Great Strength, Comfort Found In The Eucharist
The People of Faith feature is compiled by Steve Halbig, who asks a series of questions of people of the diocese – some who have reached the “age of wisdom” and some who are younger. All will share stories of faith.
This month’s People of Faith features Mary Jo Holmes, 77, a retired elementary school teacher and a member of Saint Ferdinand parish. She has a lot to say about life lessons, traveling, poetry and serving others.
Who or what has had the biggest impact on your life?
The biggest impact on my life was when I became a single mother responsible for four little children 5 and under.
Who do you consider to be the best role models today?
There are so many that I will mention a few.
• Teresa of Avila, mystic, whose vision and service reached far and wide, and does so today.
• John Marie Vianney, patron of priests, whose innate love of God and service enabled him to bring many souls worldwide back to God, even though he lived through such difficult circumstances in his own life.
• Elizabeth Ann Seton, wife, mother, religious foundress, my soul mate. Her reactions to the death of two of her daughters helped me to cope with the death of my 7-year-old daughter Kathy.
• Mother Teresa – so devoted to India’s destitute and cast-offs.
• Pope Francis ‑ his dedication to the poor and simple living.
• Sisters of St. Benedict, whose monastery is up the hill from my home. The sisters work diligently living the Gospel by serving in the trenches, and are extremely faithful in their prayer life. I witness this, as I am at the monastery often.
• My daughter Connie’s dedication and compassion for the cancer patients she serves.
Describe how your faith helped you through a difficult time in your life?
The Eucharist has sustained me during many hardships. As I have changed in the spiritual life through prayer, meditation, study and life experiences, I now place the Eucharist more in the context of the entire Paschal Mystery. This great gift is my strength today. I have so often walked with Jesus and his blessed mother, especially during the Triduum. In the difficult times of my life I truly know that Jesus and Mary walk with me. This is so comforting and strengthening.
Do you have any hobbies? How do you stay active?
I read extensively and write poetry. My poems reflect many aspects of life: scripture, my spiritual life, people, God’s creation in the flora and fauna, life experiences, my memories of the past written especially for my children and grandchildren.
I travel and have traveled much. Walked in the footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land, Peter and Paul in Rome, Paul in Greece and Turkey. Visited many historic places, shrines and parks in the United States and Europe. Traveled coast to coast and in between to visit my children and grandchildren, and share in their activities.
For 15 years, I have volunteered for the sisters in Hildegard Center in the Monastery. I work in hair care. How lovely they look after their hairdos. I receive lots of love and prayers from them. I feel I receive much more than I give.
What do you like most about being Catholic?
The Eucharist and what that means in my life. I hear the admonition at the end of Mass: Go and live the Gospel, teaching in service to one another (my paraphrase).
One way I do that is to serve others at table in my home with a beautiful and elegant table setting. Precious vessels are used during the Eucharistic Celebration, so I use my best in serving others, as I consider the meals I serve an extension of the Eucharist. We are the Body of Christ.
The inspiration of Saint Francis of Assisi: I pray to be an instrument of peace, and as I open my home to others, I hope that they experience hospitality and peace.
Of those things that are possible to change in the Catholic Church, what would you change?
I would like to see the Catholic Church reach out and be more inclusive.
Any regrets in life?
I can’t say that I have regrets. I certainly would not choose to relive the times of adversity. From them, hopefully, I have learned and gained wisdom and grace propelling me forward to be who God created me to be.
Tell us a few more things about yourself.
• I had a wonderful career as an elementary school teacher, and integrated what I was teaching with my children as they were growing up. Later they, as adults, came to my classroom to share with my students in their fields of expertise.
• Worked with adults after retiring, companioning many groups — scripture study. Why Catholic?, RCIA, and others. I have given many scripture presentations — especially on Matthew's genealogy. What a boring read, but it becomes so intriguing, interesting, and exciting when delving into it! This past Advent/Christmas season, I focused on the women in his genealogy. Very revealing on this aspect of our salvation history.
• Two prayers that I love are found in the Liturgy of the Hours—in Morning Prayer the Benedictus and in Evening Prayer the Magnificat. Both praise God while recalling the blessings of our salvation history.
• I enjoy scrap booking, especially when documenting the past and present for my children and grandchildren.
• The flowers in my flower boxes and yard keep me busy, and brighten the surroundings.
• The birds, especially in spring, interest me and give me much enjoyment from nest building to the fledging offspring. I marvel at the diligence and faithfulness of those parent birds.
What do you do in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others?
I try to be aware of living in the present moment. Spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, and reflection ‑ especially on the Gospels. Reception of the Eucharist and being aware of being Eucharist to others — see Christ in each person.
What is your best wisdom?
• The Paschal Mystery is our hope and strength.
• Gratitude is the secret to living a good life.
• All belongs to God. Do I use my blessings exclusively for myself, or share as the gospel mandates?
• Change is inevitable. Do whatever inner work is needed to accept change gracefully. During loss, I truly believe we must do the necessary grief work, then let it go. Forgive and love instead of letting anger, resentment, and rebellion burn up the soul.
