This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers of our parish – including the mothers who are currently carrying a little child growing in the womb. God bless all of our mothers.
It is also National Nurses Appreciation Week (May 6-12). We can thank God for the many dedicated women and men who have shown both skill and commitment over the years and certainly in this time of the pandemic. To all from our parish family who provide nursing care, thank you and God bless you.
Our parish is named after our spiritual Mother – the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we honor our earthly mothers who are living and commemorate our mothers who are deceased, let’s also keep in mind that we can and should honor our Blessed Mother.
The Bishops of North America called upon the protection and intercession of Our Blessed Mother last week. Since May is traditionally the month of Mary, it was a good time for the Bishops to consecrate our country to her maternal care and protection. A prayer of consecration to Our Lady was invoked. Bishop Callahan, along with all the other bishops of North America, consecrated our diocese and all of us under Mary’s care.
I’d like to place a small part of the consecration prayer in this message. On this Mother’s Day weekend, it would be a fitting prayer for us to make to Our Blessed Mother:
Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, in this time of pandemic we turn our gaze to you, and in Christ consecrate to you the faithful of our Diocese [and of our parish]. At the Annunciation, fear gave way to trust as you embraced the mysterious and loving plan of God, who through his providence, care and concern brought about newness of life in you and through you. Intercede, we pray, on our behalf as your children, Virgin most faithful. Grant us faith, hope and perseverance, as we strive to serve and bear witness to all persons, responding to the needs of those affected by this virus. Standing at the foot of the Cross at Calvary, you united yourself with the sufferings of Christ and so uniquely contributed to the mystery of our redemption. We beseech you as Health of the sick, draw to yourself in maternal compassion the brothers and sisters of your Son Jesus and all those who are grieved by this pandemic. Strengthen the dying and comfort those who weep so that all may experience the healing grace of Christ our Divine Physician. ... Come quickly to our aid at this time, Mother of Mercy, and deliver us from the dangers that surround us in our hour of need; watch over especially the elderly, the weak and the infirm, our children and the unity of our families, and all those who give of themselves selflessly in pastoral care to those in need until in your arms and in your gentle embrace we all find safety and solace. Amen.