Staff photo / Bob Coupland Mary Hernandez of Austintown, right, has the Rev. Edward Brienz read her mother’s name Sunday at a Mother’s Day Remembrance ceremony inside the chapel at Resurrection Cemetery in Austintown. Fifteen people attended the event to honor and remember their mothers.

AUSTINTOWN — Remembering moms who are with us or those we have lost was the message Sunday at a special gathering at the Resurrection Cemetery Chapel.

The gathering was one of three hosted this weekend at diocesan cemetery chapels in Trumbull and Mahoning counties to honor and remember moms for Mother’s Day.

Other events were Saturday at Calvary Cemetery Chapel in Youngstown and All Souls Cemetery Chapel in Bazetta. An event also took place at Calvary Cemetery in Massillon.

The Rev. Edward Brienz, who conducted the brief ceremony, provided a carnation to each of the 15 participants at Resurrection Cemetery and instructed them to write their mother’s name on a piece of paper attached to it.

He read the names of each mother, followed by a prayer, and then had people place the pink flowers into a large clear vase.

“We thank our mothers for all they have done for us and all the love they have given us. Their influence on us is so great it affects us throughout our lives. Many of our mothers among us and others who have been called to their eternal rest,” Brienz said.

He said mothers trained us in their religious beliefs and led by example to make each of us good citizens of our country, church and our society.

Brienz said there is a Spanish proverb that states, “An ounce of mother is better than a pound of clergy.”

The group at the gathering read several prayers together aloud and also sang a song to honor mothers, including the prayer “Gratitude for Mother” and the song “Gentle Woman, Quiet Night.”

Brienz said the heavenly mother is asked to take care of our earthly mothers.

Jack Kramer, location manager at Resurrection Cemetery, said the event was designed to allow people to gather together to remember the legacy of motherhood honoring mothers and mother figures who have touched lives with love and grace.

Boardman resident Joshua Baldwin said Mother’s Day is often difficult for him since he remembers his grandmother, who was the one who raised him.

“Her memory is important to me,” he said.

Darres Jackson of Youngstown said he remembers his mother, Cheryl Jackson, who is deceased.

He said attending an event like this makes the day easier and more comforting for him.

Kim Varner of McDonald had a carnation for her mother, Shirley Varner.

“This day means a lot to me to remember my mom. It is easier being with others today,” Varner said.

“I knew Shirley as a parishioner who was laid to rest here at this cemetery,” Brienz said.

Several people at the event took their carnations home or placed them at their mother’s gravesite.

Those who attended also received refreshments and a large teacup with soil and flower seeds to plant at their home or the cemetery to honor and remember their mothers.