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Spiritual Motherhood of Priests (SMOP)

Blessings as you consider starting a Spiritual Motherhood of Priests (SMOP) program in your parish. The

mission of this ministry is as simple as this: It is a call for a woman to make a life-long commitment to

pray for priests of her choice, to pray for vocations, and to keep the identity of the one chosen between

herself and God.

In the information in the following documents, you will also observe that initiating and sustaining this

ministry is as uncomplicated as its mission. (Note: The acronym SMOP has been adopted as a convenient

identifier for Spiritual Motherhood of Priests programs throughout the US and Canada. Please know that

the use of this acronym is optional.)

The SMOP program at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Cincinnati, OH, began in August of 2011 and

has continued to grow and resonate with the women of our Parish.

We offer this packet and CD containing information that has worked for us: bulletin announcements,

newsletter articles and marketing ideas. We hope you will find these documents helpful and encourage

you to use as little, or as much as you need to meet the needs of your Parish. Don’t hesitate to make the

program your own.

The Vatican document, Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity,

referenced often throughout this packet, remains our go-to source for enlightenment and inspiration.

We urge you to read and share it. It is contained on the enclosed CD and is available at

http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/upload/spiritual-maternity-

congregation-fo-clergy.pdf .

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http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/upload/spiritual-maternity-congregation-fo-clergy.pdf


Spiritual Motherhood Program

1. Spiritual Motherhood Background Information

2. Getting started as a Spiritual Mother

3. Prayers

4. Setting up a display

5. Getting the Word Out:

Bulletin announcements

Newsletter articles

Suggestions

If you have questions regarding the Spiritual Motherhood Program please contact:

Jan Boldt at [email protected] phone: 513-232-6630 or

Sally Schroder at [email protected] phone: 513-232-7252

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mailto:[email protected]


1. Spiritual Motherhood Background Information

A Great Spiritual Movement of Prayer for our Priests

A Call from the Vatican for the Faithful to Pray

On December 8, 2007, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception,

an easy to read, inspiring booklet entitled Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and

Spiritual Maternity* was quietly released from the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI’s words introduce it and

call for perpetual Eucharistic adoration on a world wide scale for the true good of priests and the

fruitfulness of their ministries through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. He asks us to cooperate

and persevere in “praying to the Lord of the harvest, to stir his heart, and together with God, touch the

hearts of others through our prayer.”

Many dramatic stories follow witnessing to the power of simple, ongoing prayer. One of the stories for

vocations tells of many mothers coming together for an hour of adoration each week in the tiny village

of Lu in northern Italy. Their deepest desire was that one of their sons would become a priest or that a

daughter would place her life completely in God’s service.

Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity available at


congregation-fo-clergy.pdf

The Example of the Tiny Village of Lu A Story from the Booklet*

The mothers gathered every Tuesday for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, asking the Lord for

vocations and received Holy Communion on the first Sunday of every month with the same intention.

After Mass, all the mothers prayed a particular prayer together imploring for vocations to the

priesthood.

They prayed: “O God, grant that one of my sons or daughters may become a priest or religious! I

myself want to live as a good Christian and want to guide my children always to do what is right, so

that I may receive the grace, O God, to be allowed to give you a holy priest/religious! Amen.”

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Through their trusting prayer and the openness of the other parents, an atmosphere of deep joy and

Christian piety developed in the families, making it much easier for the children to recognize their

vocations.

The Lord said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Mt 22:14) In other words, many are called, but

only a few respond to that call. No one expected that God would hear the prayers of these mothers in

such an astounding way. From the tiny village of Lu came 323 vocations, 152 priests (diocesan and

religious), and 171 nuns belonging to 41 different congregations.

Every ten years, the priests and sisters born in Lu come together from all around the world. In

September 1946, the majority of the priests and religious met in their village for a reunion which

attracted world-wide attention.

