catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 16, May, 2021 FROM PAGE 1 In February with the Sakr family they launched I4Give- Day, an annual day to encour- age people to seek healing through forgiveness, in mem- ory of the children. Leila, with her husband Danny, has been passionate about sharing how she has gained strength and solace in her Catholic faith. “A wise mother prays for her family, leads them to God and points them towards heaven,” she toldThe Catholic Weekly following news of her award. Faith also helped her to take with equanimity the loss of some precious senti- mental items connected with the children during a recent house robbery. “The reason the robbery we had at our home didn’t upset us is because we have detached ourselves from the material, worldly things and attached ourselves to spiritual things that matter so much more; to kindness, love, and care for each other,” Ms Ab- dallah said. “These are the things to strive for.” During the coming year, the mother of six said she would continue to support all bereaved mothers, particular- ly with her prayers. “And I will continue to give my children Liana, Alex and Michael everything they need to be truly strong in this world and to lead them to heaven,” she said. The mother of six says that ‘Mother’ is the most impor- tant title in the world and in a statement paid tribute to her husband Danny and all of her Mother of the Year reaches into her own tragedy to help others Leila offers a way to hope children as well as her mother, mother-in-law, Bridget Sakr and Rania Kassas. “Any mother will tell you, losing a child is the hardest thing imaginable, but you never actually surrender or give up,” said Ms Abdallah. “They are still present in your life. “I am a mother to six chil- dren. While they may not all be here for me to physically Mother of the Year Leila with husband Danny Abdallah and their children Liana, Alex and Michael in their home in Sydney. Pictured behind them in a frame are their children Antony,Angelina and Sienna. PHOTO: GIOVANNI PORTELLI look after them, they are a constant presence in my life.” She added that “the great- est Mother of all is Mary, mother of Jesus and all of us”. The national award was given by Christian organisa- tion Family Voice Australia. Greg Bondar, awards se- lection committee chairman, said the committee was “de- lighted” to have given Ms Ab- dallah the award. “The award seeks to honour mothers of all families, high- light their important role in the development of children, and recognise the positive impact of mothers at home, work, in the church and in the family,” he said. “Leila has become an in- spiration to all mothers on dealing with life’s worst events with calmness, inner peace and love.” I n this edition Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5184. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Editorial & Letters 1-13 10-11 20-21 24-25 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael Kenny (02) 9390 5348 EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 Katie Clarke (02) 9390 5402 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or
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