Mothers Ministry Growing in Parishes

The Archdiocese of Toronto has joined forces with DWAO (Dynamic Women Association of Ontario) to start mothers groups in local parishes. Dorothy Pilarski, founder of DWAO, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, has been working with the archdiocese since 2015 to establish a parish-based mothers ministry. The ministry is on a mission to revive the vocation of motherhood, hoping to reach moms at different stages in their mothering journey. When the project started there were seven Mothers Groups in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Today, there are 30 active groups.

Discover 10 Good Reasons Why to Join!

1. Make New Friends
Working moms and stay-at-home moms often find it hard to cultivate authentic friendships, based on a common set of values and beliefs. A Catholic Mothers Group will give you an opportunity to meet true friends and to learn and grow with women who share a common language of femininity and motherhood. Many moms report that their children make new friends, too.

2. Become the Best Mom Possible
As mothers, we all want the best for our children. We want them to have access to the best education, to continually learn new skills and to form great friendships. We hope to equip our children with what it takes to thrive both at school, in the workplace, and in their own eventual families. Part of becoming the best mom possible is handing down a vibrant dynamic Catholic faith. It also means having the spiritual resources yourself when times are tough. Belonging to a Catholic Mothers Group will help you be the best mom you can be.

3. Discover a Spiritual Program
Mothers are intuitive by nature. We have a strong sense of the divine and the presence of God in our lives. Today, women are so busy that they just do not have time to connect with others on a deeper level and discover the joys of having a spiritual program. Belonging to a Mothers Group can help with that.

4. Experience Community and Acceptance
For many moms, life can become a bit fragmented. Living in a multicultural society may not feel like community. In fact, it can be quite alienating. In the secular world, we are often faced with anti-Christian values. Coming to a Catholic Mothers Group gives you an immediate sense of community. By taking the time to connect with moms who share in the same mission of raising Catholic kids and becoming holy themselves, it provides a huge sense of relief and freedom.

5. Get Encouragement and Support
Being a mother is exhilarating and demanding at the same time. Sometimes it becomes difficult to follow the promptings of a mother's heart. Other times, we honestly just do not know what to do. Participating in a mother's group gives you the encouragement and support you need in your role as a Catholic mother.

6. Learn about Your Catholic Faith
Some Catholic moms stopped learning about their Catholic faith after they left Confirmation class or high school. We all know that "just" going to Church on Sundays is not enough. Our Catholic faith is rich in teachings and traditions. Joining a mother's group will help you learn more about your Catholic faith. That knowledge will fortify you and inspire you.

7. Pray and Be Refreshed
Prayer is powerful. It is even more powerful when it is multiplied by a group. Many moms who have attended a Catholic Mothers Group have rediscovered what it means to pray, what it means to be "Refreshed by the Word." It is such a gift to have a place to pray and be prayed for.

8. Get Practical Parenting and Marriage Tips
As moms and wives, we are often learning on the job. Usually, you will find someone at your mother's group who has had the exact same experience. Other moms seem to have great ideas or tips. Joining a Mothers Group gives you many great parenting and marriage tips.

9. Joy, Inspiration and Fun
It is often said that "a family that prays together stays together." Our experience has been that when friends pray together, they are filled with wonder, joy, peace, laughter, and fun. We have had hundreds of Mothers Groups meetings and we always hear that moms just love the joy, inspiration and fun they experience.

10. Network of Catholic Moms
Gone are the days when all moms are at home and are next door when you need them. Many women live far from their extended families and do not have a support network. Belonging to a Catholic Mothers Group connects you to a community of women who get to know you over time. So, when the time comes, they are there for you. Belonging to a Catholic Mothers Group really does create a network of moms you can rely on.

Dorothy and her team help parishes start Mothers Groups by delivering a training program called, How to Start a Catholic Mothers Group. Visit www.catholicmomsgroup.com to learn more.