Lent is Here! Come Volunteer!

Yet even now, says the Lord,

return to me with all your heart.

Joel 2:12

Lent has arrived! We have many ways for you to share the Lenten experience with Mary's Mantle over the next 40 days as we devote ourselves to walking more closely with Jesus. Why not consider volunteering with us during this time?

We have several ways for you to volunteer, but we are specifically looking for the following right now:

• Lead a childbirth class.
• Be a childbirth coach.
• Teach a budgeting workshop.
• Share your home maintenance secrets.
• Teach the women infant CPR/first aid.
• Lead an exercise class on-site for the women. 

These are some of our most immediate needs. It is, of course, not an exhaustive list of all the opportunities for you to volunteer with us.

If you or someone you know might be qualified and available to offer their time and knowledge in any of the areas listed above, please let us know!

Blessings to you this Lent and always!
Rakhi

FAST, PRAY, GIVE: Lent is Coming!

We just packed up all the Christmas decorations, shoveled our way out from under the snow, and Lent is already knocking at our door! Where did the time go? As we head into this holy and quiet season, here are some ways you can walk alongside Mary's Mantle over these 40 days.

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FASTING: Refraining from food and drink as an expression of interior penance, in imitation of the fast of Jesus for forty days in the desert. Fasting is an ascetical practice recommended in Scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers; it is sometimes prescribed by a precept of the Church, especially during the liturgical season of Lent (CCC* 538, 1434, 2043).

So many of the women who walk through the doors of Mary's Mantle have spent their lives with so little. Many have suffered from a shortage of food, shelter, and clothing, but all have in some way suffered from a deprivation of authentic love. While the catechism calls us to fast from food and drink as part of our practice of Lent, there are many other practices of self-denial that can be added to deepen the experience of Lent.

This Lent, consider giving up something for the women, children, and staff of Mary's Mantle. Here are some ways you could fast for us.

• Skip one meal a week.
• Drink nothing other than water.
• Eliminate non-meal snacking.
• Extend the required fasts for the duration of Lent.
• Commit to spending no more than $5-10/day on meals (prepared or purchased).
• Give up Facebook.
• Give up social media entirely.
• Only allow yourself three outfits for the duration of Lent. 
• Give up non-essential shopping.
• Give up television.
• Give up the radio in your car. 
• If it were warmer, I would suggest walking to places within a certain radius of your home, but use your best judgment with that one!

PRAYER: The elevation of the mind and heart to God in praise of his glory; a petition made to God for some desired good, or in thanksgiving for a good received, or in intercession for others before God. Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church (CCC* 2559–2565).

We know that the work we do here at the Mantle is not of our own doing. Rather, we are vessels for the Lord to do His work in the lives of the women He sends us (and in our own lives through that service). Many of the women who enter our program have little to no understanding of the love of God. I know in my own life, until I understood that tremendous and unyielding love, I did not fully understand myself or how to be in the world. These mothers are no different. God is doing a work in them, and they are in desperate need of His healing hand.

This Lent, please consider offering your prayers for the mothers and children (and staff) of Mary's Mantle. Below are some possible avenues for intercessory prayer:

• Pray a daily Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
• Pray a daily Rosary
• Offer a Mass for the work and women of Mary's Mantle.
• Offer a novena. (Might I suggest one to Our Lady Undoer of Knots?)
• Adopt a woman/child for prayer. 
• Spend an hour before the Blessed Sacrament weekly for the intentions of Mary's Mantle.
• Attend daily Mass on our behalf.
• Write a letter of encouragement/prayer to a woman in residence or in our aftercare program.
• Offer a Memorare Novena.
• Light a candle at a chapel for the women and children of Mary's Mantle.

ALMSGIVING: Money or goods given to the poor as an act of penance or fraternal charity. Almsgiving, together with prayer and fasting, are traditionally recommended to foster the state of interior penance (CCC* 1434; cf. 1969, 2447).

One of my very favorite things about Mary's Mantle is the deep dependence we have on our donors. Whether it is $5 or $5000, our donors have kept our doors open these past five years not only with their dollars, but with their dedication and service. 

This year, please consider Mary's Mantle in your Lenten giving. You could:

• Make a monetary donation.
• Host a canned food drive.
• Host a penny drive.
• Give of your time by volunteering.
• Host a gift card drive (Meijer, Target, and Kroger are some of our favorites!)
• Offer to make a meal for the residents.
• Donate movie tickets or the cost of museum admission(s) for resident outings.

These lists are by no means exhaustive!

Mary's Mantle appreciates your dedicated support of our ministry. We pray that Lent is a peaceful time to reconnect with the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life. Thank you for being a part of our lives!

Blessings in Christ,

Rakhi

In Case You Missed It: We are Moving!

For those who have missed the announcement, Mary's Mantle will be moving this spring. We have a beautiful new home on several acres just a few miles from where we are now. 

With that move, we will have need of many volunteers! Whether it comes to updating rooms, manual labor with the actual move, prayer for us in transition, or the multitude of other needs that arise when you are relocating, we know we will be calling on you for assistance in the near future. 

