In this Advent season we think of God breaking into history. We acknowledge that there are times in our lives when we are specially touched by God who became flesh. It can happen in a moment of prayer or a life experience. It so often comes in unexpected ways, unanticipated moments that give us an insight into the power of God’s love for each of us. This especially seems true when we love unconditionally with a non-judgmental compassion for others. In these moments God’s presence is powerful.

Not long ago, a person called to say that her friend, a woman with a mental illness, was being counseled by a therapist to get an abortion. The friend was unwed, homeless, and needed to be on medication for her illness. The woman and the father of her child wanted to have her baby. This meant she could not be on all her medications, a situation fraught with problems for the mother and the baby.

In the midst of this, the father of the child, a homeless person who had been using drugs and also has a mental illness, came for spiritual counseling. He had given up his drug habit when he learned he was going to be a father. Given his life situation he could not meet regularly but did occasionally come.

They decided to have the child but, sadly, the baby died during the pregnancy. Both the father and the mother were devastated. In the midst of their grief, they wanted to honor the brief life of this unborn child and asked us if there was something that could be done. A liturgy was planned that we hoped would bring peace and closure to a sad chapter in two very chaotic lives. The night of the service we were not sure who would show up or even if the mother would make it. We didn’t really know what to expect as the lives of people with mental illness can be unpredictable. In fact we started the prayer service late because on her way to our church the mother turned to go back to where she was staying as she was not sure she could handle the service.

We held the service in the small Chapel next to our Church. It is a peaceful setting with stain glass windows depicting God’s creation, reminding us that everything He created is good. The mother and father of the child did attend and surprisingly the estranged parents of the mother and father also came. In all, sixteen people were present half of who were homeless and have a mental illness. For us, in all the years of our ministry, it was one of the most incredible moments of grace and healing. There was a deep reverence and prayerfulness. The sharing after the readings brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The mother and father expressed their grief as well as a profound understanding of the mystery of life. There was sadness at their loss yet hope in the belief of being together in the kingdom to come. God’s tangible presence was felt by all. For one evening in the lives of people struggling with overwhelming odds and huge problems - some due to their illness, some due to the failure of the mental health system to help them, some due to their own choices, there was peace and healing. There was forgiveness and acceptance. There were no judgments made, only prayer and support offered and received.

As we left the chapel that evening and went off into the winter night, each our separate ways, we dreamed of somehow keeping the group together while knowing full well we most likely would never see anyone again. We knew that for a brief moment God had brought us all together to love unconditionally, to share a sacred moment, and to experience the raw power of God’s love.

Merry Christmas to each of you and may your journey be filled with God’s grace.

Deacon Tom and Rita Lambert

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Open to people of all faiths, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Toledo, Ohio, offers specialized spiritual support for those who live with mental illness and their loved ones. Short, flexible meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 12 - 1 p.m. and from 7 - 8 p.m. in the church conference room. Guided by NAMI principles for coping with mental illness, these meetings enable people to become acquainted with and explore spiritual perspectives that may make day-to-day living easier. Compassionate, unconditional love is most important in a healing community of those living with a mental illness.

Judy Beckman along with Lucy Bell searched Scripture (Old and New Testament) for appropriate applications to each of NAMI 12 Principles of Support for Coping with Mental Illness for use at their meetings. Their goal is to emphasize God's healing compassion in the midst of this disease. For more information about the group Judy may be contacted through NAMI FaithNet or 419-377-9898.

1 - We will see the individual first, not the illness. “Understanding is the foundation of life for those who have it.” Proverbs 16:22a

2 - We recognize that mental illnesses are medical illnesses that may have environmental triggers. “I will be glad and rejoice in your love for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.” Psalm 31:7

3 - We understand that mental illnesses are traumatic events. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

4 - We aim for better coping skills. “. . .whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

5 - We find strength in sharing experiences. “. . .encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 1Thessalonians 5:14

6 - We reject stigma and do not tolerate discrimination. “’Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’” John 9:3

7 - We won’t judge anyone’s pain as less than our own. “. . .so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-26

8 - We forgive ourselves and reject guilt. “As far as the east is from the west so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

9 - We embrace humor as healthy. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22

