Council of Catholic Women honors motherhood
Catholic Spirit, May 2006, Good News
By Julia Johnson
Guest Columnist
When I was a child, May was a special time to participate in the beautiful procession and crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our mothers and the nuns taught us to pray to the Blessed Mother to intercede for us to her son, Jesus. It was not, however, until we were grown and had become mothers in our own right, that many of us realized the importance and grace of this relationship.
The National Council of Catholic Women chose Our Lady Of Good Counsel as its patroness and encourages its members to use the following prayer:
"God of Heavenly Wisdom, you have given us Mary, Mother of Jesus, to be our guide and counselor. Grant that we may always seek her motherly help in this life and so enjoy her blessed presence in the life to come.
"O, Mother of Good Counsel, Patroness of the National Council of Catholic Women, intercede for us, that we may be wise, courageous and loving leaders of the church. Help us, dear mother to know the mind of Jesus, your son. May the Holy Spirit fill us with reverence for God's creation and compassion for all God's children. May our labors of love on earth enhance the reign of God and may God's gifts of faith and living hope prepare us for the fullness of the world to come. Amen."
Council members encourage everyone to pray for deceased mothers and honor their memory with Mass intentions, Clerical Endowment Fund Cards, and flowers on the altar and at the cemetery this Mother's Day. If your mother is still alive, please take advantage of this opportunity to tell her how much she is appreciated and loved.
This year, start a family tradition of attending Mass together. For more mother/daughter involvement, mothers are encouraged to honor their daughters with an individual enrollment in the Council of Catholic Women. It is truly a source of pride and happiness to have mothers and daughters attend deanery meetings, diocesan, province and/or national Council conventions together, working to further the precepts of this great organization.
Julia Johnson is president of the Austin Deanery Council of Catholic Women and a parishioner at St. Louis Parish in Austin.