Elizabeth Ministry

We are a ministry of women reaching out to other women who are in their childbearing years. We offer support to those who are pregnant, to those considering adoption, to those dealing with infertility and to those who have experienced a miscarriage or the loss of a baby.

Just as Mary and Elizabeth visited when they found out they were each expecting a child, an Elizabeth Minister of St. James would welcome the opportunity to visit with you, pray for you, and offer their caring support during your pregnancy or time of waiting.

Visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/stjameselizabethministry/

Elizabeth Ministry Prayer
Creator God, I pledge to truly celebrate the gift of each child conceived and born and fully mourn each miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, infant or child death. I will be a strong witness to my belief in the dignity and worth of all life, by treasuring the gift of fertility, by supporting those suffering infertility, by encouraging those in the adoption process and by assisting families experiencing an infant or child crisis or special need. I will be a strong and consistent voice for life in my home, my church, my community, and the world.  Amen.

Visit our Rosebud Display in the Parish Center gathering space for additional resources.  We welcome you to contact us with questions or prayer requests of any kind.

Infertility, Miscarriage, and Infant Loss Resources

• Renew Through Sharing– Northwest Community Hospital parent support group
• After Miscarriage by Karen Edmisten
• A Blog About Miscarriage — A Catholic mother shares helpful resources
• Catholic Miscarriage Support website
• Miscarriage — Overcoming obstacles
• Immaculate Hope Ministries — Resources and retreats for grieving parents
• Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep — Providing the gift of remembrance photography
• SHARE — pregnancy and infant loss support
• MEND — Christian support network
• Perinatal Hospice organization and resources
• The Infertility Companion for Catholics
• NaproTechnology — effective medical infertility treatment for Catholic couples
• Blessing of Parents after a Miscarriage or Stillbirth
• Resources from the United States Bishops

Natural Family Planning

• What is Natural Family Planning? — USCCB resources
• Archdiocese of Chicago Family Ministries office
• Couple to Couple League Sympto-Thermal Method (online and onsite classes)
• Marquette Method (online and onsite classes)
• Creighton Method (onsite classes)
• Billings Ovulation Method (online and onsite classes)

Adoption

• Catholic Charities Adoption support

Crisis Pregnancy

• Catholic Charities Maternity and Pregnancy
• Tiny Blue Lines– by Chaunie Brusie
• Project Rachel — Hope and Healing after Abortion

Mothering Special Needs Children

• Saint James Parish Open Doors Ministry – ODM@stjamesah.org
• National Catholic Council on Disability
• The Arc of Illinois

Encouraging Reading for Catholic Moms

• The Catholic Family Handbook by Fr. Lovasik
• The Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey
• Small Steps for Catholic Moms by Danielle Bean
• A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey
• Prayerfully Expecting by Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle
• A Mother’s Rule of Life by Holly Pierlot
• Mom to Mom, Day to Day: Advice and Support for Catholic Living by Danielle Bean
• Woman of Grace: A Bible Study for Married Women by Michaelann Martin
• Imitating Mary: Ten Marian Virtues for the Modern Mom by Marge Fenelon
• Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things That Really Matter edited by Hallie Lord
• The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning by Simcha Fisher
• Parenting With Grace by Dr. Greg Popcak