MOTHER’S DAY weekend is here, and Orange County Catholic is celebrating moms who have made a difference in their children’s faith journeys. We asked five women to write letters of gratitude to the mother figures in their lives who passed down their admiration of Jesus Christ.
What came next were messages of hope, service and most importantly, love.
DEAR MOM,
You were only 21 years old when you said yes, choosing to put me first and beginning your journey as a mother with such quiet strength and grace. You once told me that in moments when you felt alone in that decision, you turned to Mother Mary for guidance and protection — that she held your hand and led you forward through the unknown.
Through every high and low, you have remained by my side, gently reminding me of God’s mercy and goodness — that He never abandons us, and that His plans are far greater than anything we could imagine. As it is written, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25). I see that strength and dignity in you every day.
CHARLENE HENKELMANN ENJOYS A SPECIAL MOTHERDAUGHTER TRIP. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLENE HENKELMANN
You live a life of quiet service so beautifully — teaching the Rosary at local schools, loving so faithfully through your care for dad in his sickness and showing endless patience with your grandson (and with me, too). You are truly one of the most admirable and beautiful women I know, both inside and out. I love you, Mom. Blessed are you among women — may you be celebrated today and always.
With all my love,
Charlene Henkelmann, San Francisco Solano Parish.
DEAR MADRE,
Aside from giving me life, faith is the greatest gift you could have ever given me. Your perseverance in prayer inspires me. Your love for the Lord in the Eucharist amazes me. When I see you interact with the people of our parish community, it shows me the family that we have within the Catholic Church, and that is one of the most beautiful treasures and truths about our faith that I will always carry in my heart. God is everything to me, especially now as a mother. And I owe you everything for showing me who God is through your love for me and through your profound relationship with Him. I love you Mom, and I am eternally grateful to God for you.
Love,
Gabriela Garcia, St. Boniface Parish.
DEAR MOM,
Your name, Mary, could not have been more fitting. Like Jesus’ Mother, you lived with deep faith, humility and unconditional love.
You left us too soon, but I trust God needed you with Him. You left us too soon, but I trust God needed you with Him. The beautiful legacy you and Dad created continues to grow — your big, fun Irish Catholic family expanding each year. You were a devoted mother to six children, a loving grandmother to 15 and would now be a great-grandmother to nearly 12. You and dad gave us the greatest gift: a strong, loving family and the best siblings anyone could ask for.
One of your favorite sayings continues to guide me: “It is an insult to God to worry — give all your troubles to Him.” You truly lived that. I am endlessly grateful that God chose you to be my Mom. Thank you for your love, your wisdom and for guiding me in my faith. I carry you with me every day as I try to be the kind of parent to my son that you were to us.
KELLI O’KEEFE SPEARS SHARES A FAVORITE MEMORY WITH HER MOM, MARY O’KEEFE. PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLI O’KEEFE SPEARS
Happy Mother’s Day in Heaven to the most loving mom. I love you always and forever.
Love,
Kelli O’Keefe Spears, Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish.
DEAR MOM,
This is my first Mother’s Day without you, but I have faith and know we will be together again one day. Until then, continue to watch over us. I will share these lessons in faith to my children, like you taught me. Miss you, Mom.
CASSIE SCHIENLE CELEBRATES HER DAUGHTER’S BAPTISM WITH HER MOM, MARIANNE ZEBISCH. PHOTO COURTESY OF CASSIE SCHIENLE
Love you, always.
Cassie Schienle, San Antonio de Padua Parish.
DEAR MOM,
Of all the paths you could have followed, of all the gifts God gave you and all the ways you might have used them, we are grateful you answered the call to be a mother. Not only did you serve as a mother to the four daughters you bore and your nine grandchildren, but also to the kids you raised up in your home daycare and all of those in need over the years who found you waiting with an open door and heart. The most important lessons about faith came from your quiet, constant and relentless service (that never sought recognition or praise) to not only us but to everyone around you. One of the final decisions Jesus made during his ministry was to take a posture of humility and service when he washed his disciples’ feet. He called on his disciples to follow his example and do for others as He has done for them. Your motherhood is a dedicated example of how He called us to live and as he promised, you will be blessed.
LISA POLADIAN AND HER SISTERS LAURA, AMIE AND JENNIFER SPEND TIME WITH THEIR MOM, SUSAN POLADIAN. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE POLADIAN FAMILY
Thank you always for embracing and fully committing yourself to the vocation of motherhood and for honoring all the women in our family line before you who carried their faith by bringing their children to the Catholic Church and living Christ’s teachings.
Your daughters, Jennifer Gloeckner, Amie Poladian, Laura Poladian (St. Joseph’s Parish) and Lisa Poladian (San Francisco Solano Parish).