Gerard's Thoughts and Commentary

                                                                             THE GREAT PRESENCE By Ed Mohs February 1, 2007 I am humbled; I am in awe, kneeling but five feet from the monstrance, the vessel used to publicly show, worship and honor the Eucharistic Jesus Christ. Radiating rays of purified gold surround the body of Jesus within the monstrance. It is like the Transfiguration of Christ - arrayed in dazzling brightness. Since childhood, I have always been close to Him especially in the Eucharist. I recall my First Holy Communion picture as I waited to receive my Lord for the first time. In the early eighties, I frequently rose out of bed at 3:00am to converse wit...

My children: Michele, Mark, David: After going to the licence place, I took the new transferred car registration into Mom's car. As I opened the passenger door and put the registration into glovebox, the memory of our last trip together came to me. It was to see Martha, Kristy's friend who lives near Lake Chelan, and where we met her. Together, we had a great visit along the lakeshore. As I entered the house, that recollection began an intense wave of grief...and Cuddles, too, was wining. So I picked her up and for only the second time since Mom (Donna) had passed away, I, we, sat down on the loveseat where Donna usually sat. The intense emotional wave and tears of grief were still flowing. Finally, and still teary-eyed, I "felt" a peace begin to flow over me. A slight "voice" came to me, a feeling, that she (Mom/Donna) "heard" my deep sorrow in missing her. It was a blessed moment and gift to me from Donna, that through God and the Holy Spirit, ...

Sunday Morning, July 27, 6:45am As I sit outside facing East toward the sun, with splintered rays reaching toward me...statues of the Holy Family...in my green, park-like back yard...I ponder what Heaven must be like...nearly 5 years ago, I had this powerful wonderment as to where and how our daughter, Kristy, was...is she safe, free of all worldly pain and cares, now those identical thoughts are fully present again...but this time it so different.. after nearly 45 years, a part of me is no longer here in the flesh, those sparkling, twinkling eyes, and most precious smile are now so void with this incredible feeling of emptiness...yet, my feeble faith tells me she is not gone, except in human terms, but transformed and lifted high into the most precious arms of Jesus and His mother, Mary (and our Father, Abba). She is now Home. And at that, although very difficult at times, I say, Amen! She ran her race and she finished in “first place.” You are not only in a “better place,” YOU are n...

Donna Marie (Kelly) Mohs Donna Marie Mohs, 67, of Marysville, WA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2025, entering her eternal Home. Donna was born on August 16, 1957 in Martinez, CA to Allen Eugene Kelly and Gloria Kay (Jordan) Kelly. Donna - wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt, teacher, and friend - courageously battled diabetes, kidney, and liver diseases for the past two years. Donna grew up on a small farm-like property in Lynnwood, WA where she tended to her beloved family animals. Her present cat, Cuddles, was always found resting on Donna’s arm. She graduated from Lynnwood High School in 1976. After high school, Donna worked at the Kodak Fotomat Drive-through booth catching the eye of her future husband. Additionally, Donna was employed by Eldec Corporation. Donna dearly loved her four children while making extra effort to bond with her seven grandchildren: ages 4 to 22. She especially enjoyed teaching them, creating crafts in the “cottage” or at...

 I love you, Donna! It is with great sadness to say Donna - wife, mom, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend has passed away early this morning: 7/6/25. The past 2-plus years she battled diabetes, liver, and kidney diseases. Finally, in a matter of days her body shut down. Donna was one of those rare bigger-than-life individuals and a profound hub and source who sought pleasure in “making life” happen. She had a precious smile and laughter. Please keep Donna and our family in your prayers as we navigate the next several days, weeks, months ahead. We will greatly miss her. There will be a celebration at the Mohs’ in the coming week(s).

  Planned Parenthood previously claimed abortion procedures should be legal, rare, and safe. They have since abandoned that “montra” as no longer effective. While it may be true that abortion is legal, it is certainly not rare; abortion is definitely not safe for women. Consider this: Beginning March 2021, three women required emergency (911) care during or after an abortion at Planned Parenthood. Specifically, March 12, 2021, a woman returned to the Planned Parenthood - Lynnwood Health Center following complications (hemorrhage) from a medical (pill) abortion. This individual was taken to an area hospital. A second time, February 15, 2023, a woman suffered a possible perforated uterus requiring a 911 call from the Everett Health Center - Planned Parenthood Clinic. The woman was transported to the local hospital. And a third time, 17 months later on July 24, 2024, a 911 call was placed from the Everett Planned Parenthood Clinic as another woman was in urgent medical distress during...

