The LORD himself goes before you
and will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
-- Deuteronomy 31:8
Contact us:
Upcoming Event:
Join us on Saturday, October 10 for a community wellness and education event featuring:
1 Degree of Separation, a comedy show and suicide prevention program aimed at ending the sigma of mental illness,
Guest speaker Dr. Gregory Gisla, Psy.D. on signs and symptoms for behavioral health issues and care,
and community resource organizations.
Mental Health Ministry: Deacon Ed Shoener Visit and Presentation
Deacon Ed Shoener visited the parish on Sunday, October 19, 2025 to present Why Should Churches Get Involved in Mental Health Ministry?
This moving presentation was open to all in the Sacramento community. Deacon Ed Shoener is a founding member of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers and serves as a permanent deacon at St. Peter Cathedral in Scranton, PA. After losing his daughter to suicide, Deacon Shoener has become a powerful international voice for hope and healing.
Click link right to be taken to a video recording of this presentation.
Pray with the Pope: For Mental Health Ministry | October 2026
Pope Leo, in his prayer intention for this month, invites us to pray for mental health ministry, so that we may know how to welcome those who suffer in silence, support those who care for them, and learn to integrate mental health care into our community life as a living sign of mercy.
In God’s Image:
Supporting Mental Wellness Together through
Accompaniment, Education, and Advocacy
A Mental Health Ministry is an essential expression of the Catholic Church’s mission to care for the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Many individuals and families are quietly struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, or the weight of everyday stress.
By creating a space where mental health is acknowledged with compassion and dignity, we are seeking to reduce stigma and offer meaningful support rooted in faith.
Our mental health ministry not only connects parishioners to resources and trained professionals but also builds a community of accompaniment, prayer, and hope.
It reminds us that we are never alone and that God’s healing grace can be experienced through both spiritual guidance and human connection.
Mental Health Corner
Caring for Those Who Care for Others
Supporting a loved one through mental health challenges can be meaningful, but it can also feel exhausting, overwhelming and isolating. Caregivers need care, too.
This weekend, St. Ignatius Mental Health Ministry welcomes back its Accompaniment and Support Groups. These confidential gatherings offer a compassionate place to share experiences, receive encouragement and connect with people who understand. As Mental Health America reminds us, seeking support helps caregivers protect their own well-being while continuing to care for those they love.
Article Link: https://screening.mhanational.org/content/how-can-i-find-support-caregiver/
Holiday Stress
The Mental Health Ministry would like to reiterate the
invitation to all struggling with mental health burdens to
consider receiving Anointing of the Sick or to contact the
Ministry.
Seasonal Stressors: Supporting Mental Health During the
Holidays
In 2014, NAMI found that 64% of people with mental illness
say the holidays make their conditions worse. A 2021 survey
showed that 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is
negatively impacted by the holidays.
Challenging interactions with family members, financial
pressures, seasonal expectations, personal grief, and other
stressors can make the holidays difficult. The National
Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers practical guidance
on how to cope during this time. Scan the QR code or visit
the link below for detailed information and helpful strategies
to support your mental well-being throughout the holiday
season.
1. Accept your feelings
2. Maintain healthy habits
3. Set boundaries
4. Make time to connect
Seminar
In November the above seminar was held. Click on the image to go to the YouTube video of that presentation.
Click on the logos below for more resources:
