Ann Manthey
I am so blessed to be a Roman Catholic, to encounter Jesus in person, taking him into my body in the Blessed Sacrament at holy Mass. And being with him in adoration and in confession — receiving his mercy for my sin, meeting him through his Word and in his children, in his creation and in so many ways — wherever he wants to see us.
I was fortunate to be raised in a Catholic family, where Dad, a lifelong Catholic, and Mom, who came to Catholicism early in their marriage, embraced the faith.?At different times in my life, I can admit that I was not devout and fell away for a time. But I always knew it was important, when I took the time to realize it, in getting married, having our sons, Kevin and Greg, baptized, and preparing them for the sacraments.
When Relevant Radio 1330 AM came to town, I was hooked. Our parish started evening Bible studies, and I came to understand more deeply who Jesus is and what our Church means, and I gained deeper friendships in Christ, which changed me bit by bit. My involvement in pro-life work also increased my faith in knowing the sacredness, preciousness and uniqueness of each person.
I was struck by the depth of our Catholic devotions and coming to know so many saints who are interceding for us: What a powerhouse of graces — we just have to ask! Around this time, Kevin decided to go to St. John Vianney College Seminary, in the fall after his high school graduation, and we were thrilled. Especially so were my folks, who had been praying the rosary and vocation prayer for decades. Their prayers were now answered through their grandson, thanks be to God.
He attended the college seminary and The St. Paul Seminary, both in St. Paul. A member of the Emmanuel Community, he was ordained a diocesan priest on the feast of the Visitation, May 31, 2014. His brother is a software developer in Milwaukee.
Our mother Mary became personal to me after Kevin’s example of consecrating himself to her at SJV. I have come to love her and ask for her help being a mother of a priest. It is an honor to consider Father Kevin’s priesthood, bringing incomprehensible joy, but also knowing his pain and sufferings. I couldn’t do it without Mary’s example, love and comfort, through receiving her Son in humility.
My love for God, Mary, the angels and saints is life-giving and strengthening — their love for me is too much to comprehend. I have much to learn about obedience, but I am finding it in silence and in God’s Word, in the rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, other prayers and devotions, in comfort through visits, greetings, concern and prayers of so many, and in God’s words of “yes” and “no” to me. (Currently I’m homebound, healing from a hip injury. I miss attending Mass, being in adoration, seeing my friends in Christ. I am learning to unite my yearning with Jesus’s suffering, and share it with Mary.)
Lord, help me to abandon myself to embrace your plan for my husband, me, my family and all!
Manthey, 62, has been married to Jim Manthey for 35 years and lives in Stillwater. They have two sons: Greg in Milwaukee and Father Kevin?Manthey, who is serving with the Emmanuel Community at St. Thomas Aquinas in Quebec City.?Manthey attends St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater, is current president of the Archdiocese Mothers of Priests, a member of Seven Sisters (women taking a holy hour to pray for a priest), a volunteer with pro-life ministry Marriage Material, a member of the Respect Life Committee of St. Charles in Bayport and the parishes in Stillwater, and Bible Study student.
Recent Comments