Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
The Blessed Virgin Mary is a central figure in Catholic culture, music, art and worship.  In this month of May we especially honor the role that the Blessed Mother has played in our salvation.  We sing songs to honor her, we pray the rosary, we crown her image and present flowers to her.  All of this is done in Thanksgiving for her fiat, her yes to the will of God that she be the Mother of His Incarnate Word. . . Jesus Christ.

The Madonnina, commonly known as the Madonna of the Streets, Roberto Ferruzzi (1897)

It is fitting that in this month of May as we honor Mary the Mother of Jesus, we also set aside a day to honor our own mothers.  On this Sunday our hearts are again filled with gratitude for the women who said yes to the gift of life and gave birth to us.
Catholics are often criticized for the attention that they bestow upon Mary.  We must remember that our devotion to Mary always points us to Jesus.  Mary is only a human woman, but one who was given extraordinary grace.  She lived a life wholly devoted to the service and worship of God.  It was a humble life.
The glory that she has received as the Mother of God only came upon her once she entered the heavenly Kingdom.  Now we honor her as Queen of Heaven and Earth, but even that pales before the glory of the Holy Trinity.
In this month of May, the month of Mary, let our hearts be filled with gratitude that through her we received the gift of Jesus.  On this Sunday we thank our earthly mothers for the gift of life and love: the life and love that points us the to eternal life and love that Jesus, son of Mary, holds out to us.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death!
 
Msgr. Cox