A Transforming Nun A Story from the Document*

A humble nun offered herself as a spiritual mother for any priest who was in great need of prayer. Many

years later, a bishop living nearby was enlightened interiorly to understand that a nun in a nearby

convent had been instrumental in his transformation.

2. Getting started as a Spiritual Mother

You Choose: With the help of the Holy Spirit, you choose who to pray for.

This person may be known or unknown to you.

Your choice should remain between you and the Holy Spirit. Simply commit to one or two persons who will be the focus of your prayers for the rest of your life.

When you’ve made your choice(s): Pray for this person(s) every day for the rest of your life. There are so many prayers and so many ways to remember your priest son(s). Some suggestions:

Choose from some of our favorite prayers included in this packet or choose your own.

Go to Mass and Adoration as you can for the intentions of your chosen person(s).

Say a prayer(s) as you do your chores, exercise, drive, etc.

Pray a decade or more of the rosary.

As you experience trials or sufferings offer them for the intention of your chosen person(s).

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Why do they need my prayers?

Priests and religious are human beings struggling just as we do with physical and emotional pains,

frustrations, temptations, highs, lows, fatigue and loneliness.

From our experience the nature of spiritual motherhood is such that you may find yourself praying for

many others as you see them in your daily life: perhaps saying a prayer for the priests who are teaching

at the seminary, for students as they dismiss from school or a server at Mass. Although your focus is

your chosen person, enjoy the fruitfulness of your ‘vocation’ as a Spiritual Mother! The Immaculate

Heart of Mary will forever thank you for praying for her beloved priest sons.

Read the Vatican document that requests women to pray for priests titled: Eucharistic Adoration for the

Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity available at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-

teachings/vocations/parents/upload/spiritual-maternity-congregation-fo-clergy.pdf

This document is also available as a lovely booklet by contacting Books for Catholics at 970-490-2735 or www.booksforcatholics.com.

3. Spiritual Mother Prayers to get you started

At Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, we altered an existing booklet titled, Chaplet of The Holy Spirit. The

Chaplet of The Holy Spirit booklets are plentiful and distributed free of charge by the Apostles of The

Holy Spirit. Copies are available online at www.aoths.org or by calling 513-961-1122.

These booklets are stored at the Schuloff Equipment Rental Company, 2709 Woodburn Ave. Cincinnati,

Ohio 45206-1724. Just ask to speak to someone from The Apostles of The Holy Spirit.

Consider using the white Commitment Card (found on the Vocation Office website) that enfolds the

Spiritual Motherhood Prayer Book. New spiritual mothers may find it helpful to sign and keep.

The following documents are formatted for inclusion in the Spiritual Motherhood

Prayer Booklet:

Spiritual Motherhood is as Simple as 1,2,3,4.

We pasted this document to the inside cover of the prayer book. The simple instructions allow

your display to be a “self-serve” site. (See picture on the following page.)5

http://www.aoths.org/

http://www.booksforcatholics.com/



A Prayer of Thanks for Priests.

Daily Prayer for Priests by St. Therese of Lisieux.

Morning Offering.

Please see the enclosed sample booklet.

4. Setting Up Your Spiritual Motherhood Display

Find a prominent place for your SMOP display. Ours is just outside the Priests’ Vesting

Sacristy so priests see it every day.

This is what you will need:

o An easel for the large SMOP Poster.

o Colorful Sharpie pen(s) for signatures. (Other pens will damage the poster).

o Small table to hold the two table tent cards titled “Please Pray for Me” and

“Take One.” (These cards are available on the CD).

This is where you will find the items needed for your display area:

o Spiritual Motherhood of Priests posters as well as Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Portraits of Priests booklets are available through Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish

(IHM).

o Call the parish receptionist at (513) 388-4466 to arrange pick up.

IHM is located at 7770 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45255.

