Memorial Day weekend is among us. Many of us have mowed our lawns several times; some hay has already been cut(and harvested). Flowers have been purchased and planted and we are enjoying their beauty. Even some beauty of theflowers of spring has passed. Despite the regular rainfall and less than favorable temperatures, new life springs from theearth. Fields have been tilled and seeds have been planted (is there a rain resistant variety of corn/beans?).

Samuel McCarty concluded his twelve week internship on Friday 12 May. Some have asked, which causes me to presume some other are wondering, what I have learned from the Pastoral Internship experience. In an attempt to thoroughly answer those wondering thoughts, I need to revisit some recent history. Late in autumn, perhaps more like early winter, I was invited to consider being a pastor to provide an internship experience for one of our seminarians. I distinctly remember praying thoroughly about the matter, and praying specifically for Samuel who I knew was going to be the candidate.

It isn't often that we're given the chance to take a step back and recognize the many things we should be grateful for. The Lord is so good to us, and yet we rarely take a moment to say a simple thank you. Luckily for me, I've been given an opportunity right now to reflect on my semester internship and to acknowledge the multitude of graces I've received. Since gratitude is on my mind, I figured I would offer a brief encouragement on it.

Every year the month of May celebrates Mary, our dear mother. It offers us an opportunity to reconnect with Our Lady and return to, or perhaps discover a devotion to her.

This time of year we recognize earth's motherhood. All around us in nature we see new life – fresh faced flowers, robins' eggs, lambs and calves. Creation reminds us about the cycle of life and death, that all things are renewed ("See, I make all things new" Revelation 21:5). We turn to Mary because it is in her womb that our new life takes shape: her motherhood provides the gentle help we need to live our identity as children of God.