The Mercy House Celebrates Expectant Mothers in Need at First-Ever Baby Shower

About 30 soon-to-be mothers received bags filled with wipes, infant clothing, and other nursery essentials while enjoying an assortment of refreshments. Three raffle winners also took home a few major items, including a baby bouncer and diaper bag.

The grand prize winner—a combination stroller and car seat—tearfully embraced Mercy House Director Cheryl A. Riley when accepting her gift. She explained that she needed a car seat to take her baby home from the hospital, so getting one at The Mercy House felt like divine intervention.

“This is the first year The Mercy House is holding baby showers, and after seeing the joy on these mothers’ faces, I don’t think it will be the last,” said Riley, who hosted the event with assistance from Spanish and Creole translators. “Today our guests received much-needed supplies for their babies, but we also made them smile by letting them escape from whatever stress they might be going through. We made a positive difference in their lives, which is all God asks of us.”

Those who missed the Newark baby shower still have the opportunity to attend two additional ones at The Mercy House’s Jersey City location on April 3 and Elizabeth location on June 4. It also continually assists mothers — and anyone else in need — year-round by supplying food, clothes and other necessities during its regular operating hours.

To learn more about The Mercy House, contact Cheryl A. Riley at cheryl.riley@rcan.org or visit www.rcan.org/mercy-house.

About the Archdiocese of Newark 

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and numerous missions and ministries committed to faith, education, and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.