The History of MOM - Heart of the Home

The MOM-Heart of the Home ministry began on Saturday, September 8, 1990 when Kathy Eckert, Ministry Founder and Coordinator, attended a healing service at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Media, Pennsylvania.  During the service, a quiet PEACE enveloped Ms. Eckert.  Then a picture came to her mind.  It was a picture of a large assembly of women.

The assembly was in a room with balconies that were filled with women.  There were banners, many colorful banners.  Peace and joy filled the air.  At that time, Ms. Eckert wondered what this picture in her mind's eye meant.  Then she heard the words, "An Archdiocesan Day of Renewal for Mothers."

When the service ended, Ms. Eckert told the Prayer Leader what she had experienced, hoping she would shed light on this imagery.  The Prayer Leader said, "Pray. God will direct you."  Ms. Eckert wondered about that image, and, of course, she did pray.  A few weeks later, she told her confessor about the experience and imagery, and he also said, "Pray."  She prayed and prayed.

A year later, Ms. Eckert felt inspired to write Cardinal Bevilaqua and ask if the Archdiocese of Philadelphia would have a Day of Renewal for mothers.  Her letter was forwarded to the Family Life Office, and their response made her realize it was not the time.  

Ms. Eckert went on with her life, but the thought would always come to her mind, and she began to feel frustrated.  Then she decided to write the Office of Evangelization.  Since mothers are the first evangelizers to their children, surely they would be interested in putting a day on for mothers.  That letter was also forwarded to the Family Life Office.  This time, however, the Family Life Office contacted her and invited her to meet and discuss this proposal.  They were genuinely interested in the idea, but, due to financial constraints and lack of manpower, said it was not feasible.

Ms. Eckert continued to pray, but felt frustrated.  She felt like she was pestering God with this incessant desire.  "Well," she thought, "I did all I can do."  She felt bewildered, impatient, and began to doubt herself.  She wondered if this, after all, was a vision or simply her imagination....and not God's inspiration.  She questioned herself, and she argued with herself.

Ms. Eckert wanted to forget the whole matter and decided to give up any thought of it and get on with her life.  But somehow the imagery or words would come back to her - a Homily at church, a song, a movie - the idea kept coming back to her.  She was at a turning point.  If she believed this was of the Lord, which she did, then she must accept the message, not doubt herself, and wait on the Lord.

Ms. Eckert's family knew she was struggling with the continuous thought.  One day, her daughter came to her and said, "Mom, I read this and I think it's meant for you."  It was a  Scripture Verse.

"Then the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily.  For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late."   From Habakkuk 2: V2-4

She made the decision to be patient and wait on the Lord.

In October 1994, Ms. Eckert had a phone conversation with a woman from a neighboring parish and shared the image of a Mothers Renewal Day.  When the woman responded with the words, "Kathy, I'll help you!", she knew it was the time to move forward.  She was encouraged by her offer.  That day, it dawned on her...I was waiting for the Church to do something.  And guess what???  "I am the Church."  WE....YOU....I are the Church.  She finally got the message.

Ms. Eckert met with her Parish Priest who listened and suggested a Mothers Renewal Day could be accomplished on a small scale by gathering clusters of parishes together.  The picture became clearer.  The Pastor brought the idea to a meeting with all of the Chester County Cluster Parishes, and they gave it their blessing.  This Ministry needed a name....

Ms. Eckert woke up one morning with the name.  MOM - Heart of the Home.  But the word "Mom" is an Acronym - Mary, Our Mother - and isn't it right to place her in the Heart of our Home.

The first Renewal Day was planned by a group of mothers from Chester County Cluster Parishes who also had the desire to have motherhood uplifted and renewed.  The first day was March 25, 1995....and 120 women attended.

A Mission Statement was written to help keep us focused.  Our Mission Statement is as follows:

"MOM - Heart of the Home Ministry is a movement for spiritual renewal in the Roman Catholic Church.  It is dedicated to Mary, Our Mother."

Mary, A Woman of Peace, intercedes for us as we seek to bring peace to our families, and to our world.  Through days of Renewal and other spiritual opportunities, this movement rejuvenates, elevates, and empowers motherhood.  Designed for, by, and about mothers, it builds community through newsletters and various projects.

The next year 220 women came to the Renewal Day.  Two women were from Bucks County.  They introduced the Renewal to Bucks County in November 1996.  Then two mothers from Delaware County planned a day in 1999.  Montgomery County started in 2000.  

In December 1999, a "Letter of Praise" from the Chancery Office recognized MOM - Heart of the Home as a Private Lay Association.  

This year over 1,600 women attended a Renewal Day throughout the Delaware Valley.  

This Renewal Day gives mothers an opportunity to spend quiet time with the Lord.  Taking time away from our busy lives to spend in quiet brings us back home rejuvenated, empowered, elevated, refreshed, and spiritually renewed.