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Prayers for Prodigal Catholics
THE MANTLE We Join in Prayer Under the Mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary [Please send your prayer requests to pray@marianmantle.com or maryann@marianmantle.com]
++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR ++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR Hi, Everyone, Merry Christmas! May you feel the Babe of Bethlehem and His Blessed Mother close to you today. Yesterday I heard Fr. Charles Gordon’s homily during the televised mass at Notre Dame. Fr. Charlie is special to our family since he was a deacon, said his first mass, and worked with the senior high youth group at our church when our son was a teenager. I thought of all of you when he said to step out in faith and do something positive for others so that when we meet the Master at the end of our days, He will say to us “Rejoice, you have done my Son’s work and become more like Jesus.” I thought of you all because: When you pray for your own prodigal loved one and for the loved ones of others in this group and throughout the Church, you are doing the work of the Son. When you attend a prayer group and pray with each other, you are doing the work of the Son. When you take time from your busy life to coordinate a prayer group, you are doing the work of the Son. When you share information about the prayers for prodigals, or give them to someone in distress, you are doing the work of the Son. When you offer your strength to someone who needs comfort or support (and these past months I have come to know only too well how important that is) you are doing the work of the Son. When you spread the joy of Christmas to others, even if someone is missing from your own celebration this year, you are doing the work of the Son. When you pause to pray for that loved one who is not with you, whether at your table, or with you at mass on Christmas Day, you are doing the work of the Son. When you love unconditionally, you are doing the work of the Son. May Jesus Christ the Son reward you for your work. May He bless each of us this Christmas. May He plant a seed of desire to return to the fold in each of our lost sheep out there. Remember, they may be lost for the moment, but the Good Shepherd is searching for them and calling them to return. Let us continue to pray for each other this Christmas and always, that we may each someday be able to say, “The child I prayed for has come home!” 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. May God bless all of us and grant us His Peace.
Peace, MaryAnn Archive Menu Top of Page The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. ~Luke 2:10-11
[Note: Thanks to Jim for sharing this. It speaks to all of us who long for the return of all lost sheep to the arms of The Shepherd and fills us with hope during this season, no matter how doubtful things may appear. The word for the season says it all: “Emanuel”—God With Us!]
The Christmas Tree: the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven. The Christmas Star: the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise." The Candle: the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness." The Wreath: the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection." The Candy Cane:The candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper." Ringing Bells: The bell symbolizes guidance and return. As the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold.
St Nicholas:
Santa is a symbol that speaks for all
of you parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings and friends who
have joined together in this Marian Mantle Group, and for all who continue in
faith and trust to do the work of the Lord through obedience, prayer, fasting,
and/or practical action in an earnest hope that our efforts will help to make
the crooked straight and the rough places plain for our beloved prodigals to
find their way back to Jesus and His Church. The Saint of Christmas says, with
that twinkle in his eyes, "Remember the true meaning of Christmas and do not put
me in the center, for I am (we are) but a humble servant of the One that is, and
I bow down to worship Him, our Lord, our God. Merry Christmas from all of us here at Marian Mantle Central to all of our dear friends in the Marian Mantle Group. Thank you for your prayers and your constant support of our efforts.
Peace, Bob, Mary Ann, Leah, Carole, Pat, Leona.
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