CELEBRATING MOMS

Witnessing God’s love to one another

our children to have the skills to communicate effectively through speech and writing, as well as know the difference between good and evil. We also want our children to love reading and learning independently, so they can continue to gain skills and knowledge throughout their lives.”

The Cadys’ vision for their children is for Henry and George to become virtuous, hardworking, sociable, and compassionate, standing secure in who they are and what they believe. “We want them to love Christ above anyone or anything else.,” said Mariana.

Victoria Velasquez-Feikles and her husband Cody are new parents to 10-month-old Matilde. Cody is the Regional Director of Ethics for Christus Spohn and the Managing Editor for the Georgetown Bioethics and Medicine academic journal, while Victoria works from home as a neurocognitive clinician and is a freelance writer for a Catholic women’s platform. “Motherhood is a responsibility to expose and teach my child how to love and pursue order, goodness, truth, and beauty,” said Victoria. “To inspire a desire for those virtues is my greatest goal, and without my faith, I would not know how to do that.” Victoria also shared how motherhood helped her to set healthy boundaries for her family. “Saying no to things or situations that are not good for our child, and moving away from relationships that do not make room for or deliberately attempt to hurt or break down our family is difficult but rewarding.” Taking care of their emotional health in this way has been freeing and healing.

Jenny, Mariana, and Victoria wholeheartedly embrace motherhood and all that comes with it. They embrace the spiritual and emotional growth it brings while recognizing how it deepens one’s capacity to love and serve. Like the Blessed Mother, all Catholic mothers give their “fiat” -- their “yes,” over and over, in submission to God’s design for the family. Cardinal Jozeph Mindszenty once said: “Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation. What on God’s good earth is more glorious than to be a mother?” It is more glorious than conquering the world or flying to the moon. But by the guiding hand of a faithful mother, their children may go on to do just that.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton