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Growing closer to Jesus
Cathedral to offer new programs for children, mothers

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)

A desire to help form holy families led one Catholic mother to approach her pastor about offering a couple new programs.

With the approval of her pastor, Stacy Martin, a parishioner at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, has organized children’s adoration and a mothers’ prayer group.

The Children’s Holy ½ Hour will be held from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph.

The Mothers’ Prayer Group will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 26 in the conference room in the basement hall of Cathedral.

Father Will Vit, rector of the Cathedral, said these programs broaden the already expansive ministry at the Cathedral.  

“Today’s families are looking for unique ways to grow in their faith, and these new programs will provide a way to do that for those who are not touched by the programs already in place,” he said. “These programs are intended to benefit the whole family, and that integrated faith experience is exactly what many families are seeking.”

Martin pointed out that her family had participated in children’s adoration program, Children of Hope, in the past and found it to be very beneficial for the children and parents alike.

“It takes one of the central beliefs of our faith of Jesus as a person and creates a personal experience for the kids,” she said. “The program is intended for kids, so it will be designed to be able to minister to them in a way they can understand.”

She noted that Father Vit will lead the Children’s Holy ½ Hour. It will include things like time for song, prayers, silent reflection and prayer intentions.

“The unique format of this Children’s Holy Hour will allow them to step into the rich tradition of Eucharistic Adoration in a format that they can easily understand,” Father Vit said. “Rather than introduce our young children into something completely new, we can use elements of prayer that they already know and couple that with a new experience of adoration.  Our goal is for the children to feel at home during the holy hour.”

Martin, wife of Sean Martin who is the diocese’s director of religious education and family life, said she initially opted to start this at just one-half hour because of the children’s attention span. If all goes well and they opt to offer the program again or on a regular basis, the program will be evaluated to see if there will be any changes.

While children in kindergarten through sixth grade are the targeted age group, she said that all children from pre-school on could benefit from programming.

“Regardless of the age, everyone should receive grace by being in the presence of Jesus,” Martin said. “The whole family can be transformed.”

The intention is that parents will stay with their children for prayer and socialization that will follow. After the one-half hour prayer, they are invited to stay for pizza as a means of community building and fellowship.
Martin pointed out that for now only one session has been planned for each of these programs. They hope to receive great response and feedback and would like to see more planned in the future.

For the Mother’s Prayer Group, she said it was her intention to root the group in prayer and provide a supportive atmosphere where mothers can share wisdom and practical tips with one another.

“We are in a time in society when the family is not always supported,” she said. “For mothers, they are often known to carry the heart of the family. We obviously gain our faith from Christ foremost but women need support and fellowship.”

During the meeting, the women will have a chance to pray for their children and for themselves.

“Children are facing so many things in life. We want to pray for their vocations and to pray for their holiness,” said Martin, who said it’s nice to have the support of other mothers.

Ultimately, she said she would love to have this group meet as often as weekly.

“First and foremost, I hope the women grow closer to Christ and closer to the church through the sacraments and prayer,” she said. “I hope the women can be strengthened as they carry a great deal of pressure and work. I want them to feel strength and support to be able to carry out the many tasks they have as a mother.”

All mothers and their children are welcome to attend. They will have children’s toys on hand.

Father Vit noted that it is often said that until you are a mother, you won’t be able to fully understand the depth of love you have for your children.  

“Realizing that there are many aspects to family life and relationships that only mothers can connect with, it seems very appropriate to have a place where mothers can come together to share their experiences with one another,” he said. “This group is not only an opportunity to learn from one another, but is more profoundly an opportunity for their experience of motherly love to be used as a springboard to a deeper understanding of the love God has for all of us.”

At this first meeting, the women plan to pray the rosary, do some faith sharing and then access the needs of the group to determine the future direction of the group.

“Families are the basic unit of society. Without strong families, we will continue to spiral downward,” Martin said. “Strengthening families, rooting them in Christ and creating a fellowship so they don’t feel alone” are some of the goals of these programs.

These programs are open to everyone. For more information contact Martin at (765) 532-6369 or e-mail her at seanstacymartin@yahoo.com.