How Can I Help a Local Mom in Need? Embracing Struggling Families with Open Hearts

Discover How You Can Change Lives

Members of the Missionaries for Life pray a rosary before their meeting.

Compassion turns into Real Help

Area mothers in need are finding real, tangible support through St. John the Evangelist. What began as a small effort to spread compassion has grown into a powerful ministry that is changing lives for families facing difficult circumstances.

At SJE, a desire to live out faith in a meaningful way led to the revival in 2018 of Missionaries for Life, a pro-life organization that supports life from conception to natural death. What started with prayer and outreach has become a structured and impactful support system for mothers and families navigating life’s most vulnerable moments.

Taking an Extra Step

To extend its reach, the Missionaries for Life ministry participates in Walking With Moms in Need, a nationwide initiative launched in 2020 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. successfully adopted by the Diocese of Gary, this initiative equips parishes to provide emotional, spiritual, and material support to pregnant and parenting women. Look here for more information: https://www.prolifegary.org/ .

Since embracing this call and expanding in 2021, the ministry at SJE has helped dozens of women face pregnancy, motherhood, and financial hardship with dignity and hope.

Support That Meets Real Needs

This outreach goes far beyond kind words. It delivers meaningful, hands on support where it matters most.

Every Friday, we hold Eucharistic Adoration in the form of a Weekly Holy Hour for Life during which we lift mothers in prayer and provide spiritual strength for them and their families. Our community outreach connects families with essential local resources. And our annual fundraisers provide direct financial assistance to mothers in crisis. SJE School-led collections supply diapers, wipes, clothing, and baby essentials, as well.

Through prayer, advocacy, and action, this ministry ensures that no mother walks alone. And you are welcome to join us in any way possible.

Stories That Reveal the Need

Behind every act of generosity is a story that reminds us why this mission matters.

A mother of six is currently on strict bedrest due to serious medical complications. With limited income, her family struggles to meet daily needs, and even clothing for her young son has become a pressing concern.

A young couple recently welcomed their first child. Instead of peace and celebration, they are facing stress caused by unpaid maternity leave and an unexpected job loss.

Another family is led by a devoted grandmother caring for a special needs daughter and another daughter with a newborn. All share a single bedroom and have lost their vehicle. Despite these hardships, the young mother courageously chose life for her child, stepping away from her college education to do so.

These are not distant stories. They are unfolding right here in our own community.

Why This Mission Matters

In a world in which many mothers feel isolated, Walking With Moms in Need offers more than assistance. It offers belonging, dignity, and hope.

When a community comes together with compassion and purpose, lives are changed in lasting ways. Every prayer, every donation, and every act of kindness strengthens a network of care that uplifts families when they need it most. And we continue to reach out to these families until they are able to flourish with confidence and stability.

How You Can Help

You have the power to make a difference. Whether through your time or your gifts, your support can directly impact a mother in need.

Donations help provide essential items and financial relief. Volunteering offers encouragement and connection, while prayer strengthens and sustains families facing uncertainty

We check in with families regularly because ongoing care matters. Your continued involvement ensures that no one is forgotten.

Get Started Today

Contact Madeline Graal at mlyons08@yahoo.com to get involved or contribute.

Open your heart and take the first step today. A simple act of kindness can change the course of a mother’s life and shape the future of her family. Join a mission rooted in compassion, fueled by faith, and alive with purpose. Together, we can lift burdens, restore hope, and remind every mother that she is never alone. We can Be Disciples Who Make Disciples!