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LIFE ISSUES FORUM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Celebrating the Epiphany by Supporting Parents January 7, 2019
Anna Rose Riccard
Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6,
the 12th day of Christmas. (In some places, Latin Rite Catholics observe
it on the closest Sunday to that date.) The celebration marks the
arrival of the three Magi in Bethlehem, where they worshipped the
newborn Son of God with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The
Epiphany provides Catholics and all Christians with the chance to
reflect on what Christ's birth means for pro-life efforts. Like the wise
men, we too can recognize, celebrate, love, and support the parents in
our community, especially new parents and single mothers. We are called
to serve the Lord by serving one another; what better time than Epiphany
to reach out to parents in need with gifts tailored to their beautiful
calling to love the children God entrusted to their care? Here are some
ideas for showing love to parents in your parish or neighborhood:
- Bring over a healthy, hearty meal, like a vegetable soup with fresh bread.
- Volunteer
to babysit. You could start small by watching their child in their home
so the parents get a chance to nap, shower, or do household chores.
- Offer to vacuum, clean, cook-any task that you feel comfortable taking on.
- If you don't know the parents well yet, bring them a bouquet of flowers or some pastries to break the ice.
- Be
open to talking about their children but recognize that they may crave
some conversation about other topics as well, like books, sports, or the
news.
- Listen patiently without offering advice,
unless specifically asked for it. Parents are already bombarded with
enough "dos" and "don'ts".
- If you see a family at
Mass, especially one with a baby or toddler, smile at them or chat with
them afterwards. Hearing "You have a beautiful family," or "Great seeing
you all at Mass!" is very encouraging for parents heroically bringing
wiggly children to church every Sunday.
- Ask parents what their community needs to make it more child-friendly, and then help them accomplish that goal.
- If
you don't know any parents well enough to try the ideas above, you can
always volunteer at a diaper drive or pregnancy care center; both are
crucial resources for mothers in need.
All the above ideas should be paired with prayers,
especially through the intercession of the Holy Family. As you reflect
upon the wise men honoring the baby Jesus, consider how you can live out
the Gospel of Life by supporting the parents near you.
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