Happy Mother's Day

05-09-2021Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are blessed with so many wonderful parishioners. The many young people and families breathe new life into our already vibrant community. I am always amazed at the incredible sacrifices I see parents make at each and every Mass. As I see moms and dads bring their little ones to religious education classes, I am so grateful for their dedication and desire to share God's love with their children. I am reminded of the love my own mother and father have shown me throughout my life and I give thanks to God for blessing me with wonderful parents. Parents have the awesome privilege and blessing to form the future of the world IN GOD'S IMAGE! That is something we should all give thanks for as well as pray for families who are struggling and children who suffer without loving and caring parents.

On this Mother's Day 2021, we are reminded that motherhood is a calling by God. Mothers are a gift from God to our world. Mothers share a profound calling from God that embraces an integral part of the dignity of women. Pope John Paul II wrote a beautiful encyclical called, On the Dignity and Vocation of Women, a great reflection for Mother’s day.

The Holy Father’s words are beautifully tender, most especially in light of the fact that his own mother died when he was a child. For example, about pregnancy, he wrote: “Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life, as it develops in the woman's womb. The mother is filled with wonder at this mystery of life, and "understands" with unique intuition what is happening inside her. In the light of the "beginning," the mother accepts and loves as a person the child she is carrying in her womb.” St. Pope John Paul II’s words remind us of the deep spiritual and physiological nature of the role of mothers. This intimate union between mother and her child is utterly unique and sets the blessing of motherhood apart in a special way from all other blessings.

Perhaps in our day, in the interest of showcasing other sides of women in society, many have forgotten these beautiful qualities necessary for a healthy and holy society. More than anything else, I hope that the mothers among us can give thanks for their vocations - their special role that Our Lord has invited them to live. I hope as their children, we grow to respect this calling and uphold the institution of motherhood. May we see their vocation as a Divine calling that is given to our world by God!

Today, as we give thanks to God for the gift of our mothers, we also remember all mothers who have gone before us with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. Grant them, O Lord, we pray, a place of refreshment, light and peace.

Mary, on this day when we honor all mothers, we turn to you. We thank the Lord whom you serve for the great gift of motherhood. Never has it been known that anyone who sought your intercession was left unaided by grace. Dear Mother, thank you for your "Yes" to the invitation of the angel which brought heaven to earth and changed human history. You opened yourself to God's word and the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

May God bless Mothers today and always!

BACK TO LIST