Margarita Mendoza
The Observer
January 9, 2025
"ST. CHARLES—In the Fox River Valley area, mothers looking for spiritual and material help can find these and a sense of hope at St. John Neumann Parish, here.
Thanks to the Walking with Moms in Need ministry, mothers are supported during their pregnancy and beyond.
In almost two years of the Walking with Moms in Need ministry, the St. John Neumann community has helped 'around 60 moms,' says Susana Morones, the parish Service Outreach Coordinator and Respect Life Coordinator. The program currently has the capacity to help 40 mothers.
'Our first goal is to walk with them, to let them know that they are not alone, and that we as [the] Catholic Church are here to take care of, and to care about them,' Morones said...
Therese Stahl, Director of the Life and Family Evangelization Office, says, 'The community of St. John Neumann is embracing mothers in crisis in an inspiring way … The parish is bringing the Gospel of life to all.'
'Our dream for all parishes in the diocese is for a discernment of the needs of mothers and families in each community and how each parish can walk radically with these parents.'
When a mother contacts the parish for assistance, she first receives a personalized baby basket to welcome a little girl or boy. These provide the essentials, such as clothes, diapers, shampoo, and 'everything to welcome the new baby,' Morones says. Also, 'we incorporate different ministries from our parish—a rosary from the Rosary Ministry, a baby blanket from our Neumann Needlers,' she explains.
After their welcome, mother and child are enrolled for two years in the program to receive whatever help they may need...
Susana Morones frequently asks the Walking with Moms mothers how the parish can help them. The ministry helps pay rent and bills.
It also provides another type of aid: spiritual aid.
Last fall, some mothers asked for their children to be baptized. Since they were Spanish speakers, St. Rita of Cascia Parish in Aurora, led by parochial administrator Father Juan Ayala, opened their doors to help.
Word spread, and before long, others wanted baptism for their nephews, nieces and relatives. After the families prepared for baptism, Father Alexander Suárez, parochial vicar, baptized 16 children on Nov. 2, 2024. St. John Neumann sponsored the celebration and provided cakes. 'Everything was a pouring of blessings for these families,' Morones said...
'They want to come back to the Church again and bring the child to the faith,' she says.
Every mother and child in the program receives care and compassion, but one testimony has stuck with Morones. A woman told her, 'If it wouldn’t be for you my daughter wouldn’t be alive,' because her family had wanted her to have an abortion.
That quote sums up why the Walking with Moms program accepts everyone. 'We are here for them. We don’t ask questions, we show them who we are, and God does the rest,' Morones concludes."
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