Ministry of Mothers Sharing

The Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) is a national program that began in 1986 with a group of mothers at St. Timothy Parish in Mesa, Arizona. Its founders were committed to designing a process that encouraged prayer, discussion and friendship among women of all ages.

St. Elizabeth Seton Parish MOMS program facilitates an eight (8) week spirituality series. This program enables women to learn how to share with others the stress, concerns and positive experiences that influence personal growth. The program allows women to experience the support of other women in route to discovering the depth of one’s own spirituality.

This program serves two purposes: First, it is a ministry that leads to personal self-awareness and awakening to the spirituality of every day life. Second, this ministry brings about a sense of belonging, hospitality, faith sharing and genuine community within St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and among churches around the country. MOMS promotes personal and spiritual development through sharing, mutual support and prayer, where women have an opportunity to clarify their values, identify their strengths, and bring this new awareness to their everyday lives. MOMS welcomes women of all ages, especially women who live stressful lives or live with many demands on their time and energy. MOMS welcomes those women who simply want a place to receive personal and spiritual nurturing.

During the eight (8) week spirituality series, members are obligated to commit to each session. All members must keep discussions confidential and share desire to grow by listening and sharing. MOMS participants must demonstrate the ability to support other women in their own personal growth. During the series, a team of facilitators assist discussions including the following important topics:

1. Self-esteem and self-acceptance.
2. Stress worries and anxiety: What can I do to recognize and deal with stress productively?
3. Every day spirituality: Where is God in my daily life?
4. Feelings: How can I claim and accept my own feelings and deal with them constructively?
5. Personal growth: How am I being challenged to grow at this point in my life?
6. Expressing values in friendships: How can I express Christian values in my relationships?
7. Celebration of new beginnings: Celebrating friendships.
8. Post script: Continuing the journey -- what choices do I want to make for my continued personal and spiritual growth?

Today, Ministry of Mothers Sharing has developed into a spirituality process for all women in over 1,000 parishes nationwide. St. Elizabeth Seton held its first MOMS session in 2005.

For more information about the Ministry of Mothers Sharing program please contact the Parish Office at 669-7444