On August 27, 2023, Father McCreary, Pastor at St. Boniface and St. Lawrence parishes in Williamsport, publicly signed the Pennsylvania Breastfeeding Coalition (PABC) Breastfeeding Welcome Here Business Pledges for St. Boniface and St. Lawrence parishes. Support from the congregations exceeded expectations, and families were invited to show their support by placing “Breastfeeding Welcome” stickers on church doors. The work in Williamsport serves as an example of working with faith-based programs in communities worldwide. By focusing on open dialogue, policy decisions, and continual education, Williamsport exemplifies how to create a breastfeeding-friendly environment in faith-based settings. From Christianity to Buddhism, scriptures and teachings across various faiths appreciate and support the act of breastfeeding, thereby enriching this community-wide effort. Williamsport is making strides in promoting breastfeeding support, closely following the “Ten Steps to a Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community.” We’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the milestones achieved by Williamsport over the last year, particularly focusing on Steps 1, 2, 4, and 7.
Step 1: Community Leadership’s Support
Williamsport’s leadership, including the Mayor and Lycoming County Commissioners, have publicly endorsed breastfeeding through proclamations and media coverage. A policy brief is currently under review, setting the stage for ongoing community education.
Step 2 & 4: Educating and Supporting Families
Welcome signs have been prominently displayed in key community locations. Additionally, a comprehensive resource list has been developed, in partnership with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Williamsport, to offer essential support for breast/chestfeeding families.
Step 7: Faith Communities Taking The Lead
Using the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Places of Worship model, Williamsport encouraged faith communities to create supportive environments for breastfeeding parents. Their work fosters overall community health and helps families achieve their infant feeding goals.
Williamsport’s progress underscores the importance of community-wide efforts. As Father McCreary succinctly put it, “crying children is what life sounds like.” With every pledge and act of acceptance, we move closer to creating an environment where breastfeeding families are welcomed and supported.
The success in Williamsport provides a blueprint for other faith communities.
- Engage and decide on a lactation friendly policy.
- Collaborate with family and community advocates.
- Educate the community, starting from faith leaders.
- Offer resources, spaces, and support systems.
- Continually educate and provide resources.
After presenting to the Parish Council earlier this spring, the community witnessed the power of open dialogue and action. The pledges, which were signed during two well-attended masses, symbolize more than a gesture – they mark a commitment. Families took an active part, placing stickers on church doors, echoing a sentiment: “All Are Welcome”
A Community Embraces Change
The public support did not stop there. Just a week after this event, the Editor in Chief of the Catholic Light Newspaper showed interest in featuring the initiative. A significant victory, indeed, as it allows the message to reach even more hearts.
Stories of change emerged soon after. One parent shared that she attended mass for the first time with her 7-week-old baby after reading the Pastor’s bulletin message, and comfortably nursed her baby during the service. This simple act showcases the ripple effect of acceptance.
All are Welcome: Gospel and Inclusion
Both St. Boniface and St. Lawrence parishes have stepped up their commitment to becoming “The Welcoming Church” that the Diocese envisioned over 30 years ago. As stated so beautifully in Fr. McCreary’s message: “We want Church to be a place where children are always part of the picture. […] Now we want to clearly extend that welcome to the breastfeeding individuals and families among us.” It’s a powerful statement and a long-overdue step towards true inclusivity in the community.
A Legacy of Welcome: Looking Forward
These churches now stand as shining examples of what can happen when a community takes a proactive approach to inclusion. We hope that these efforts inspire other religious institutions, businesses, and public spaces to do the same.
A Call to the Community
It’s a beautiful day when we see our efforts come to fruition, fostering a space where all are truly welcome. Join the Williamsport team in making your community a breastfeeding-friendly one because, as their Congregation sang, “All are welcome in this place.”
As the community of Williamsport have shown, progress begins with understanding and action. With each pledge, each sticker, and each story of acceptance, we edge closer to a world where every child and parent feels truly welcome. Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities celebrates this achievement and remains committed to creating a world where every community becomes a beacon of support and understanding.
That is why we couldn’t be happier to report the resounding success of our collaboration with the BFFC ASTHO workgroup in Williamsport, PA. Williamsport worked to make their community more welcoming for young families, and we are elated to see the strides that have been made in such a short period.
A Global Perspective
At Breastfeeding Family Friendly Communities (BFFC), our mission has always been clear: to create an environment where breastfeeding is supported as the cultural norm. We work tirelessly to ensure that all families, particularly breastfeeding, chestfeeding, and human milk feeding families, feel welcomed and supported in all public spaces.
The global resonance of breastfeeding can be observed across various faiths. From Christianity to Hinduism, Islam to Buddhism, there are scriptures, teachings, and practices that appreciate the act of breastfeeding. Each faith brings its own perspective, enriching the tapestry of support. Learn more…
In the spirit of welcoming everyone,
The BFFC and The Williamsport Workgroup