"Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
— Matthew 10:14
No, Baby Ministry is not a class to teach the baby to say the Rosary! Our "Little Lambs" baby ministry aims to make coming to Mass easier for families with babies and toddlers.  Little ones have always been welcome at our parish, but now we are making the extra effort to say, "come join us!"  We believe that families coming to Mass together is an essential part of the week.  Babies can basked in the music and spirituality.

All precious bundles of joy may be a handful at times, and you may be concerned whether the baby will stay quiet or disturb others in prayer. This ministry is here to tell you: Don’t worry - bring us your tired and your cranky!  Taking care of a newborn, being a stay-at-home parent, or being parents of multiple children or those with special needs can sometimes leave you feeling alone and missing adult interactions. More often than not, self-care takes a backseat to caring for everyone else.  Remember that YOU are a child of God, too!  Raising a human being is hard work, and you are doing better than you think.  Remember to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually! 

Masses at St. Therese Church are enhanced to make the experience extra welcoming. Baby ministry volunteers are available at the 10:30am Mass to help with strollers, lend a hand to hold the baby, or keep an eye on the other children as needed.
 Amenities at all masses include:
  • More family-friendly music selections.
  • Board books and activity sheets to keep toddlers engaged.
  • Drawing paper for children to offer their masterpieces in the offertory collections.
  • A stroller and family area – Families are welcome to sit anywhere in the church, but for the times when little legs need to move around, the family area allows them to do so while still being very much part of the Mass.
  • Blessings for children too young to receive communion.
  • Adorable family bathroom equipped with toddler fold-down toliet seat, changing table, step stool, baby wipes, etc.  Located in the Community Room.
  • Emergency baby supplies available in the back of the church and in the family restroom, including baby wipes, diapers, bandages, disinfectant wipes, etc.
  • A lift going up to the church or down to the restrooms. (Enter through the garden.)
  • Validated discount parking (for the parking lot at Cermak and Wentworth, similar to that for Chinatown businesses)
 
Feel free to contact the Parish Office with any questions by email or by calling 312-842-6777 (St. Therese).  Location: 218 W. Alexander Street, Chicago, IL 60616
​Directions and Parking Information

See what we can offer 

New family joining us? 
For new families joining us, contact the Parish Office for a Welcome Kit either by email or by calling 312-842-6777 (STWS) or 312-842-7979 (SBWS).
Also, have other young children? Teenager(s)?
For ages 3 to 7, children can spend time with the Sisters of Charity, learning about our faith and service to community via the Catechesis of Good Shepherds program - see our Religious Education page for more details. For teenagers, see our Youth Ministry page for activities.  We have weekly and monthly activities to engage with children of all ages.
​Expecting?  Know someone expecting?  Planning for an adoption? 
If you would like to share the good news with our parish, let us know! Contact the Parish Office with the following information: 
  • Your name and contact info (phone or email address)
  • Name of family and contact info (phone or email address) 
  • Baby's family’s religious affiliation 
  • Expected arrival date 
 
We will reach out to the family with a congratulatory email.  When the child arrives, you or the baby’s family should contact us to let us know of the good news.  We will then celebrate at our parish with the following: 
  • Flowers/potted plant will be placed at the St. Ann and the child Mary shrine to celebrate the birth.   
  • A newborn announcement will be shared in the weekly church bulletin. 
  • Prayers for the family and baby will be included in the prayer intentions. 
  • When the family is ready to come for Mass, they can take the dedicated flowers home with them along with a Welcome Kit. 
 
Feel free to contact the Parish Office with any questions either by email or by calling 312-842-6777 (STWS) or 312-842-7979 (SBWS).