Diocese of Lafayette
Mom’s Ministry at St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo: ‘A great chance ... to come together’
Among those attending the “New Baby Welcome Party” are Kelly Trauring with Evan.
By Caroline B. Mooney (The Catholic Moment)
KOKOMO — At St. Joan of Arc Church, mothers with infants and young children need never feel alone.
Thanks to the Mom’s Ministry, activities abound. On June 9, for instance, the second-annual “New Baby Welcome Party” attracted 13 moms and several little ones. “When I was new to Kokomo, I thought this was a nice way to meet people,” said Elizabeth Morales, communications director for the group. “You really make a lot of friends, and it’s a great chance for women to come together.”
The group reaches out to parishioners with many opportunities for socializing, encouragement and developing new relationships. Events include a monthly moms’ night out, lunch and play dates for moms and children, Liturgy of the Word for Children, coffee and doughnuts after weekend Masses, a semi-annual welcome party for moms with new babies, a moms’ morning out with co-op sitter service, an annual Mother’s Day dinner, a Christmas shopping trip, and family outings. The group also delivers meals to families with new babies. Morales organized the first “New Baby Welcome Party” last fall. Parish moms who have had a baby in the past year are treated to an evening of socializing with appetizers, dinner, dessert and door prizes.
“At the first party, we had eight new moms and one dad attend with their babies,” Morales said. “Some of the moms who came for the first time are now helping put on the second party.” This year, some mothers took the opportunity to leave their infants at home and have an evening out alone.
Father Ted Dudzinski, moderator of the pastoral team at St. Joan of Arc and St. Patrick parishes, greeted the guests and gave a blessing before the meal. “Having people to talk to has been nice,” said Melissa Briney, who brought 5-week-old Eleanor. She also has a 4-year-old daughter, Grace. “It has been nice to get to know everybody from church.”
Andrea Wyrick, coordinator of the ministry, remembered when the group had no more room than a closet in the old church building. “Parishioner Veronica Gibbs was instrumental in getting the group really active,” she said. “She and Father (Dennis) O’Keeffe (pastor at the time) worked hard to get the Holy Family Room together once the parish moved into our current building. We use the room for play groups and moms’ morning out.”
Wyrick said the first Mother’s Day Dinner attracted 10 or 12 women; now the group has nearly 150 members. “We try to help these people form relationships,” she said. “Members seem to go through cycles in the ministry; they come in as new moms and often help organize events later.”
The group is self-supporting, with fund-raisers that include the parish coffee and doughnut program, a style show featuring parishioners of all ages, and a fund-raiser with Antiquity Photos. Proceeds have been used for the Mother’s Day dinner, an Eagle Scout project, new playground equipment and computers for the parish. “I love it,” said Kelly Trauring, who has a 9-month old son, Evan. “When I was new to Kokomo, the Mom’s Ministry gave me a place to meet people and get involved. This is the second dinner I have been to; I was a guest last time and I helped plan this one.”
A parishioner for eight years, Nanette Shirdon was married at St. Joan of Arc. “I have helped with different ministries here,” she said, “but now that I have a child (3½-week-old daughter Corrina), this group is an awesome opportunity for me.” “This is my first event with the Mom’s Ministry,” said Stacy Wilson, mother of three. “It was really nice when women came and brought me dinner. It’s so nice to have the support.”
“I have been a member of the Mom’s group since 2002 — this is my fourth child,” said Julie Pownall, who brought Ashlyn, 11 weeks. “As a working mom, this group is really great. They include all moms, not just the ones who stay at home. They make people feel really welcome and do a lot for the community.” Kathy Seybert, mother to 10-month-old Jack, just started with the group.
“I have been on one outing,” Seybert said. “It’s a great network of people to talk to and I can get good advice from other moms.” “This group definitely brings new women along the same path,” said Jill Aaron, mother to a 3-year-old and 16-month-old. “There is always something to do.”
Parishioner Jaime Dinn, mother of a 3-year-old and 16-month-old, moved to Kokomo last summer. Through the Mom’s Ministry, she met people in the community, she said. Nicole Mawbey came to the party with 3-month-old Aidan. She once was in charge of communications for the group, but stepped down because of her baby, 20-month-old and 3-year-old.
“This is a wonderful group of women,” she said. “My children are so little, I don’t do as many play dates, but I love the social events. This is really special.”
(Go to the website of The Catholic Moment) †