With May marking Mental Health Awareness Month, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem highlighted its new ministry dedicated to supporting those struggling with mental health challenges.
On May 20, Bishop Alfred Schlert celebrated the inaugural Mass for the ministry being created at the parish. A full choir sang songs of hope, providing a feeling of support and peace for the congregation.
Concelebrants were Father Martin Kern, Pastor; Father Alex Brown, in residence at the parish; and Father Keith Mathur, Diocesan Chancellor.
The ministry is the only one of its kind in the Diocese of Allentown. “This will be the first but, hopefully, not the last of this type of ministry,” said Maggie Riggins, Executive Director of Evangelization and Formation for the Diocese.
More than 50 members of the diocesan community attended the Mass, which was offered for those struggling with illnesses of the mind and heart. Bishop Schlert began by asking all attendees to offer up the Mass for people they know who are struggling with mental health challenges.
“I would like us all to take a moment and recall for ourselves someone for whom we wish to pray tonight,” he said. “For those, perhaps, who are struggling right now in their own lives; for those who are experiencing a crisis right now because of their mental health; for those who are unwell because of the crisis of mental health.”
The Bishop also focused on silent suffering that comes with these ailments. “A broken bone we can see,” he said. “We can look at that and know exactly what happened. A fever can be measured. The wounds of the mind and heart so often go unnoticed and are often invisible.
“Many people suffer silently behind their smiles, behind their busy schedules, and behind the appearance of strength. Some feel ashamed to ask for help.”
Reflecting on the role of faith in suffering, Bishop Schlert explained that, while there are many other mental health outreach programs, one rooted in the Gospel is a work of mercy. “It tells people they matter, that their life has dignity, their suffering does not define them and Christ walks with them,” he said.
He also explained that while faith does not eliminate every struggle, it does help show that suffering is never meaningless, if we remember to unite it to the suffering of Christ on the Cross and to Mary, our Blessed Mother, who knows sorrow. “She knows anguish. She knows what it means to remain faithful in darkness,” he said.
Attendees were encouraged to discern if they too had a calling to start a similar ministry in their parish. “I really think we have a seed that can grow throughout our Diocese,” said the Bishop at the conclusion of the Mass.
The new initiative, the OLPH Mental Health Ministry, follows the guidelines of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers (ACMHM), an international organization dedicated to bringing mental health support to Catholic parishes and dioceses around the world.
The OLPH Mental Health Ministry plans to host future events for those seeking community and support. Its first program, held May 26, featured psychiatrist Dr. Michael Kaufmann speaking about the relationship between faith, mental health, and professional care.
For more information on this ministry, go to www.my-olph.org/mental-health-ministry. If you would like to start a ministry at your parish, please reach out to your pastor.
Photos by Vargas Photography.
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