These posters are available at no cost to you thanks to the Vocation Office of the Archdiocese of

Cincinnati.

o Photo posters of seminarians are available at the Athenaeum of Ohio, Mt St Mary’s

Seminary by calling 513-231-2223 – ask for the Advancement Office.

o NOTE: The portrait booklets of priests and photos posters of seminarians

are the source for your SMOP display “photos.”

o Please Pray for Me card and the Please Take One card, when folded as a

table-tent and placed in front of the container of photos of priests, seminarians and the

prayer books, helps to promote the “self-serve” aspect of the SMOP program.

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May we suggest two of our favorite prayers for priests to make available at your SMOP

display:

o Archdiocesan Prayer for Vocations (included on the enclosed CD)

o Morning Offering Prayer for Priests (included on the enclosed CD)

5. Documents and Tips to Help You Get the Word Out

The Parish bulletin and newsletters are key to announcing the program and delivering program

updates.

For your convenience feel free to use the following announcements (Ann.) included in this

document.

Ann. # 1 Spiritual Motherhood of Priests (bulletin announcement (2 xs)


Ann. # 3 Will you be a Spiritual Mother? (bulletin announcement (3 xs)


Ann. # 5 Spiritual Motherhood of Priests – Q&A (consider publishing one

question and answer each month in the bulletin)

Ann. # 6 Spiritual Motherhood – Feminine Genius article (consider publishing in the bulletin

1 or 2 xs)

Ann. # 7 Morning Offering for Priests, by Father Mark Kirby, County-Meath, Ireland

Ann. # 8 Example of SMOP information to submit if your parish publishes a Directory of Parish

Ministries

The Spiritual Motherhood logo is a helpful identifier whenever SMOP information is in your

newsletter, bulletin, etc.

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Consider submitting articles to your Parish newsletter.

Requesting pulpit announcements is a wonderful way for your pastor to give SMOP a boost!

Publish SMOP information on your parish website or Facebook page.

Facilitator(s) of SMOP:

The following may be modified as you wish to inform your parish.

(Ann. #1 -publish 2X’s in bulletin)

Spiritual Motherhood of Priests

Everyone needs to be aware of what the Holy Spirit is doing in the hearts of women worldwide. Initiated by a Vatican document* released in 2007, this fire is spreading throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and beyond. Women of all ages and vocations are agreeing to pray one or more prayers daily for the rest of their lives for the Pope, priests, seminarians and an increase in vocations to the religious life. To intercede for and return the love of our priests who pour out their lives for us. Look for more information about Spiritual Motherhood in upcoming bulletins.

(Ann. #2 - publish 2X’s in bulletin)


What is Spiritual Motherhood of Priests (SMOP)?

Spiritual Motherhood of Priests (SMOP) is a call to every Catholic woman to make a commitment to pray one or more prayers daily for the Pope, priests, seminarians, and for an increase in vocations to the religious life. This devotion for prayer and Eucharistic adoration was requested by Pope Benedict XVI, is guided by the Holy Spirit, and entrusted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Why Women?

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God created the heart of a woman to nurture and to love. When her child or anyone needs help or is in trouble, she is there for him. We ask Mary, the mother of Jesus and of us all, to make our hearts like hers… so big that there will be room in them for many, especially her priest sons. Our Blessed Mother gives graces to those who ask for them and will unfold a great movement of prayer for priests/vocations with the “Yes” of women from Catholic parishes throughout the world.

To read inspirational stories of spiritual mothers read the document entitled, Eucharistic Adoration for the Sanctification of Priests and Spiritual Maternity. http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/parents/upload/spiritual-maternity-congregation-fo-clergy.pdf

(Ann. #3 - publish 3Xs in bulletin)

Will You be a Spiritual Mother?

Spiritual Motherhood is as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4 and will change our world.

1. You choose who to pray for: the Pope, priests, seminarians, and for an increase in vocations to the religious life.

2. Say one or many prayers of your choice every day for your chosen person, for the rest of your life. Location doesn’t matter. Pray at home, at work, in the car, while you exercise, in church, in an adoration chapel…

3. Need some inspiration? Look for information near the poster with the Spiritual Motherhood logo. Pick up a booklet enfolded with a commitment card.

4. When you’re ready, just sign the Spiritual Motherhood of Priests poster.

Our priests and our world need you and your prayers so: 1, 2, 3, 4, - PRAY! God Bless you.

A note: Please keep the name of your special person between you and God.

Facilitator(s) of SMOP: Consider a Kick-Off Event.

Immaculate Heart of Mary had a kick off of SMOP after Mass one Saturday and our Parochial Vicar gave a special blessing to the first SMOP group who signed their names to the commitment poster. The text below was included in the bulletin as an “invitation” to attend. (See #4 for follow up bulletin text.)

Spiritual Motherhood of Priests – Blessing and Commitment

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On (date), the women of IHM parish are invited to gather after the 9:30 Mass to receive a blessing and to sign the Spiritual Motherhood of Priests commitment poster.

Questions? Contact__________________

Facilitator(s) of SMOP: Consider placing a photo in your Bulletin and parish newsletter.

Note: This picture was taken at the SMOP blessing and commitment gathering and put in the next bulletin to encourage other women to join us.

(#4 Add your photo - publish 1 or more X in bulletin)


After his first Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Father Adam Puntel, our new Parochial Vicar, gave a special blessing to the first group of women who have committed to Spiritual Motherhood. We welcome you to join us in prayer for priests, religious and vocations.

Faciliatator(s) of SMOP: We then added the following. See Doc #3 for the complete text.

Spiritual Motherhood is as Simple as 1,2,3,4 and will Change our World

(Ann. #4)


Women of _______________parish, thank you!

Our first Spiritual Motherhood of Priests (SMOP) poster has been filled up with your signatures! A fresh poster is on display in __________. This fire has been lit in the hearts of many Catholic women worldwide to help build up, defend, and protect the faith we love and to support our beloved priests.

If you are new to SMOP, we are women who are praying one or more prayers daily for the rest of our lives for the Pope, priests, seminarians and for an increase in vocations to the religious life. No matter what your life situation, Spiritual Motherhood is as simple as 1,2,3,4. Materials to get started are available at the Spiritual Motherhood poster display. When ready to commit, sign the poster entitled, Prayer from a Mother’s Heart Will Change Our World. This ministry was requested by Pope Benedict, is guided by the Holy Spirit, and entrusted to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Please join us!

Questions? Contact: __________________________.

Spiritual Motherhood is as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4 and will change our world.10

1. You choose who to pray for. The Pope, priests, seminarians and for an increase in vocations to the religious life. There are photos of priests and seminarians available.

2. Say one prayer (or many prayers) every day for your chosen person(s) for the rest of your life. Location doesn’t matter. Pray at home, at work, in the car, in church, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

3. Need some inspiration? Look for information near the poster with the Spiritual Motherhood logo. Pick up a prayer booklet enfolded with a commitment card.



Please contact _________________________ for more information.

Faciliatator(s) of SMOP: We conducted a simple survey of SMOP members asking for feedback on their experience. We featured a few questions and answers in bulletins along with the 1,2,3,4 information.

(Ann. #5 Consider publishing one of the Q & A’s in the bulletin each month)


Spiritual Mothers talk about their commitment to pray

The simplicity and power of the Spiritual Motherhood Ministry apparently strikes a chord with women of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Won’t you consider joining?

Some Frequently Asked Questions include:

Did you hesitate to make a commitment to pray every day for the rest of your life for a priest or seminarian?

“I did hesitate to make a life- long commitment. But since I pray for my own children every day, I just added another "child" to be remembered. N

“Sure. Making a life-long commitment is daunting. But priests make a life-long commitment to serve God and help me get to Heaven, so it seems only right to remember him with prayer.” J

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“Initially I did. I wasn’t sure about the life-long commitment. But I pray for my family every day and plan to for the rest of my life and I can certainly include a priest.” R

“No, I know it is an important need in our world today to pray for others, whatever that need may be. It is powerful and it works. I say daily prayers for many people and so it was just one more individual on my list and feels good to do so.” Y

Has it been difficult to work these prayers into your daily routine?

