New and expectant mothers were seated at tables gently bouncing babies who were cooing and occasionally crying at a Mother’s Day celebration at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary parish in Roosevelt.

“Congratulations to all of you, breastfeeding moms, pregnant moms, and the guys,” said Marlyse Cetoute-Bernardin, the breastfeeding coordinator of Catholic Charities’ Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program.

She greeted the mothers and fathers gathered before her May 24 in English, Spanish and French Creole. The new moms participate in a peer counseling program in which they learn from other moms now employed by Catholic Charities. The peer counselors call and text new moms to offer tips and answer questions about breastfeeding.

One young mom summed up how one of the counselors had helped her solve a latching problem with her newborn. “It may not be easy and might not come naturally, but you just have to keep doing it,” said the mom, first in English and then in Spanish, to the others attending the gathering.

The moms had opportunities to win practical prizes like diapers and baby clothes by playing fun games such as seeing how many requested items they could find in their purse. The moms also posed for photos in front of a pretty golden background that appeared like a present.

One mom, expecting her third child in July, spoke in an interview about what she learns from other new moms and counselors. “We share the good, the bad and the ugly,” said Stephanie, who explained that the realistic approach is best for a new mom. Asked her biggest takeaway when she was a first-time mom, she replied, “Don’t give up. It’s not going to come easy, but keep going. You’ll get the results.”

As a mother who breastfed her first two girls for at least six months, Stephanie happily reported that they didn’t get sick often when they first enrolled in school.

The moms and their children are a perfect sign of Catholic Charities’ belief that every human life is sacred.

The WIC program provides food assistance, nutrition education, breastfeeding help, health screenings and referrals. It is open to low-income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and their children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. Catholic Charities’ WIC sites are in Amityville, (631) 842-4123; Freeport, (516) 377-0157; Mercy Hospital, Rockville Centre, (516) 705-3645; and St. Hugh of Lincoln parish, Huntington Station, (516) 459-7638.