MOTHER’S DAY is when the little sacrifices, late nights and constant care mothers provide are recognised; an acknowledgement that more than just a parent, they’re a person whose work matters.

There’s presents, families gathering and sometimes even the daily chores shared between siblings to give mum a well-earned rest.

Given that, there can be a perception that it’s a day all mothers welcome.

But the founder of a local charity says for some women, Mother’s Day can be a “time of challenge”, so he’s organising a fundraising event for those who might need a little pampering.

“Not every mum has somewhere to go,” says Franciscans of the Cross founder Cledwyn Stafford, better known around Freo as Brother Francis Mary.

“It’s a presumed thing that women loves Mother’s Day, but if you don’t have a social hub or community, it can be a time of challenge.”

Br Francis Mary’s Mother’s Day fundraiser will be held at Ode to Sirens on May 10 from 2-5pm.

• Brother Francis Mary. Photo by Steve Grant

A “collaboration of art, performance and celebration” he says they’ll be handing mums scones and cream and some flowers on arrival, while there’ll be a singer, bellydancing troupe and healing didgeridoo to keep them entertained.

Br Francis Mary is also putting his own art up for sale, and has asked some of his creative friends to do the same, donating 20 per cent of the sale to the Franciscan charity, which he says is a way to raise funds that also benefits local artists.

While Mother’s Day can sometimes get a bad rap as overly commercialised, Br Francis Mary said he found some inspiration from the Bible.

“Jesus describes himself as a mother hen surrounded by her chicks, and I thought ‘why not’.

“May is also the Month of Mary in the Catholic Church and is set aside for special devotion, and that’s all about acknowledging womanhood.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Franciscans of the Cross, which was founded in response to Br Francis Mary’s visit to the tomb of St Francis of Assisi during the 2000 Great Jubilee celebrating the second millennia of Christ’s birth.

“I was moved by the spirit of St Francis and felt the call to live as a Franciscan and to imitate the poverty of Christ so closely throughout my life,” Br Francis Mary said.

“It was in 2015 that I had a vision to create Franciscan foundations around the world, and so I established my first one in Fremantle, and gave the name Franciscans of the Cross.”

There are now branches in India, Pakistan and Kenya that offer pastoral care and help out in orphanages and aged homes, while a food kitchen in Karachi puts out meals for underprivileged children.

Br Francis Mary says he’s handing on the baton at the end of this year as the branches are fast heading towards independence and he’s conscious at 71 years old of “being responsible for everyone”.

But alongside continuing the odd visit the Franciscan branches across the world, he’s also keen to establish “religious communities of men and women” as he goes.

by STEVE GRANT