10 - We accept we cannot solve all problems. “. . .in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

11 - We expect a better future in a realistic way. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” Psalm 28:7

12 - We will never give up hope. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

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Holy listening, that is, listening in the context of the healing presence of God, means hearing what a person tells us and letting their story unfold. We respond and react to their story in a non-judgmental way with an unconditional love for the person. Holy listening allows and encourages people to relate their experiences in a supportive atmosphere that leads to comfort and healing. Holy listening brings one to a richer understanding of God’s unconditional love for us through our acceptance of one another. Holy listening leads to a mutuality of understanding that allows the person who is ministering to another to begin to see that they are being ministered to as well. This supportive process leads to solidarity and mutuality that enriches faith and hope. The listener then becomes the learner and both journey the path to wholeness and holiness.

Such an environment in fact gives a person “permission” to tell their story which they may otherwise feel too uncomfortable or too embarrassed or too stigmatized to tell.

- When someone comes to share their story of joy or pain it is a very intimate conversation.

- They come searching for answers, finding the why in suffering, what did I do wrong, is God punishing me, does God listen to me?

- Listening with a sense of sacredness for the person’s life makes the sharing a Holy experience, that is listening in a way that allows God’s healing presence . It is their story. It allows for healing

KEY UNDERSTANDINGS:

We need to recognize in ourselves any preconceived negative images and prejudices we may have toward people with mental illnesses.

We are not psycho-therapists who treat the symptoms of mental illness just as we are not oncologists who discuss remedies for a person with cancer. We are spiritual friends and companions who journey in faith with those who are in need or suffering and often isolated by their illness.

People with mental illness should not be defined by the disease they have but by the person they are. When we start labeling people as a disease we see them as problems rather than a person. So it is important to separate the illness and symptoms from the person.

Each illness carries with it symptoms that may affect how people interact with us and we with them. The intensity and severity of the illness impacts one’s ability to communicate. Mental illness can affect a person’s ability to think sequentially, to manage emotions or mood swings, and to be in relationship with others.

Understanding the symptoms of the particular mental illness of the person will help us to better communicate, minister, advocate, and pray with people with mental illness. Someone with depression may seem uninterested or distant. That is a symptom to be recognized but not indicative of the person they are outside the illness. A person with schizophrenia may hear voices or experience hallucinations which are very real to them and is their reality. It is important not to deny that they are experiencing those symptoms but to help them understand it is not what you are experiencing and that you are willing to learn more about what they are going through. A person who has a panic disorder may be uncomfortable in Church or at meetings so it is important to be sensitive to the person’s need for space or need to get up and move around.

The feast day of St Dymphna falls on May 15th. In the 7th Century, St Dymphna’s father, a Celtic king, became deeply depressed over the death of his wife. Tragically, he came to see his daughter as the re-incarnation of his wife and tried to force her to marry him. St Dympna fled to Belgium and the king followed her to Geel, flew into a rage and murdered her. There she was buried in a crypt beneath the local Church. Six Centuries later workmen uncovered the crypt and found a tomb made of a shining white stone that is only found hundreds of miles away from Geel. The town’s people considered it a miracle that God had provided for her in this way and soon reports of healings spread across the area, in particular healings of people with mental illness.

The site became a pilgrimage center. In the 13th Century, a new church was built, the Church of St Dymphna and a makeshift hospital was located at the Church. People were coming from all over to find comfort and care for their loved ones with mental illness. The church soon was overwhelmed with patients and the parish priest began to ask people to take patients into their homes. In the way of life of the middle ages, this meant that the person accepted into the home was involved in the cooking, cleaning, farming and total way of life. For those who were too sick to work, there was a hospital that the townspeople supported but most were cared for in the homes of the villagers. Thus what we know today as “foster care” began in 13th Century Geel.

One of the many remarkable things about this story is that during this period of time, in other parts of Europe, people who exhibited symptoms of mental illness were believed to be possessed by demons. They were either locked away in prisons or banished from their homes and communities. Yet in Geel, truly a miracle of understanding and acceptance was taking place as people with mental illness were treated with dignity and compassion that enabled them to experience recovery from their illness. It should also be noted that in the early 19th Century, Napoleon ordered that all people who were mentally ill be committed to asylums. Despite that order, the people of Geel refused to hand over the ones they considered to be part of their family.

