Mom’s faith is an inspiration of faith, hope, love

Mother’s Day is May 12


Mother’s Day, during the Month of Mary, honors and celebrates all moms and those who provide motherly love and devotion. Here are a few stories from moms in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. 

Susan Van Buskirk
Saint Mary Catholic Church, Ardmore



Susan Van Buskirk is a mother of three children, and just over three years ago, her strong Catholic faith was tested during the worst time of her life. Her husband Frank, of 26 years, suddenly passed away at 47 years of age. During this heartbreaking time, she and her children – Samuel, 22, Madison, 17, and Aubrey, 11 – leaned on their faith and have continued to do so during the past three-plus years.

“As a mother having to watch your children deal with such a life altering event is so very hard,” Van Buskirk said. “What a blessing it was to witness each of them draw on their faith and have the ability to navigate through the devastating loss of their dad. They have learned major lessons early in their lives and I am proud to know their faith can sustain them through whatever their futures hold.”

During the good times and the rough times, Van Buskirk said she had great role models and support from the Blessed Mother, her grandmother and the community. However, the one who really helped the most was her mother, Agnes Wells.

“My mother has always been and still is my ultimate role model,” Van Buskirk said, “in her faith and in all areas of how she lives her life. She is devout and faithful, loving and selfless, and always doing for others. Not only was she my first and best teacher of our faith, but she was also always encouraging and empowering me from a very young age.”

Despite being very busy with work and family, Van Buskirk serves her parish as lector at Sunday Mass and teacher of religious education of the parish youth.  

For a mother having to watch her children deal with such a life-altering event, she said it was a blessing to witness each of them draw on their faith and have the ability to navigate through the devastating loss of their father.

“I love my mother because she is so loving and caring,” Samuel said. “She also shows us how to rely on our faith to not just get you through the bad times, but to help you every day. My mother is an inspiration to me because she doesn’t make excuses and she stands up for what she believes is right. I’m so proud to call her my mom.”

Daughter Madison said, “I am beyond grateful to have a woman as supportive, caring and loving as my mom in my life. Through every step and milestone, she has been there to guide me both physically and spiritually. I thank God every day for the mother he has given me and the opportunity to share life with her.”

Aubrey, the youngest, added, ‘‘My mom is everything I want to be when I grow-up, beautiful, smart and kind.’’

Gloria Torres
Holy Cross Catholic Church, Madill



Gloria Torres, a life-long Catholic, discovered a shepherd at her parish when she met Father Raul Sanchez.

His teaching and homilies gave her a fresh perspective on her faith. She started going to Mass with fresh joy and more enthusiasm. She wants to be a better Christian and mother. Father Sanchez has helped and encouraged her to take her faith to a new level. She has been married to Margarito Torres for 15 years and is the mother of two children, Jesus and Victoria.

“I find no better role model than the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Gloria said. “We as mothers must follow how she supported her son.” 

Gloria also found inspiration from her own mother.

“I admire her a lot, her children were always her priority. She continues to care and pray for us,” she said. “She always made sure we went to Mass and never left God aside. I owe everything I am to her.”

Her daughter, Victoria, said, "What I think about her is that she is very beautiful, brave and very strong. I love hanging out with her, doing things we love to do. I love how she takes care of me and is there for me. I love that she supports me and my dreams and my hobbies. She is the best mom in the world to me."

Margarito said he’s in awe of his wife.

“When I think of my wife as a mother, she is the best I can imagine,” he said. “I have no words because it is too much to talk about her. Above all, as a mother there is no other for my children. She is the best. She is a self-sacrificing mother without even thinking about it. She is willing to give what she has and even what she does not have for them, even for my son who does not carry her blood."

Mary Aglialoro
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Sulphur



Mary Aglialoro recently celebrated her 96th birthday. She and her late husband, Alfred, had 64 years together until his death in 2017. Their union produced five children, grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Over the years, she said she has had many great shepherds help her with faith. They have ranged from her husband’s first cousin, Bishop Fillippo Aglialoro, to present pastor Father Aaron Foshee.

Father Foshee has been at Saint Francis Xavier for six years, and under his leadership reinstalled communion rails at the church in Sulphur. People will find Aglialoro after Mass kneeling at the communion rail by herself praying devoutly.  

Aglialoro is quite humble and shy about her faith. She said she finds it difficult to witness to others and prefers to lead by example. She has special devotion to the Blessed Mother as a role model. She consistently prays the Rosary for her children, other family members and church intentions.  

Away from church, Aglialoro said she enjoys watching EWTN and reads the Bible daily. She reminds her family, “That this life is only temporary – what happens after this life is what matters.”

Her daughter Rosalina, said, “I feel so, so blessed that God gave me this beautiful, kind, humble mother with a strong belief in her Catholic faith. My mom, my friend.”

Gary, her son, said, “My mother has given me love and laughter all of my life. I want my mother to know that I love her with every fiber of my soul. I am blessed to be able to call her my mother-I love her.”   

Van Buskirk sums it up for all moms on Mother’s Day:

“The biggest reward of our Catholic faith is knowing God’s love for us and having a relationship and trust in him. This allows us to not only celebrate the good in life, but also navigate through the worst of times and yet still hold strong in our faith to glorify our Lord through it all.”

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.