Community baby showers support expecting families beyond physical needs
Bella Bailey
Multimedia Correspondent
The Diocese of Covington’s Pro-Life Office, as part of the Pregnancy Care Network of Northern Kentucky, held a community baby shower, Oct. 27, in support of expecting parents and parents of newborns. The event, hosted at Florence Baptist Church, Florence, provides parents with standard infant necessities such as diapers, wipes and clothing, but also has resources for obtaining insurance and finishing a GED, ensuring that parents get not only the best for their babies, but also the support they need.
Community Baby Showers have been a staple of the Pregnancy Care Network’s ministry since the first eight years ago.
“It’s an opportunity for women and families who might not otherwise receive a baby shower normally … we’re providing them with this baby shower to celebrate their baby, but also to give them the resources to be successful parents,” said Faye Roch, director of the Pro-Life Office. “We’re showing them that there are ways for them to be successful, we’re providing for their needs but we’re also providing them with resources.”
Twenty-six ministries were in attendance, including St. Henry Parish, Elsmere, and St. Paul Parish, Florence, who provided gifts for expecting families. Also in attendance were notable Catholic organizations such as St. Elizabeth Hospital, Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home and the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, along with religious sisters who volunteered to help run the event.
“It’s a great witness to the people who attend and the people who work there,” said Mrs. Roch about the diocesan support. “The generosity of the people in our churches and parishes really overwhelms me … I think it’s just so beautiful.”
The first Community Baby Showers were held in Boone, Kenton and Campbell County, with the location rotating as the events were held. As word about the baby showers spread, more counties were interested in hosting and supporting their expecting families.
“They love it,” said Mrs. Roch, “I think just helping other people and seeing the impact that it provides. So, we’re hoping to move into more outlying counties.”
What started in school gymnasiums and cafeterias has now far outgrown the capacity of those spaces and requires more space and more technology. Churches of other denominations, like the Florence Baptist Church, the site of this event, have volunteered the use of their facilities.
“I think this is great that we are working with another Christian church,” said Mrs. Roch. “We all have the same goal: we want to help moms, and we’re working together in this effort.” While the extra space is a bonus, Mrs. Roch enjoys the updated technology. “We can communicate a little bit better,” she said. “I believe … at the last baby shower we had people who spoke 12 different languages, so it’s easier to put somebody’s name up on a screen when they win a raffle item, or to put information on the screen, it’s a little bit easier.”
Ministries, agencies, parishes and the Boone County community came together to celebrate life and to provide parents and expecting families the resources they need to be successful.
“I think we should feel very proud to be representing the Catholic Church and just showing them what we are doing to help people who are less fortunate than we are,” said Mrs. Roch.
