ELIZABETH MINISTRY

                                             

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greetings, the child leaped in her womb.  Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit”(LK 1:41)

Pregnancy is a joyful and exciting time for many parents to be, but it can also be a very tiring, stressful, emotional, and scary time. The maternal bond between a woman and her biological child usually begins to develop during pregnancy. The pregnant female adapts her lifestyle to suit the needs of the developing infant.

“It was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made”(Psalm 139:13-14)

We would love to celebrate this wonderful time with you and support you as prepare for the arrival of your little one. The expectant mother’s ministry is set up to provide prayer, encouragement, and support throughout your pregnancy as well as after your new addition arrives. We do this by calling to check in with you regularly to see how you are doing, as well as partnering with you in prayer throughout your pregnancy. Research studies have shown that prenatal attachment is an important factor in predicting post-partum attachment behaviors. A pregnant mother and her fetus attachment, which is one of the essential needs of human beings, would act as an invisible connection and maintain a close relationship between the mother and child is considered an important part of child’s development and would develop a sense of trust in the child. Elizabeth ministry was started in our St.Alphonsa Cathedral under the leadership of our Pastor Rev.Fr. Jacob Edakalathur and Associate Pastor Rev. Fr Saji Thomas CMI. Expectant parents had monthly prayer meetings under the guidance of Rev.Sr.Jais Maria. Elizabeth Ministry's goal is to defend dignity, protect purity, respect all life, cherish children, encourage families, enrich marriages, and build community.

We vision a world that is transformed to uphold the sacredness of the intimate issues of life, loss, and love.  We are each called to transform our culture by leading lives of deeper connection and meaning.  Elizabeth Ministry offers the opportunity to live a vocation of love in the day-to-day realities of our lives.  By following the biblical example of Mary and Elizabeth, we visit and share the sacredness of all life.  By following the biblical example of Joseph and Zechariah, we go counter-cultural to defend dignity.

 

 

 

 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations”(Jeremiah 1:5)

The purpose of Elizabeth Ministry is to provide prayerful loving encouragement and support to pregnant and new mothers. Pregnancy, birth, and parenting a new baby are life-changing and sometimes overwhelming. The ministry hopes to lovingly help mothers ease into motherhood knowing someone is praying for them and available when questions or needs arise.