“Not really. I remember all my intentions in my "bed time" prayers. Those old Catholic family habits have staying power. I also say my prayers when I wake - unfortunately that is usually in the middle of the night or way too early in the morning. Prayer is one of my "cures" for insomnia.” N

“No. I realized that the Morning Offering gives all of my day to God. So even if my day gets crazy and I don’t have time for additional prayers, everyone I pray for is raised in prayer every step of my day.” J

Has it been difficult to work these prayers into your daily routine?

“Not at all. I usually say my prayers in the evening and when I’m praying for my family so I simply include my priest.” -R

“Not really. Sometimes I fit it in while in the car, before bedtime or whenever I have a quiet moment. It took a few days to remember the priest I was praying for but then it became easy.” Y

Have you ever forgotten to pray for your priest(s) or religious?

“Unfortunately, yes, especially when we travel and my routine changes.” N

“Once or twice, but the prayers for priests in the Holy Spirit booklet have gotten to be just part of my prayer routine.” J

“Maybe once.” R

“A couple of times I have forgotten but not often. I leave my prayer book out visually in a place I go to daily, kitchen counter and that also reminds me to pray for the priest I have chosen.” Y

Are there any tips you might have for someone thinking of becoming a Spiritual Mother?

“A Mother's love can expand to embrace not only her natural children but adopted children, children's spouses and grandchildren. So can a Mother's prayers.” N

“Don’t hesitate! It is so easy to do.” J

“I pray in the car, before mass begins, when I am walking and before bedtime.” M

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“It is easy to do and takes just a few minutes each day. No meetings, etc. Our world is so in needs of priests and religious in this day in age. It is a small thing that I can do to help and prayers do work.” Y

How does it work? Membership is as easy as 1,2,3,4

1. You choose the priest, religious, seminarian to pray for or simply pick a photo if available.

2. Say one prayer (or many prayers) of your choice every day for your chosen persons for the rest of your life. Location doesn’t matter. Pray at home, at work, in the car, in church, in an adoration chapel, as you exercise or …

3. Need some inspiration? Look for the Spiritual Motherhood poster display and pick up a booklet enfolded with a commitment card.



Please contact _________________________ for more information.

Who can I include in my prayers as a Spiritual Mother?

The Pope, priests and seminarians as well as an increase in vocations to the religious life.

Should I keep the name of my chosen priest or other religious person to myself?

Yes. Keep it between you and God.

How can I choose a seminarian?

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has a poster that includes the photos of all our seminarians. You can cut these photos out, and make them available in your parish. A Spiritual Mother can pick a photo and then pray for that person.

There are photos of priest and seminarians available near the SMOP poster.

What if I forget to pray?

Just like any new behavior, you may forget. Eventually the prayer will just flow as you become accustomed to this “habit” of prayer. Do your best and God will do the rest.

(Ann. #6 consider publishing 2xs)

Spiritual Motherhood – Feminine Genius

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“The Church has called women to be the stealth weapon of the Twenty First Century” according to

Mary Jo Anderson in her featured article on the Feminine Genius.

(Feminine Genius, Mary Jo Anderson, CatholicCulture.org)

The concept of “feminine genius” was first outlined by Pope Paul VI in 1965:

“…the hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved. That is why, at this moment when the human race is under-going so deep a transformation, women impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel can do so much to aid mankind in not falling.” (Closing of The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Address of Pope Paul VI to Women, 8 December 1965)

“Critics of the Catholic Church frequently mock the Church’s insistence that women have unique gifts for

the Church and the world. Indeed, Pope John Paul II’s exhortations to women that they employ their

“feminine genius” to build a culture of life often are met with a chorus of dissent from within and

without the Church. The tired mantra is that “until women are ordained to the priesthood, the Church is

guilty of discrimination.”

