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This is a summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily delivered at St. Charles on May 9, 2004
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 13:34
I ASKED THE CANDIDATES for First Communion, "How do you know your mother cares for you?" Children answered: "When she gives me hugs. When she tucks me in at night. When she helps me with my homework. When she prepares me my favorite food." I followed up "What is your favorite food?" I heard "Macaroni, pizza, rice and beans, lobster (!), bread."
My mother made the best brown bread in the village. You could smell it as she baked. It gave her great satisfaction to see us eating those large round circular cakes.
When Jesus was a little boy, Mary his mother probably had special bread she baked for him too.
It should come as no surprise to us that when he departed this world, he should have left us the Bread of Life as the memorial of his presence and his love.
Let all of us be nourished today by the Eucharistic bread so that God's love may grow in our families. Let us cultivate family love by sharing prayer.
Our family used to pray the rosary after supper. As a rebellious teen I once asked my mother, "If you were talking to someone would you say the same thing 50 times?" For years she did not say the rosary when I was around. Then one day in the car, when she asked me an awkward question I did not want to answer, I said, "Let's say the rosary." I came to realize what peace and love it brought into her life. Let's find whatever way that suits to foster prayer and faith in the family circle in honor of mothers, and of Mary, mother of us all.
Our love needs to go out beyond the garden gate. Like a mother the parish reaches out today though our tithe to single mothers and their children in our community who face difficult challenges. Borromeo Housing offers shelter and support to an increasing number of teenage mothers.
In our second collection our love crosses the oceans all the way to the Philippines. We will help promote a campaign to establish a shelter for girls who are abandoned and abused. Through our aid mother church, mater ecclesia, extends protection to God's children who suffer want and abuse.
This Mother's Day let us celebrate the many dimensions of God's loving presence.