Mums: They sprout love like flowers, bringing people together like gardens. Even in the time of coronavirus, when we are apart but always connected by our heart strings.

But for those who, sadly, cannot come together for in-person hugs and kisses on Mums’ special day, why not come together virtually with St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School Randwick North.

The school is celebrating all our incredible mothers – including the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the ‘Flower of Flowers’ and the ‘Mystical Rose’ – via an online Mother’s Day Prayer Reflection on Thursday 7 May, 8.30am-9am at www.sacredheart.org.au.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions on opening churches the school’s parish priest, Fr Peter Hearn, is broadcasting the Mother’s Day Prayer Reflection from the shrine of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish Randwick, with which the school is closely affiliated.

Everyone is encouraged to attend from the comfort of their own home as Fr Peter honours Mary – who freely allowed her only Son to be sacrificed – and all our mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, mums-to-be, aunties, guardians, carers and nurturers.
He also remembers our mums who have joined Mary with all the angels in Heaven.

“If there’s something good that comes out of COVID-19 it’s that it’s asked us all to stop, slow down and remember what’s important, and there’s nothing more important than family and community and connecting with one another” – St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School Randwick North assistant principal, Danielle Frost

“It is the one day a year that we recognise them, but we feel they should be recognised every day,” St Margaret Mary’s assistant principal, Danielle Frost, said with reference to all school ‘mothers’, past and present, including those who volunteer on a regular basis and help support her school’s 165 students.

“They are always at the ready when we have carnivals, feast days, events. They go above and beyond, giving it a mother’s touch,” Miss Frost said.

She gave a special shout-out to some of the wonderful women who help out at St Margaret Mary’s including Parents & Friends Association president Tara Roach, Learning Support Officer of 20 years Grace Murdaca and Family Educator of nine years Susanne North.

“What you would say to your mother on Mother’s Day is what you would say to all mothers, which is just ‘thank you’. Because a lot of the time what they do goes unnoticed” – Danielle Frost

“She’s (Grace) very much like a mother to our children and families,” Miss Frost said.

“If there’s something good that comes out of COVID-19 it’s that it’s asked us all to stop, slow down and remember what’s important,” she said, adding “And there’s nothing more important than family and community and connecting with one another.”

“What you would say to your mother on Mother’s Day is what you would say to all mothers, which is just ‘thank you’. Because a lot of the time what they do goes unnoticed,” Miss Frost said.

The Mother’s Day Prayer Reflection coincides with the Marian Month of May (1-15 May) which celebrates Mary as “the Queen of May”.

Floral Reflections on the Hail Mary for Mother’s Day

Flowers have always been associated with the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The early tradition of the Church states when the Apostles went to open Mary’s tomb, they found it filled with the most fragrant flowers, confirming that Jesus took her up to Heaven after she died.

Flowers closely connected to Mary include the lily of the valley (also known as Our Lady’s Tears), the rose (Mystical Rose), the Ox-eye daisy (Mary’s Star), the carnation (Mary’s Love of God), the tulip (Mary’s Prayer) and baby’s breath (Lady’s Veil).