MOORESVILLE — For years Ann Winkle has been asked to write a book about her miraculous childhood story which has served as a catalyst for Mary’s WAY (Women Answering Yes), a ministry which inspires women to grow closer to Jesus through the perfect example of His Blessed Mother Mary.
This St. Therese parishioner is a wife, mother of four and a life coach who, through Mary’s WAY, encourages women to live their faith more passionately and turn to the power of the rosary.
“Since 2002, I have been sharing my miraculous, true childhood story at 18 different Mary’s WAY dinners across the country,” Winkle says. “Many have urged me to write a book over the years and I put it off as long as I could.”
She shares that now, by the grace of God, her book “The Power of a Rose” has been released this month.
The book reveals that in 1966 when Winkle was 5, her mother suddenly collapsed from a brain aneurysm. The 36-year-old was six weeks pregnant at the time. She was diagnosed with brain cancer – devastating news for her family and her faith community.
“The Power of a Rose” tells the true story of an old-fashioned love that took Winkle’s parents, Jim and Rose, from grade school sweethearts to happy, devoted parents of 10 children.
In particular, readers will see how Winkle’s family and their faith-filled community reached out to God through the devotion of the rosary and placed all trust in Him.
“It’s a true story of a miracle which occurred with my mother and the child she was carrying,” Winkle says. “The book comes from the testimony and the inspirational story that I tell at Mary’s WAY dinners where I share in detail how the Blessed Mother came to our aid during that time of need.”
There are now 19 Mary’s WAY chapters in the U.S. The 19th Mary’s WAY chapter is sponsored by St. Therese Church in Mooresville, which held its first dinner May 21.
“St. Mark Church in Huntersville has already had their third annual dinner,” Winkle shares. “We often have 150-300 women attend from each chapter.”
Winkle emphasizes that the story born out of the Mary’s WAY ministry is a story of hope.
“When the medical world has no answers, the power of prayer and calling on God through the Blessed Mother can make the impossible possible,” Winkle says.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
For more information
To order “The Power of a Rose” or to learn more about Mary’s WAY chapters and how to start one at your parish, go to www.mymarysway.com.