My congratulations to the children who made their First Holy Communion these past two Sundays (April 30 and May 7) at 2pm. As I have told you before, the best two Sunday afternoons are the First Communion afternoons. I also compliment the parents, families and friends of the First Communicants for their presence at the Masses and for all they have done in preparing the children for the Sacrament of the Eucharist. My prayer is that the parents will continue to be diligent in guiding and leading these children in their religious education and provide them with the example they need to come to Mass every Sunday and to grow in their spiritual lives. I thank the teachers of the children in Catholic Schools and in the CCD program for all they have done in preparing the children for their First Holy Communion. My appreciation to Cindy and Marc Conque for their music ministry for the Masses and special gratitude to Tonia Harrington and Gerry Baumbouree for their devotion to the children and for their commitment and efforts in organizing the First Communion Masses. As a believer in the Lord Jesus, as a Priest and as the Pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, I was honored to celebrate the First Communion Masses.
There are many observances, remembrances and commemorations in our country; some are civic and historical, some are patriotic, some are religious and some are personal. One of the most important is celebrated this Sunday, May 14. For many years, the second Sunday of May is designated Mother’s Day as a national observance in the United States and in many countries in the world. In the name of the Church Parish and in my own name, I pray that all the Mothers of our families and of our parish have a day of blessing, affection, congratulation, appreciation and understanding with their children, husbands and families. Who can ever measure and comprehend the gift, the blessing and the influence for good that our Mothers are to us and to our families! May the Lord bless our Mothers with his divine grace as they live with the awesome privilege and serious responsibility and as Mothers care for and mother their god-given children in the ways of the Lord and in the values of the Church. May all Mothers have the presence and support of their husbands and fathers of their children as they together guide and rear their children. I am daily grateful to the Lord for my human Mother, Florence Guidry Schexnayder, Her influence for good in the years of my childhood for me, for our father and for my sister and four brothers was significant and long lasting. May the Lord bless my Mother and all Mothers this Mother’s Day.
The annual Mother’s Day celebration is a special time for each of us to reflect on our personal relationship with our Mothers. For those of you whose Mother is alive, make some sincere effort to express your affection for her by some sign of love, be it a visit, a gift, a card, a phone call, a text, a poem or some communication. Take time to share with your Mother your feelings of gratitude and appreciation. Seek to understand your Mother as much as you want her to understand you as a person, as a woman, as an adult and as your Mother. The relationships we have with our Mother (and also with our Fathers) are formative, fulfilling and significant for the quality of our lives and they can be so fragile, difficult and challenging. Let the kindness and the mercy of the Savior help you in your understanding of your Mother. To the many of us whose Mothers have died, pray for her and commend her to the Lord as you honor and remember her at Mass. May our Mothers rest in the peace of the Lord as well as in our hearts.
To the many of you who are still actively mothering, may Mary the Mother of Jesus be your model and your example as you care for, nurture, form, discipline and guide the children the Lord has given you. Your children are really God’s children that the Lord has given you and your husband to love, to guide and help grow and mature as adults. Let the Lord and Mother Mary be your mentor in your duties and in your responsibilities as a Mother. The life of Mary the Mother of Jesus provides beautifully the virtues that all Mothers need.
My best wishes, love, gratitude and prayers for you and for your loved ones, for who you are, and for all you do for the Lord and for the good of St. Elizabeth Seton Church Parish. May the words of the Psalm Response for Mass today influence our thoughts, our prayers, our actions and our feelings: ‘Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.’
SHALOM!
Fr. Gary
Homework for the week of May 14 – May 20
