More Words from  Workers in His Vineyard

it is my way of saying “Thanks Father!”

         Why do I feel called to help with the Marian Mantle Ministry? First of all, God told me to. He says we are to be His servants and to help spread His gospel of love and acceptance.

        I hope by helping MaryAnn with the emails that it frees her time for other things that need to be done to spread the Good News. Also, God loves us so much that He gave us His only Son and I want to be able to say thank you. By doing this little part to help, it is my way of saying “Thanks Father!”

               The Marian Mantle Group strives to help me with my struggle with my loved ones who have become lost and have stopped listening to their souls reaching and calling for their Father.  The MMG helps me to remain strong and never cease my praying for my prodigals. I believe they have a little hole in their souls in the shape of God’s love that only He can fill. They keep searching for something to fill it and will someday find that the only thing that will do so is God and the fullness of his Love in the Church. The MMG has changed me. It helps me to be patient and wait until God does what He needs to accomplish in my loved ones lives. Only He knows. I must trust Him.        ~Karen

               As prayer requests arrive in the MMG office (whether by email, phone, postal mail, or any other method) they are sent to Karen by email. She faithfully collects, protects, and prepares them every two weeks to be published in the online prayer group update and sent to local prayer groups around the globe. 

“The idea of bringing the presentation
 to my parish began to grow.”

                In September of 2005 I read an article in The Catholic Advance, the newspaper of the Wichita Diocese, about a speaker coming to a nearby parish to talk to those with Catholic loved ones who had left the Church.  When I attended MaryAnn's talk, I  came away feeling peaceful and hopeful.  I had also met others who had the same concerns as I have. I began praying and meditating on the beautiful prayers MaryAnn had written.  In my heart, the idea of bringing the presentation to my parish began to grow.  It took almost 18 months of prayer and asking God and His Blessed Mother to help get a group established.  Finally, this Spring we started a Silent Strength prayer group in our parish.  We have 10 members who gather each week to pray and share our concerns, and, with knowing trust, help one another wait for that time when our prodigals return to Mass and the Sacraments.              ~Sally

               Sally coordinates the prayer group at St. Joseph Parish in Conway Springs, KS.  Her efforts in spreading the word about the “Silent Strength” presentation resulted in people from seven surrounding parishes attending that Saturday.  Even the local Catholic radio representative attended.

 “the prayers of the group help to ease the sadness”

               I really do not remember where or when I first heard of the Marian Mantle Group, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. Of my five children, two have left the church. I have been praying for their return. Knowing that there are many others in the same situation and that my prayers are multiplied by the prayers of the group helps to ease the sadness.

               It is always so wonderful to read of prodigals who have returned. I pray for all the people on the Marian Mantle list.  It is helpful to know that my prodigals are remembered in other’s prayers. Hopefully, one day I, too,  will be able to say, “MY prodigals have returned home. “

               I look forward to the newsletter and enjoy reading that prayers do get answered if we just continue to pray and have hope.  Thank you and God Bless those who pray with me and those prodigals for whom we pray.                            ~CM

 CM, along with several more of you, has fulfilled an important need here at MMG. The stamps they supply are the reason we are able to continue mailing this newsletter. Our roster isn’t big enough to justify the expense of bulk mailing permits but the number of first- class stamps required would quickly deplete our meager operating fund.  We thank God for people like CM who help us put this in your mailbox every six months. ♥