A Message of Hope for Mothers

I would like to share a message from our parishioner, Diane Eisendrath, regarding a ministry she assists in, Umbrella Ministries. On this Mother’s Day, when there are many mothers who need a message of hope, I share this with you. – Fr. Lalo

Hello Mission San Luis Rey Parish, my name is Diane Eisendrath, and I am the Vice President of a ministry that not many know about. It is called Umbrella Ministries, a support group for moms who have lost children. Fr. Lalo asked me to share with you what this ministry is about in honor of May 10th, when we celebrate Mother’s Day.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.”

When my son John died of cancer, Umbrella Ministry lived out the prayer of St Francis, bringing joy, love, and peace into my broken life. Now, as an Umbrella Ministry volunteer, I receive calls from moms whose children have died either from an accident, sickness, suicide, drugs, murder, or miscarriage. I offer them words of encouragement by coming alongside them in their walk. This is a journey no one should travel alone.

Umbrella Ministries’ moms are there to walk beside them, just as another mom walked beside me. Saying their child’s name brings a light back into their lives as they pour out memories and fun stories they will never forget.

Every May, Umbrella Ministries has a conference on the West Coast, usually the weekend before Mother’s Day, which is always the saddest holiday for these moms; this year, it is the weekend after, May 15-17.

In addition to this ministry, I am a confirmation catechist here at Mission San Luis Rey, and I help with community service projects for students. One of the service projects we have been doing the past few years is making Mother’s Day Cards for Umbrella Ministries’ moms. Many times, it is the only card a mom receives.

The response I receive from the students for this service project is overwhelming. The kids love making the cards; they write beautiful messages to the moms, full of love, prayers, and blessings, and the look on the mothers’ faces when they receive them is heartwarming.

If you know someone who is suffering from the loss of a child, please share with them about this ministry; it is nationwide and has several support groups (some include dads) and conferences in different states, and also an annual couples conference on the West Coast.

Thank you for your support of this ministry. Thank you, students, for blessing these moms with the Mother’s Day cards you made. 

For more information, please contact Diane Eisendrath, John’s Mom, Umbrella Ministries www.umbrellaministries.com or helpingmoms@umbrellaministries.com or 760-345-0332.