It’s Palm Sunday tomorrow.  The Gospel tells of Jesus joyful entry into Jerusalem, right before many of those same people led Him to His Passion and Death.  Thus, tomorrow is a bitter sweet day for all of us.  I feel kind of the same way right now as I write this.  I have great news about our group, and yet we still feel the pain of our beloved prodigals who continue to wander in a world away from the mass and the sacraments.

            Let me share the joy, first, then.  We have had such good response with all of the talks so far this year.  Holy Cross, last Wednesday was no exception.  The people were wonderful.  The expanded program was met with positive reaction.  The talks went well.  The prayer service was even better and it seemed to bring closure to the evening for all of us.  I am grateful to the members who participated in the readings for the prayer service—Bernadine Asher, Donna Cermak, Leona Fladung, Becky Hund, Leah Mullin, and Joyce Farrell.  It was so nice to listen to other voices raised in prayer for our prodigals.  And they read so beautifully—I wrote the words and they still got to me through the women’s expressive interpretation.  I would suggest to any group who requests the talk that they include the prayer service. 

            There are people at Holy Cross parish and at Cure’ of Ars parish who are interested in forming prayer groups.  If you are interested in joining either of them, please contact me and I’ll put you in touch with them.

            Next, I heard some wonderful news this morning.  Jane Stucker, who so faithfully coordinates the two prayer groups at St. Joseph’s Church in Leavenworth, KS, along with many other things for her parish, was named St. Joseph Parishioner of the Year at a mass last night in honor of St. Joseph.  I’ve only know Jane for a year, but I know how much she loves her parish and those in it.  She often says to me, “I love my people here.”  She is certainly deserving of this honor.  Jane has done much to support and further the efforts of this Marian Mantle Group, also.  I might add that Jane does not have a prodigal child.  Her children are all practicing Catholics.  However, she told me at the beginning that she did walk in our shoes at one time, so she understands the pain and the prayer of all of us.  But she knows there is that other side—the joy when a prodigal comes home—so she works diligently to help bring that about in others lives, too.  We at Marian Mantle compliment Jane’s pastor on a superb choice for this honor.

            I have been invited to give the Silent Strength presentation at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Fairfield, California.  This is a little overwhelming to a farmer’s daughter from Iowa, and I stand humbly in awe of the Lord for even the suggestion arising.  A long time ago Bob and I decided we would go wherever, and only where, the Lord made the path, so please pray about this that all details will be worked out, schedules will mesh, and, if it be the will of God I will someday meet all those California people who are already members of the Marian Mantle Group and join with the rest of us in prayer.

            The next item involves the Prince of Peace Church in Olathe.  My work schedule is such that I am no longer able to pray with those who meet at 3pm on Fridays to pray the rosary there.  Is there anyone who is interested in getting together to pray in the evening?  I would be happy to have you meet in my home, or to come to someone elses home.  Please email or phone if you are interested.

            I’m sorry for the length of this “note” today, but there was so much to share with you and I like to keep you all informed.  The rest will have to wait for another update.  We welcome all of you who are new to the group today.  May we all meet the Lord in our walk through Holy Week.  Have a blessed time through the remainder of Lent and may your Easter be a happy one.  Ask God for the grace to be able to say, no matter what our situations may be, “This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us be glad and rejoice!” 

            God WILL make a way!  

Peace,

MEDIATION FOR HOLY WEEK:
FOR THOSE WHO PRAY FOR PRODIGAL LOVED ONES

Of Grief and Hope

She reaches for Him

Even before they have finished

Taking Him down from the Cross.

Her heart is in anguish at the sight.

Remembering the torture

Of the past hours.

In His last moments

His concern was not for Himself

But for Her

Standing with Him faithfully

At the foot of the cross.

There He had gently called

This woman, who gave Him birth,

To a new motherhood.

To a new relationship

With those He loves.

The world is through with Him now.

He is dead.

Evil has had its way.

She holds Him to her heart

Pierced once more with sorrow.

But, as they take Him from Her arms,

For a fleeting moment her heart is lighter.

In the midst of her grief,

Faith covers her veil of tears.

Her words spring forth

Echoing a trust of long ago.

Grief has a hope.

As the stone is rolled into place

Once more she believes

And whispers,

“He who is mighty

Will do great things for me.”

 ~From the book "Through Her Eyes and Other Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary"
by MaryAnn Gardner.  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved~

 Out of the depths I cry to thee, O LORD! Lord, hear my voice! Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! 

     I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;my soul waits for the LORD more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 

     O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is plenteous redemption.  ~Psalms 130:1-2,5-7~

“Do not be afraid of the risks! God's strength is always far more powerful than your difficulties!”  ~John Paul II, Letter to Families February 22, 1994~

SILENT STRENGTH PRESENTATION

+April 7 I will be speaking at Nativity of Mary in Independence.  This will not be the Silent Strength talk but will be the follow up one, Has Anyone Seen My Hula Hoop?  (making your intercessory prayer more effective)

Need more information? Please check the schedule on the web site for more information,

http://www.marianmantle.com/schedule.htm  or contact MaryAnn by email maryann@marianmantle.com or phone at 913-526-8977.

     If you would like help in getting these talks scheduled in your parish, please email  maryann@marianmantle.com

PRAYER CARDS

Prayer card with the image of Our Lady of Sorrows by artist Jay Crisafulli in color and the Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows for the return of our prodigals to the Catholic faith is available from the Marian Mantle Group.  Suggested donation is $1.50.  Size is approx 3”x5”.  Currently, orders can be emailed to pray@marianmantle.com   This will be available on the web site soon.

PRAYER GROUPS

Please pray for a new prayer group that is forming among people at Cure’ of Ars Parish in Prairie Village and for those who are searching for prayer partners and wanting to  form a group at Holy Cross parish in Overland Park.

Please continue to pray for those who have formed the new Silent Strength prayer group in Shawnee, KS.  For more information about any of these groups, contact MaryAnn by phone or email.

NEWSLETTER

    What action are you taking to bring your prodigal back home?  We welcome your input.  It will help the rest of us in our own prayers.  Please tell us about it.  We also need articles of 200-500 words for the next issue.  Please email editor@marianmantle.com  Meanwhile, please keep praying.  If you would be interested in helping with the newsletter in some way, please let us know by email or phone.  At Marian Mantle we can always use some help somewhere.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR STORY**

--If you are seeing prayers answered, we want to hear about it.**