THE LOVELIEST MASTERPIECE of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.
St. Therese of Lisieux’s words continue to ring true as children of all ages celebrate their moms over Mother’s Day weekend.
In honor of the special holiday, Orange County Catholic asked several followers of Christ to write a letter to their own mom. What came next were pure examples of care, strength and the unending power of a mother’s love.
FR. ARISTOTLE QUAN CELEBRATES THE ADVENT SEASON WITH HIS MOM ELEONOR QUAN. PHOTO COURTESY OF FR. ARISTOTLE QUAN
FR. ARISTOTLE QUAN
Dear Mom,
I want to take the time to thank you for all that you have done for me and for the family. A lot of people say, ‘My mom is the best mom’ and for me, that is no different. You are not only the best mom but the perfect mom for me. God knew exactly the kind of mom I needed. You have taught me to persevere even when life is hard. You taught me to put God above all things. You taught me to be generous and not worry about superficial things. You are always sacrificing and putting everyone ahead of you.
What can I say to you to tell you how much I appreciate you? You have always wanted me to follow God always and to love Him above all things. I see how much you sacrifice, and it keeps me going. You encourage me to keep fighting and to keep going. Because of you mom – I desire with all of my heart to love God with all my heart, soul and mind.
Thank you, mom, for everything. I love you and appreciate you.”
Love,
—Fr. Aristotle Quan, Parochial Vicar at St. Edward the Confessor parish
RACHEL DUPONT
Dear Mom,
Your strength and positivity during this challenging time of fighting pancreatic cancer have been a true inspiration. Your unwavering faith, especially your adoration of St. Therese, has been a guiding light — not just for you, but for all of us around you. As she is to you, you are everyone’s little flower; a rose that is beautiful and graceful and yet so strong, resilient and protective.
It’s impossible for us to not have faith when we are surrounded by someone who emits charity, generosity and other Christ-like values in her every being. I am so grateful for the example you set for all of us, teaching us to lean on our faith even in the toughest of circumstances and to live a life full of service to those in need. We all love you so, so much!
Love,
—Rachel DuPont, Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano parishioner
RACHEL DUPONT MAKES MEMORIES WITH HER MOM JACQUELINE DUPONT. PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL DUPONT
SR. JAYNE HELMLINGER
You were an extraordinary woman and with each passing year, this belief only grows stronger in my heart. I was the youngest of seven children, each of us less than a year apart! In 1963, our father died on Thanksgiving Day, leaving you to raise the seven of us on her own. We were five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10 and 11 years-old and I can’t even imagine the grief, fear and pain you experienced on that fateful day.
You were a junior high school teacher and had to continue working in order to keep a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs. Each Sunday, we filed into ‘our pew’ at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sidney, Ohio, and thus began my own understanding of being a part of the Body of Christ.
Your faith was tested though never wavered, yet I’m sure your prayers must have included ‘why’ had dad been taken so early. He was a survivor of Guadal- canal though couldn’t survive stomach cancer and see his children move into adulthood. Mom, you became both ‘dad and mom’ to us and for this I’m forever grateful.
The commitment and love I have for God and for my vocation flows from the modeling of your steadfast love of God despite the hardships you suffered in life.
Rest in peace, mom, as you have joined so many other saints in heaven!
Love,
—Sr. Jayne Helmlinger, Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
KELLEY MCBRIDE AND BARBARA PRIETO GET DRESSED UP FOR A MOTHER-DAUGHTER EVENT. PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLEY MCBRIDE
KELLEY MCBRIDE
Dear Mom,
You always say you are so proud to be Catholic and all over the world, we can find a Mass to go to at any time. You are a living example of the Golden Rule. Your day begins and ends by praying the Rosary as you list everyone by name. We grew up hearing the Rosary beads in one hand while you often held the other hand with one of ours.
You believe your blessings are meant to be shared and look for ways to help others in any way every day. Your commitment to putting seven children through Catholic school, chairing events and volunteering for each of us taught us commitment to the Church and service to each other. Every phone call or visit
ends with, ‘I’m so proud to be your mom, God Bless you.’ I am proud to be your daughter and grateful to watch you live a life dedicated to our Catholic faith.
Love,
—Kelley McBride, St. Edward the Confessor parishioner