My #1 Hero

Recently I read this great article in First Things about what we Catholics in the United States need to do to "keep the Faith" in the new year.

The author laid out four main "practical objectives": the ending of abortion; the return of large families; the renewal of classical education; and the building of better churches.

Wow, I thought. These objectives are exactly what our world needs. And then I began wondering, What can I do to help meet them? It's not like I'm in a position of power, or even at the head of a family. I'm just one little unknown Catholic girl.

As I thought about it more, I had a moment of stunning insight. I actually know someone who works every day to make each of these objectives a reality. How did I not see it right away?

Someone I know and love is already working towards these goals. In fact, she's spent her life on them. She's the greatest role model a girl like me could ever have. She's my mom.

How did I get so lucky to have a mom like mine? Let me tell you how she's spent her life working towards these objectives...

1. The Ending of Abortion.

The first time I prayed at an abortion clinic was with my mom, who taught me to pray the Rosary and explained to me in child-appropriate terms what abortion is. And Mum doesn't just talk the talk. She walks the walk, volunteering her time at a crisis pregnancy center and using her fluency in Spanish to reach out to minority women who need help. My mom is the grassroots of the pro-life movement, and she's doing a great job.

2. The Return of Large Families

My mom had 7 kids and would have had more if she could. Now that her kids are growing up, she is a role model and mentor to younger moms who need encouragement when they're not sure they can do it all. She has a big family, and she makes it look like fun. She's the best advertisement for motherhood I've ever seen.

3. The Renewal of Classical Education

She started her own school to make sure my siblings and I were getting a proper classical education. 'Nuff said.

4. The Building of Better Churches

My mum is a pillar of our local parish. She helps out with the marriage prep, she is the most stalwart visitor to the Adoration Chapel, and even the priests rely on her for her example. She's building a better church, just by living out her vibrant faith every day.

So I realized, I know exactly how to make those objectives happen. I just need to be like my mom and do what she does.

This might sound silly, but I can't help thinking - what kind of world would we live in if every woman worked towards these objectives like my mom does? What would Western Civilization look like if it was built by women like that?

She's just one woman, my mom. But a world full of women like her? Imagine it. That would be a beautiful world indeed.