Saint Frances Cabrini Parish

Father Kleppner - May 10, 2009
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I share with you the insights and example of three women who live their wonderful vocation of motherhood.
Give everything to God
Patti Maguire Armstrong, from Bismarck, N.D., author, editor, wife and mother of 10, told Our Sunday Visitor that she is “in awe at the total miracle of each and every creation of a new human being.”
Maguire Armstrong loves watching her children develop as unique individuals and says that the “most challenging aspect of mothering is the flip side of the most rewarding — their individuality.” Through this, she recognizes many opportunities “to grow in humility and develop a deeper understanding that we must give everything to God and not think that we are in control.”
Because “Jesus was all about love,” Maguire Armstrong tries to respond to her children with Jesus’ love. She begins and ends each day with prayer and tries to get to daily Mass and visit the Blessed Sacrament to keep her grounded in her faith. At busy times, she has learned to be content with offering up short prayers or recalling Scripture verses. Her favorites are: “Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put all my trust in You” and “Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
“I stay in contact with God by living in his presence. I often call out to the Blessed Mother and the angels and saints to assist me through the day,” she said.

Mundane, holy work
Roxane Salonen, from Fargo, N.D., author, journalist, wife and mother of five, said she recently pondered the joys and challenges of motherhood. “Having lost one child through miscarriage, and having met quite a few women who have struggled with infertility, I understand quite profoundly the preciousness of the gift of life, as well as what an honor it is to take part in the process of helping bring new souls into the world,” she said.
Mindful that “the world can be so hostile to Christian mothers of times,” Salonen connects with like-minded Christian mothers. “I have gained so much insight and courage through my affiliation with my mother groups. They have been life-giving and life-saving.”
As Salonen’s family grew, she had to leave behind her previous long evening candlelit sessions with God and discover the prayerful meaning woven into a mother’s life.
“Our work is our prayer. I firmly believe that. . .while oftentimes mundane, (it) is indeed holy work,” she said.
Salonen loves singing as a cantor and recalls her father’s quote of St. Augustine: “Those who sing pray twice.” She weaves prayer into her involvement with school, parish and community life, and prays during her laps at the local pool.
“I can’t imagine trying to journey through this world without my faith as a guide,” she said.

Rewards, large and small
Lisa M. Hendey, from Fresno, Calif., founder of CatholicMom.com wife and mother of two, loves the relationships that she formed with her teenage sons.
It’s wonderful to watch them grow and develop into such wonderful men. Every day as a mother has its rewards, large and small,” she said.
Hendey finds peace and strength in her prayer life. She said, “My faith is the fuel that enables me to take on the tremendous challenges of being a mom!”
She meets the demands of each day by rising early to carve out a quiet time for prayer and meditation; a habit she learned from her father. Daily Scripture readings, studying the lives of the saints and seeking their intercession helps set the tone for her day. Hendey also tries to get to daily Mass and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. She fits in decades of the Rosary while driving and converses with God in spontaneous prayer throughout the day.
Hendey enjoys everything “geek,” digital photography and knitting. She is an extraordinary minister of holy Communion and parish webmaster. Her first book which is a handbook for Catholic moms, will be released next year.
“Without the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the whole Communion of Saints, I don’t know how I’d meet the demands of mothering.” she said.

A Mother's Prayer
Make me a wise mother, O Lord. Keep me calm and give me patience to bear the small, irritating things in the daily routine of life. Give me tolerance and understanding to bridge the gulf between my generation and that of my children.
Let me not be too ready to guide my children’s stumbling feet, but allow me to be ever near to bind their bruises. Give me a sense of humor that I may laugh with them but never at them. Let me refrain from preaching with words; let me show by example instead.
Keep me from forcing their confidences, but give me a sympathetic ear when my children come to me. Make me humble. Keep my children close to me, O Lord, though miles may separate us. And let Thy light so shine upon me that they, too, will perceive Thy glory.
Amen.

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