MEET JUDY LIESEN AND JULIA O’NEILL: Living out the Blessed Mother’s Example

The month of May — it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year, and it provides us with the perfect opportunity to celebrate the important women who have blessed our lives, most especially our Blessed Mother.

Parishioners Judy Liesen and her daughter, Julia O’Neill, share a devotion to Our Lady and a desire to grow in faith.

“Catholics have a special devotion to the Blessed Mother because she said ‘yes’ to God when asked to be the Mother of Jesus, without hesitation,” Judy says. “She serves as a model of how we can best live our lives.

“She can certainly help us get closer to Jesus by interceding for us,” she adds. “We can talk to her about our needs and she will speak to God on our behalf.”

Both women, though currently in very different stages of their motherhood, find themselves turning to the Blessed Mother, for inspiration and intercession.

“I try to be devoted to my children, listening to them and helping them when possible, just as Mary was a great mother to Jesus,” says Judy, who, along with her husband, John, has three adult children and 13 grandchildren, all under the age of 10.

“Mary has taught me to trust fully and completely in the Lord,” says Julia, her daughter, who is in the midst of raising five young children, with her husband, Tim. “Mary has inspired me to say ‘yes’ in the many dayto-day joys and sorrows of motherhood.”

In addition to the role that the Blessed Mother has played in her life, Julia is also grateful for the way that her own earthly mother, Judy, has encouraged her in her relationship with God.

“My own mother is the ultimate example of embracing one’s faith and having a relationship with the Blessed Mother,” Julia says. “She has shown me through suffering, sacrifice, trust and guidance what it means to live the faith.”

Julia encourages her fellow parishioners to take time to grow in relationship with the Blessed Mother — through prayer, asking her intercession and following her example, as the first follower of Jesus.

“Mary is the ultimate example of our faith,” Julia says. “As Catholics, who better to lead us in faith? We have a special devotion to her because no other human is closer to Christ than she. She is the Mother of our Church. Who better to ask for help than our Mother?”

Practically speaking, the mother and daughter offer suggestions of how other mothers or those in maternal roles might support their children and imitate the Blessed Mother.

“I would encourage all mothers to pray with their children daily and let them see you praying,” Judy says. “Listen to the Catholic radio station, Catholic podcasts, and surround yourself with supportive women who share the same struggles and values. I often discuss with my children what special readings I am doing, and ask what they are doing. My daughter attends a weekly prayer group and I help by babysitting her children, so she can attend.”

“I ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother daily,” Julia says. “I intercede for my own children by praying for them, helping them learn and grow in their faith, and teaching them how to live their faith.

“Find a group of moms to walk the journey of motherhood with you,” she adds. “And, most importantly, take the time to pray.”

Thank you to all of the women in our parish who give so generously in maternal service to others. We ask the Blessed Mother’s intercession for you in a special way this month!

Julia O’Neill and her mother, Judy Liesen, with Theodore O’Neill, Julia’s youngest child and Judy’s youngest grandchild