Motherhood!  What a beautiful thing to celebrate.  Though it is a “Hallmark Holiday”, so to speak, Mother’s Day carries with it a lot of reason to reflect on our Christian value of LIFE.  Mothers are like God; they are a source of life – most literally.  At the moment of conception mothers have already given of themselves for the sake of their children.  And throughout pregnancy the baby relies on mom for nourishment, protection, warmth, and love.  At birth the child counts on mom for milk, affection, physical care, and transportation.  Further discipline, faith, teaching, and caring are the kinds of things growing children come to expect.  And mothers who adopt or do foster care, wow!  They display extraordinary love and courage in raising their children, again like God who has adopted us through baptism.  The bond between a mother and child is a human experience that exceeds words.  Let us be grateful for our mothers.  Whether we be children of blood or adoption, the graces of motherhood are true and holy, and most of all life-giving.

For any mothers who have experienced the loss of a child because of miscarriage I would like to have a special Mass.  The miscarriage may have been due to natural causes, accident, or even abortion.  No matter what the circumstances, with you I want to lift your children up in the Holy Eucharist on Thursday, May 31st, at 5:30 p.m.  That is the Feast of the Visitation Mary with Elizabeth who were both with child, celebrating the beauty and glory of LIFE in their wombs.

In our Father’s hands,