Mother's Day
This morning, mindful of the current COVID restrictions, we welcomed many mothers and grandmothers to our Junior School Mother's Day Mass. Adorned in a variety of masks, it was wonderful to see the very large numbers in attendance as we took the opportunity to share in the Eucharist and offer a meaningful and prayerful service that honoured all mothers. The students were encouraged to reflect on their own mothers and grandmothers, and truly appreciate all that they do and all that they model through their ongoing care and love. The students then presented their mothers with a small gift and poem and personally thanked them for all that they do.
Our College is very clear in its understanding that parents are the primary and most important educators of their children. Our role is to compliment parents in the formation of their sons. This was a point recently emphasised by Child Education expert, Michael Grose who stated that, “It is within the family unit that children - big and small - learn the most valuable and far-reaching lessons”.
Interestingly though, he goes on to comment on the very special roles that mothers have in this regard. He outlines that in our very fast paced and contemporary lifestyles, with different work patterns and changing family dynamics, research consistently finds that it is mums that provide the real presence, consistency and security that children need in order to develop healthy attitudes and behaviours. In other words, mothers generally provide the foundation of love upon which children grow and develop.
I am constantly reminded of particularly relevant response that I once heard from a very busy mother. When questioned about Mother’s Day, she replied with these profound words, “I’d like to be a perfect and ideal mother, but I’m too busy raising my children.” This might well be the reality faced by many mothers on most days of the year. You are busy being a mother and doing mum things and do not have the time to reflect on the wonderful task that you do. That is why we pause this Sunday to celebrate our mothers and grandmothers. The well-used phrase of ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ brings with it much more than a wish for a happy day. Within these words can be found many things we never say, or do not say often enough. Happy Mother’s Day means I love you; and I want to thank you for all you do. It means you mean a lot to me; and that I honour you and your role as a mother.
As part of our Christian faith, motherhood is considered to be a particularly wonderful blessing because it is in motherhood that you get to share in the creative power of God. Conceiving, carrying and giving birth to a child, is as close as any person can get to the act of creation. This is the beginning of motherhood, but it is far from the end. Motherhood is also about nurturing, sacrificing, loving and, ultimately, letting go. Jan Chrouchin, a Baptist Minister, sums up these thoughts in her ‘Mother’s Day Creed’;
“I believe in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who was born of the promise to the virgin Mary.
I believe in the love Mary gave her Son that caused her to follow him in his ministry and stand by his cross as he died.
I believe in the love of all mothers and its importance in the lives of the children they bear.
It is stronger than steel, softer than down, and more resilient than a green sapling on a hillside.
It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand tall in the fields of adversity.
Thank God for mothers and thank mothers for helping us to understand an all-loving God.”
I trust that all mothers enjoy a very special Mother’s Day and are afforded some special treatment this weekend. It is certainly well deserved!
Live Jesus in our hearts
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal
