Walking with Moms in Need; A Year of Service

We are excited to announce a new parish initiative to help pregnant and parenting moms who are in need of help in our parish and neighborhood. Everyone in our parish community should know where to refer a pregnant woman in need.

One year ago on March 25, 2020, the Church celebrated the 25th anniversary year of the papal encyclical Evangelium vitae – aka the Gospel of Life. This document, written by Pope St John Paul II, reaffirmed the Church’s constant teaching on the value of every human life.
This anniversary year gives us a wonderful opportunity to assess and better communicate resources to pregnant moms and families in need at the local level. Our parish is joining a nationwide effort – just one year behind – from this March 25, 2021 until March 25, 2022 entitled: “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service.”

We are actually the first parish in the archdiocese of Cincinnati to begin this important work for our community. We are inviting all parishioners to join us as we embark on this Year of Service. We have assembled a core team that includes representation from Mom’s Ministry, the FATHERS group, Parish Health, St Vincent de Paul Society, Christ Renews, Theology of the Body and Knights of Columbus. We will be first taking an inventory of what is available in our community so that we can be a hub of information to refer mothers to when they are in need.

As a parish, we will inventory what pregnancy resources are available in our local area, identify gaps, and make and implement plans to better serve pregnant women in our local community.

“Our goal is to move closer to the day when every pregnant mother in need knows where to turn for help and abortion is simply unthinkable.”

As a young, unmarried, pregnant woman, Mary faced many challenges when she was pregnant with Jesus. Today, mothers facing an unexpected pregnancy may have trouble recognizing the great gift that God has given them. Knowing she is not alone can allow her to open her heart to God’s plan and choose life.

Emily Helferich and Michelle Wanstrath will be co-leading this initiative along with our core team members. We will be communicating updates throughout the year and much more is to come! We currently need your prayers as we begin this work and invite each family to take a prayer card at the entrances of church to use at home throughout this year and beyond. To learn more about this nationwide project, you can visit www.walkingwithmoms.com or email us at walkingwithmoms@sainti.org