This Sunday is Mothers’ Day.

God our Creator, we pray:
for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;
for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;
for all mothers...
-who are tired, stressed or depressed;
-who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;
-who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;
-whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;
-who raise children on their own;
-who have lost a child;
-who care for the children of others;
-whose children have left home;
Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender, and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good. May your loving hand guide them in the special work they do. Amen.

May is also the month for honouring Mary the mother of Jesus.

We thank God for Mary. She was hand-selected by the God of the universe to bring Jesus, our Savior, into the world and to nurture and care for Him until the day of His death on the cross. She faced many challenges and endured hardship and sorrow. She has held a place of highest honour since she said “YES” to God. She is an awesome example of faith, hope, love, courage and compassion to mothers everywhere.

We our salvation to Mary’s decision to love and accept the gift God had given her. We owe our lives to our own mothers for making the same decision.