one if you wish.) Please just reply to this email with your answer.
+The “Silent Strength” Retreat-Seminar will be presented in the Sanctuary of Hope Chapel in Kansas City, Kansas on the afternoon of January 21, 2007, at 2:oo p.m.. MaryAnn will share her story. Father Dennis Wait will lead the short prayer service and Laurie Oswald will lead us in song. There is no charge. A free will offering will be taken—which will be given to Sanctuary of Hope in thanksgiving for their generosity to us. Please invite a friend to come with you. Your invitation may be the means of helping someone be able to find peace and let God into their situation—and may help to “clear the path” for a prodigal to return home. Call 913-526-8977 to reserve your seat.
+The “Silent Strength” Seminar is available as a presentation given by MaryAnn--either in person at your group, or as a CD presentation. It can be presented as a 1 hour presentation or a 2 hour 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.
+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
+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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