  July 29, 2023 Family & Friends: There is no easy, pretty, clean way of saying this other than to rip-off the band-aid and go for it. Unfortunately, I now belong to the ugly “Cancer Club.”  I went to the walk-in clinic on July 19th with a 50-cent sized lump below the skin on my upper right neck, cervical lymph node, immediately below the earlobe. The Dr. ordered a CT scan (step 1) which came back positive indicating a suspicious area suggesting cancer concerns and set up the next step with Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Dr. ENT performed an in-office fine needle aspirate (step 2), two separate needle draws sent to the lab, which on July 26th - my b/d (ok God, is this supposed to be funny?), revealed positive malignant cells (cancer “C”). ENT Dr. is very aggressive in his multi-step approach :). (Step 3) is an Ultrasound guided Biopsy which is set for August 9 @ 3:00pm.at the hospital to learn detailed data on this cancerous tumor. Then, there is the one to two weeks patiently w...

Political TV commercials focusing on abortion are highlighting exceptions for rape and incest. As an adult child of rape, I cannot support these exceptions, although I may have empathy for the violated mother. Condoning these exceptions means I would have died. It also means that my entire immediate family would not be here. Further, I would not have been a member of my beautiful adoptive and birth families as well. I vote NO on abortion; I also vote NO on rape and incest abortion exceptions. I hope and pray you will too. Ed Mohs

  The Herald's July 13, 2022 article, " After Roe falls , local abortion clinics already feel "strained system" was clearly supportive of abortion. Starting with the slanted title and caption, then continuing, only two, maybe three people were included from a pro-life perspective.  What did the individuals say to reporters during the interview process that was deemed "not worthy enough" for a front-page leading story?  Did the three reporters contact additional local and national pro-life organizations as those supporting abortion (roughly ten instances)? Also, notice the reference here to "pro-life" as opposed to the term "anti-abortion." Unfortunately, this biased story was hardly balanced! Finally, as one whose life humbly began as a result of sexual assault, it is a joy being present, standing and praying some 20 years at the 32nd & Hoyt intersection, not only for the preborn infants, but also defending and supporting their moms....

  Our nation awaits the latest U.S. Supreme Court’s abortion decision (Dobbs v Jackson) sometime this spring. Regardless of the Justices ruling, pro-lifers must continue advocating for and supporting women and their families with critically life-affirming assistance. It is imperative that existing local organizations, such as Next Step Pregnancy Services , Pregnancy Resource Center , PREPARES , and Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid expand the loving, life-giving material assistance providing baby and maternity clothing, bottles, car seats, diapers, baby formula, and much more. Confirming ultrasounds and pregnancy tests may also be provided to would-be expectant women. This support is all at no cost to the moms. 

     Why do we vigil and pray for an end to abortion in front of Planned Parenthood? Because our preborn sisters and brothers, who like us, are made in the image and likeness of God; abortion destroys those children’s lives. So, we stand, kneel, vigil and pray.  Although current law grants women a right to abortion, it is against God’s law, therefore, we pray for His mercy.      Further, we pray for women who visit Planned Parenthood specifically for an abortion. We ask God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to touch the hearts of pregnant women seeking termination. It is our hope and fervent prayer that women will see the beautiful gift of life God has blessed them with; we pray they will seek assistance through local pregnancy help centers. It is our prayer, too, that men, fathers of these “little ones,” will experience this joy as well, seeing the beauty of the child within.      Finally, It is also o...

