The Community for Catholic Moms

Holy Hour for Mothers

Hi Ladies,
This past week I have spent some time reading, to gain a deeper understanding and reverence, for the Eucharist. While meditating
on what I had read, the Holy Spirit put a clear thought in my mind: a
Holy Hour for mothers. I asked how I could organize this, and He lead
me to you wonderful women!

Now, in my experience with the mothers in the mothers group in my parish, I have found that many of
these women do not pray (I did an informal survey), let alone go to
Adoration (we only have it on Wednesday's 9-5), and only have a very
limited understanding of our faith (I've much to learn myself). It has
been on my heart to help mothers in this position somehow. So, I am
thinking that having a Holy Hour specifically for moms might be just
the way to help bring them closer to Christ, deepen their faith and
prayer lives. What do you all think? I suppose that this idea is
similar to Youth for the Eucharist- do you have that in your diocese?

As a mom of several, I know how challenging it can be to find a balance
between prayer, and the never-ending, countless tasks that are involved
in our vocation. I mean, I have wanted to attend the perpetual
Adoration chapel, at a nearby parish, for years, but have not gotten
determined enough to go do it regularly. If I knew something special
was going on for moms, I bet I would make sure to get myself there- I
would feel even more drawn to attend. Maybe this idea would be just the
motivation these moms would need, and would be more inclined to come to
Adoration, if it was something special for them; as well as knowing
that other women that they may know would be there. Also, maybe this
could be a gateway into daily prayer.

So, does anyone have a Holy Hour, specifically for mothers, in your parish?
Do you think this is something a pastor would be willing to allow? How
would I go about organizing and implementing this idea?

Some additional questions:
Would day or night be better, or both? How often? I am thinking weekly. How
about babysitting? Are there any materials, like pamphlets, booklets,
etc., that would be helpful in guiding a mom on "how to pray/what to
do" during Adoration? Any devotions well-suited to mothers?

I was thinking about having a short time in a meeting room, where we
could watch a video/have a short discussion about the Eucharist, have
the Holy Hour, and conclude with a devotion- thoughts?

Thank you so much for helping me think this through!

In Christ,
Lisa McClatchy

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Melissa on March 2, 2010 at 4:49pm

I know for myself, personally, days would be out of the question. I always feel left out, because mothers groups are almost always held in the morning, during the week. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to keep me at home, so I must work fulltime. I agree though, I would be more inclinded to attend a meeting if it were targeted to mothers.

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Permalink Reply by Kathy C. on March 2, 2010 at 7:32pm

It does sound like a good idea. For me personally though I know it would be something I would really want to go to but not be able to work out more then likely. If you wanted to incorporate all moms including working moms then you would need to do evening and that would be hard because it is dinner time, homework time, family time and bed time.

If you decided to do it for stay-at-home moms then you could do it during the morning and that I might be able to do if you provided babysitting, but you wouldn't be able to have a teenager for babysitter because they would be in school.

Weekends are generally family time for people and the time when people go out of town etc.

I know I don't live near you but I just wanted to let you know why it would be hard for me to go.

If you can find enough people that say they are interested though then I would talk to your priest and see if they would support the program.

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Permalink Reply by Bethany Ocken on March 13, 2010 at 1:35am

Hello,

I started a Holy Hour for moms & kids at our parish just a few months ago. We thought it important to introduce our kids (ages one to my 4 y.o. and some older ones that stop in sometimes) to that time with Jesus, even if it can get a little bit crazy. We start with a song, then prayer to the Holy Spirit to bless our hour, then individual prayers out loud for the kids that want to. Then we have some quiet (sort of!) time, and usually read a book aloud about the Eucharist or even a saint, and also a decade of the rosary, with kids that are old enough leading some of the Hail Marys. Don't know if you are looking to have the kids there or not, but might even work to do half hour with the kids there, and half hour with just moms.

Hope it works out for you!