Mary experiences many blessings from God in her life. The first blessing is when she was conceived in her mother’s womb immaculately. Her parents, Joachim and Anna, conceived her in the normal way but God blessed this conception by giving Mary the graces of her son’s saving work at the moment of her conception. Another blessing was when she was greeted by the angel Gabriel and told that she would be the mother of the son of God. Another moment was her giving birth to Jesus the Messiah. Another moment was when she raised Jesus from a little boy to a full grown man. Another moment was when she followed Jesus through his passion and death. Another moment was when she received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost with the rest of the disciples. Another moment was when she was taken body and soul into heaven. And finally there are many moments of blessing in her life where she could have received great blessings from God but were not recorded in the scriptures.

Every child conceived in a mother’s womb is a moment that God brings about a new life. Every child conceived is a blessing and is wanted by God. God comes to most of us in a very usual way. Not everyone gets to see an angel like Mary, but many people receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Communion. The challenge of our lives is to trust and receive Jesus at every moment of our lives. Mary did this! We need trust and receive Jesus who is God’s greatest gift. Mary did this at every moment of her life and proves that it is possible that we, who have received the graces of her son at Baptism, can do the same.

As our parishes celebrate First Communions, may all of us realize that we are in communion with God and each other so that our sins and virtues have real effects on each other.

As our parish celebrates Confirmation, may the candidates who were confirmed last year and those who will be confirmed this year receive the fire of the Holy Spirit and live in perfect union with God.

As our country celebrates Mother’s Day, may the Mothers of our parishes be filled with grace to show us Mary’s love for her son.

May this month be crowned with the virtues of Mary our Heavenly mother.

Fr. Rob