Mothers gather to break social barriers

Today, mothers of all social classes will come together to celebrate the Archdiocese of Manila’s second Mother’s Festival.

The festival coincides with Mother’s Day and aims to bridge the gap between mothers who are financially capable and mothers burdened by poverty.

Each parish in Metro Manila was asked by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin to send 20 mothers to the event. This year, the theme for the Mother’s Festival is "Mothers: Building a Home... Building a Nation."

This festival will be the venue for interaction between mothers of all social classes and sectors of society.

According to the Archdiocesan Office of Communications, the event aims to celebrate the call of women to motherhood and uphold the vital role of mothers in the family, society, nation-building and the promotion of justice and peace.

The festival will also feature film showings, lectures, games and a flea market.

In a circular on the festival, Sin said 10 financially capable mothers will be paired with 10 mothers from depressed areas "to foster a spirit of building a church for the poor."

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas, activity chairman, will celebrate the Mass that opens the festival at 8 a.m.

President Arroyo and former President Corazon Aquino have been invited to grace the occasion.

The first Mother’s Festival was held last year as part of preparations for the 4th World Meeting of Families.

The Archdiocese of Manila organized the festival with the help of TEODORA, the social arm of the Couples for Christ (CFC) movement.