Today in Geel, there are over 700 hundred families hosting over 800 individuals in their homes. For over eight centuries Geel has maintained a history of compassionate loving care for those society often ignores or shuns. Geel’s town symbol is a clock with no hands. This means that you have care for as long as you need! An ideal much needed today.

Unfortunately, in the state of Illinois we are still living in a dark ages mentality. Our state is ranked among the worst in the country for our dysfunctional system care of people with mental illness. People with mental illness and families looking for help often run into a system that is underfunded and overwhelmed. While there are pockets of excellence, tragically the systemic problems are not being adequately addressed. Currently, there is a plan to make even more drastic cuts (40%) to the state’s human services budget essentially cutting off help to thousands of people who depend on the mental health services. These cuts often come at the expense of those who have no voice or ability to influence legislation.

Let us ask St Dympna to intercede for us, let us pray that we are able to experience the love and comfort of God in both mind and body. Let us pray for the grace to make the lives of others better by bringing them the comfort of a God who loves us and wants to walk with us. And let us pray and work for justice -- that people with mental illness and their families find a healthcare system that works for them - not against them.

Just as the paschal candle symbolizes the light of Christ, we are called to be the light of Christ to a world filled with the darkness of stigma and misunderstanding. For more information on what we can do, please send an email to Deacon Tom Lambert at olmcinfo2@aol.com.

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Bishop Michael Bransfield, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston issued a pastoral letter “Hearts Made Whole – A Pastoral Response to Behavioral Health in West Virginia. It is an excellent letter outlining the issues and the needed response. Although it addresses the people of West Virginia it could be a model for the church and community of any state. I highly recommend you read the whole pastoral at http://dwc.org/

Some excerpts from his pastoral letter about the crisis of healthcare:

Part of the answer to this crisis will be to devote more funds to proven prevention strategies and treatments, a matter for legislatures, but a great deal of the answer lies in our response, as individuals and as members of communities, to those dealing with addictions and with mental illness. In A Church That Heals, I observed that “We know that a sense of being loved and supported best predict health. In contrast, isolation and loneliness best predict disease and injury.”

As people of faith, we are called to bring those suffering from addictions and, or, mental illness out of a place of loneliness and isolation. Above all, we cannot forget that, “For Jesus, healing is never just the healing of the body but also mind, heart and spirit”; healing “is about hearts made whole, sins forgiven and a world healed.”3

“Today the Church is being called not simply to change but to transform the health of her communities, rebuilding and restoring in such a way that equitable opportunities for health are available to all and a new vision of what it means to be a healthy community is created. We, as members of the body of Christ, can no longer, however, afford to let our fellow family members and neighbors wait until they are broken for us to reach out and attempt to support their health.”

Reducing stigma is certainly in part a matter of investing dollars in education efforts, but it is largely a matter of sustained effort by people of good will. And this is precisely where we, as a Diocesan Church, called to be the Good Samaritan, can be the most effective. Recalling the context of the parable itself, we become the neighbor of those who are struggling with behavioral health issues when we treat them “with mercy,” binding up their wounds and pouring in the oil of compassion. This step, overcoming the social stigma placed on those living with behavioral health issues, is the one where, as a people of faith and A Church That Heals, we can and should provide the leadership and example.

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When we see a stain glass window in a church, we are struck by the beauty of the story it tells. The window usually depicts a story from scripture or an aspect of our faith. Taken as a whole, the window gives a complete picture of a particular story or inspiring moment. When we approach the window and look closely at the art, we see that the window is made up of many pieces of glass. The pieces have different shapes and sizes, some are large and some are tiny. We see that the pieces are made of different colors. Upon closer inspection, we see that the pieces have flaws in them, some have lines or cracks, other have tiny air bubbles in the glass. But taken together as a whole, the unique pieces, big and small, of various colors, with all their flaws transcend their individuality and come together at the hand of the artist to give a dynamic story of faith.

But what happens if part of the window is missing? What if we were to remove all the brown pieces of glass, or remove the large pieces, or the ones with bubbles in them? The picture would be incomplete. We would not get the whole story.

The body of Christ, the faith community, in one sense, is like a stain glass window. It lives the story of redemption and salvation in the realty of everyday life. The pieces of the story are made up of many kinds and sorts of people – young people, elderly people, married people and single people, people of color, people of different shapes and sizes, people who are divorced, people with mental illness or other disabilities, etc…. Like the stained glass window, the body of Christ is made up of many parts. If we intentionally or unintentionally exclude, discriminate against or ignore one or more of the parts, we do not get the whole picture. We are missing the full story. The picture is incomplete.

For people with mental illnesses the societal stigma and misperceptions of the disease often keep people from participating in our parishes because the stigma and misperception by society is felt within their own community of faith. Parishes, rather than mirroring the cultural biases of society, should be challenging those assumptions and accepting and reaching out to all people - to open doors and minds to the gifts of all God’s people. Parishes that truly welcome and include everyone in a proactive way portray the story of redemption and salvation as a clear and beautiful image of God’s Kingdom.

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The following faith sharing talk was given by Peggy Juricek,in June 2010, at a the Illinois Region 1 “Art of Recovery” consumer conference in Chicago. Peggy is a member of the Chicago Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness. She also appears on the NCPD DVD “Welcomed and Valued.”

I’ll begin by saying I’m a cradle Catholic. I’ve almost always been a spiritual person, even since childhood. I owe that to my parents and family. Growing up I had trouble learning, especially in grammar school. For the most part I felt pretty stupid much of the time. However, in high school I really hit the books but still struggled to get C’s in many of my classes. I gained a little more confidence in learning in high school and eventually made it to college. After college, when I went to work, I had a series of jobs that didn’t work out. In fact, I’ve never quit a job. I’ve either been laid off or fired which I attribute to some form of my undiagnosed learning disability. In college, I took a class called “Religion and Atheism.” That was where my first doubts of faith arose. I didn’t understand my faith the way I understand it today. I did some un-Christian things in my early adulthood and lived to regret them. After my Dad died in 1981, I became a psychological mess. I was laid off in 1982 and because of some serious psychological problems, I attempted suicide. This turned out to be a profound blessing in disguise. In the hospital, I met someone who befriended me and made it his purpose to be sure to make the bible an important part of my spiritual life. In time, I began to read the bible and say the rosary every day. For many years during this, recovery was a very rocky road. I suffered paranoid symptoms, severe lack of confidence, and general depression. For years I spent a lot of time in my bedroom at my mother’s house ruminating and contemplating my situation. I was very frustrated with myself, unable to come up with something I could do for a living. I prayed often during this time and was a faithful churchgoer. Finally the good Lord inspired me after many years of inactivity. I knew the good Lord did not create me to lay around being unproductive. So I asked Him to show me my faults and help me find some possibilities for myself. Gradually, I decided to start with some volunteer work for the church. I spent a few days a week helping the elderly in the parish. This was more rewarding to me than the help I was trying to give. After awhile my therapist encouraged me to go to a day program where I could socialize and learn some basic living skills. We had some group sessions, cooking and cleaning, as well as some recreation. After several months, around Christmas time, I wanted to move on and do some volunteer work for the Mental Health Association downtown. As I left the day program, we had a Christmas party. To my surprise, everyone had a gift for me and bid me some warm goodbyes. When I went downtown to the Mental Health Association, they enrolled me in the JVS training program for people with disabilities. I trained in several different clerical modules and practiced my typing. I was a poor typist, but had some skill on the calculator keyboard. After awhile, they sent me to their job club. They arranged for me to work for the EPA in another training program in their mailroom. There I had some challenging experiences, but this job turned out to be another blessing. Eventually they helped me acquire the job I’ve had for the last twenty years. I started out this job doing some basic duties in the supply room. Gradually, I gained some more responsibility without having to deal with too much pressure. To this day, I still can’t handle the work load the average person can do, but since I started the job, all my supervisors have been the best because they try to stretch my potential as well as be supportive in whatever I can do. Today, I just about manage the supply room myself. Not only has God blessed me with a good job, He’s blessed me with a wonderful husband. After working for three years at my present job, I met my husband Marty at a Catholic singles group. Very early on I sensed he was the right one. The night we met he came in and started talking to me and we developed a good rapport. Our first date was to Church and then dinner. He proposed after two months of dating, but we were engaged for a year and a few months. Our marriage is not problem free, but has a good spiritual foundation. Most of the time I feel God has blessed me with the most wonderful husband I could have dreamed of. As I look back on my life, the good Lord has always been there for me in all the people I have met from my family, to my friends and coworkers. I’ve been blessed by everyone. I know the good Lord does not promise a bed of roses, but through the small and larger miracles in my life, I know I can draw strength from Jesus in whatever challenges come my way.

