St. Damien Parish Offers Help to Mothers in Need

By MADDY VITALE Single and expectant mothers could use a little help, and St. Damien Parish is ready to lend a hand. On Sunday, people of all ages joined for an intergenerational event -- a “Baby Shower” -- to fill a need and offer kindness to families. The day before the shower, volunteers from the Ocean City church stacked clothing, bibs, toys, and other necessities on tables, along with goodie baskets, to be delivered to Hope Pregnancy in Rio Grande. “We have the baby shower every year to collect items for newborns and donate them to local charities who help women with children,” explained Regina Ralston, who is one of the teachers for the Religious Education Program at the parish. Clothing, toys and bibs were just some of the items to be donated to Hope Pregnancy Center in Rio Grande. The baby shower was held at the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church Hall at 40th Street and Central Avenue. The shower is made possible through the Religious Education Program and is one of several events each year to help people within the community and the surrounding area. Families, adults and even children in the parish get involved, Ralston said. Nearly everything to be offered to moms is donated, explained Religious Education Program Director Sister Joelle Thren. Sister Joelle said that it was something she and others thought up 15 or 20 years ago, and she is proud to be a part of it to help new and expectant mothers. “We pray for parents, and especially single moms in need, that they have a safe delivery,” she said Sunday. “We do one every year. This is one that really serves a need.” “Everybody loves to come to the shower because they love to buy baby items,” Sister Joelle added. During the program, a Hope Pregnancy Center representative explained what their ministry is and who they serve and how they will benefit the women in need, she explained. The afternoon began with prayer, high tea and finger sandwiches. There were activities for the children, including creating crafts to give to the parents whose children would be baptized this year, Sister Joelle explained. Activities offer enlightening and entertaining fun for all ages during the program. In addition to items for both baby and mom, holy cards are also supplied. She said the prayer cards are of St. Gerard Majella, who is considered the patron saint of mothers and motherhood. The parish will also make a donation so that bigger items, such as car seats and strollers, may be purchased for the mothers and mothers-to-be. Sister Joelle explained that over the years the intergenerational programs have proven to be a good learning experience for young and old alike. “This is an afternoon of learning, fun and community-building. The people who come really appreciate the offerings,” she said. And Sister Joelle emphasized that it is not just for parish members. “It is open to anybody under the sun,” she said. For more information about St. Damien Parish, visit https://stdamienreligiouseducation.weebly.com Gift baskets of baby clothing and toys are ready to be donated.