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roses for life:
parishes sell flowers on mother's day to support project rachel

Story by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

“O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.”

Maybe Robert Burns wasn’t on the tip of the tongue if you were asked to name the poet, but many recognize the rose as a symbol of love and some as a symbol of the Virgin Mary.

It is also recognized as a symbol of life on Mother’s Day in many parishes in the diocese as roses are sold before and after weekend liturgies in honor of all mothers, those living and those no longer here.

Proceeds from the sales go to the diocesan Respect Life office to be used to support Project Rachel — a post-abortion healing ministry.

This year 13,100 roses have been ordered by 58 parishes — some from every deanery to be sold on May 7-8, Mother’s Day weekend.

Here’s how it works: When the roses come to the Diocesan Pastoral Center, a group of volunteers prepares them for pickup or transportation to the parishes.

This year, the parishes farthest from the center are St. Mary’s in Anna and St. Joseph’s in Olney.

Each parish that orders roses usually has a coordinator, often someone that has worked in this capacity for years.
Respect Life coordinator, Laurie Edwards said: “I am regularly humbled and inspired by the commitment I hear from them, the devotion they have for life and helping support the Respect Life ministry and the compelling ministry of Project Rachel, as well as very simply, a love for moms, and our Blessed Mother particularly.”

Look for roses in your parish and know the proceeds will be used to advance the cause of life in the diocese.