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If you missed the webinar on suicide, "Pastoral Supports and Prevention Strategies” led by Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, Claire Woodruff, moderated by Dr. Thomas Welch, you can get it in a download at www.ncpd.org

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A new video: "Welcomed and Valued:Supporting People with Mental Illness in Parish Life" was produced by the NCPD's Council on Mental Illness

This excellent video can be shown in parishes as a way to inform the parish about people with mental illness and their families and how parishes can be more supportive. The video shows people with a mental illness and family members talking about the importance of faith in their lives. For more information on how to get the video go to the National Catholic Partnership on Disbaility's website www.ncpd.org and look under resources. For more information contact Deacon Tom Lambert at olmcinfo2@aol.com or call 773-871-7559 x21. He will be glad to come to your parish and introduce and lead the discussion about mental illness, church and family involvemnt.

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In John’s Gospel, Jesus passes a blind man and the disciples ask this question “Who sinned, the blind man or his parents?” The question was embedded in the disciples’ consciousness because in those days it was believed that sicknesses, diseases, and disabilities were God’s punishment for sins committed by the person or their ancestral family. Some of these same perceptions can be heard today when we hear faithful people ask, “Why did God do this to me?” “What did I do wrong” or “Why does God allow suffering to exist” or when someone tells us “God gave you this cross to make you a better person.”

Illness and suffering provoke questions about God and can cause a crisis of faith in the person affected by the illness as well as in their family and friends who love them. The questions go to the root of our beliefs about God. How can a loving God permit suffering to happen? What does God say to us about illness? When we ponder these mysteries we discover a few surprises about suffering: that it is redemptive and a source of grace in our spiritual journey and that it can actually be a gift as it gives us compassion for others and gives us insights into the communal body of Christ.

In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ answer to why the man was blind was “it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” Some might take this to mean God actually gave the blind man this disease so that he can be a witness to God’s miracles. In reality, God does not give anyone diseases or illnesses. As described in Genesis, chapter 1 verse 31, God created humanity and at the end of the 6th day, with creation complete, “God looked at everything He had made, and He found it very good.” Throughout the scriptures we hear about a God who loves us and creates good despite humanity’s failures. Yet paradoxically suffering exists and even God’s own Son suffered death on the cross. However, Christ did not come to suffer, He came to redeem us. As Christ said during His agony in the garden “My Father if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.” With great love for us Christ was willing to endure the suffering in order that we may be redeemed. The existence of suffering is rooted in humanity’s inability to live in right relationship with God from the very beginning of creation. Yet the history of God’s relationship with us is that God so loves us that He is always willing to embrace us and comfort us despite our shortcomings and failures. In fact Jesus worked to eliminate suffering as told by Mathew Chapter 9 verse 35, “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness”

As part of our fallen human condition, diseases, illnesses, disabilities are caused by many factors such as genetic vulnerabilities, environmental factors, or poor lifestyle choices but not as part of God’s plan. God gives us His unconditional love not illnesses. When as part of our human condition we have a disease or disability, Jesus showed us how God’s grace is transformative. We can see light and be light even in the darkness of an illness or disease. Belief and trust in God gives us a vision of hope rather than a life of darkness.

The blind man in the John’s gospel was sent to wash in the pool of Siloam - Siloam meaning sent. He was called to immerse himself in Jesus Christ so that he may be sent as a witness to the power of Jesus love. The blind man was transformed, he came to believe, and was a witness of God’s love. So too we can be transformed when we wash in the pool of the one sent by God, we can become a sign to others in need. We can rise above our human condition to be the light of Christ to others. We can make the works of God visible to the world around us.

In our suffering we can identify with the suffering of Christ. The late Cardinal Bernadin, Archbishop of Chicago, suffered greatly from false accusations and pancreatic cancer. In his book “The Gift of Peace” he states that “our participation in the paschal mystery - in the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ - brings a certain freedom: the freedom to let go, to place our selves completely in His hands, knowing ultimately that He will win out.” This redemptive suffering means we do not allow the suffering or illness to paralyze us or embitter us but rather it graces us. In her book “Sacred Therapy: Jewish Spiritual Teachings on Emotional Healing and Inner Wholeness” Estelle Frankel says "….spiritual healing is essentially about breaking out of the narrow prison of our own personal heartbreak to enter the heavenly palace of compassion and connection. It is about how the human heart can be broken open, so that the veils that keep us separate from one another and from our connection to the divine can be removed." As Catholics it means we allow the light of Christ to shine through us as we become visible witnesses of God’s unconditional love which empowers us to use our suffering for the betterment of others. As Jesus suffered and showed us the way, we too are called to step out beyond our suffering. We are called not to be defined by our suffering of physical or mental disabilities, we are called to be people of hope known by our capacity to love and to bring God’s grace into a world hurt by a lack of compassion and justice for those who struggle with an illness, are physically disabled or mentally ill. When we have suffered an illness or disability we have also been given a gift of compassion for others who have experienced something similar. By sharing that gift of compassion we can bring light and hope to those in darkness and despair.

Adding to people’s suffering is the misperceptions about an illness or disease. The blind man in the gospel story could not worship in the temple because he was blind and labeled with the stigma that came with the disease. Unfortunately, we too live in a stigmatizing culture that looks down on people with disabilities and diseases. Disability or illness is sometimes viewed as a weakness. People with disabilities or diseases are seen by some as no longer useful. People, who are blind or deaf, in a wheel chair or mentally ill, are sometimes seen as less than whole. The stigma for people with mental illness and other illnesses is so great that some do not want to even come out of their houses. Rejected by the community they feel rejected by God. Yet in reality, people with disabilities show us the path to God – they help us to see!

At a recent Archdiocesan meeting on disabilities were people in wheelchairs, people who were blind, people who were deaf and people who were mentally ill. They were there because they were leaders not because they were people with diseases or disabilities. One is a motivational speaker, another runs parish programs, another heads a program to distribute medical supplies. All were people letting the works of God be visible through them. The purpose of the meeting was to spread the word about the ABILITIES of all God’s people. To tell us that people should be known not by their diseases or illnesses or disabilities but by the gifts they have to offer. That the body of Christ is made up of many parts each contributing to the life of the body. That when part of the body is missing the body suffers. The conference participants were transformed and now were bringing the message of hope to others.

At the close of John’s story about the blind man, Jesus says to the Pharisees: “if you were blind you would have no sin, but now you are saying “we see” so your sin remains.”

Who are the blind in our world? Who are the disabled and infirmed? Are they those who have physical and mental disabilities? Or are they those who are disabled by their prejudices toward people with illnesses and disease and think they see but really don’t!

Deacon Tom Lambert, Archdiocesan Commission on Mental Illness

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My name is Deacon Tom Lambert, I’m one of the founders of the Chicago Archdiocese’ Commission on Mental illness and on the staff of Our Lady of OLMC parish on the near north side of Chicago. I am a past state president of NAMI – ILLINOIS ( the National Alliance on mental illness ), and President of Faith and Fellowship an outreach to people with severe mental illnesses. Co-Chair of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability’s Council on Mental Illness. Title most proud of is father of four daughters, and my wife and I have 9 grandchildren. ……..One of our daughters has a serious and persistent mental illness - called a personality disorder.

In light of the tragedy in Arizona, I believe it is more important than ever to talk about mental illness because of the misperceptions about it. When I was growing up my family never talked about mental illness. I didn’t find out until I was well into adulthood that my Grandfather - who died in the 1930’s - had died by suicide and that 2 of my aunts suffered from major depression. Since we never talked about it in our family, when my daughter became ill, my wife and I didn’t know where to turn for help.

