This weekend we celebrate the Ascension. It is also the weekend we celebrate our mothers both living and deceased. How did this beautiful day of remembering our mothers begin? Anna M. Jarvis, born in 1864 in Webster West Virginia, is credited as the force behind Mother’s Day. When Jarvis was 41 years old, her mother died. On the second anniversary of her mother’s death (the second Sunday in May 1908), Jarvis made public her plans to establish a day to honor all mothers. It was one hundred seven years ago, on May 9, 1914, that President Woodrow Wilson eventually proclaimed the second Sunday in May as “Mother’s Day.” He wrote in his proclamation, “… we proclaim this special day as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our country.” Initially it was a day to honor mothers during church services throughout the world until it was made official by President Wilson. In the early 1920’s, Hallmark Greeting Cards began printing cards with beautiful pictures and verses all about mothers that people exchanged to honor their mothers and the rest was history. This month the church also remember her mother and our heavenly mother Holy Mary, Mother of God. We have a force in heaven so strong that pleads our causes to God Himself. When I think about Mary as being “God’s” mother, it almost unfathomable to think that almighty God has a mother! Jesus’ mother yes, but Mother of God puts things on a whole different level. There is no greater intercessor, no more noble a woman than Mary, the Mother of God. We must never forget the power and example of Holy Mary’s perfect discipleship in saying YES to God no matter what. And so, as we say in that awesome prayer, “Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death AMEN”. Know each of us has a Divine Mother in heaven interceding for us whenever we ask. Fr. Roach
