MERRILLVILLE – More than a dozen parish leaders in the pro-life ministry met on April 22 at the Diocese of Gary Pastoral Center to discuss how to raise awareness for their activities, especially the Walking with Moms in Need initiative introduced by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in March 2020.
Impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that exploded that same month in the U.S., Walking with Moms in Need went largely unknown for years until the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on federal abortion rights in 2022, when it was left up to the states to establish laws governing abortion access.
Catholic dioceses began strengthening programs that support women and families facing pregnancy in an effort to create a culture of life, and Walking with Moms in Need moved to the forefront.
“The USCCB said Walking with Moms in Need was ‘a parish-based initiative,’ but I think they should have said it was a parishioner-based initiative, because it is mostly the parishioners leading the way and asking for this ministry,” said Father Rick Holy, the director of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Gary and pastor at St. Edward in Lowell.
Father Holy encouraged lay advocates to become familiar with the Walking with Moms in Need website (walkingwithmoms.com) and to especially watch the video titled “Talking to Your Pastor” as well as other short introductory videos that explain the ministry. “The video about talking to your pastor offers excellent information,” he said.
“I hope that Walking with Moms in Need will become a program known at the kitchen table, (so familiar) as a program to help mothers and babies so we can impact moms in need,” said Ed Graham, a parishioner at St. Patrick in Chesterton.
Jo Brown, a parishioner at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville, expressed frustration with “how to get the word out (about Walking with Moms in Need). We haven’t had one call through our (yard) signs at the church, and we have collected a lot of supplies; we can (even) help other parishes.”
Graham suggested partnering with another group, such as the Knights of Columbus, to raise awareness as well as enlist more manpower. “The Knights are known for helping with pro-life activities. They might share the cost of getting a phone so you are ready for a call,” he said.
Other suggestions included billboards, magnets with an 800 number for Walking with Moms in Need placed in bathroom stalls, and hosting an annual Walking with Moms in Need event that could include a Mass, a Rosary, a fundraising walk and/or a picnic.
“If your pastor is not supportive of starting a Walking with Moms in Need ministry, or you have a small parish, go to an adjacent parish and see if they have a group you can partner with,” said Father Holy.
Rosanne Kouris, diocesan Marriage and Family Ministry coordinator, said that in addition to yard signs, postcards and posters are available to parishes who want to publicize its Walking with Moms in Need ministry to its own parishioners as well as the public. “We have both English and Spanish language versions,” she added.
“We need to advertise, because there are a lot of people that still don’t know about Walking with Moms in Need,” said Father Holy. “Right now, Walking with Moms in Need is still in its infancy – no pun intended.”
Janine Rossi, a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Valparaiso, said it has been difficult attracting volunteers for a Walking with Moms in Need ministry, but their parish has conducted very successful diaper drives for mothers in need. “We delivered the diapers to the Women’s Care Center in Merrillville and Birthright in Valparaiso,” she said.
Pat Tuttle, of St. Paul in Valparaiso, said her aim is that “Everybody in every pew at St. Paul should know that St. Paul can help” if a pregnant woman reaches out to them.
A dedicated volunteer at Birthright, a pregnancy resource center, Tuttle explained that the nonprofit has a 45-year history and offers pregnant women pregnancy tests, baby clothes and diapers, and referrals to other agencies, as well as “friendship, love, hope and support.” All services are free.
Birthright is located at 905-1/2 Calumet Ave. and is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and 1-4 p.m. on Fridays, or by appointment. The phone numbers are 462-3502 and (800) 550-4900, and the email address is birthrightvalpo@gmail.com.
The group agreed to meet again at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, at the Diocese of Gary Pastoral Center in Merrillville. All parishes are welcome to participate. For more information, call Kouris at 769-9292, ext. 259.
“This is about helping women in need,” stressed Father Holy. “It is not controversial; the word abortion is not mentioned in the Walking with Moms in Need videos. I hope someday this organization is as well known as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.”
Caption: Father Rick Holy, director of Pro-Life Activities for the Diocese of Gary and pastor at St. Edward in Lowell, talks at an April 22 meeting about some of the resources available for parishes interested in starting a Walking with Moms in Need Ministry.. Lay leaders from seven parishes in various stages of development attended the semiannual meeting hosted by the diocese to disseminate information and share ideas, including (at left) Dave Brown from St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)