Good afternoon and happy Saturday to you! Although we got a bit of snow and cold temps these last few days, we are hopeful that warmer weather is headed our way. Even with the chill, the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and Mother’s Day is almost here- a sure sign of the beautiful season ahead of us!
There’s a lot to get excited about this week: Mother’s Day, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and that slowly but surely, things are starting to get back to normal. Here in Michigan we are still under a stay-home order, but other restrictions are loosening, so things are looking up! And, of course, with this month dedicated to Our Lady, it keeps that smile on our faces!
We found some fun things to share this week. There’s a little bit for everyone. So, without further ado, let’s get into this!
Mary, Our Mother
Mother’s Day celebrations will commence tomorrow across the U.S. It’s a happy day for most, but it also brings sadness to others who have lost a mother or perhaps have not had the greatest mother. Our Lord knew that we would need a mother who was perfect, that is why He us His own mother from the Cross, to be our mother. This beautiful article, When Jesus asks, “Who is my mother?” — and when we do, too, shares the story of a lady who called into Mother Angelica’s show to ask that very question.
Remembering Hidden Mothers
Mother’s Day can be a painful day for some women. Tomorrow, we need to remember these hidden mothers in prayer- the ones who have suffered a miscarriage, an abortion, the death of a child, and infertility, among many other losses. Here’s a great article on these struggles and how we can acknowledge the motherhood of these hidden mothers.
Spiritual Motherhood
Motherhood is not reserved for those biologically tied to children. Motherhood is for every woman of faith! St. John Paul II had much to say about this in his On the Dignity and Vocation of Women. We found an article from Catholic Exchange that does a nice job summarizing spiritual motherhood- what it is and isn’t.
Just for Fun, Quiz for Moms
If you are a mom, no matter if your children are grown and out of the house or if you have little ones crawling at your feet, we have a fun little something for you! Check out this very short quiz to find out which saintly mother you are most similar to and could ask for their intercession! Katie got St. Zelie Martin and Lori got St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Mary Garden
Have you started planting your Mary Garden yet this year? Last year at this time, we held a class at the Marian Center on the how-to’s of planting a garden in honor of Our Lady. Well, since we can’t get together to learn this year, we thought we’d remind you of the history of Mary Gardens and give you some ideas for creating one of your own.
Marian Minute
Lori’s husband is the writer of CatholicVote’s “Loop” daily news email. We read it every morning to get the news and happenings in the Church. (Check it out if you’re interested in learning more.) We bring this up because this next piece was featured in The Loop and we just had to include it. A 17 year-old girl from Fargo, ND is sharing the beauty of the Blessed Mother through sidewalk chalk art! Check out the article!
Our Lady of Fatima
On Wednesday, May 13, we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima. Most of you are probably familiar with the apparitions of Our Lady to three children in a small Portuguese town in 1917. For more information on Fatima and Our Lady’s messages there, you can visit the website of the Shrine of Fatima. This year because of the coronavirus pandemic, pilgrims will not be able to celebrate the Feast Day in Fatima, but the shrine has some ideas for celebrating with them spiritually. EWTN will also be broadcasting several programs about Our Lady that day as well as the Mass from Fatima.
Nifty News
We all have crosses that we carry. Some crosses are larger and heavier than others, but we know that holiness consists of taking up our cross and bearing it well. A young boy in Cincinnati is doing just this. Carson Kissel was born with a rare skin disorder that causes him much pain, but despite his suffering, he leads the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day via Facebook. To read more about this brave young man who is boldly witnessing to the beauty of suffering and God’s mercy, click here.
Saint Spotlight
This coming Friday is the feast of St. Isidore, the Farmer. He was a laborer on a farm near Madrid and it is said that the angels would help him with his work. To learn more about this interesting saint, check out this link!
Kids’ Corner
Having a statue of the Blessed Mother in an outside garden is a hallmark of a Catholic household. However, after time, our statues can chip, fade, and stain. If you have a statue like this, check out a great refurbishing project you can do with the kids! It can be a great opportunity to talk about Mother Mary and will give them a sense of ownership for the beauty of the garden!
Sunday Readings
The readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter can be found here. And, to read Dr. Scott Hahn’s reflection for the Mass readings, check out St. Paul Center for Biblical Studies website!
Marian Center Update
The Marian Center is happy to open our doors for anyone to visit. We simply ask for you to give us a call ahead of time. Customers must maintain a safe distance of 6-feet away from each other and wear a mask. We also hope to start our exhibit on Marian Apparitions on June 1 — but without any pilgrim buses. This date remains tentative.
We continue to have your family in our prayers. Stay safe!
To Christ Through Mary,
Katie Moe and Lori Mercer
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