Prayers for Prodigal Catholics
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From the Editor ...Jun 2006
Hi, Everyone,
Much has taken place in my life since our last newsletter. Bob and I are now grandparents with the birth of little Robert Thomas on Mother‘s Day. What a gift he is!
On July 8, my 96 year old mother died. Since her home was six hours away, I never thought I would be with her when she died. God allowed me to spend her last 12 hours on this Earth alone with her. When the night began, she started to pray the Hail Mary, so I prayed with her. It was the last she spoke. She had often said, "Surely the Blessed Virgin with be with us when we die since we ask her to be there every time we say a Hail Mary." Throughout the night her room was filled with such peace it was easy to sit and pray. I later told Bob it must have been because much of heaven was surely in it. The next morning, with Bob in the room with her, she slipped into heaven so easily that he didn't realize at first that she had died. God allowed me to be present and fulfill my desire to pray a rosary at her bedside while she was dying and another after she was gone. I am eternally grateful to a God who, in His Mercy, grants us the desires of our hearts.
Mom prayed throughout her life for the return to the Church of those she loved who no longer practiced the Faith. Please say a prayer for the repose of her soul and ask her to pray for the return of all our beloved prodigals.
After a second surgery in March, my arm has finally healed and, as of June 1, I was allowed to type and drive a car again. I continue in physical therapy to regain range of motion in my
shoulder. Thank you for all the prayers, cards, notes, and phone calls. I reflect on the past year and remember a difficult time, yet, one in which I felt richly blessed in many ways. When I could do nothing but wait patiently, the "Silent Strength" message continued to spread. Since last August, the Marian Mantle Group membership almost doubled. This should be evidence to both you and me that God is in charge. When Bob and I first began our efforts for the MMG, I carried our concerns to the prayer group at the Sanctuary of Hope Prayer & Retreat Center. I asked prayer that we might have courage renewed in our hearts. Being one who values privacy, I knew it was going to be difficult for me to share my story in public. Father Dennis Wait quoted a Scripture that has been a support for us ever since:I pray it speaks to your heart, too, and leads you to share your own "Good News" with us. Please write, email, or phone. We are all waiting to hear from you.
Meanwhile, may we have the grace to recognize the hand of God in our lives, and the lives of those we love, while we wait for our time to speak those glorious words: "The child for whom I have prayed has come home!" Peace, MaryAnn ♥
From "Silent Strength" The
Newsletter of the Marian Mantle Group, July, 2006
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