MaryAnn Gardner

MaryAnn Gardner is a published writer, an experienced public speaker, and a former high school teacher who has spent the past 14 years as a corporate communications professional. She is a member of the Catholic Writers Association, the National Catholic Family Life Ministries, the National Catholic Education Association, and will complete her formation as a Marian Catechist at her solemn consecration on June 12, 2004.
Her community involvement, which includes 17 years as a CCD teacher and 20 years as a Scout Leader, continues today as an associate volunteer at Sanctuary of Hope, an inner city/inter-faith retreat house in Kansas City, KS.

She is a wife and mother, married since 1970 to Robert, a computer systems expert. They are members of Prince of Peace parish in Olathe, KS.

It was evident at an early age that God had blessed MaryAnn with the gift of effective communication through writing and public speaking. At the age of five, teachers at her elementary school selected her to give the welcoming speech for the Christmas program. With a voice that carried throughout the small auditorium without a microphone, she was successful enough to be asked to repeat the task for the next four years. When her speaking talent combined with the writing ability she inherited from her mother, her career as a teacher, and later as a technical writer, seemed a natural progression.

She is the founder of the Marian Mantle Group, which is a group of Catholic parents gathered in prayer under the mantle of the Lord’s mother. “Our goal is to work and pray together in the hope that all Catholic parents may someday see the return of their children to Holy Mother Church.” With the prayers and support of that parent group, MaryAnn has begun speaking to groups of Catholic parents, grandparents, and others who are hurting because their adult children or loved ones are no longer practicing Catholics. She offers a presentation titled “Finding Your Silent Strength” which is a scripture-based, eight step process she developed to help parents (and others who pray for lapsed Catholics) to find a way to live peacefully while praying and trusting God for the eventual return of their prodigals. Speaking from the personal experience of herself and her husband when a son ceased attending mass and the sacraments, she shares their journey during which they turned to the Blessed Mother and the saints for help and were ultimately led to the feet of Jesus.

During that time, she also began composing a series of prayers for hurting parents whose adult children no longer practice the Catholic Faith. In October, 2003, those prayers received the imprimatur of Archbishop Keleher of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Those published include: A Parent’s Rosary Novena (with the introduction written by Father Dennis Wait), A Parent’s Way of the Cross, A Parent’s Litany, and A Parent’s Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows.

MaryAnn says, “When my husband and I finally were able to live peaceful, joy-filled lives again in spite of the circumstances, I began to share with others what we had learned along the way. That sharing developed into “Finding Your Silent Strength,” a presentation that attempts to offer hope through prayer, help through practical suggestions for action, and also recognizes that ultimately, faith is a gift; and parents can only change their own hearts, not the hearts of others.”

“I praise God that our son has returned to the practice of his Catholic faith. Thus, this project has become one of thanksgiving and love to the Father. This project is blessed to be supported by the prayers of those parents who pray in supplication for our grown children and for the success of ‘Silent Strength’. I invite anyone who is concerned for a loved one who no longer practices the Faith, to visit The Marian Mantle web site. There, under the Silent Strength link, you can read comments from parents who have attended the presentation, and find out more about the prayers that are available. I ask nothing more than travel expenses when giving the presentation. I speak wherever God makes it possible—to large or small groups. Donations are requested for the prayer booklets, to help defray production costs. Our tithe from donations or sale of the booklets goes to support young Catholic adult activities—especially those designed to help them remain in, or return to, Holy Mother Church.

At age 58, I am a ‘Granny’ catechist who never quite expected to be using my talents in this manner. But, here I am--trusting God’s Word that sometimes He uses the foolish (me), and praying that others will somehow be helped through my efforts.”

MaryAnn’s articles about a catechist’s use of the Internet are written from first-hand experience gained in the small documentation business she operates from her home office. In that business, and in her work as a Catholic writer and speaker, she visits the Internet on a daily basis.

You can contact MaryAnn through the Marian Mantle web site.