Happy Mother's Day

05-08-2022Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Creating a pastor’s column for Mother’s Day has some challenges for sure. This is because as a pastor and priest, I rejoice with some moms, grieve with others and ache for those who long to be mothers but for whatever reason are not. The last thing one wants to do is exclude anyone on this day.

I came across an article by a writer named Amy Young, a section of which I would like to share today with a few edits of my own. It is a litany about motherhood and as I read it, I see so many faces of women in our pews leading me to pray for them as I read through each strophe. It would be a good exercise today to ponder this list yourselves and pray for people in your own life.

  • To those who gave birth this year – we celebrate with you!
  • To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you.
  • To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you!
  • To those who experienced loss through miscarriage, or failed adoptions – we share your frustration.
  • To those who walk the hard path of infertility we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.
  • To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you!
  • To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you!
  • To those who have experienced disappointment, stress heartache, or distance from your children – we pray for you.
  • To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you.
  • To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your mother – we acknowledge your experience and pray for your healing
  • To those who lived through the testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst.
  • To those who are single and long to be married and mothering your own children – we mourn that life has not turned out the way you longed for it to be as yet.
  • To those who placed children up for adoption – we commend you for your selflessness and remember how you hold that child in your heart.
  • To those who suffered a wrong decision to terminate a pregnancy in an altered value system. We support you and remind you that you are not alone. • And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising – we anticipate with you!

I love this litany. It seems to speak to just about everything I see at our parish. I wish all of you a Happy Mother’s Day.

Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. I pray for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary today. May she walk with you as you live out your maternal calling however God wills it!

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