I want to thank those of you who signed up for our attempt at Perpetual Adoration over this past week. Unfortunately, it seems the weather and snow removal efforts were against us! Rest assured, we will be scheduling Adoration once again (most likely after Easter). We want to give the Lord proper honor and glory before we settle in to our new residence!

In other news, now that the mad dash to Adoration is over, I will begin following up with you all about updating paperwork. Please take a moment to re-submit your forms - we want to be sure we have all the updated contact information and required background checks on file so we can hit the ground running!

As always, I thank you for your continued support and dedication to the work of Mary's Mantle and the women and babies that the Lord sends our way. 

Blessings in Christ,

Rakhi

Renewal in the New Year...Volunteer Style

It's that time of year again!

Each January, we are asking all our volunteers to re-submit paperwork to volunteer in the coming year. This includes all the forms in our Volunteer Application packet.

Having updated information is critical for us to maintain accurate volunteer records and safeguard the integrity of our volunteer program. Many of you have graciously been volunteering, but perhaps we don't have full contact information for you or an emergency contact. Many of you have been informally volunteering, and we may not have run background checks. In addition, the new Information Form lets us know whether you have taken Protecting God's Children, which is an important training that we encourage all our volunteers to attend.  Please help us to update our records so we can provide the best program possible for our residents and provide a rewarding experience for you while you take part in our ministry. 

All forms can be found on the Volunteer Application Tab in electronic or print format. If you need us to send you a new packet, please email us.

Thank you again for all you do. We look forward to an active and fulfilling 2015!

Blessings in Christ,
Rakhi

Hello 2015!

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’

And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ 

Revelation 21:2-5

Happy New Year from Mary's Mantle! 

We wish you a year filled with every blessing from above. May this year hold more joy than sorrow, more laughter than tears, and a firm hope in the promises of Christ. Thank you for helping make all things new again for the women God sends into our care. In His name, we continue to wipe the tears from their eyes, heal the hurt of their hearts, help them to bring new life into the world. As we persevere in our work, we are so glad to have you with us. Look for an update on how to continue serving as a volunteer at Mary's Mantle for 2015 in the coming week.

In the meantime, I will close with the blessing the Lord gave to Moses:

The LORD bless you and keep you!

The LORD let his face shine upon

you, and be gracious to you!

The LORD look upon you kindly and

give you peace!

Blessings in Christ,

Rakhi

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

Photo credit: Jeff Weese (Flickr)

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

~Luke 2:8-14

We have made it through the hustle, and here we sit, waiting to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Gathered together, recalling how He entered the world in the humblest of ways - no crib for a bed, no room at the inn. It is especially fitting as I sit here at Mary Mantle on this Christmas Eve, where we are waiting for the birth of a new baby as well. We, at Mary's Mantle, the inn for so many mothers with nowhere else to go. Our staff, and you, our devoted volunteers and donors, the keepers of this place that keeps hope alive for so many at a time when they are facing rejection and fear.

As we celebrate this Christmas, please know how much you are appreciated. It is not an exaggeration when I say that we truly could not function - this ministry that sometimes feels like a ragtag bunch of misfits brought together on a common mission of God's love - we could not function without you. We thank you, we pray for you, and we wish you the most joyous Christmas. May God pour out every good blessing upon you and your families.

Blessings in Christ,
Rakhi

Some Changes & An Introduction

Hello!

If you are stopping by here after some time away from Mary's Mantle, you will notice that there has been some restructuring of staff. Pat Parker, who was formerly the volunteer coordinator, has taken on some new and exciting tasks, and I have taken on the role of Volunteer Services (in addition to spiritual formation).

For those of you who do not know me, I offer a very brief introduction. I came to Mary's Mantle after leaving full-time work with the Archdiocese of Detroit in Campus & Young Adult Ministry. Prior to that, I was working in Student Affairs at Oakland University. I have two young children, ages 4 and 2, and a hard-working husband at home who works even harder since we made the decision for me to give up full-time work and be home with the children more often. I am blessed that Mary's Mantle has provided me an opportunity to serve part-time so I can do just that, while still sharing in a call to active ministry.

Prior to this position, I was the House Manager for Mary's Mantle. While I have enjoyed that role, I am excited to begin this new chapter with Mary's Mantle. I was recently re-watching some old West Wing episodes at home, and one line that struck me was the staff's response to the President: "I serve at the pleasure of the President of the United States." It struck me how deeply and profoundly a parallel could be drawn to the work of Mary's Mantle, especially as we look at how best to accomplish our mission.

"I serve at the pleasure of our Lord, Jesus Christ."

It is my joy to serve the women that the Lord sends into our care, and it is my joy to be working with you as we live out our call to that service. In the end, it is Jesus we serve in the ladies of the Mantle, in our staff, and in one another. Thank you for answering that call!

Wishing you and yours a blessed end of Advent and Merry Christmas!

Blessings in Christ,
Rakhi