I often refer to mental illness as a “no casserole” disease. By that I mean when mental illness occurs in a family - no one comes to the door bringing casseroles. Twenty-five years ago, my wife had open heart surgery and while she was in the hospital and at home recovering the doorbell never stopped ringing. I never realized how many ways there were to cook chicken. Twenty years ago, when my daughter was hospitalized for mental illness, no one came to the door…..Mental illnesses can be very isolating for the person and the family. The stigma surrounding mental illness reinforces the old false stereotypes that keep people from seeking treatment and getting help or (as in our case) knowing where to get help. The stigma persists despite what we now know --- that Mental illness is a disease of the brain, and is not due to poor parenting, a weak character, or due to a lack of faith.

We also know that mental illness is fairly common. The Arizona tragedy is not the face of mental illness: --According to the national institute of health, in a given year about one in four to five experience a diagnosable mental disorder such depression schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, among others --For one in 17 - 6% of the population - it is persistent and severe --These illnesses are biologically based brain illnesses & have an impact on the whole family The facts are Mental illness is a major medical issue in our communities yet it is one of the least talked about and least supported.

The good news is that these brain illnesses are treatable and manageable – 70 to 90% of people receiving the proper combination of psychiatric care, medication, therapy, community and spiritual support have significant reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life. EARLY DETECTION IS CRUCIAL. Unfortunately, because of the lingering stigma, people and families are often reluctant to get help or seek treatment. ----LAST THING IN THE CLOSET-NOT MUCH LEFT --- And once people do seek help they run into a mental health system that often fails them due to lack of continuity of care in community programs and funding.

Facts are the mental health care system in our country is at times ineffective even broken!! Because we underfund mental health services, many people and families are caught in a never ending CYCLE OF CRISIS, do not know where to turn and many do not ever recover from their illness, and some in who are in crisis take their own lives.

You and I can make a difference in the lives of people struggling with their illness. As Isaiah tells us in today‘s reading “Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn”

In the Gospel today we are reminded that as followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be God’s light to the world - it is as part of the fabric of who we are as Catholics. We are bound to each other by God’s love and our love for one another. And we are called to let our love shine forth like a light on a mountaintop!

Not too long ago, a young woman knocked on the door of our parish ministry center and asked if she could talk to someone. As I sat and listened to her story, she told me she just found out she was pregnant and she was very scared. She always dreamed of being a mother but she and her husband had not planned on having a child. She worried that she might not be willing to have the child. She said I might not understand but she is a person with a severe and persistent mental illness -- bi-polar disease and severe anxiety. She had a good psychiatrist, and a good therapist, but she needed something more. ---She wanted to know what had she done wrong to deserve this disease. Was God punishing her?? Would God hear her prayers? I assured her that God loves her unconditionally and her illness does not come from God. I told her God wants to walk with her and be a part of her road to recovery. Tears came to her eyes as a sense of peace and reassurance came over her. We met several times over the course of her pregnancy. AND She now has a healthy beautiful baby and she comes to spiritual counseling on a regular basis.

The young woman who came to the door at our parish took a risk that she would be welcomed and valued. As a person with mental illness she didn’t always feel valued in society or in church. People with mental illness who don’t feel welcome at Church feel rejected by God…… When we as church live out the Gospel message to love our neighbor unconditionally - God’s love is felt by them and us.

Where are our neighbors who have a mental illness:

Some are languishing in prisons and jails due to the failures of the mental health system. Most of their crimes are related to symptoms of their illness. When diversion programs are funded many are able to recover and escape the cycle of crime.

Some are homeless - often unable to get help on their own because of their symptoms, and needing community programs and crisis intervention assistance to help them climb out of their situation.

Some are veterans from previous wars or the current one dealing with post traumatic stress syndrome, depression, or head injuries.

Most, vast majority, are living and working in our communities, some in recovery and leading normal lives. you and I are probably not aware of their illness because - Due to the stigma, they are not likely to tell anyone at work or in the neighborhood that they have a major mental illness. Other people are able to work but -- at times -- find the disease debilitating. (Ironically they might have insurance when they work, but not need it, and no insurance when not working and in need of it). Others like my daughter, who also has a cognitive disability, will never be able to work and have to rely on public assistance and programs to help them throughout their lives.

