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Virtual program to explore ways to celebrate holidays despite pandemic

Thanks to COVID-19, the holidays this year will stir even deeper emotions and tension than usual because the virus has inflicted all kinds of losses in our lives. While grieving our losses is both important and healthy, it is equally important to figure out how to celebrate the holidays with healthy practices that also are meaningful.

For help in facing these holiday celebrations - and planning them, join a free virtual program, "Acknowledging Our COVID-19 Losses and Planning Healthy Holidays," that will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. The program is being presented by the behavioral health ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville.

"During this meeting, we will acknowledge the losses we've suffered because of COVID as well as consider new ways to bring hope, laughter and gratitude to our 2020 holiday season," said Paula Kosin, the licensed clinical professional counselor who will facilitate the Zoom presentation.

Kosin, also the facilitator of the grief group at St. Thomas, adds, "Our holidays this year may be missing some of our favorite traditions and people but we have to figure out ways to celebrate in healthy and meaningful ways. The discussion may even lead to starting some new traditions we can cherish with our families and friends in future years."

Registration for access to "Acknowledging Our COVID-19 Losses and Planning Healthy Holidays" is required by Monday, Nov. 9.

Registration and additional information about the program is available by contacting Susan Kearney, coordinator of the behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas, at sdkearney@comcast.net or (630) 355-8980, ext. 108.

In order to attend this program, participants need to have an email address; a personal computer, tablet or smartphone; and familiarity with the basics of joining a Zoom meeting. Participants' email addresses will be confirmed and they will receive information about joining the session Tuesday, Nov. 10, the day before the program.

The behavioral health ministry at St. Thomas strives to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and to minister to the emotionally/mentally ill and their family and friends with confidentiality and respect through advocacy, prayer, education and support. Requests for help with a need or for more information about the behavioral health ministry also may be directed to Kearney at (630) 355-8980, ext. 108.

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. For general parish information, call (630) 355-8980.

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