I just assumed. I assumed that I didn't have to send the letter this year since we have the same pastoral staff as last year. Unfortunately, the blessing was off the cuff by the priest and all the mothers had to stand and it was the standard 'all mothers are a gift blah, blah, blah.' I was pissed and my face showed it. How can a church so open to life, so easily marginalize those in pain? Thank God the homily was about how we are Jesus' arms and legs. And, if we are wondering why someone doesn't do something about a wrong, that's probably God prompting US to do something about it. Of course the priest didn't mean any harm. Of course mothers are a gift- a beautiful gift. It's just a reminder that I have to keep an open dialogue with my priests. My anger melted into prayer...a prayer for all of you in pain today.
Next year, I will send the dang letter...
I was tempted to email our parish priest, but I chickened out.
ReplyDeleteOne day, I will be brave enough...
I feel you, girl. The year (when was it?) I sent your awesome letter to our pastor, the Mass we ended up at didn't do the blessing. Coincidence? This morning, however, the priest did do the mother's day blessing and I chose to stand. You can read about the aftermath on my blog but suffice it to say, I haven't been struck down yet and I can deal with any consequences.
ReplyDeleteOur parish priest did a blessing at the end of the mass while everyone was standing...no singling anyone out...I thought that was classy...for the couple in front of us also does not have children due to IF. My hubby is going to email our priest and thank him for my dh admitted today that he dreads those blessings for he knows it hurts me. However I was prepared today and thankfully...I didn't need to be. You are right...one in six couples experience IF...pastoral staff need to be more compassionate and understanding.
ReplyDeleteI've been praying for all those that are facing a tough day today. Our priest has set up his 3,000+ crosses again for a reminder to pray for all that need healing from abortion and in his prayer said a special prayer for those mothers who have lost children. I thought that was much better than sometimes.
ReplyDeleteOur priest did the same daggum thing, and even though I now have a baby in my arms this year, I hesitated in standing, just out of protest. Argh.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote such an wonderful letter! I remember sending it to our priests when we lived in Kansas & we didn't have a Mothers Day blessing where Mothers stand up by themselves.
ReplyDeleteThis year, at our new parish in Nebraska, the priest said a quick blessing while all were standing right before the final blessing. Nothing was mentioned about Mothers in the petitions. Maybe I'll send that letter this next year. I'd like them to mention something about infertility & child loss.