Mothers Embrace Mary's Powerful Example While Sharing The Gift Of Faith

In the month of May, we celebrate all of our earthly mothers and mother figures, thanking them for the limitless love and sacrifices poured into their children. It is only natural, then, that we also take some time this month to venerate our heavenly Mother in a special way, whether it is through an increased devotion to praying the Rosary, reading Scripture passages about Mary, or simply displaying an image of the Blessed Mother somewhere in the home. For the many mothers in our parish, honoring Mary may also take the form of following her example by raising and nurturing their own children in the faith.

Kathy Wuertz and her daughter Adrienne Ford make up just one of the many mother-daughter pairs that can be found among our parishioners. Kathy and her husband, Bob, were both raised in St. Benedict Cathedral parish and attended school here as children. When they married and had children of their own — daughters Adrienne and Erika — there was no question that they would also go to St. Benedict Cathedral School.

Passing on the gift of faith to her daughters has always been a priority for Kathy as a mother.

“We were at Mass together every Sunday, we prayed at home, and we just lived the life of being Catholic,” she says. “I think the faith keeps you centered on what is important in life and on the right path. The faith is still very important to all of us.”

In her own experiences of motherhood, Kathy has often turned to the Blessed Mother for her intercession.

“Mary was usually the one that I prayed to —not just in difficult times, but also in thanksgiving for any blessings that we had,” Kathy says. “She was a constant in my prayer chain. For me, I think it is just her total buying into Jesus — she was going to be the mother of Jesus and she was told that she was bearing this savior, and she said, ‘Okay, I’ll do it.’ If God chose her, I can choose her, too.”

Today, Kathy’s daughter, Adrienne, has two daughters of her own. And, like their mother and grandmother before them, Charlotte, 6, and Caroline, 4, are students at the cathedral school. Thankful for the many ways in which her childhood centered on the Catholic faith and St. Benedict Parish, Adrienne strives to give her girls the same foundation.

“My daily prayer for them is just that they are rooted in Christ,” she says. “I feel like if they are, then come what may, they’ll have something to help them navigate through those tough times. I know that true, lasting, unwavering happiness is going to come from a foundation in Christ.

“St. Ben’s is my home,” Adrienne adds. “I grew up here and a lot of our present life circles around the church and the school. I’m so grateful for that centering point, spiritually and physically, and our friends. I’m grateful that my parents gave us that gift when we were young, and I hope that someday my kids will see it as a gift and treasure it as I do.”

Reflecting on her relationship with her mother, Adrienne realizes what an incredible example Kathy has been throughout her life.

“Mary was very humble and just lived her life, and by living her life was an example to so many, and I see that in my mom, too,” Adrienne says. “She teaches my kids so much just by being an active volunteer in the church and just by being so kind and loving. She doesn’t just practice her faith — she lives it.”

Especially in this month of May, it is fitting to take a moment to recognize how blessed we are by the many faithful mothers and mother figures in our parish — and how thankful we can all be, this month and always, for the truly amazing gift we have in our Blessed Mother!

“Mary is such a wonderful example of grace,” Adrienne says. “I reflect on her a lot when I don’t understand why things are going a certain way. She is a great reminder that our life here is to answer God’s call in all that we do. She sets an example for me, as a mother, on how to raise children.”

“She’s the mother of Jesus, and what greater honor can a woman have than to be the mother of the Savior?” Kathy says. “We need to celebrate and honor her.”

Adrienne Ford with her daughters, Charlotte (6) and Caroline (4)

Kathy Wuertz (center) with her daughters, Adrienne (left) and Erika (right).