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:
Mental Health Ministry: Deacon Ed Shoener Visit and Presentation
Deacon Ed Shoener visited the parish on Sunday, October 19th 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.
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
January
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
As daylight decreases in fall and winter, some people
experience more than the “winter blues.” Seasonal affective
disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that follows a seasonal
pattern, often starting in late fall or early winter and
improving in spring. Symptoms may include persistent
sadness, low energy, changes in sleep and appetite, and loss
of interest in normal activities. SAD is treatable, and help is
available.
Learn more (National Institute of Mental
Health):
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/
Or contact our Mental Health Ministry who is always ready
to help with resources.
December
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
November
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:
