Trinity Hills hosted a Mother Daughter Program on April 22, 2012 that explored God’s special gift of human fertility and the beauty and wonder of God’s plan for growing up and becoming a woman. Around 50 people participated in the event which Christine Lund-Molfese organized for mothers and daughters in the area. The event was sponsored by the diocesan Office Of Social Ministry, Evangelization and Formation.

“Delicate topics were discussed in a sensitive manner, putting all at ease,” Lund-Molfese said. “Respect, good manners, and courtesy were discussed. During the tea time, mothers and daughters snacked on delicate appetizers such as mini cheesecakes, chicken salad and crackers, fruit salad, and of course gummi bears and M&Ms.”

Additional Mother and Daughter Teas are slated for Sun., July 29, for 13- to 16-year-old young women and their mothers (or other significant female); another on Sun., Sept. 23, for 10- to 12-year-old girls and their mothers.

For the event, Natural Family Planning teachers as well as others came and spoke to mothers and daughters about the journey to womanhood. Patty Straus, Diocesan NFP coordinator, spoke on the beauty and wonder of God’s plan for growing up, and Shelly Pichler, mother of five and member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Springfield, delivered a talk titled “All in God’s Plan,” the focus of which was physical and emotional changes girls go through on the journey to womanhood. Kate Sisney, a high school student, spoke to “When I Was Your Age,” encouraging the girls from the perspective of a young woman who has been through what many of participants are just beginning. Jill Sisney gave a talk on “Being a Mother,” which encouraged the moms in the audience from a mother’s perspective. Lund-Molfese’s topic was, “It’s Great to Be a Girl!”

Elsa Brandel, parishioner of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, heard about the tea and was interested in bringing her daughters, Eileen, 11 years old, and Ana Marie, 9 years old. She had reservations at first, concerned that the girls were too young and worried about how the information would be presented.

“I was very pleased with the event,” Brandel said. “It was beautifully done; the presenters were very nice and so knowledgeable. It was very easy to understand for everyone. I would take them in the future to another event to refresh them with this information.”

Being interested in pro-life events, Lilith Lund from Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Branson, MO, decided to take her daughter to the tea. She and her daughter, Disa, were “very excited because I had heard of similar programs, sharing God’s plan for growing as a woman, from friends, and how much it had helped those mothers and daughters talk about sensitive or awkward issues.”

Disa said, “I was excited to be with my mom, and nervous at the same time.”

“The talks were reverent, fun, and inspirational, and conveyed with joy and sincerity,” Lund said. “I loved young Kate Sisney’s talk the most, although they were all great. She talked about the chrysalis developing into a butterfly, and opened up the mystery and hopeful expectations we are having as we grow up. There were slide shows, with music, showing mothers and daughters, including our pictures they had taken of us together when we arrived. That made us feel we belonged to the group and closer in our bond to each other.”

“I did enjoy it, and my mom did, too!” Disa said. “It was fun, and I think others should go!”

“Our goal is to foster communication between mothers and daughters during this very important time in their lives,” Lund-Molfese said. “We don’t do ‘sex ed.’ What we do is present appreciation of the gift of being a girl. We also encourage the girls that they are beautiful during a time in their lives when they may not feel so sure about this.”

Sixteen years ago, Lund-Molfese served in the Office of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Rockford, IL. In that capacity, she coordinated several Mother Daughter Teas and gave chastity talks to hundreds of middle school and high school students. The April event was the first one of its kind in the Springfield area, but as mentioned above, they are planning similar teas in July and September. For more information, contact Christine Lund-Molfese at (417) 753-7758, or check out the “Upcoming Events” section of the Trinity Hills Web site: www.thills.org, or local church bulletins.