There is a quiet movement taking root across the Diocese of Allentown, one playdate, prayer circle, and postpartum meal train at a time.
In parishes across the Diocese, mothers are forming intentional communities, gathering their children, their faith, and their longing for connection, and turning them into something that looks a lot like the heartbeat of parish life.
Rhady Tulloch, Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Allentown, has been watching the trend with enthusiasm. She sees these groups as a timely response to a real need – and a natural fit for a Diocese that is increasingly focused on strengthening family life ministry, particularly as Pope Leo XIV has invited bishops to Rome this October to discuss marriage and family.
“Strong mothers build strong families,” said Cristina Atiyeh, founder of Moms & Minis at St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, “and strong families help build the Church.”
Atiyeh started the group about two years ago when, as a first-time mom and devoted daily Mass-goer, she was approached by her parish communications director and asked if she’d consider starting a group for mothers and children. She felt the invitation was divinely timed.
“I truly felt from the Holy Spirit that it was brought to me,” she said, “and I said yes.”
Today, Moms & Minis draws 20 to 30 members – including moms from neighboring parishes – and runs three to five events per month. Activities range from zoo trips and pumpkin patch outings to a virtual Bible study on courageous women of Scripture, monthly Children’s Holy Hours led by a parish priest, and feast day celebrations with crafts and fellowship.
The group recently hosted a triple baby shower for three members who are all expecting this summer, and they regularly organize meal trains for postpartum moms. Several members now attend daily Mass together, a practice Atiyeh considers transformative. “There’s never been a day that I went to daily Mass and had a bad day,” she said.
In Pottsville, Mikayla Greenlund launched The Mustard Seedlings at St. John the Baptist just a few months ago, and it is already making an impression.
Greenlund secured volunteers (currently her sister and husband) to supervise children during meetings, freeing mothers to be fully present for an hour of faith formation and guided discussion.
The group is working through St. Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle,” and the 16th-century mystic’s reflections on interior life have landed with surprising resonance. Greenlund said that one member recently reflected on motherhood as monasticism because so often moms feel alone in what they’re doing.
“You’re in a season of serving, a kind of isolation. It’s sort of like a monastery in a way,” said Greenlund.
Equally notable is the group’s ecumenical reach. Roughly half the members are Catholic; the other half includes non-practicing Christians and those searching for community. Greenlund welcomes this.
“The study resonates with them too,” she said. “I introduce it as: this is a historical woman who was living in her times, and everybody can kind of relate to that.”
For Easter, she organized a community “Seedling Stroll” in collaboration with local master gardeners, drawing public attention and two new members to the very next meeting.
In Nazareth, Pray + Play at Holy Family is just getting started, founded about three months ago by Courtney Bonino and Samantha McKenzie, both of whom moved to the area as young mothers without nearby family.
“Especially as a young mom with little kids, if you stay at home, it can feel a little lonely,” said Bonino. “To have other moms that you can talk with and play with is really nice.”
Pray + Play meets monthly on Friday mornings at the parish center. Mothers gather while children play, color, and do crafts.
“The kids will pray with us and make the Sign of the Cross,” said Bonino. “People don’t realize things like that make a real impression on children.”
The group is open to all moms, including those whose children are in school.
These three groups represent just a portion of what is emerging across the Diocese. Tulloch encourages other active groups throughout the Diocese to reach out to her office at 610-871-5200, ext. 2035. She hopes to create a directory of mom ministries in the future.
Mothers, mark your calendars: the Diocese of Allentown will host a Mother-Daughter Tea on Saturday, May 30, a perfect occasion for the growing community of Catholic mothers in the Diocese. Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/4sTmKSV.
Current Listing of Moms’ Groups in the Diocese of Allentown
Holy Family, Nazareth, Pray + Play. If interested, email Courtney Bonino at courtneybonino@gmail.com.
Holy Ghost, Bethlehem, Journeying with Mary. A mutual monthly support group for mothers striving to care for their families and raise holy children. For more information, contact Katie Martin or Miriam Martin through the parish office.
St. Catharine of Siena, Reading, Young Saints Ministries. Families can reach out directly to Belkis Negron at belkisnegronva@gmail.com to get involved in the committee. No RSVP is required to attend events. There is a monthly meeting and other events. Next meeting is Sunday, May 3.
St. John the Baptist, Pottsville, The Mustard Seedlings. Interested mothers can contact St. John the Baptist parish office.
St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield, Moms & Minis. Contact Cristina Atiyeh at cristina.atiyeh@gmail.com.
St. Thomas More, Allentown, Meals for Moms. A meal ministry for new moms and their families who have recently welcomed a new baby. Its goal is to provide support and a feeling of community, and act as a resource to help welcome the new baby into the parish, through a group of volunteer meal-makers. Contact Alexa Guman at alexa.guman27@gmail.com.
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