To Lead is to Serve: Reflecting on the Catholic Mom’s Group Leader’s Summit 2025

Every so often, God pours out His grace in such a special way that it feels like the scales fall from our eyes. We suddenly see with new clarity, and that “aha” moment stops us in our tracks. Sometimes this happens when we’re reading a passage of Scripture or quietly meditating on a mystery of the Rosary. For me, it happened at the 2025 Catholic Moms’ Group Leaders’ Summit. The Holy Spirit touched my heart and revealed two essential truths: it’s time to go back to the basics, and true leadership is found in joyfully serving others.

Going Back to the Basics

Right from the first talk, the message was clear: return to the foundations of our ministry. Sam Cummings encouraged us to build a strong core team—a group of women who can support one another through the ebbs and flows of life while serving moms. Do you run your group flying solo? Sam’s talk made a very strong case for building a team – a core group of moms that can help you make your group flourish!

Dorothy Pilarski lit a spark of excitement by sharing new resources and upcoming events. Did you know the Dynamic Women of Faith Conference is scheduled for March 21, 2026? Mark your calendars!

Then Savita Lobo gave us five practical, doable tips for attracting new moms. Each talk was like a gentle reminder that, in ministry, it’s the basics that make all the difference.

Dorothy left us with a piercing challenge: Is your “How to Start a Mothers’ Group” guide dog-eared, highlighted, and well-used? I found myself squirming a little. Had I really revisited those pages lately? I would add another question for all of us: Have you explored the wealth of resources in the membership portal or joined the leader coaching sessions on Zoom?

Sometimes I realize I get distracted by what is new and shiny, forgetting that the tools I truly need are already right in front of me. That realization hit home—I felt convicted!

But the call to return to the basics wasn’t only about ministry. It was also a call to return to our “first love” (Revelation 2:4)—to the very heart of our faith.

Fr. Terrence McKenna gave a witty and inspiring talk about how mothers can stay anchored as we journey toward Heaven. His words reoriented my heart. He reminded us that our ultimate goal is union with God, and he gave practical tips for deepening our relationships with God, our families, and the saints. Most importantly, he urged us to remain open to God’s grace in our everyday lives.

As I reflected on those talks, I realized that the first half of the Leadership Summit was more than a series of presentations—it was a heartfelt invitation. An invitation to strip away the unnecessary, to focus on what truly matters, and to joyfully return to the basics: our faith, our families, and our ministry.

To Lead Is to Serve

The second half of the Summit stirred my heart in a very deep way. In some ways, it felt like a continuation of the call to return to the basics—since many of these themes are explored in our training videos and publications. But this time, the Holy Spirit woke me up in a fresh way, placing these truths right before my eyes.

The afternoon began (after a delicious lunch!) with a talk from Dorothy Pilarski entitled “Three Surprising, Refreshing Secrets.” Yet, it wasn’t her prepared talk that struck me the most—it was her spontaneous exhortation that nearly moved me to tears. Stepping away from her notes, Dorothy passionately urged us to mother our priests.
She challenged us with simple, practical questions:

Do you know your parish priest’s birthday?
His ordination anniversary?
His personal likes and dislikes?

Oof. Those questions pierced my heart—especially since our own parish priest had just returned to his home country after the passing of his mother. Lord, help us to love Your priests well!

Berta Byrne followed with a thoughtful presentation on the four key parts of “Finding the Heartbeat of Your Meeting.” One point in particular stood out: she encouraged leaders to look for the mom on the sidelines—the one who feels like she doesn’t belong—and to reach out and draw her in. That struck me deeply. In my early days of joining a moms’ group, I often felt like that mother on the margins. I know firsthand how much a single gesture of welcome can mean.

Finally, Kayleigh Meneses gave a talk on “Reaching Out to Young Moms.” As a young mom myself, I leaned in, curious to hear her insights. She began by acknowledging the very real challenges that mothers of young children face—the sleepless nights, the endless messes, the exhaustion. But she didn’t leave us in the struggle. Instead, she reminded us of the beauty woven into the chaos. Then, her talk took a surprising turn. Drawing from Pope Francis’ address to catechists, she gave us three powerful points: Draw from Christ. Imitate Him by leaving yourself behind to encounter the other. And do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

As I listened, I felt convicted. For some time, I had been reflecting on my place within my Core Team of Leaders. I often wondered if my contribution was lacking, or if I had more to give in this season of life. The truth hit me: although I was technically a leader, I had been using our meetings to vent my own difficulties rather than to minister to others.

And yet, I realized something beautiful. In many dark seasons of my motherhood, the Moms’ Group had been a lifeline for me. It ministered to me when I needed it most. But Jesus has something to say about leadership. On the night of the Last Supper, He washed the feet of His disciples and told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me” (John 13:8). Through this ministry, Jesus has washed me again and again. But He doesn’t stop there. He says, “Wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). That was my lightbulb moment. This was the missing piece. It is now my time to step fully into the role of a Moms’ Group Leader—to stop centering on myself, and instead to joyfully serve the moms God sends my way.

Because Catholic Moms’ Groups are not just catechetical sessions or social gatherings. They are a Spirit-filled movement—a way to revive the vocation of motherhood and open hearts to the transforming love of Christ and His Mother. As leaders, we carry a serious responsibility: to joyfully reflect Christ and Our Lady to every mom who walks through the doors.

There is a time to be ministered to, and a time to minister. The Summit reminded me that true leadership is not about titles or recognition—it’s about service. It’s about returning to the basics, rediscovering our mission, and stepping beyond our comfort zones.

So I leave with a few questions that continue to echo in my heart:

• Is there something “basic” in my faith or ministry that I’ve been neglecting?

• Am I truly serving others as God has called me to?

• Am I willing to go beyond my comfort zone in order to love more fully?

Let us, as leaders, recommit ourselves to our joyful duty. Let us open our hearts to love, laughter, and the surprising moments of grace that God has waiting for us.

Besides, the speakers, it wasn’t unusual for us to break out in song. And YES, we all got free gifts, lots of delicious food. There was more than one surprise that came our way.

We are extremely grateful to Novalis for pitching in with the prizes. We are especially grateful to LeTreport who went the extra mile in making sure that the food was delicious, plentiful and that the transition to a new venue went smoothly. Le Treport went the EXTRA MILE, be sure to check them out HERE https://letreport.com/

Did you hear the news? Our Catholic Moms Group Leader from North Pole, Alaska is flying in to Toronto, Canada to give a talk at the Dynamic Women of Faith conference. The talk is called: Live Adventuorsly, Live Virtuously! 

Every year four Catholic Moms Group Leaders get added to our Pink Hat Society — this year was no different.

We found out too – that Fr. Terrence Mc Kenna was celebrating a birthday and one of our Catholic Moms Group Leaders, Susan Monaco — a leader for over TEN years, bought him a birthday cake! We lit some candles, surprised him and of course we all sang!

The Catholic Moms Group Leaders Summit would have not happened had it not been for the help of so many. A big warm thank you especially to Krystyna Zasowski, Lynda Halyburton and Hashdy Maciel.

written by Cathy Quartarone de Valdez, St. Teresa CMG Co-Leader