Jan. 11 program at St. Thomas the Apostle Church explores beneficial effects of music on the brain

To gain insight into these benefits, plan to attend the program "Music and the Brain" from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, because that's when Mary Helen Ekstam, a board-certified music therapist, will reveal how music benefits the brain in so many ways.

Ekstam is a life learning advocate at JourneyCare, an organization that offers hospice and palliative care in Illinois, serving nearly 3,000 adult and pediatric patients and their families each day. To her 30-plus years of experience in healthcare administration and outreach, Ekstam adds expertise in music therapy, neurological rehabilitation, hospice, and palliative medicine.

She also has presented many programs at the regional and national levels, and has developed numerous workshops. Ekstam holds a bachelor's degree in voice and piano performance and counseling psychology from Augustana College, and pursued graduate studies in music therapy at the University of Kansas.

A free-will offering at the door will be welcomed, and reservations for the program are encouraged by Monday, Jan. 9, to ensure seating.

"Music and the Brain" is part of St. Thomas' Wellspring series of programs co-sponsored by the Pastoral Care and Adult Faith Formation Departments. The series presents interactive educational experiences whose goal is promoting a wholistic way of life that includes body-mind-spirit integration and well-being.

For reservations or more information about this intriguing and fascinating look into brain development through the beauty of music, contact Marge Coronado, religious education assistant at St. Thomas the Apostle, at (630) 355-8980, ext. 118 or at mcoronado@stapostle.org.

St. Thomas the Apostle, a parish of the Diocese of Joliet, strives to bear the Good News of God's unconditional love to all generations through worship, faith formation, witness and service. Organized in 1984, the St. Thomas faith community numbers more than 3,700 households of more than 11,200 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org. For general parish information please call (630) 355-8980.