School helps mothers face today's challenges
Helping to define a modern family's own identity
Participants in the first 'Mother School' held by Joeonju diocese
- Francesca Shin, Jeonju
- Korea
- April 18, 2012
Jeonju diocese has taken a bold, creative step in helping mothers, with the launch of St Maria’s Mother School, which held its first seminar last weekend.
With 39 mothers in attendance, the seminar’s aim was to help them define their identity in terms of their family and their faith, and explore the new challenges that mothers face in modern times; challenges that can often divide a family.
The diocese has already held a similar session for husbands - St Joseph’s Father School. The men who attended found it so beneficial, they suggested that a program for their wives should be prepared so that they too could enjoy the new perspectives and support it brought. Some of them also lent a hand with the mothers' event by preparing video clips and playing guitars.
Dominica Na Hye-jin was one of the volunteers who helped at the Mother School. “After my husband went to the Father School, he started to hug the children and pray with them and he became much more concerned about me,” said the 50-year-old mother of two.
"My family became much happier, so I volunteered to help others to experience the same thing with this program."
Led by Clara Yun Hye-sook, president of the Daejeon Association for Community Education, the session dealt with several key aspects of motherhood. The mothers were encouraged to explore their relationships with their own mothers, with their children and with other women, and to think about the role that faith and devotion plays.
On the second day, they took an in-depth look at their relationship with their husbands. In this segment, Clara Yun Hye-sook caused laughter when she pointed out that "men basically want to be recognized by their women,” and advised them to reply to their husbands’ words by saying "you are right!"
Delving into these personal issues created strong emotions for many of the mothers. “Some of them started crying when they talked about the hurt they felt in relation to their own mothers,” said Dominica. "But that can help open their minds so they can be healed."
Three non-Catholic women were present at the seminar and one of them delighted her fellow delegates by expressing her hope to be baptized.
"Other people have two names including their baptismal name, but I only have one. I want two as well," she told them. It was a comment that drew warm applause.
With 39 mothers in attendance, the seminar’s aim was to help them define their identity in terms of their family and their faith, and explore the new challenges that mothers face in modern times; challenges that can often divide a family.
The diocese has already held a similar session for husbands - St Joseph’s Father School. The men who attended found it so beneficial, they suggested that a program for their wives should be prepared so that they too could enjoy the new perspectives and support it brought. Some of them also lent a hand with the mothers' event by preparing video clips and playing guitars.
Dominica Na Hye-jin was one of the volunteers who helped at the Mother School. “After my husband went to the Father School, he started to hug the children and pray with them and he became much more concerned about me,” said the 50-year-old mother of two.
"My family became much happier, so I volunteered to help others to experience the same thing with this program."
Led by Clara Yun Hye-sook, president of the Daejeon Association for Community Education, the session dealt with several key aspects of motherhood. The mothers were encouraged to explore their relationships with their own mothers, with their children and with other women, and to think about the role that faith and devotion plays.
On the second day, they took an in-depth look at their relationship with their husbands. In this segment, Clara Yun Hye-sook caused laughter when she pointed out that "men basically want to be recognized by their women,” and advised them to reply to their husbands’ words by saying "you are right!"
Delving into these personal issues created strong emotions for many of the mothers. “Some of them started crying when they talked about the hurt they felt in relation to their own mothers,” said Dominica. "But that can help open their minds so they can be healed."
Three non-Catholic women were present at the seminar and one of them delighted her fellow delegates by expressing her hope to be baptized.
"Other people have two names including their baptismal name, but I only have one. I want two as well," she told them. It was a comment that drew warm applause.
