Moms with Crisis Pregnancies Not Alone with Walking with Moms in Need

Editorial Note: Lent is an appropriate time for people to celebrate the Year of Jubilee by bringing hope to others who need help. This article looks at the ministry of Walking with Moms in Need in accompanying moms through the motherhood journey, offering them authentic Christian friendship and ongoing support.

Women in crisis pregnancy situations have a critical need to know they are not alone. Walking with Moms in Need travels with them so they can care for their children and see possibilities for their futures.  

Walking with Moms in Need is a nationwide parish-initiative to increase support for pregnant and parenting mothers in need. It works to ensure that any woman who is unexpectantly pregnant or parenting in difficult circumstances can turn to her local Catholic Church and connect with the resources she needs.

Many women who come to Walking with Moms in Need have a sense of hopelessness because they don’t think anyone cares about them or loves them. They may also believe that there is nowhere where they can go to get help, said Deacon Randall Waguespack, director of the Office of Life, Peace, and Justice for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

Even with the reversal of Roe v. Wade, abortion remains a problem. Pregnant women who live in states where abortion is illegal or very restricted may go to states where it is legal or order abortion pills online. In the midst of this, Walking with Moms in Need helps women to choose life, for families to stay together, and to show women there's a way to do that.

“Walking with Moms in Need is a ministry that tries to help women find resources in their community,” said Deacon Waguespack. “We help them to get out of the cycle of whatever is keeping them from having a fulfilling, meaningful, a sustainable life for their families.”

Mothers learns through their experiences with the ministry that their lives don’t have to revolve around a crisis, according to Deacon Waguespack.

“Walking with Moms in Need is a ministry that tries to help women find resources in their community. We help them to get out of the cycle of whatever is keeping them from having a fulfilling, meaningful, a sustainable life for their families.”

Deacon Randall Waguespack

It’s also a way people can support women through fellowship and help them spiritually by connecting to a church where they can feel the love of Christ.

Some of the parish volunteers work directly with the mothers. But the ministry also partners with pregnancy centers, Catholic Charities, or other organizations that women through fundraising events, supply drives, etc.

Deacon Waguespack said Walking with Moms in Need has identified the next steps the program wants to take:

• Creating a network of volunteers and community partners committed to the well-being of mothers and their children.
• Identifying volunteers willing to work with community partners to support pregnant and parenting mothers.  
• Identifying community partners (other churches and organizations) that provide information, support, or services to women in need.  
• Developing ongoing training and support for volunteers.
• Expanding to more areas of the diocese. 

There are a couple of upcoming events that people who are interested in supporting moms and women in crisis can participate in.

The first is a Compassion in Crisis Training on Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., at the Catholic Life Center, 1800 S. Acadian Thwy., Baton Rouge. Through a combination of trauma-informed approaches and practical strategies, participants will learn how to provide effective emotional, and logistical support to mothers experiencing crisis. 

Walking with Moms will also host a community baby shower, Saturday, June 14, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., at the Catholic Life Center. This event is free and open to expecting mothers and families with babies up to six months old. Registration is required for participants, volunteers, and community partners.

For more information about Walking with Moms and volunteer and partnership opportunities, visit diobr.org/walking-with-moms-in-need.

By walking alongside mothers in crisis, people can help the women receive the resource they need above all else: hope.

“It’s our responsibility as Christians to give people hope,” said Deacon Waguespack. “Giving hope to the hopeless is what Christ calls us to do and Walking with Moms in Need is a way of doing that.”