How should Catholics respond to these charges? How can Catholic women communicate the deeper

truths of the “effect and power” of the feminine vocation? A quick response is that it is illogical to think

the Church would entrust the enormous mission of “aid humanity in not falling” to second-class citizens.

Indeed, the Church has called women to be the stealth weapon of the twenty-first century. It urgently

needs and seeks the particular, active participation of its daughters...”

If you are a woman, please consider joining the Spiritual Motherhood of Priests. Our mission is simple

yet powerful. For more information look for the Spiritual Motherhood display _________________

or contact ________________.

Faciliatator(s) of SMOP: We put a prayer/something inspirational/or other pertinent information in the bulletin periodically to keep interest up as well as submitting pieces to our parish newsletter.

(Ann. #7)


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Prayer in Thanksgiving for our Priests

Father Mark Kirby from County Meath, Ireland, composed this Morning Offering for Spiritual

Mothers of Priests . We hope you will add it to your collection and pray it often in thanksgiving for

the witness of the lives of all priests.

Morning Offering for Priests

Father most holy, I offer You the prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day by placing them in the

holy and venerable hands of Jesus, the Eternal High Priest, and by saying, as He did upon entering the

world, “Behold, I come to do Your will” (Hebrews 10:9).

For the sake of all His priests, and in particular for _____________ and ___________________. I

entreat Your beloved Son to unite my offering to the Sacrifice of the Cross, renewed upon the

altars of Your Church from the rising of the sun to its setting (Malachy 1:11).

Most merciful Father, look upon these men chosen by Your Son to show forth His death until He comes

(1 Cor 11:26); keep them from the Evil One (John 17:15) and sanctify them in the truth (John 17:17).

Bind them by a most tender love to the Virgin Mary, their Mother that, by her intercession, they may be

overshadowed by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) in every act of their sacred ministry; thus

may their priesthood reveal the Face of Jesus and the merciful love of His Heart, for the fruitfulness of

His spouse, the Church, and the praise of Your glory. Amen.

(Ann. #8)

Faciliatator(s) of SMOP: If your parish has a Directory of Ministries, consider submitting information on SMOP. For example:


Contact: ____________________________

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Women of _______ Parish, you are invited to become a Spiritual Mother for a priest, religious,

seminarian and to pray for vocations. No matter what your life situation, spiritual motherhood is simple.

You choose a special person and say one prayer (or many prayers) each day for the rest of your life.

There are no meetings and no pressure.

If every woman in our parish prayed just one Hail Mary daily for the rest of her life, spiritual vitality

would fill our families, the Church, and the world. Join us!

This ministry was requested by His Holiness Benedict XVI, is guided by the Holy Spirit and entrusted to

the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Facilitator(s) of SMOP: Starting any new program is a leap of faith. May we suggest?

Say a quick prayer to The Holy Spirit and Blessed Mother for guidance each time you work on

SMOP.

Familiarize yourself with the Vatican document,


congregation-fo-clergy.pdf

Your pastor may not know much or anything about Spiritual Motherhood of Priests. Give him a

copy of the Vatican document to read.

Call or visit the parish office to identify the people in charge of the parish bulletin and newsletter

and ask to meet with them. They will give you information on how and when to submit

information for inclusion in the bulletin and newsletter.

Ask parish staff about parishioners who may have called to volunteer help with writing,

photography, and marketing or perhaps they know of someone who wants to help with a new

program.

Set a start date to announce the SMOP program.

The term SMOP is the convenient identifier adopted by Spiritual Motherhood of Priests,

programs throughout Canada and the United States.

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SMOP is. SMOP really is as simple as 1, 2, 3, 4!

Blessings,

Jan Boldt & Sally Schroder

If you have questions regarding the Spiritual Motherhood Program please contact us. We will be

happy to meet with you or your parish priest.

Jan Boldt at [email protected] phone: 513-232-6630 or

Sally Schroder at [email protected] phone: 513-232-7252

4/9/14 IHM lat

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