Our lives are comprised of three dimensions: spiritual, physical, and mental. Our Heavenly Father, known through the life of the Son and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, knows each one of us and calls us by name.  Even more, our loving God envisions every one of us beloved sons & daughters to flourish in all dimensions of human existence.
As we struggle with health challenges, especially mental illness, may we allow the wisdom of St. Paul to encourage us:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ … but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:1-5).

• The Sanctuary Course for Catholics is a weekly, eight-session program that covers “the realities of mental illness… the effects of stigma… the principles and processes of recovery… the importance of companionship… self-care, and… ways that your faith community can support mental health” (Participant’s Guide). Everyone is welcome, whether active in the Catholic Faith or curious about the Church and how we support the mental health of our brothers and sisters. Each Fall, the program is hosted at the parish.