The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) has created a website that provides access to resources and other helpful information for pregnant women, parenting women in need and those who seek to assist them.

Titled “Helping Hope Bloom,” the website – www.mdcatholic.org/hopeblooms – was launched May 24 by the MCC and includes a listing of resources statewide as well as practical ways that parishes and individuals can assist pregnant women and mothers.

The MCC is the public policy arm of the two Catholic archdioceses and one diocese that comprise the state – the Archdiocese of Baltimore; The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington (which includes five Maryland counties surrounding the nation’s capital); and the Diocese of Wilmington (which includes counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore). 

“Helping Hope Bloom is about lifting up women who are pregnant and parenting with practical resources, prayer, and support,” the website explains on its homepage. “We have compiled ideas for parishes and individuals who want to do something – or do more – to help women in need.”

Among the resources made available to pregnant women and mothers are a listing of diaper banks throughout the state, where to get emergency food, Catholic health care and ob/gyn services, where to access housing, legal and other services, and pregnancy support centers. There is also a list of prayers, novenas and reflections in both Spanish and English.

“An unexpected pregnancy can be overwhelming, scary and lonely for women who don’t have a support network or many resources,” said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference. “At the same time, so many of the faithful want to do more and don’t know where to start. Helping Hope Bloom not only provides suggestions, but organizations that people and parishes can support and partner with.”

The launch of the Helping Hope Bloom website comes just one month after Maryland lawmakers overrode Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of a bill that greatly expands abortion access in the state.

 The new law, which takes effect July 1, allows non-physicians to perform abortions, provides state funds to train non-physicians how to perform abortions, and requires expanded insurance coverage of abortion, with some exceptions, such as religious objections.

The MCC opposed the measure, calling it “reproductive coercion” and said that “women, especially low-income women, immigrants and women of color… want support to be able to achieve their dreams and raise their children.”