St. Joseph Mothers’ Day Out Celebrates 20 Years

Polly Maciulski, St. Joseph Catholic School, Middle School Religion Teacher

When St. Joseph Catholic Church opened its first Mothers’ Day Out program in 2003, the world was a different place. At the box office, “Lord of the Rings: the Return of the King” was released; Apple launched iTunes; and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl. Here in Shreveport, though, Father Peter Mangum was St. Joseph’s pastor, and he had the idea to start a program for our Catholic families to have a place to send their children a couple of days a week. He contacted Cheryl Raney, and the rest is history.

The St. Joseph Catholic Church Mothers’ Day Out program is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, and they have much to show for their young life. What started as a two-day program quickly grew to four days a week; the house in which MDO began was moved off the property and the program is now held on Atlantic Avenue, next door to the school and Family Life Center; and there is a waiting list for this thriving program that cares for one- and two-year-old children. The house on Atlantic is bursting at the seams now, so don’t be surprised if things change there, too! This ministry to our church provides Pre-K2 education that prepares students well for our Pre-K3 program at SJS.

“I remember the excitement of planning and starting this program with (Cheryl) 20 years ago,” said Fr. Peter. “Purchasing the new house, and so happy to see how much it has grown and still going strong.”

Cheryl recalls the details that went into the first MDO house on Patton: “Transforming the ‘Amelia Room’ building into a cute, safe classroom environment was an accomplishment that became impressive and difficult. I recall, when I had the first enrollment, I was pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming response of families wanting to enroll. St Joseph Church and School have always been a special place for me and my family, we have always been invested in Catholic education. My son Trevor and daughter Julianne both attended SJS as well as Loyola College Prep. Fast forward, full circle, Julianne is now a teacher at SJS! I am truly amazed and still in awe of the response and support that MDO still receives 20 years later!”

St. Joseph’s Mothers’ Day Out holds a very special place in the hearts of many St. Joseph parishioners - a lifetime of Catholic education that began in a little house on Patton Avenue. Now we pray for 20 more years of the same great Catholic care and thank everyone for their support of this beautiful ministry.

If you are interested in enrolling your child or grandchild at our Mothers’ Day Out program, contact Cheryl Raney at craney@stjosephchurch.net.