May 8, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
Mother’s month
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
The celebration of the month of May is marked by the bright and hope-filled colors of the redbud and dogwood trees preceded by the Easter flowers.
May is also the month of many significant moments in the life of families, indeed the life of the Church!
Mothers’ Day is a special one. We recall the nurturing love of our mothers. In addition to our daily expressions of love to and for our mothers, we honor them on this day in a public way. Remember, they allowed us to live and bring us to birth. They nursed us, diapered us, cared for our needs and taught us the love of Jesus by the love they showered upon each one of us. We can never be grateful enough!! Mothers were the first face of Jesus for us. It is that of love!
The month of May is also a time when young children make their First Communion with Jesus. Their innocence and transparent faith bring special joy to mothers and fathers. Their beaming countenances radiate to us a sign of hope. Let us share their joy!
Schools are also called Alma Mater, nurturing mother. They became “mothers” outside the boundaries of the home. Young people graduate from their respective schools at this time. They are delighted to move on, but they also acknowledge that their school has served as a nurturing mother. They form a loyalty to “her” and are proud of it.
During this month it has been my practice to meet with each class of seniors in our four high schools: Mater Dei, Reitz Memorial, Vincennes Rivet and Washington Catholic. Their school is their alma mater acknowledged at graduation.
Each class has an hour within which to ask their bishop any question that is on their individual and collective minds. I choose it not to be a time for me to “preach” but to teach by my presence by addressing their questions. I hope they enjoy the exchange as much as I do. I am always encouraged by experiencing their genuine faith as they are challenged to live it. I always leave with certitude that our Catholic High Schools are indeed “nurturing mothers” of our youth.
Within the Church, the month of May also marks the special joy to mothers anticipating the ordination of sons to the holy priesthood. This year, Deacon Ryan Hilderbrand will be ordained a priest on Saturday, June 6. His mother Terri and his father, Deacon Dennis, will be aglow in joy as will be the entire Catholic Diocese of Evansville.
The month of May is one of joy! Most appropriately it is also the Month of Mary, Our Blessed Mother!