It’s no secret that being a good mother is difficult these days because of the many impediments our society presents to this goal. But there seems to be no adequate substitute for raising children who are loving, responsible and successful.
A ministry at Morgan Hill’s St. Catherine Church (17400 Peak Ave.) offers a program that teaches women new ways to learn about themselves and how to inspire, encourage and affirm each other. The annual spring eight-week session of Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) recently ended, but a new session will be offered in September.
During the course, participants meet to read and discuss a book entitled “MOMS: A Personal Journal,” and they write in their own journals. These two-hour sessions are led by facilitators and follow a format that includes small-group sharing and prayer.
The following topics were studied during the most recent session, one each week:
– self-esteem and self-acceptance
– stress, worries and anxieties
– everyday spirituality
– feelings
– personal growth
– expressing values in friendships
– celebration of new beginnings
– discernment: continuing the journey.
The cost for participating in MOMS is $30, which includes registration, the class book and other materials. Scholarships are available by request, and child care is provided for a small donation.
MOMS is a program of the Sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul, Minn. It was created by Sister Paula Hagen and two other women “based on the theology of ‘Called and Gifted.'” Since 1992, more than half a million women have participated in more than 3,000 parishes across the United States.
The program’s objectives are:
– to form a network of spiritual support
– to provide a group experience of learning, praying and ministering to others
– to introduce mothers to opportunities for personal and spiritual growth in a faith-sharing group
n to increase communication skills and prayer rituals in the home.
St. Catherine began offering MOMS about six years ago, and more than 100 women have participated since then. It’s open to any mother in the community, and women of many different Christian traditions have been involved.
“Women have enjoyed these opportunities to share their motherhood experiences,” said Laura Hernandez, one of the local facilitators. “It’s not something they usually talk about, and the discussions go deep quickly.”
In addition to the eight-week sessions, St. Catherine has offered other ways for women to continue their participation, such as spiritual book clubs, monthly crafting meetings, annual summer picnics, Christmas potlucks, “Mom & Me Outings,” Bible studies, community-service projects and guest speakers.Â
