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

++PRAYER INTENTIONS

++GOD'S WORD FOR US 

++WORDS OF HOPE

++WISH LIST

++FYI

Marian Mantle Prayer Group Update For April 20, 2007

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++MESSAGE FROM THE COORDINATOR

Hi, Everyone,

     Sad news to report.  Jay Crisafulli, the artist who painted the beautiful picture of Our Lady of Sorrows that travels with us when we talk, graces our web site and our prayer cards, has died on December 30.  Her husband contacted me a couple of weeks ago.  He was just so heartbroken by her death that it took him a while to have the strength to write.  They were married 52 years.  He asked me to thank you all for your prayers during her illness and said it was a comfort to her and to him. 

     He said, “I know you will be praying for Jay and I know she is praying for all of us, too.”  What a wonderful testimony to the Communion of Saints!  God is so good to us!

     He also asked me if I would help with the sale of the limited number prints of her paintings that she had been marketing before she became too ill to continue.  I’m sure some of you will be interested in them.  I believe they will be available in several sizes if I remember her web site correctly.  She had another beautiful painting of Jesus that might be available also.  I will let you know as I get the information.  If you might be interested, let me know by email and I’ll keep you informed.

     A couple of issues ago, Bob wrote an article for our print newsletter about the painting and the story of how we found it, etc.  You may want to find it and read it again.  I’d be happy to email the article if you request it. 

     I know Jay’s family would be interested in hearing how her painting of Our Lady of Sorrows made a difference in your life.  I will be happy to forward all emails and cards or messages to them.  Perhaps some of you may be moved to write a short article about your feelings when you look at her picture of Our Lady.  It would be wonderful if we could help her legacy of love (that she painted after she came home to the church after many years as a prodigal herself) continue to touch the hearts of hurting people.  May Jay’s soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

     With three talks scheduled within five days and almost 1000 miles to drive in that time, we are counting on the Lord and the Blessed Mother to guide our way and the angels to surround us and keep us from harm.  I ask you to try to find a moment to pray for us and for all your fellow members in the Marian Mantle Group.  May the Precious Blood of Jesus pour over us and over our loved ones and protect us as we each try to follow God’s will for our lives. 

If you happen to attend one of the talks this weekend, please be sure to say hello.  It is such a joy for me to meet someone in person who has become a friend on the Internet.  God always puts such interesting, lovely people in our paths, doesn’t He?

My thanks to Janet and Tiffany and others who have volunteered to pray in their homes before/during the time I am speaking.  Your prayers always make such a difference.  I’ve told you many times before, I can often feel the prayer lifting my spirit and giving me the strength to do what I need to do.  I could never continue without the prayer.  And just think, if that is what your prayer does for me—how much more does it touch the heart and soul of the loved one you are praying for—your bond with them is so very special and close—your love for them can’t help but pour out when you pray for them.  Remember, WE ARE NOT HELPLESS TO AID IN THE RETURN OF A PRODIGAL TO THE SACRAMENTS. Let us remember—prayer works! 

 Words of Hope today contains an interesting quote by t. Hildegard of Bingen.  I think it gives us hope that our prodigal loved ones will be led to the truth.  Let us continue to cling to that hope, persevere in prayer for them, and trust God to keep His promises.  Remember this is the season of miracles.  Look for yours!  Let us hear about it!

Peace,

MaryAnn 

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PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR April 20, 2007

[Prayer intentions submitted to this group are shared only in the semi-weekly email update sent to members of the online prayer group.  Please keep all of us and our prodigals in your prayers--just as we will pray for you.]

+Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us and for our children.
+St. Benedict, pray for us.
+St. Jude, pray for us.
+St. Monica, pray for us.
+For all our prodigals to find the truth and return to the Lord and His church.
+For all those unspoken intentions in our hearts known only to us and to God, and for all previous intentions of this list.  

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GOD'S WORD FOR US

     But these three fell, bound, into the midst of the white-hot furnace. They walked about in the flames, singing to God and blessing the Lord. 
     “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord; praise him and give him thanks, because his mercy endures forever." Hearing them sing, and astonished at seeing them alive, King Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, "Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?" "Assuredly, O king," they answered.  "But," he replied, "I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God." Then Nebuchadnezzar came to the opening of the white-hot furnace and called to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: "Servants of the most high God, come out." Thereupon Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.
     Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him. 
                                                                             ~Daniel 3:23-24,89-93, 95

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WORDS OF HOPE 

Wherever love of the Lord takes root
Human wisdom will also appear
And faith will emerge
For when God is loved
He is understood by faith aided by human wisdom.
In them, together, God takes his place,
Supreme above all else.
                                                          ~Hildegard of Bingen

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WISH LIST

 +Stamps

+Volunteers to pray before or during the talks scheduled in April. ………………………………………………………..

 FYI

+“Silent Strength: Has Someone You Love Left the Church?” will be presented by MaryAnn on the following dates:
     >Friday, Apr 20,  7:30 pm Daughters of Isabella State Convention, Newton, KS
     >Saturday,  Apr 21 1:00 pm St. Joseph Catholic Church, Conway Springs, KS
     >Wednesday, April 25 following mass and dinner at 6:30, Sacred Heart Church,
       Anthony, KS
+“Be Not Afraid:  John Paul II and Those Who Pray for Prodigal Catholics” will be presented by MaryAnn on Saturday, May 5, at 9:00am at St Patricks Church in Kansas City, KS (Mass and rosary at 8am)
+If you want more information on any of these talks, please contact the Marian Mantle Group by phone (913-526-8977) or email (MaryAnn@MarianMantle.com)

+If you have good news to share, contact MaryAnn.
+If you would like information about having the Silent Strength presentation come to your parish or Catholic organization, contact 913-526-8977 or maryann@marianmantle.com
+If you no longer wish to receive this update, reply with “unsubscribe” in the body of the email