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,
We welcome several new members with this
update.(see "what's new", below). Since Divine Mercy Sunday, I've seemed to
stay very focused on the subject of the Lord's Mercy. At the last healing
mass Father Peter talked about the soldier in the film The Passion
of the Christ who pierced Jesus' side, was washed in His water and
blood as it gushed out, and was changed. He told us to ask for the blood of
Christ to pour upon us and upon our loved ones -- and promised that when it
does, we WILL be changed.
As I carefully read St. Faustina's Praises of
the Lord's Mercy, I was overwhelmed by the depth and the power of it all. If
His Mercy increases in proportion to the hardness of a sinner's heart, doesn't
that mean there is ALWAYS hope--even when we are told there is no hope, even
when we think there is no hope, even when we actually believe nothing can
change--ever--God's Mercy is still there.
Remember the Divine Mercy Conversion Prayer?
Sister Faustina wrote that Jesus said to her "When you say this prayer with a
contrite heart and with faith on behalf of some sinner (could that be
ourselves?), I will give that soul the grace of conversion."
Please join me in praying that prayer three times a
day this week. This is the prayer:
"O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the
heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in you."
Please share your thoughts with me and with the
rest of the group. We'd all love to hear a few words from you on any topic.
May God bless all of us and grant us His Peace.
Peace,
MaryAnn 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.]
On Mercy:
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from
generation to generation. --Luke 1:50
Let us then approach the throne of grace with
confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time
of need. --Hebrews 4:16
As you know, we consider blessed those who have
persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord
finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. --James 5:11
Tears. Sometimes we try to hide the fact that we sometimes cry for our prodigal loved ones. Here's a prayer from FAITH WALKERS by Fr. Joseph Nassal:
"Don't cry for me," Jesus Says. Weep for one
another. Weep for the poor ones, the abandoned ones, the disappeared, the
depressed, the oppressed. Let your tears become streams of mercy and
compassion. God of Mercy, give us the gift of tears.
LEAVEN ARTICLE
Anyone who did not receive the newspaper
article and would like to read it, let me know and I'll email it to you. We
have received a tremendous response in our prayer groups. Many more have
joined the online prayer group, our Friday group has increased each week, and
many more have asked for and received the prayer booklets. I have been asked
to speak at the women's group in my parish (no date yet).
MM GROUP MEETING PLANNED
We are planning a meeting of The Marian Mantle Group
to discuss ideas for the future. This will be a first for us, as everything
that has occurred up to this point has been whatever the Lord has sent. There
does come a time when a little planning is needed though. If you are in the
KC area and would like to be included in that meeting, please email me and
I'll see that you are invited.
PRESENTATION INFORMATION
Please tell your family and friends about our
prayer group and about the Silent Strength presentation. MaryAnn will go
wherever she is asked to speak--no matter the size of the group. There is no
fee. She does ask Kansas City area groups for a stipend, Hopefully, it will
help to spread the message that the pain of those who pray for prodigal
Catholics is valid, that a commitment to perseverance is necessary for
effective intercessory if possible, to cover travel costs (gasoline) to and
from the meeting place. For groups outside of KC, she asks that travel
expenses be provided.
Currently, the presentation is scheduled at the
Serra Club on June 9 and at the KC Catholic Conference on June 12. If you
would like more information about getting it scheduled in your parish, please
email me
NEW MEMBERS
Please give the email address
pray@marianmantle.com to any of your
family and friends who might benefit from joining our online prayer group.
PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY**
--If you are seeing prayers answered, we want to hear about it.** --Do you have a question you would like to ask the group to answer?** **Please email maryann@marianmantle.com or phone 913-526-8977. If no one answers, please leave your name and phone number and a good time to return your call and MaryAnn will call you back as soon as possible |