In one of his encyclicals, Pope Paul VI says “… May is the month which the piety of the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady." During this month, Catholics honor Mary as the Mother of God and as our Mother. This custom of dedicating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin began at the end of the 13th century, and over the centuries spread to the whole Church.
In May of 2002, Pope John Paul II said, "Today we begin the month dedicated to Our Lady, a favorite of popular devotion … celebrating it with many devout liturgical, catechetical and pastoral initiatives!" In honor of Mary, Risen Savior in May is supporting organizations who work to safeguard the unborn.
In the past, the Catholic Church has been attacked for her anti-abortion stance, criticized because there are so many children already in the world who lack homes and families. It is true that there are many children who, through no fault of their own, do not have a place to call home or people to call family. So why do we object to abortion? Because, as Catholics, we believe that “Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.”
Since we are people of action, members of a Church that is the largest charitable organization in the world, we not only talk the talk, we walk the walk, providing practical help to those women who choose life for their babies.
Our parish’s “Love Your Neighbor” initiative for May is collecting items for two Pro-Life Groups: Birthright and The Gabriel Project. Both organizations help women distressed by an unplanned pregnancy, regardless of their circumstances. They offer support, and each woman receives help in planning constructively for her child’s future and her own. Isn’t this what Jesus would do?
Neither organization charges for its services, but relies on donations and volunteers to continue helping pregnant women in need. There will be bins in our lobby to collect new baby clothes, maternity clothes, diapers, and unopened containers of formula and lotion. On Mother’s Day Weekend, after all the Masses, Confirmation families and members of our Pro-Life Ministry will be helping with the Birthright Carnation Benefit. Your donation goes to Birthright, and in return, you honor your mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt – all the wonderful women in your life – with beautiful flowers and corsages!
During the month of May, we honor motherhood as the blessing it is, and in doing so, we honor Mary, Queen of Families and Blessed Mother of the Church.
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