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Pastoral Outreach to People with Mental Illnesses and Their Families
Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness
The Commission is part of the Chicago Archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities. The purpose of the Commission is to resource parishes on the spiritual and supportive needs of people with serious
mental illnesses and their families. We offer workshops and presentations on the pastoral needs of people with mental illness and their families. Mental illness affects one on 5 individuals. Each individual has a family so the need is great for our faith communities. For more information contact Deacon Tom Lambert, Co-Chair of the Commission by email olmcinfo2@aol.com or phone at 872-260-4108
"Brochure about the Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness" (Brief description of the Commission)
Faith and Fellowship
The purpose of Faith and Fellowship is to provide Faith experiences in a way suited to the needs of persons with a mental
illness within the context of a small community of believers and to offer opportunities for integration into the life and
activities of the parish community.
People with mental illness are often socially isolated and even feel isolated from God.
Faith and Fellowship is a ministry where persons with a mental illness, especially those who are significantly disabled by it, can experience the love of Gods presence and their sisters
and brothers. Faith and Fellowship groups consist of 10 to 15 adults including approximately equal numbers of persons
with a mental illness and volunteers from local churches. They meet semi-weekly as partners in prayer and
socialization. The meetings feature:
- A time for prayer
- A time for quietly shared activities
- A time for a reflection on the meeting theme (Symbol,Life experience, Scripture, Music)
- A time for Agape
For more information contact 708-383-9276.
St Damian Parish, Oak Forest, Il Mental Health Awareness Support Group
St Damian Mental Health Support Group meets once a month to support individuals and families living with mental health difficulities in a spiritual and confidential environment.
We are a community of faith offering help and hope. For more information call the St Damian Pastoral Center 708-687-1370
In addition to the above: Contacts for mental illness support, information, starting parish mental health teams and ministry opportunities :
Arlington Hts., Il Parishes Mental Health
The three parishes in Arlington Hts, St James, St Edna and Our Lady of the Wayside mental have formed a mental health team. for more information contact either of the parishes.
Christ The King Parish, Chicago. Contact Amy McNicholas, LCPC, Faith and Mental Health Specialist-Advocate Health Amy.Mcnicholas@aah.org
Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Chicago. Contact Deacon Tom Lambert @ olmcinfo2@aol.com
Holy Name Cathedral. Contact Deacon Dan Welter @ Holy Name Cathedral 312-787-8040
St Mary of the Annunciation Mundelein. Contact Deacon Al Sedivy uscals@yahoo.com
Mary Seat of Wisdom, Park Ridge. Contact Deacon Kevin Blindauer at kblindauer@mswparish.org
St Mary of Vernon, Indian Creek. Contact Deacon Jerry Nora at jerrynora@aol.com
St George Parish, Tinley Park. Deacon Jerry Souta, jsoutajr@att.net
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