Mary's Mantle Reprise

A long time ago I started a little tiny group of Catholics who were being persecuted for their faith. I had received so many heart breaking letters and emails from folks who were suffering terribly at the hands of people who were so against the Catholic Church (or rather what they believe the Catholic Church to be) that they were acting out in ways that were unchristian to say the least. Often times these Catholics were being persecuted by loved ones. The very people who should care enough to try to understand what they feel obligated to oppose rather than just blindly lash out at what they don't understand.

I felt then that in order to be able to help these folks we needed a Priest to shepherd this group. I didn't feel qualified to answer their many questions or to be of the right kind of support. We never did find a Priest willing to take on that task. I think the biggest obstacle was that the members of Mary's Mantle were from many dioceses and even from other countries. Priests didn't feel able to advise people from such a far flung area. I can understand that.

But since Mary's Mantle disbanded about a year and a half ago, I have had this ache in my heart that just won't go away. These folks are dear to me and I keep them in my prayers all the time. But I still wanted them to have an arena to reach out to each other and be a support.

So I decided that for whatever it was worth, we would restart Mary's Mantle and see where God takes it. As for this blog, I hope to provide some encouraging articles and prayers and I hope to get a email group started again so folks can stay in touch. The Internet can be a blessing or a curse. I believe the people of God should take possession of it as a tool to build up the Body of Christ. So as for this little corner of the cyberworld, we will hold one another up and help each other be faithful to Christ and His Church.