Please note this and respond immediately if you would like to receive our newsletter.  The print newsletter (titled The Silent Strength) is not the same thing as this email update (titled The Mantle).   The newsletter is composed of articles written by other members like yourself, quotes from the Saints and other Catholics,  news from activities of the Marian Mantle Group around the world.  It is a print publication that is mailed to each member whose postal address is on file with us.  There is no charge for the newsletter.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE A NEWSLETTER, PLEASE SEND YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS to editor@marianmantle.com today.  If you are not certain whether or not we have your address, email it again.  We plan to print labels on July 12^th so get your postal address in quickly.

            The postage for the newsletter is almost covered due to the grace of God and the generosity of several of you.  We can still use a few more stamps, so if you have some you could spare we will appreciate it.  Several of you reminded me I did not give an address of where to send them, so here it is:  Please send to Marian Mantle Group, PO Box 434, Gardner, Kansas  66030.  Since we are a not for profit organization, your contribution is tax deductible.  If you already sent stamps, but did not receive a receipt from us, please email me and I will make sure you do receive one for your records.

            Our members in Hutchinson Kansas are working hard to prepare for the Silent Strength workshop that Bob and I will be conducting there on September 25 at Holy Cross church.  The Hutchinson people are meeting weekly to pray for its success and ask that all of you keep them in prayer.  That workshop will consist of two talks and a prayer service.  At that time they also hope to expand their prayer group into multiple groups—possibly one for each of the three Catholic parishes in Hutchinson.  We’re very excited to find out what surprises the Lord is planning for prodigals and those who pray for them in Hutchinson.  It’s awesome to watch it all taking place.

            Please keep me in prayer this Sunday evening.  Bob and I will be speaking to the Marian Associates in Independence, Mo.  This is the lay association for the Religious Sisters of Mercy.  They are the order who established Mount Mercy College where I graduated.  I really loved those ladies who were my professors.  They had much to do with the person I am today.  I know they have influenced my efforts with MMG.  It is a joy for me to think I can finally give them something in return.

            March 11, 2005 we will be presenting a workshop in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, so if you live in the area, mark your calendars.   For more information, or to schedule a presentation, please contact me by phone or email.

            God continues to bless this group.  Today, I learned that a young Hispanic seminarian has graciously translated the Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows into Spanish. (I would have received all the details in today’s mail, but someone ran over our mailbox yesterday.)  Once I learn his name and how this all came about, I will fill you in on the details.  Anyhow, the prayer card should be available in Spanish within a week or so.

            Let us continue to pray together and invite others to join us in prayer for the return of our children to the practice of the Catholic faith.  God will keep His promises! Trust!

            May every day be one in which you find the goodness and peace of the Lord!

Peace,

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their refuge in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

~Psalm 37:4, 39-40~

July 11 is the Feast Day of St. Benedict whose battles with evil are legendary.  The St. Benedict Medal-Crucifix is a sacramental that many find useful when battling for the soul of a prodigal loved one. As with all sacramentals, it is not a magic charm, but should be used properly—accompanied with reverent prayer and trust in the Lord’s mercy.  The following is an excerpt from the Rule of St. Benedict and his comments about reverence in prayer:

Chapter 20:  On Reverence in Prayer

When we wish to suggest our wants to persons of high station,
we do not presume to do so except with humility and reverence.
How much the more, then, are complete humility and pure devotion necessary
in supplication of the Lord who is God of the universe!
And let us be assured

that it is not in saying a great deal that we shall be heard (Matt 6:7),
but in purity of heart and in tears of compunction.

                                                                                       ~St. Benedict~