Pastor's Letter: Mother Mary’s Back-To-School Plan

It’s hard to believe it, but stores are already stocking school supplies and many of our parish youth will be back in the classroom in August. The Back-To-School craziness puts everyone in an active mood and that can be both good and bad. Some of us are really looking forward to a new school year (plan to come to our Back-to-School Bash!), while others mourn the loss of summer. Even folks who have no children or none currently living at home can sense the seasons change as Back-To-School displays and commercials fill our sights. 

The Blessed Mother can help all during these next few months.

Mary was a woman who understood seasons, change, fear, and joyful anticipation. When we say that Mary was sinless, sometimes people assume that she simply didn’t feel the way we feel; she didn’t feel nervous about God’s plan. To be clear, she was a woman of exceptional faith who knew that God’s will was the best plan. But she was a human with human needs and emotions. Our Lord experienced anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane and asked the Father to “take this cup from me.” Likewise, think of Mary when Jesus was lost before she found Him in the Temple. She undoubtedly felt some fear, frustration, and anxiety just like us as we strive to nourish and guide our children.

Bring your excitement, trepidation, worry, and glee over the upcoming school year to the Blessed Mother. Ask her to petition the Lord for mercy and abundant grace during the transitional months ahead. Say a rosary or an angelus and ponder how Mary handled all the changes she had in her life. Then, be inspired to move forward with confidence that the Most Holy Trinity will guide you, protect you, and love you. 

We have a Holy Day of Obligation coming up on August 15th: the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. Let us all, whether we have children or not, commit to drawing closer to the Lord through the Blessed Virgin Mary by going to Mass and praying regularly. I’m certain that when we do that we will see grace abound and have peace wash over us as we make our plans.