Sadly, we live in a society that values a person’s worth based on productivity and wealth rather than for who they are as a person. So often people with mental illnesses are never given a chance because ---- rather than seeing a person -- people see a disease. Yet when people with mental illness are given a chance, their contributions are a gift to the community:

Abraham Lincoln struggled with depression; Winston Churchill had bi-polar disease; The founder of the Holy Cross priests that founded Notre Dame U had bi-polar disease

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to uphold the dignity of every individual. Everyone has value and worth. When we do this - anything is possible. All people need is a chance.

What can you and I do to let the light of Christ shine on people who have a mental illness and their families. We - the community of faith – are called to nourish the soul - especially the soul of a wounded or suffering person ----

--- I ask you to pray for people with mental illnesses and their families, we believe in the power of prayer. What a comfort to know that the community is praying for us.

--- Be welcoming and non-judgmental - people going through crisis are overwhelmed and need to know they are not alone, that we as a community of faith are ready to walk with them and help them.

--- Use language that doesn’t stigmatize people – we call it people first language – we say people with a mental illness not the mentally ill – no one wants to be known by the disease they have but rather for the person they are !!! - because we believe in and uphold the dignity of every human being, using derogatory terms is objectionable and unacceptable Encourage people who are having problems to seek both medical and spiritual help, help is out there.

--- Answer the Gospel call not only to compassion but to justice by advocating with our legislators for funding for services for people with mental illness, for job programs and housing initiatives.

May God’s light shine on you and bless you and all you do to build God’s kingdom.

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The National Catholic Partnership on Disability sets forth the following framework as a guide to the Church’s ministry for and with people with mental illness:

HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED. EVERY PERSON IS CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE.

“One of the fundamental truths of Christian belief is that each human being is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). The Catholic Church unconditionally embraces and faithfully proclaims this truth. It is the foundation for human dignity. Our commitment to this truth is measured through actions on behalf of the vulnerable and alienated in society, especially the poor and suffering.” Affirming the Dignity of the Mentally Ill, Nebraska Bishop’s Conference, January 2005

SINCE ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, THEIR DIGNITY AND WORTH CANNOT BE DIMINISHED BY ANY CONDITION INCLUDING MENTAL ILLNESS.

"Whoever suffers from mental illness 'always' bears God's image and likeness in themselves, as does every human being. In addition, they 'always' have the inalienable right not only to be considered as an image of God and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as such. Pope John Paul II, International Conference for Health Care Workers, on Illnesses of the Human Mind, November 30, 1996

SUFFERING IS REDEMPTIVE WHEN UNITED TO CHRIST.

“Those who share in the sufferings of Christ are also called, through their own sufferings, to share in (eschatological) glory.” Salvifices Doloris, p22, Apostolic Letter from JohnPaul II, July 15, 1999

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST.

“The great strength of community is the uniqueness and giftedness of each member. The more each person uses their gifts, the stronger the community and the richer the relationships in that community. People are liberated if and when they use their gifts. People are imprisoned when they are prohibited or not enabled to use their gifts. Parishes are communities with great potential to receive and nurture the giftedness of people with disability. The Christian community is one in which all people can claim an equal place and contribute through presence and action.” A pastoral document for parishes, Bishops’ Committee For The Family And For Life, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference 2004

"It is everyone's duty to make an active response; our actions must show that mental illness does not create insurmountable distances, nor prevent relations of true Christian charity with those who are its victims. Indeed it should inspire a particularly attentive attitude..." Pope John Paul II, International Conference for Health Care Workers, on Illnesses of the Human Mind, February 11, 1984

THE WORD OF GOD AFFIRMS THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE. INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE SHOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS.

“…..To interpret sacred scripture correctly, the reader must be attentive to what the human authors truly wanted to affirm and what God wanted to reveal to us by their words. In order to discover the sacred author’s intention, the reader must take into account the conditions of their time and culture, the literary genres in use at that time, and the modes of feeling, speaking, and narrating then current…...” Catechism of the Catholic Church #109, 110

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