As a child, I often said to myself, “I’ll never be like my mom when I grow up!” This was often said in response to a situation where her will won over my own childish desires. Now as an adult, whenever I act or speak in a particular way, I often find myself saying, “That is so my mom!” In those moments I discover that the defiant declarations from my youth have never materialized. Rather, I have become my mom! And, thank God for that!

Other women who who have had a great influence on me would include my grandmothers, especially my paternal grandmother, who lived across the street from my childhood home. I can remember spending many hours watching her as she tended to her rose bushes, which grew in an environment unfavorable for roses, but were the admiration of neighbors nonetheless. She even allowed me to pick out my own rose bush from the Jackson Perkins’ mail catalogue, which she helped me plant in my own garden. I owe my love of gardening to her.

And my vocation to the priesthood would assuredly have died a long time ago were it not for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, who staffed my parish’s school. As soon as I verbalized that I wanted to become a priest, the good sisters were all over that. They encouraged me to pursue my vocation by applying to our high school seminary. Many years after that, I frequently received from them letters of encouragement and promises for prayers, as I inched closer to ordination.

This past Wednesday, people of good will everywhere observed International Women’s Day, in recognition of all the contributions women have made to our families, our society, and our world. The contributions made by women in the Catholic Church must likewise be recognized. Women carry out most of the church’s mission by working and volunteering in parishes and schools. Whenever I look out into the assembly of worshipers at Mass I see an overwhelming representation of women. Our church would not be what it is today, were it not for the contributions made by generations of women who answered Jesus’ call to help build the Kingdom of God. 

Sadly, women have felt under appreciated, and excluded, by a church that is governed by ordained men. Thankfully, Pope Francis has done much to include more women in leadership positions. His most significant action, thus far, has been the appointment of three women to the Dicastery for Bishops, whose members oversee the appointment of bishops throughout the world. Not surprisingly, in the one year since their appointment, these women have encountered resistance from some members of the church’s leadership.

The longest conversation in the gospels between Jesus and another person was with a nameless woman, known as the Samaritan woman at the well, which is the gospel assigned for this Sunday. It’s a familiar story to believers. But, familiarity doesn’t always mean understanding. Many assume that she was a sinful woman with a questionable past. And yet, Jesus never said to her, “sin no more,” as he often did in his encounters with people. Her story is a story of faith, which began with disbelief, but gradually grew into faith as her conversation with Jesus progressed. Moved by her new found faith, she became an evangelizer, who influenced others to encounter Jesus for themselves. It’s no accident that the Holy Spirit inspired St. John to include this account in his gospel. She, a woman, is a model for all believers to follow and find inspiration.

The celebration of International Women’s Day is lost on us if we fail to personally get in touch with the women in our lives who have influenced us. As Christians, an unending sense of gratitude should fill our hearts. And our love and respect for them should always be directed to them, whether they are still with us or not. Thank God for the women in our lives!

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