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Families may visit monthly, fostering a relationship with members of the ministry, who will journey alongside them as their children grow.
On July 21, Bishop Alfred Schlert toured the Baby Boutique and blessed its quarters, invoking 'the Blessed Virgin Mary, who welcomed the gift of life with joyful faith.'
'Through this ministry, may every expectant mother, every newborn child, and every family who enters this place encounter not only practical assistance but also genuine Christian charity, respect for the dignity of every human person, and the hope that comes from the Gospel of Life.'
It was in summer 2024 that Monsignor Edward Domin, then Pastor of St. Jane, asked parishioner Barbara Koegler to form a board for Walking with Moms in Need. The ministry was inspired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' nationwide Walking with Moms in Need initiative. The first board meeting took place that fall, and in March 2025, the boutique was opened.
'Today, we have 100 registered mothers and one registered father who rely on our ministry for support,' said Koegler. 'During 2026 alone, the Baby Boutique has welcomed 189 visits by mothers and has provided support to 241 children. We have distributed 8,036 diapers this year, bringing the [all-time] total number of diapers distributed to 16,896.'
Even so, Koegler emphasized that the goal of Walking with Moms in Need is not simply to distribute material goods, but to 'build relationships that remind each mother she is valued, supported, and loved…. We listen to their concerns, celebrate their successes, and connect them with additional community resources.'
Made possible through relationships with community organizations, those resources include health care, housing assistance, nutrition programs, parenting resources, and counseling.
'I'm really proud of this,' said Bishop Schlert. 'It shows the good that a parish can do when they put their minds, their hearts, and their shoulders into the work of providing.
'It’s also evangelization when [these families] see Catholic men and women who are willing to help them, [whether the families are] Catholic or not. Hopefully those actions will lead them to the Gospel, and ultimately to the Church, which is their best source of salvation.'
A new Walking with Moms in Need initiative is set to launch this fall: Bee Ready, a program designed to strengthen and encourage parents during the critical early years of their children's development.
'I'm so glad that St. Jane Parish is taking the reins in this work,' said Father Tomczyk. 'What a grace, what a joy, to be living the Beatitudes.'
To learn more, go to www.stjaneswalkingwithmoms.com."
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