MOMSTORIES: QUIET CONTEMPLATIONS FOR MOTHERS Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett Contemplation Questions by Paula Hagen Paper, $9.95 80 pages, 5½" × 8½" ISBN 0-89390-505-4 View Table of Contents View Excerpt Quantity:

MOMStories: Quiet Contemplations for Mothers is the third in a series of down-to-earth stories that celebrate the everyday life of mothers. Mothers find that these stories add meaning to mundane tasks, develop their spirituality and help put some zest back into family life. Like the other titles in the series, this one includes space for reflection, discussion questions, a topical index and lectionary index (to Cycle C).

About the Authors

Paula Hagen has worked in family therapy, parish family ministry and retreat direction. A member of the Benedictine community, she developed the Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) for an Arizona church and currently promotes her ministry nationwide through workshops and lectures.

Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett is a professional writer who is active in a variety of church ministries. She is a graduate of Iowa State University, with degrees in journalism and industrial relations. A member of the first MOMS group, she also created the MOMS Prayer Companion and co-authored with Paula Hagen and Patricia Hoyt MOMS: Facilitator’s Guide.

Table of Contents

Before you move on
Compassion
God’s gift to me
Waiting and thinking
Messages from angels
Hearts come home to Jesus at Christmas
Holy family treasures
God’s love transcends all
Amazing grace
The right place at the right time
The grace of forgiveness
She ministered to all of us
Writing letters to God
Love given and received
Can you lend a hand?
A special bond
Taking time to understand
Thank you for being you
My fears are calmed
Other mothers
Living in Christ
A new role
Pregnant, again?
Shared traditions
A new vision
Reminder of Christ’s love
In the midst of panic
A wise shepherd
Sunny disposition, Mom!
It’s going to be all right
Marking time
Get to know me
Get well
Knowing heaven
Rituals
Proud godmother
One, two, three
Be patient
Images of God
The bus driver and the safety lady
Viewpoints
Forgiveness
Perfection
Already?
True faith
My son
Comfort
Twelve were called
Rescued by prayer and angels
God’s stewardship of gifts given
Transformations
My cheerleader
Just plain fun!
God whispered in my ear
My Independence Day
My prayer
Nana’s favorite birthday gift
Prayers answered
Coming of age
Tag, you’re it!
A real job

Appendix: MOMSharing

Using MOMStories in Group Settings

Index of Themes

Index of Weekly Scripture Readings: Cycle C

Following is an excerpt from MOMStories: Quiet Contemplations for Mothers. All rights reserved. Copyright © Resource Publications, Inc.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; / teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, / for you are the God of my salvation; / for you I wait all day long. /
Psalm 25:4–5

Compassion

Lord, becoming a mother brought so many changes to my life. Sure, there were the physical changes—I lost my girlish figure, had bags under my eyes, and never got enough sleep. But more important were the spiritual changes. My sense of compassion deepened. I had a new perspective on your precious gift of life.

One night at a church function, I learned that a friend had cancer. Prayer, medical attention, and support would be her salvation. I choked back the tears, wondering how long I would have to savor this gift of motherhood. When I arrived home that night, I went into my son’s room, lifted him out of his crib, and held him as tears trickled down my face.

Then I remember watching the Oklahoma City bombing coverage on TV and weeping as I held this baby in my arms. How many people in Oklahoma City would never see their children again? I also remember awakening to headlines about the Littleton disaster. Again, I wept, this time at the kitchen table.

Before having children, these news stories would have been just stories worthy of news coverage. Now they affect my very being, my inner core, my soul. Even on the roughest days (and there are quite a few of them when toddlers are involved), the compassion that has been awakened in me stirs in my head another chorus of a favorite song: “God is in control. We believe that his children will not be forsaken. ...”

For Contemplation

• How have I learned to relish the special graces of motherhood?
• In what ways has my compassion been heightened since becoming a mother?
• How can Advent be a time for me to journey along the path of truth and hope?