A Cup Filled to Overflowing: Reflections from the Catholic Moms Group Leaders Summit

This year, the Catholic Moms Group Leaders Breakfast Summit filled leaders with manners, leadership, Saints, and book clubs.

When you want to know how to welcome others, enter a room, or make a good first impression, you call Adeodata Czink. This first speaker kept us laughing and practicing The Art of Hospitality and Social Graces. Ladies, keep our bums and stomachs in order to own the room and enter gracefully! Posture isn’t the only important way to welcome others. Open the door wide and point one foot out, grip hands firmly between the thumb and forefinger, and keep your name tag on the right-hand side because that is where the eye goes right after shaking hands. We also learned how to stir and drink tea.

Remember, leaders, we must always think about whether there is anything else we can do to make our guests more comfortable. Manners, clothes, and preparation give you a winning attitude and disposition before you even begin. The Girl Guides were right: Be prepared. Adeodata added: Be prepared at least one hour ahead of time.

Our main speaker, Fr. Tom Lynch, explained how to be a Catholic leader with clarity, compassion, and conviction. We must start with prayer, which brings us joy and hope to share with our members. Leaders must know that our goal is to lead souls to Heaven. How can we do this? Through fidelity, which is consistency in wanting the good of all members. Leaders, you need to be seen, work in collaboration, and constantly evaluate. Goals are set with your core team and aligned with knowing, loving, and serving the Lord.

As each of us has different strengths, are you recognizing and encouraging others to share their talents for the good of the group? Is there one person who is better at decorating and another who is excellent at leading prayer? How are we enticing mothers to attend? (See the portal for ideas for guest speakers, liturgical parties, and prepared lessons.)

Speaking of the portal, Nelcy Lopez brought us through The 5 S’s that it provides: Seasons of the Church, Sacraments, Saints, Sacred Scripture, and Sizzling Teaching of the Church. It is all prepared for you. Are you covering the four parts of the meeting: prayer, catechesis, fellowship, and call to action?

Did you know that our ministry, the Catholic Moms Group, is dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa? We really do have friends in high places! Fr. Jonasz Lalik, a young priest of Polish descent, taught us all about this powerful icon from the first century.

Are you ever asked to choose the book for your book club? Berta Byrne from St. Ambrose Parish suggests 33 Days to Morning Glory. This is a Marian consecration where everyone reads a few pages a day, and you choose a Marian feast day on which to be consecrated or renew your consecration. Her parish has also used the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a book club. What a great way to grow in personal faith and knowledge, which in turn helps our families grow.

What is better than the library, EarlyON education, and the grocery store for moms and children? Catholic Moms and Tots groups are a wholesome alternative to the secular world for young families. Cathy Quartarone’s Catholic Moms and Tots group attests to the fun, formation, and fellowship this group offers her family.

Do you want music, play, and lessons on Jesus for your children and grandchildren? Start your own Moms and Tots group today. All you need is on the portal.

The portal—what is this marvelous place? Do you want a behind-the-scenes tour? Talk to Dorothy Pilarski. It can be arranged.

May your cup runneth over as mine has, and may it fill others.

Madalena Sperti