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
A printed brochure containing several resources for pregnant and parenting mothers and their families is available here and at the entrances of the church. 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 2024
Diapers and wipes collected to celebrate Respect Life Month
Many thanks to you from our Walking with Moms ministry. Your donations of diapers, wipes, and cash to purchase more of what is needed are a gift to many of our parish families.
70 packages of diapers and wipes were given to parish families on October 20 after the 11:00 Mass. Remaining packages of diapers and wipes were taken to the Catholic Charities Food Pantry.
A large collection of a variety of books for children was also available. Older sisters and brothers in the families coming to get diapers enjoyed selecting books to take home.
We are planning another book fair in the spring of 2025.
May the Lord bless you for your generosity!
…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, generosity, faithfulness Gal 5:22
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.