Throughout the Bible, we read about individuals experiencing hardships yet continue to express gratitude to God. They don’t call what was hard “easy” or suffering as “joyful". Instead they see their adversity through the lens of God, as his way of bringing them closer to him.

During the upcoming holiday season of Thanksgiving, we can choose to show God gratitude by focusing and giving thanks for the many wonderful gifts he has given to us. When we give thanks to the Lord, it truly does bless both the Lord and us.

Research Indicates: Five ways giving thanks is good for your mental, physical, and relational health:

It increases happiness and decreases depression.

It gives you better sleep.

It lowers stress levels

It contributes to resilience

It builds relationships with God and others

Let Us Prsy

Faithful Father, thank you for your unfailing love. You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.

Remind me that I lack nothing as your beloved child. Fill my heart with gratitude for

the gifts of this day including…

I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

by Archdioces of Chicago Commission on Mental Illness

"Moving Forward in Hope,"

An Evening of Prayer, Connection and Hope

Via Zoom on The 4th Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

The Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness is pleased to offer Moving Forward in Hope, a monthly series of evening prayer, connection, and hope.

Our goal is to create a safe place for those living with or those caring for someone with mental health concerns to come together to pray and share with one another.

We know connection is paramount to mental health and well- being. These virtual meetings will cover relevant topics and be held on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

To register or Questions? Please reach out to Deacon Tom Lambert at olmcinfo2@aol.com

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SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION FOR YOUR PARISH

Contact Deacon Tom Lambert at olmcinfo2@aol.com
to schedule a presentation on accompanying people with a mental illness and their families. The program AWARENESS, ACCEPTANCE, ACCOMPANIMENT covers what mental illnesses are, how they affect the person and their familiy, spirituality and recovery, and how we accompanying people and their famlies.

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Pope Francis Video on Depression and Anxiety

The Pope's world wide monthly message for November is on people who suffer depression. This video is put together by the Vatican media and for November they relied heavily on input from Deacon Ed Shoener of Scranton, PA. who is president of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers that we, the Archdiocese of Chicago Commission on Mental Illness, belong to. Click on the link to see the Popes message

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Deacon Ed Shoener, President of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers Presentation on Suicide

Deacon Ed Shoener, whose daughter died by suicide, co authored 2 books for ministry,Responding To Suicide and When A Loved One Dies By Suicide, presented a webinar on responding to suicide. Here is the youtube link to the recording of this very important message. Click on the you tube link to see the webinar

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OUTREACH TO FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED BY SUICIDE

Death by suicide is a critical issue for our communities. The following is an excellent pastoral resource for those grieving the loss of a person who died by suicide. LOSS of Catholic Charities Chicago, Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide,is a non-denominational program supporting those who have lost a loved one by suicide. Click here to go to their website: LOSS PROGRAM

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NOW ON LINE - OCTOBER 5, 2020 PRESENTATION AT MARY SEAT OF WISDOM PARISH IN PARK RIDGE

Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge hosted an evening on supporting people with mental illness and their families. Speakers presented on Faith and mental illness, family members, person with a mental illness, spiritual support, and support programs. Click on the link to see the presentation

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Chicago Catholic Interview on ways of coping during Covet 19

Chicago Catholic did an interview with Deacon Tom Lambert on ways of coping during this period of "sheltering in place." To view the article click on: Chicago Catholic Magazine Interview

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US Catholic Magazine Interview on Accompanying People with a Mental Illness

US Catholic Magazine did an interview with Deacon Tom Lambert regarding acccompaning people with mental illness and their families. To view the article click on: US Catholic Magazine Interview on Accompanying People with a Mental Illness

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The California Bishops Conference pastoral letter on outreach to people with Mental Illness and their families

The California Bishops Conference letter "Hope and Healing" is an excellent statement calling us as church to reach out to people with mental Illness and theur families. The Bishops state "As pastors and bishops, we understand that mental health is a critical component of wellbeing. Therefore, ministering to those who suffer from mental illness is an essential part of the pastoral care of the Church. This letter represents a statement by Catholic pastors, in consultation with those who suffer from mental illness, their families and loved ones, health care practitioners, and other caregivers. We acknowledge and thank our collaborators�patients, families, mental health professionals, and pastoral care workers�who assisted with this statement."

This is an excellent teaching tool for parish ministry. It is available on their website at www.cacatholic.org

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National Catholic Reporter Interview on Recovery Model and the Catholic Church

The National Catholic Reporter did an interview with Deacon Tom Lambert, from the Archdiocese of Chicago's Commission on Mental Illness, Jan Benton from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, Archbishop Wenski from Miami and several mental health professionals about how the Church can be a key component in the recovery model for helping people with mental illnesses. To view the article click on: National Catholic Reporter article "Catholic church can aid treatment of mental illness"

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