Fenelon Clan

Scribe and script…

I’ve been writing for a variety of both secular and Catholic publications for longer than I’d like to admit. I also spent some years as a public relations consultant. Now you’ll most often find my byline in National Catholic Register and Our Sunday Visitor. I’m a regular columnist for the Milwaukee Catholic Herald, Catholic Lane.com, CatholicMom.com, and Catholic Womanhood. Periodically, you’ll find me on other sites as well.

Trip to White Sands National Monument

I’m a regular guest on Sacred Heart Radio’s “Sonrise Morning Show” with Brian Patrick, and have appeared a number of times on “Catholic Connections” with Teresa Tomeo. I’ve also appeared on “A Conversation with the Archbishop” with Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, Sirius Radio’s “Busted Halo Show” with Fr. Dave Dwyer, and Relevant Radio’s “Morning Air” with Sean Herriot, among others.

My list of book credits is quickly growing:

• Ecce Mater Tua – Behold, Your Mother; Marian Stations of the Cross (Icon Press, 2006)
• Waiting with Mary; Advent Reflections for Those Who Hate to Wait (Icon Press, 2008)
• When’s God Gonna Show Up? (Liguori Publications, 2009)
• Reveille for the Soul; Prayers for Military Life (Liguori Publications, 2009)
• When’s God Gonna Call Me Back? (Liguori Publications, 2010)
• Strengthening Your Family; A Catholic Approach to Holiness at Home (coming soon through Our Sunday Visitor)

I  hold a B.A. in Journalism with a Public Relations Emphasis, a Certificate in Spiritual Mentoring, and a Certificate in Marian Studies. I’m a member of the Catholic Press Association, American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the Mariological Society of America.

Family ties…

With my husband, Mark, I assist in the faith formation of young married couples. We’re members of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement and have four mostly-grown children, who, combined with a rocket of a dog named Daisy, configure the fun-loving and sometimes outrageous Fenelon Clan.

Spirituality…

Servant of God, Father Joseph Kentenich

The core of my spirituality is the pedagogy of Servant of God, Father Joseph Kentenich (1885-1968). Not only is he the founder of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement, but also he is a true, priestly father to countless people throughout the world, past and present – including myself. His unshakable confidence in Divine Providence and trust in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary led him to live an exemplary life of holiness, in spite of internment in the Dachau concentration camp (1942-1945) and a 14-year separation from his work (1951-1965). He has inspired many others to holiness, including several whose causes for canonization have been opened in Rome.

I’d like to share with you my favorite prayer from Father Kentenich, written while imprisoned by the Gestapo, shortly before he was sent to Dachau. I hope it also inspires you.

Accept, O Lord, my entire freedom, my memory, my understanding, my entire will, and my whole heart.

You have given everything to me; I give everything back to you without reserve; do with it what you will.

Give me but one thing; your grace, your love, your fruitfulness -

Your grace, that I may joyfully submit to your wish and will;

Your love, that I may always believe, know, and sometimes even feel that I am loved as the apple of your eye;

Your fruitfulness, that in you and Our Lady I may become fruitful for our common task.

Then I am more than rich, and will want nothing more. Amen.

You can find out more about Father Kentenich and the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement here.

Speaking up…

I’m a nationally-known speaker and have presented to audiences in New York, Ohio, Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. If your state isn’t on the list, we need to talk!

When I listen to other speakers, I want to hear something that will make a difference in my life. So, when I speak, I meet my listeners where they’re at and give them something that will make a difference in their own lives.

I’ve spoken in a variety of settings, from retreats and parish events to workshops and conferences and before audiences made up of young adults, mixed groups, women, and married couples. There’s one group, however, to which I’ve yet to present, and that’s Fenelon Clan – they’ve heard enough from me already!

I especially like to talk about practical faith in Divine Providence, family and parenting, and our Blessed Mother. I’m able to speak on women’s issues and various aspects of lived spirituality, too.

Wondering what you should have me speak about? Here’s a smattering of ideas:

• When’s God Gonna Show Up?; finding the Divine in daily life (single presentation, mini-retreat, or full-day workshop)
• She’s My Mother, and She’s Your Mother, Too!; forming a deepening relationship with our Blessed Mother
• Spirituality of Motherhood; deepening our spiritual lives with Mary as model
• Married Apostles; discipleship begins at home
• Strengthening Your Family; a practical approach to holiness at home
  

  Oklahoma Catholic Women's Conference

I’d prefer to discuss fees in person, as I try to work with each group individually to assure that we all benefit from the arrangements.

You can listen to a clip from my presentation on Mary at the Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference here: OCWC Clip

Here’s what folks are saying about my presentations:

What you said today is exactly what I needed to hear. You have no idea what you’ve done for me. Thank you.

~Participant, Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference

I enjoyed the sharing and learning about something I never thought about or really knew existed. Over the years I have…wanted to have that experience but never knew what to do to achieve it. Thank you so much for showing me where to start. I believe that even though I’ve been waiting many years, my “when’s God gonna show up” experiences began today.

~When’s God Gonna Show Up? Workshop participant

I have long admired Marge as a gifted writer and storyteller.

~Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

It is with great appreciation that we send this note to you for speaking at our [parish] events at St. Jerome’s Church. “When’s God Gonna Show Up?” and “She’s My Mother, and She’s Your Mother, Too!” touched so many in our parish! Thank you for touching our lives with yours. May God bless you always.

~Women’s Ministry Co-ordinator

[Marge] dedicates much time to the apostolate of the written and spoken word. I have no hesitation in recommending her as a Catholic speaker. She is orthodox, intelligent, articulate, humorous, and has lots of common sense.

~Fr. Cliff Ermatinger, author of St Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer (Sophia Institute Press), St Therese of Lisieux – Spouse and Victim (Institute of Carmelite Studies), and other books on spirituality.