Two Mother's Day gifts from God
Monday, May 25, 2015
*Dolores Hanley McDiarmid
The month of May has always been the time of year to honor Mary, our mother in heaven, as well as mothers on earth.
Cardinal Joseph Mindszenty, a theologian said, “The most important person on earth is a mother: She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral — a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation.”
Kate McEachern, blind from birth, a parishioner at All Saints Church in Sunrise, was one such mother. Kate had completed the RCIA classes and was scheduled to come into the Church and receive her sacraments at Easter. At the same time, she was battling cancer.
She did everything possible to stay on earth with her two daughters, her parents and friends. Kate understood the “gift of life” as well as the “gift of motherhood.” Kate was an inspiration to her friends who are also mothers. It was not uncommon for new mothers who were blind to consult with Kate about how to care for their children.
God had other plans for Kate. She received her sacraments from Father Liam Quinn, All Saints’ pastor, while in the intensive care unit of the hospital. She had time to visit with family and friends and to say “good bye” to the two most important people in her life, her daughters, Ashley and Tiffany.
All who knew Kate thought she would continue to fight to spend her final Mother’s Day on earth with her children, but God had other plans. On May 9, 2015, the day before Mother’s Day, at the age of 36, Kate went to her eternal life. Her Mother’s Day gifts from God: the gifts of eternal life and sight.
Kate’s final message: Motherhood is a gift from God; cherish every minute with your children, while you can.
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