Our visit to St. Joseph’s in Shawnee was a spirit-filled afternoon.  My thanks to Vicki, Daryl, and Kathy for reading the prayer service at St. Joseph’s last week.  Also, my thanks to Margaret and Tiffany for volunteering to pray from their homes during the time I was speaking.  We couldn’t do this without your help.  You know, we always place our needs for help before the Lord and the Blessed Mother and they have never failed to provide—through you.  We are so thankful.

       We all know the Spirit moves where it will if we just learn to get out of the way.  Before the seminar at St. Joseph even began, those present began sharing experiences of the touch of the Lord in their lives and how God makes a way back.  Several shared experiences of parents and grandparents and others who strayed. We listened in awe as people spoke of the movement of God in unexpected ways, and confirmed that every family is touched by the “prodigal Catholic” situation.  But, more importantly, we felt hope rising up in all of us as we learned that these same prodigals had been led back to the arms of Holy Mother Church and brought with them their family members--some of them who sat right there in the room.  These conversations continued long after the seminar ended.  God is Good!

     I need your opinion.  More and more it is suggested that we consider planning an afternoon sometime in the future where we could all get together again.  Perhaps a time of reflection, during which those of you who wish might give short talks about your own experiences, the prayer group leaders might share tips, etc.  It would be an opportunity to renew our resolve to pray together for as long as it takes.  I’d like your opinion about this.  I’m sure we could hold it at the Sanctuary of Hope retreat center. The retreat center is in Kansas City, KS and easily accessible and close to the interstate.  If we plan it far enough in advance, Fr. Dennis might even be available for mass.  We could even arrange reasonably priced lodging at the retreat center for any who would be from out of the local area.  This is all just thoughts at this point.  Please let me know if you would be interested in attending.   

     Another concern:  I’m told that someone’s email filter moved the last Mantle Update into their trash basket and marked it as containing bad language.  At first that sounds humorous, but I’m a little concerned that in my difficulty typing with my broken arm, I may have misspelled a word or something.  If you ever notice anything like this, please let me know.

     If you know of someone who is not receiving this email and would like to receive it or has submitted their email and still doesn’t receive it, please let me know and send their email address.  Sometimes they get copied incorrectly.

            It’s been quite a year for all of us, I’m sure, with many ups and downs.  Bob and I are ending the year with the doctor saying I have several months to go yet since this type of injury and surgery heals slowly.  Pray that my typing speed may increase (it has taken  most of the day to type this letter) and more importantly that we can continue to reach out to bring peace to those who are hurting because of a beloved prodigal.  You can help spread the word by writing an article about the MMG or your prayer group for your diocesan paper or for any Catholic magazine, if you remember Jane Stucker’s letter to the St Anthony Messenger last Spring, even a letter to the editor can make an impact.  If you need additional information about us or some help with organixing your thoughts, please contact me.

    We are pleased to announce three new members who have agreed to serve on our board.  They are Father Dennis Wait of Kansas City, Kansas, Janet Lattrez of Mishawaka, Indiana, and Barbara Sanborn of Hutchinson, Kansas.  We believe God planted each of them in the Marian Mantle garden.  Let us water them with prayer that they may serve with wisdom.

     Meanwhile, may God give us all the Grace to pray with the perseverance of St. Monica and the unconditional love of the father of the Prodigal Son.

Peace,

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away."

The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Then he said, "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true."

He said to me, "They are accomplished. I (am) the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.

The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.

~Revelation 21:4-7