Mississippi launches MAMA program to support moms, families, and pro-life values
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&view=post&articleid=287074&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The Mississippi state capitol building. The Mississippi Access to Maternal Assistance (MAMA) program connects mothers and families with assistance from state and faith-based organizations like Catholic Charities. / Credit: Paul Brady Photography/ShutterstockWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).Mississippi is promoting family, motherhood, and pro-life policies through its Mississippi Access to Maternal Assistance (MAMA) program. Established under Senate Bill 2781 in 2023, the MAMA program leverages state funds to connect women and families with resources that support motherhood and family stability. Mississippi prohibits state funds from going to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, following the Dobbs decision. Faith-based organizations, however, play a strong role in the network of listed services. Catholic Charities of Southern Mississippi, Catholic Charities of Jackson, and Embrace Grace Ministry at Trinity Wesleyan Church are among...
The Mississippi state capitol building. The Mississippi Access to Maternal Assistance (MAMA) program connects mothers and families with assistance from state and faith-based organizations like Catholic Charities. / Credit: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).
Mississippi is promoting family, motherhood, and pro-life policies through its Mississippi Access to Maternal Assistance (MAMA) program.
Established under Senate Bill 2781 in 2023, the MAMA program leverages state funds to connect women and families with resources that support motherhood and family stability. Mississippi prohibits state funds from going to abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, following the Dobbs decision.
Faith-based organizations, however, play a strong role in the network of listed services. Catholic Charities of Southern Mississippi, Catholic Charities of Jackson, and Embrace Grace Ministry at Trinity Wesleyan Church are among the organizations that provide both spiritual and material assistance.
"The most important part about the MAMA program is it is comprised of public, private, and faith-based resources," said Attorney General Lynn Fitch in a recent interview on "EWTN Pro-Life Weekly." Fitch oversees the program and played a prominent role in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization case.
A key component of the program is its mobile-friendly platform, mama.ms.gov, which centralizes information and referrals for essential services.
The platform allows users to search for resources in their geographical area and is organized by categories that include health care, housing, parenting, mental health providers, and employment.
"What a God thing to have this available technology," Fitch told "EWTN Pro-Life Weekly."
Since its launch, the site has received "over 56,000 hits" and "served 23,000 women with their particular needs."
In addition to medical and mental health services, MAMA also connects users with providers of material support like diapers and car seats.
The Bare Needs Diaper Bank Warehouse, for instance, distributes diapers, menstrual supplies, and adult incontinence products to families in mid-south Mississippi. Employment services and job training programs are also featured on the platform.
For parents in crisis, the platform provides information about Mississippi's Safe Haven law, including a list of Safe Haven Baby Box locations where infants under 45 days old can be safely and anonymously surrendered for adoption.
The platform continues to grow its partner list and resource categories, helping ensure that families across Mississippi can locate and receive critical support at every stage of parenthood.
Full Article
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=287093&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The grounds at the Sanctuary of La Sainte-Baume. / Credit: Sanctuary of La Sainte-BaumeWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 16:17 pm (CNA).Tucked away in a rocky mountain in southeast France is a cave formed by natural erosion called La Sainte-Baume. It is one of the oldest Christian pilgrimage sites in the world as it is the place where Mary Magdalene is believed to have spent the last 30 years of her life.Esteemed by St. Thomas Aquinas as the "Apostle to the Apostles," St. Mary Magdalene is regarded by the Dominicans as a secondary patroness of their order, which was founded in Toulouse, France. Appropriately, the cave remains under the care of the friars in the Toulouse province. The Dominicans are charged with the task of welcoming and evangelizing pilgrims who make their way to La Sainte-Baume. (The word "baume" comes from the Provençal word "baumo," meaning "cave.") The friars, alongside staff and volunteers, run the hostelry located next to the convent at the f...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=287092&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Sean Graber, president of EWTN Digital (left), and Peter Gagnon, president of EWTN Studios. / Credit: EWTNWashington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 22, 2025 / 16:47 pm (CNA).Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) Chairman and CEO Michael P. Warsaw has announced a new organizational structure to further EWTN's mission in the digital landscape by enhancing its content creation and distribution methods under the leadership of two new presidents.EWTN will now align its operations around two new divisions: EWTN Studios and EWTN Digital. Led by Peter Gagnon, EWTN Studios will focus on content development, while Sean Graber will lead EWTN Digital, which will prioritize the network's media distribution and broadening its audience. (Note: EWTN is the parent company of CNA.)"Under the leadership of our foundress, Mother Angelica, EWTN learned to constantly adopt new technology to reach souls," Warsaw said. "Just as our major network peers in secular media have done, this change in structure will al...
http://www.myspiritfm.com/News?blogid=Catholic-News&url=10&view=post&articleid=287086&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Church property sits vandalized at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Sunday, July 19, 2025. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Diocese of PittsburghCNA Staff, Jul 22, 2025 / 12:32 pm (CNA).Federal agents are investigating a vandalism incident at a church in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, according to Bishop Mark Eckman.Eckman said in a July 19 statement that St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, had been desecrated with "anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic messages." The vandalism "wounded not only the people of this parish but every member of our diocesan family," the bishop said. "This holy place, meant for prayer, community, and the merciful presence of God has been violated in a deeply painful way," he added. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are leading the inquiry into the incident, the bishop said. On Monday the diocese released photos of the vandalism "wit...
