Mental Illness Ministries

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 educate and resource parishes on the spiritual and supportive needs of persons with serious mental illnesses such as bi-polar disease, major depressive illnesses, schizophrenia, and personality disorders. Since mental illness not only affects the individual with the disease but also family members, the needs of the entire family are addressed. For more information contact Deacon Tom Lambert 773-525-0453 x221.

"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 can experience the love of Gods 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

St Dymphna Society

The St. Dymphna Society inspires prayers and devotions to St. Dymphna who is the patron saint of persons with mental illnesses, conducts informational and support meetings for persons with mental illnesses and their families, and provides information on mental illnesses to all parishes in the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. For more information, please contact Shirley Weber at: (773) 777-6022

St Thomas of Villanova, Mental Health Ministry

The St Thomas mental health ministry, Palatine Illinois, provides speakers and opportunities for discussion on issues related to mental illness. Works on housing development for people with mental illness and works closely wih Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health. For more information contact Ken Doruff at kbsdoruff@aol.com.