Marian Mantle Prayer Group Update For December 15, 2006

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++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR

++PRAYER INTENTIONS

++LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

++GOD'S WORD FOR US

++WORDS OF HOPE

++WISH LIST

++FYI

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++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR

Hi, Everyone,

     My heart is troubled as I write this.  Christmas is fast approaching.  Soon the sanctuaries of our churches will echo with "Gaudete!"  Rejoice!

            But, for some of it will not be so joyful.  Maybe that's you this year. You may be surrounded by family and friends, but inside, your heart may be broken. Though you gather around the table and share a meal and exchange presents around the Christmas tree, you feel an ache inside.  You keep silent about it so as not to dampen the festivities or cause undue arguments--but you hurt.  How can this be? What could possibly transcend such lovely celebration? 

            Someone you love--a child, a sibling, a parent, a spouse, a dear friend--will not be present with you at the Lord's table this year.  Maybe they won't be home at all.  Maybe you don't even know where they are.

            Each of us has a story to tell.  We all share the same heartache: someone we love is no longer a practicing Catholic!  But each of our stories is a little different. Some are simple, some complex, some filled with danger and horrific situations.

            I think of three friends from this group as I write this.  Each prays for a prodigal to return to the Church and carries a cross of concern. One has a child who struggles with alcoholism; one has a child who sits in prison unjustly accused of a terrible crime; another's child has been missing for months.  Each feels helpless, and must stand, and watch, and try to continue to have faith and to trust God.

            What cross do you carry today? Let us all begin by saying, "Lord, I feel helpless today.  I don't know what to do.  Help me during this Advent season to prepare to celebrate your coming."

            Do you realize there is another who understands your pain, your helplessness, your heartache?  She, too, watched her child walk into a world of trouble.

            Last Tuesday was the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe who carried the Christ Child to the Americas. Thinking about Mary during Advent can help bring peace and serenity to those of us whose hearts are aching because of a prodigal loved one,   Advent reminds us that because Mary said "Yes" to God's call, great things happened.  God came to us.  She continues to bring Him to us.  We all know that anyone who begins by praying to Mary for help, always ends up at Jesus' feet.

            Life was not perfect for Mary after she said "Yes."  In fact, she endured much pain--traveling on a donkey when nine months pregnant, hiding in Egypt, losing Jesus in the temple, helplessly watching His passion and death.  But, even then she said "Yes" once more and assumed the motherhood of the world.  Today she says to you and to me, "Be faithful.  Trust God.  I am your mother."

            Although I would like to have the wisdom of Solomon, I have no solutions for my three friends.  All I can do for them is what others have done for me.  I can listen when they need to talk.  I can pray for them and for their children.   I can point them toward the One who has the power to save us all--by sending them to His mother.  She understands the pain of mothers and fathers, grandparents, and all who long for their loved ones to come home.  She will hold you when you cry, and walk with you and with your loved ones on the long journey if you ask her to.  She will show us the way to the Truth.  She asks you, too, to say “Yes” to God’s call to prayer.

            Please pray each day for all those in the Marian Mantle Group who hurt this Christmas.  May God give each of us His peace, His joy, and His love. May we believe with all our hearts.  And, may we trust in the Lord, always.  May His mother gently wipe away all tears. And when we pray to that tiny babe lying in the manger, when we bring our little gift of ourselves to Him, when we welcome Him into our homes and our hearts, when we say, “Yes”, may we be filled with joy.  May miracles happen in your life!  Come Lord Jesus!   Gaudete!

            May the day come swiftly when we, too, are able to say “the one for whom I have prayed has come home.”

Peace,

MaryAnn

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PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR December 15, 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.]

+Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You.

+Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

+That all members of the Marian Mantle Group will continue to join in prayer, especially stopping for a moment at 3pm (Central time) if possible, to say a prayer for all our prodigals.

+For those who pray for a loved one’s return to the faith, that they will have the strength to persevere in prayer and the peace of Jesus in their lives while they wait

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GOD'S WORD FOR US

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;  but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.    ~Isaiah 40: 28 - 31

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WORDS OF HOPE

Our Lady’s words to St. Juan Diego:

“Know for certain that I am the ever Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God from whom all life has come. I am your merciful Mother. I am the Mother of all who love me, who cry to me, who have confidence in me. I hear your weeping and your sufferings.

You have no cause to be frightened and anxious. Let your heart be troubled no longer. Have no fear of this sickness (Juan Diego's uncle was sick) or any other.

Am I not your Mother? Do I not hold you on my lap?  Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not `in the folds of my mantle? Are you not safe within my arms? Is there anything else you need?”
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Note:  I received this from one of our faithful prayer group leaders who is going through a time of doubt.  I thought it might help if  you all might have some words of wisdom to share.

Dear MaryAnn,

            I think of these things [the return of prodigals that we have been praying for] as probably a coincidence, or maybe because of their prayers, surely not anything our prayers could have done, but I do believe in prayer.

            I’m no good at praying for myself. It seems selfish when others are so much worse.  Possibly, you should add me to the Prayer List if that’s okay.  No name, though.  I think it makes the group feel more “comfortable/confident” [if I have no problems] Doubts, or insecurity is not what they need in someone who leads a group.      ~Name withheld upon request

Note:  Now for Some Good News!

Dear MaryAnn,

            I have good news to report!     This afternoon a lady who isn’t able to come to prayer group because of work, told me this story.  She was so happy because her grandson, who has been away from the church for some time, came to her and told her he had a good marriage, job was okay, but he just felt like there should be more and he had talked to his Mother, about it and she told him to talk to his Grandmother.  He wasn’t sure if there was anything after death and he wanted to know why he was on earth.  He also wanted to know what he needed to do to get his two children baptized.  She talked with him and he has now rejoined the Catholic Church and is meeting with Father to get his two children baptized. Then, she said her daughter, who also had been out of the church, but has been taking her lunch hour to go to Adoration since last summer is wanting to get her marriage blessed so she can also come back to the Church totally.  With that, the woman told me how our little prayer group for prodigals was really working for her even though she had only been able to come once.      ~Anonymous                       

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WISH LIST

+ “Pray-from-home” volunteers.  If you would be willing to spend time in prayer in your home, for special needs as they arise here at Marian Mantle, please email MaryAnn.

+Eucharist Stories:  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!

+Stamps

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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.

+Make a Virtual Pilgrimage on the Marian Mantle Web    http://www.marianmantle.com/pilgrimage/p_menu.htm

+Christmas Orders:  If you wish to give any of our prayers or recordings as Christmas gifts, please order soon.  Remember, the Rosary Novena, Way of the Cross, and Parents Litany are available in large print, also.  To order: phone 913-526-8977,

email MaryAnn@MarianMantle.com .  Check our web site for information.

+“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.  If you would be willing to provide transportation for someone who needs a ride to this retreat, please email maryann@marianmantle.com