What Makes a Mom a Mom?
We have all seen and read those funny quotes of what kids say about their moms. One of the funniest things I came across when writing this blog were quotes from kids about what God used to make moms. Some of the answers include:
–He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
–Magic plus superpowers and a lot of stirring.
–God made my mom just the same like he made me.
–He just used bigger parts.
–God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
–They had to get their start from men’s bones.
–Then they mostly use stirring, I think.[1]
At this year’s Mother’s Group Leader’s Summit, we celebrated the joys of motherhood. The day included the presentation to 32 mother’s group leaders from across the Diocese of Toronto, of the new publication Your Life Is Going to Change. This beautiful publication includes tips, prayers, and practical advice on how having a baby will not only change your life but will stretch your ability to love like you never have before. For those who have not seen this publication, I highly recommend you get your hands on a copy. It is beautifully laid out and filled with practical information. Spoiler alert – there are QR codes throughout the publication that will take you to different videos that visually contextualize the content.
The day included a presentation on Women in the Church: Leaders Showing US the Way! by Teresa Hartnett. Teresa’s talk referenced the women in the bible and how their faith journeys in some ways mirror our own journeys. Each of these women, both in the Old and New Testaments, started somewhere. We should remember this and remain faithful because God will show us the way.
Alexandra Zyla gave a talk titled Brick by Brick – 3 Tips to Build Your Catholic Moms Group. She spoke of her journey as a mother’s group leader and some of the challenges she faced in her journey.
Finally, Madalena Sperti gave a high-level review of Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation. This book came out on the summer of 2024 and is a must have for all parents who are raising kids in the connected iPhone era, where Instagram, Tik Tok, X, and Snapchat are occupying our children’s time and creating a vacuum of creativity, joy, and natural play. Haidt contends that today’s children are more anxious, and this has led to an increase in mental health issues.
It is no secret that as Catholics we need to nurture our children in their relationship with God, and to do this we need to be vigilant, and rely on our Blessed Mother for intercession. But prayer alone won’t do it. By our example, our humility, and our faithfulness, we can change the world one step at a time. Our journeys are not over. Our journeys are changing all the time. We need the grace to accept God’s will and follow Him.
[1] https://www.sincerelystacie.com/2010/05/what-kids-say-about-moms/
Rema Celio an award-winning professional editor. She has worked in educational publishing for over 20 years, for both Pearson Education Canada, and recently at the Insurance Institute of Canada. Rema is active in her parish of St. Benedict where she sings in the choir and leads the Catholic Moms Group. She is happily married and the mother of two teen-aged boys. Rema loves to read, cook and bake with her husband, and knit. With her family, she enjoys playing cards, watching movies, and going for walks. Rema recently graduated with her certificate in Theological Studies from St. Augustine's Seminary/UofT.
