Dear Father,

This is a letter of thanks to our Lady and to her Association. I received the sacrament of Confir-mation last Easter. I believe that it was when I re-ceived the Miraculous Medal last year that I was able to study and learn more about the Catholic faith.

I've worn the medal every day, and looking back, my progress in returning to the Church was smoother. I truly believe our Lady guided me. Thank you for sending it to me.

I'm sorry for not writing sooner, but the past months have been hard. I've been looking for work, and now my mother and seven other people have just lost their jobs when the place they were working closed down their department.

We are now moving into a smaller apartment next door to best live on her severance pay. She still has retirement benefits and can reapply at her former place of employment for another job.

Even though this loss happened five days after I was confirmed, I still feel positive and confident in God's provision for us. Thank you for your prayers.

The second letter is via email.

Dear Father,

I am thrilled to report that after a cancer scare I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. I know my healthy daughter is due to the intercession of our Blessed Mother.

I also prayed when I left my home in the direct path of hurricane Katrina.

I asked that my one year old "dream home" still be standing when I got home.

There was almost no structural damage from the wind, but the house was flooded with 18 inches of water. Next time I'll ask that it be dry too!

I feel our Blessed Mother had a direct effect on protecting my home, as we lost six huge trees on our quarter acre lot, but none fell on the house.

And after much wrangling with the insurance company, they have finally agreed to settle for damages to our house. We can finally get on the road to recovery.

Thanks be to God and Mary for her constant intercession.