Learn about holy listening for those with mental illness and their families Sept. 29
"Spiritual Accompaniment for Those With Mental Illness and Their Families," a virtual program on holy listening, will be live streamed from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, by St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Naperville.
The free program also will be available for viewing on the St. Thomas website, www.stapostle.org, following the presentation.
According to the guest speakers, Deacon Tom Lambert, co-chair of the Chicago Archdiocese Commission on Mental Illness, and Rita Lambert, a spiritual director and a commission member, holy listening is listening within the context of the healing presence of God.
Deacon Lambert also serves on the pastoral staff at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Chicago.
Relying on their more than 30 years' experience in ministry with and for people and their families who are struggling with mental health issues, the couple explains, "People with mental illness and their families may feel isolated from their faith community and thus isolated from God."
Their program's goal is to help these individuals realize and appreciate "the joy of life in knowing that we are loved by God and one another."
During their presentation, the team will explore how holy listening "means hearing what a person tells us and letting their story unfold at their pace." Both add, "Doing so affirms a person's dignity and value. Their story is a sacred story."
Holy listening also "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," the Lamberts say. "The listener also becomes a learner and both journey the path together to wholeness and holiness. We are not leading or following each other, we are walking side by side" is how the team describes it.
"Spiritual Accompaniment for Those With Mental Illness and Their Families" is being sponsored by Wellspring and the Behavioral Health Ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
Wellspring programs seek to present interactive educational experiences whose goal is promoting a wholistic way of life that includes body-mind-spirit integration and well-being.
Registration for access to this livestream presentation is required by Monday, Sept. 21, and reservations may be made with Susan Kearney, coordinator of the behavioral health ministry, at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108, or at sdkearney@comcast.net.
Further information about the presentation also is available from Kearney.
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 3,400 households of more than 10,750 people. Complete news and information on parish events, guest speakers and special programs is available at www.stapostle.org.
It is located at 1500 Brookdale Road. For general parish information, call (630) 355-8980.