Joyful celebration of mothers

By Wendy Shaw

The Bible urges us to ‘honour thy father and thy mother’.

But with Mother’s Day on 10 May, the focus was lovingly and joyfully on celebrating mums, grandmas, nannas, nonnas, omas, aachis, ammummas, aunts and other mother figures at Catholic schools and parishes around the Archdiocese.

At Sacred Heart Catholic School in Launceston, mothers and special people in students’ lives were the honoured guests at Mother’s Day celebrations on 6 May.

There was great excitement as students took their loved ones around a range of activities including a colourful photo booth, chalk drawing and colouring, a hand spa, craft activities, basketball, skipping and hula hoops, table tennis, puzzles and games, awards for mums and story time.

This was preceded by a popular Mother’s Day stall the day before.

Principal Brent Wilson explained: “There are a range of simple activities for students to share with their mum or special person.

“We hold this over two sessions. We do it each year and it works well.

“We do the same for dads and grandparents, on their special days.

“On the Monday after Mother’s Day, there’s a free coffee from an onsite van to thank mums for all they do for their kids.”

Among the many other celebrations around the state, Star of the Sea Catholic College at George Town held a Mother’s Day prayer service, stall and afternoon tea on 8 May.

Mothers, grandmothers and mother figures were invited to a cuppa and cake after assembly on 11 May to celebrate Mother’s Day at St Peter Chanel Catholic School at Smithton.

St Patrick’s Catholic School at Latrobe hosted a Mother’s Day liturgy, afternoon tea, and activities on 7 May while a Mother’s Day stall was held at Our Lady of Mercy Deloraine, the same day.

And St Joseph’s Catholic School at Queenstown held a Mother’s Day stall on 4 and 7 May.