After years of prayer and service in the Respect Life Ministry at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills, parishioners Claudia Shannon and Kelly Schlegel, under the guidance of the Walking With Moms in Need initiative, celebrated the grand opening of Mary’s Manger Pregnancy Resource Center the weekend of June 28-29.
“Claudia and I expressed deep gratitude,” Schlegel said. “We also honored the founders of Grace Cottage, the original ministry in Building B, and promised to continue their legacy of compassion. I shared that Walking With Moms in Need offers a new emphasis on an old truth, that motherhood is a noble and powerful calling.”
The grand opening ceremony kicked off with a ribbon cutting, a powerful blessing and heartfelt remarks by St. Paul the Apostle Church pastor Father Elmer Galiza, MS, about the dignity of motherhood and the need to support families. Over 475 guests attended the grand opening over two days. It also included a picnic under the trees, tours of the center, and even door prizes for 60 lucky guests.
“All in all, it was a great day, a celebration of women, children, moms, dads, and families,” Shannon said. “I was so moved that so many came to offer their congratulations and moral support for a little parapet of hope, warmth, and light known as Mary’s Manger.”
The center offers various resources for pregnant and parenting mothers in need such as free pregnancy tests, free ultrasounds, prenatal and postnatal education, childcare and Christian accompaniment.
“You are not alone,” Schlegel said. “At Mary’s Manger, we will walk with you, through your decision-making, your pregnancy, the birth, and even the challenges of raising your children. No matter your circumstances or your faith background, you will be met with love, respect, and unwavering support. We believe in your strength, and we’re here to help you realize it. Walking With Moms in Need is a family and joining us is like coming home.”
The pregnancy center came about after Schlegel and Shannon spent years serving in the Respect Life Ministry by participating in education on pro-life legislation, rallies, rosaries, pro-life movies, guest speakers, the 40 Days for Life campaign, Masses for the Loss of a Child, attending events like the OneLife LA, and even hosting a mobile ultrasound RV at an event, providing one mom an ultrasound on the spot.
Soon after consecrating the ministry to the Blessed Mother Mary and praying for guidance, they learned from the diocese about Walking With Moms in Need initiative, a nationwide initiative by the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops. Shannon and Schlegel were encouraged by the Walking with Moms in Need mother-daughter team, Maria and Rebecca Pimental, who had successfully launched the program at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish, Ontario in May 2023. After conversations with the pastor, Shannon and Schlegel envisioned a pregnancy resource center at St. Paul the Apostle.
“When the church offered us the beautiful Building B at 3683 Chino Ave, everything fell into place,” Schlegel said. “With a physical space and no overhead costs, Walking With Moms in Need at Mary’s Manger was born.”
The center received about 90 percent of its resources after hosting a baby shower on the Feast of the Holy Family on January 6, 2025. Thirty volunteers signed up to help, and most importantly, they were introduced to ten local moms in need.
“The support was overwhelming,” Schlegel said. “It felt like we had found the missing piece in our ministry. The hard work was there, of course, but more than anything, it was a miraculous unfolding. When God opens a door, you simply walk through it.”
The Walking with Moms in Need Ministry offers guidance, resources, and a safe, caring environment for all mothers in need. For more information, please contact Kelly at (909) 896-6351 or Claudia at (909) 789-2310 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.