  Friday, March 19, Sue Thayer, Director of Outreach for 40 Days for Life celebrated with Lynnwood 40 Days for Life as Kent PP closed at the end of February along with two other Washington State Planned Parenthood clinics. Next Step Pregnancy Services in Lynnwood hosted the event. Sue is a humble, soft-spoken, birth, adoptive, and former foster mom, who adores babies and children.  Thayer started working in a Storm Lake, Iowa Planned Parenthood facility that provided only family planning services but felt she was helping women.  In April of 1991, Sue was approached to manage a Des Moines, Iowa Planned Parenthood. However, as a management requirement, she was expected to watch live surgical abortions. Clearly and quickly, Sue responded, “Abortion is murder.” The regional director then falsely stated it is not murder unless the fetus is viable. Sue remarked to the audience, “if everybody could see an abortion, it would stop...it is so horrible!” We know and science tells ...

  Contact your state lawmakers regarding abortion bills Friday, February 5, 2021 1:30am OPINION LETTERS               Jan. 22, 2021 was the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court abortion decision, which codified abortion as law of the land. In other words, destroying or killing unborn human beings is not only legal, but is acceptable in America. How sinfully tragic that unborn human life is clearly not valued as 63 million infants since 1973 have lost their lives to abortion, violating our most basic right, the right to life. In Washington state, there are several pieces of legislation of concern. I urge you to contact your local representatives on the following: HB 1008, prohibiting abortion on the basis of Down syndrome, yes; SB 5053, requiring notification to parents or guardians in cases of abortion, yes; HB 1009, concerning extending higher education student health plan coverage to include abortion, no. Further, the following are also im...

NW Catholic http://www.nwcatholic.org/news/local/eucharist-prayer-sustain-ed-mohs-in-his-pro-life-advocacy.html October 30, 2019 Written by Nathan Whalen Published in Local Ed Mohs, a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Everett, is a longtime advocate for pro-life issues. He spends time praying in front of Planned Parenthood and recently was named to the board of Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid. Photo: Courtesy Ed Mohs EVERETT – On Wednesdays, Ed Mohs stands in front of Planned Parenthood, praying for an end to abortion. “It’s just always been very important to me to be a witness,” said Mohs, a member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Everett. “In my heart, I knew right from wrong.” Mohs has a unique perspective as an advocate for the unborn: His birth mother, Irene, was a rape victim w...

Hello Dear Friends, The Everett 40 Days for Life 2019 Fall Campaign begins September 25th through November 3rd. Here are some reasons to get involved in 40 Days for Life again this year for our 12th year running : 40 Days for Life is a peaceful pro-life effort that has been embraced by more than 1,000,000 in 61 nations. By the Grace of God, 40 Days for Life has achieved proven results: 16,004 babies spared from abortion, 191 abortion worker conversions, and 104 closed abortion centers. Join us in this largest national campaign to save lives! God Bless You! EVERETT 40 DAYS FOR LIFE www.40daysforlife.com/everett everett40days@gmail.com

Frequently, those of us who oppose abortion and value human life from the moment of conception until natural death are accused by abortion proponents, including Planned Parenthood, of only caring about the babies.  Once the infant is  born, we no longer give a hoot about the newborn or its mom.  False! PREPARES , a statewide initiative of the Catholic Bishops of Washington State, provides pregnancy and parenting support for all families from pregnancy to their child’s fifth birthday, seeking not only to assure healthy births and avoid the tragedy of abortion, but also providing emotional support and promoting healthy, flourishing families.  Catholic Adoption Services of Washington State is a program of Catholic Community Services providing adoption planning for birth mothers and adoptive placement services throughout Washington State since 1937. Services are provided at no charge to the pregnant woman.  Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid’s most important servi...

Pro-choice advocates claim abortion is safe, legal, and rare ; not completely true. Pregnancy termination is certainly legal in the U.S.  Yet, this barbaric procedure still extracts a real cost, not in dollars, but human lives.       More than 60 million abortions were performed in America since January 22, 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled abortion legal in all nine months of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood terminated 321,384 pregnancies in just one year according to its most recent annual report for 2016 to 2017 .  Washington abortionists committed nearly 19,230 abortions in 2014 as stated by Planned Parenthood’s research arm, Guttmacher Institute, representing 2.1% of all abortions in the United States.      Operation Rescue , a national pro-life organization, tracks the appalling human stories silently left behind following legal abortion. Their website Abortion911.com is dedicated to proving that “ab...