Helping Moms find support before and after their babies are born
In 2022, St. Ambrose parish joined Walking with Moms in Need, an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to increase the Church’s outreach to pregnant and parenting women. The project is inspired by St. John Paul II’s call to strengthen the Church’s efforts in building a culture of life. The St. Ambrose Walking with Moms in Need team has worked to make sure that parishioners have access to current information about local resources for pregnant and parenting mothers. Our goal is that each parishioner will know where to refer a pregnant or parenting mother for help. In this way, our St. Ambrose community can respond to Pope Francis’ call for parishes to be “islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference.”
In its first year, the team shared information with parishioners; built a parish support network; visited local agencies that serve pregnant and parenting mothers; sponsored two diaper drives; completed an inventory of local resources; distributed a printed resource brochure; and posted an online resource directory on the parish website.
Next steps:
The team will meet quarterly to pray; make sure information in the brochure and online resource directory is current; and plan how our parish can support mothers in our community as they prepare to welcome the gift of new life and raise their children. Going forward, our ministry will be called Walking with Moms.
Thank you for supporting this ministry. We ask for your continued support and prayers and we welcome your involvement! If you are interested in joining our team or have questions or suggestions, please contact us at walkwithmoms@saintambrosecathedral.org.
Find resources here
At the Masses on the weekend of June 3 and 4, 2023, the team distributed a printed brochure. containing several resources for pregnant and parenting mothers and their families. More resources are included in an online resource directory.
Certain resources may be subject to income eligibility and funding limitations. Non-Catholic organizations are included in the brochure and online resource directory where, to our knowledge, the service offered by the organization does not contradict the teachings of the Catholic Church. If a concern arises about a resource, or to identify other resources, please inform the Walking with Moms in Need team.
Current projects
Diaper Drive
October 12 – 13, 2024
Celebrate Respect Life Month this October by donating diapers and wipes to support children in our parish and wider community.
In celebration of Respect Life Month this October, St. Ambrose Walking with Moms invites parishioners to help welcome and support our youngest parishioners and their families by donating diapers of all sizes and baby wipes.
During October, we consider more deeply why every human life is valuable, pray for the protection of human life at every stage, and are called to put our love into action by accompanying mothers and their children.
We will collect donations of diapers and baby wipes on the weekend of October 12 and 13.
Please consider donating a package of diapers of any size along with baby wipes. There will be boxes for your donations at the main and 6th Ave. entrances to the church.
Diapers and wipes will be distributed to parish families with young children after the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, October 20.
Any extra items will be delivered to the Catholic Charities Food Pantry at 1815 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines.
Thank you for supporting moms and their children!
A Prayer for Pregnant Mothers
O Blessed Mother, you received the good news of the incarnation of Christ, your Son, with faith and trust. Grant your protection to all pregnant mothers facing difficulties.
Guide us as we strive to make our parish communities places of welcome and assistance for mothers in need. Help us become instruments of God’s love and compassion.
Mary, Mother of the Church, graciously help us build a culture of life and a civilization of love, together with all people of good will, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.* Amen.
*CF. EVANGELIUM VITAE 105 © LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA, VATICAN CITY. ADAPTED WITH PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. IMAGE ‘MOTHER OF LIFE’ BY NELLIE EDWARDS (WWW.PAINTEDFAITH.NET). USED WITH PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. COPYRIGHT © 2019, UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS, WASHINGTON, D.C. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
