Mom

• 3 years ago

By JOSEPH MATT

                Today we live in a culture that derides and denigrates the noble and essential role of motherhood in our society. One need look no further than the scourge of abortion for proof – in today’s world motherhood is no longer held in high esteem even ridiculed and outright rejected in the case of abortion. In any God fearing civil society, it can be argued motherhood is one of the greatest accomplishments attainable for a woman – after all, the greatest triumph of any human was done so by a woman – we know her as the Mother of Jesus.  How many great men and woman throughout history credit the influence of their mother for their character and their success throughout life? A lesson today’s feminists have a hard time grasping, that most women know inherently the role of motherhood is unique and a blessing that only a woman can achieve. For, only they can bear children and experience that lifelong physical and spiritual bond between their children from conception to death. That unique bond which only a mother has that generates the natural process of nurturing and caring for her children. For many women their greatest achievement is motherhood and that was the case for my mother, Connie, born March 10, 1933. She was called to eternity this week on Dec 28 by her Creator after years of extended suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

Blessed with extraordinary physical beauty – it was sad to see the ravages of her disease take its toll on her physically. She will always be remembered by her quick wit and sometimes acerbic humor – of which you did not want to be on the other side of. She would frequently use her humor to scold you or to correct you when you were wrong.

She loved babies – nothing would bring her more joy than the sight of a newborn baby whether it was one of her own or a new grandchild  – even a stranger was not exempt from having to allow Connie hold their baby. Her natural instincts as a mother would always win the day whether it was nurturing a sick child back to health or getting you to finish your homework  before your father comes home.

A devoted wife, married to my father, Al Matt Jr. for 66 years. (Former editor of The Wanderer for close to 40 years, who died last December). After raising her children, Connie spent many years at The Wanderer as office manager until her illness prevented her from work any longer.

For at least the last twenty years of her life Connie suffered a great deal physically, due to her illness. I cannot recall once ever hearing my mother question God as to why she was burdened with such a crippling disease. Much of that suffering was done in silence. Perhaps someday we siblings will know how much of that suffering was offered up for our sins.

My mother would be the first to admit she was no saint but it was her binding Catholic faith which prevailed in both good times and in bad. And as a good mother she was vigilant to keep her children instructed and reminded of the most important things in life.  One of my mother’s favorite phrases was from St. Augustine which we were all reminded quite often over the years “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you oh Lord”

God called Connie to be a mother, a vocation which she eagerly embraced and for me and my five siblings – that’s exactly what she was.

It is our hope, that Mom,  your heart is finally rested in Him now for eternity.

May her soul rest in peace!

A special thanks to Father Cassian DiRocco, who administered the last rites and an Apostolic blessing for our mother days before she died.