When my husband of almost 48 years died, my life took a very sharp turn. After the funeral, the thank you notes were written, the kids had gone home and things were as back to normal as they could be, I felt like God was calling me to do something special but I had no idea as to what it was. During that first year I met a wonderful priest who was willing to listen while I talked. Sometimes I'm not sure I made a lot of sense. I seemed to jump from one idea to another--sometimes mid-sentence. But he patiently listened through all this turmoil of feelings.

By the time he was re-assigned that following June, he had helped me straighten my way to the Lord and the Blessed Mother by going to daily Mass most days. (I had never done that before, except during Lent.)

Then, we learned about the Marion Mantle Group. He arranged for MaryAnn to talk and had the prayer groups started about a month before he left.

He informed me I was to be the person to lead it after he left. How do you take the place of a holy priest, one that had great charisma with the people and was also a great joy to be with? I told him he really didn't want me. I wasn't educated enough, was too loud, talked too much, didn't pray enough and numerous other excuses. But he didn't listen. He seemed to know that I could, and would, do it. So, almost two years later, I'm still leading our two prayer groups that pray for prodigals, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. We still have our faithful following and occasionally we add someone and sadly, sometimes we have to subtract someone. The ones who leave are usually people who are sick and amazingly, we've had some come back after months of absence.

The Lord has led me through many times of doubt. With His leading, not only do I coordinate the prayer groups, but I lector at Mass (I knew God must have given me this big, loud voice for some reason). He led me to volunteer in the parish office and join the Saturday Vigil choir and the regular choir. I’ve met many wonderful people in our parish. God held my hand when I was afraid and unsure and led me to meet some of the most holy men I know in the priests of our parish.

What will happen in the future? I have no idea, but somehow I will muddle through with Jesus and Mary's help. ♥