It was late 2024 when Gena and Vincent Tallarico received the devastating news that their 16-year-old grandson Alex had died from suicide.
The retired couple, longtime parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem, suffered great “shock and grief,” said Gena, looking back on the painful experience. They eventually found healing through starting a Mental Health Ministry at their parish, the first of its kind in the Diocese of Allentown.
Gena said it’s her hope to help “bring light to the darkness” for those who are suffering from mental illness and their families who support them.
“They need the grace of God. They need love. They need community. They need to know that they are not alone,” she said.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness annually, totaling over 50 million people. Also, 1 in every 20 adults is living with a serious mental health condition, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression.
Gena describes her grandson as an honors student who “played sports, was articulate, outgoing,” and not someone you would typically picture as struggling with mental health or having thoughts of suicide.
The Tallaricos began searching for answers to understand how and why this tragedy happened to them. Through the recommendation of a priest, they were connected with a mental health ministry in the Diocese of Scranton, run by Deacon Ed Shoener, a permanent deacon who is also president of the International Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers.
Deacon Shoener’s own daughter, Katie, had lived with bipolar disorder and sadly died of suicide at age 29. Through shared experience, he was able to immediately connect with the feelings of grief and loss the Tallaricos were experiencing.
“His authentic response to our grief was like a connection that is hard to find unless there are people who have gone down this road,” said Gena of Deacon Shoener.
He shared with them how the Catholic Church is working to support people facing mental health challenges. The Tallaricos realized how faith communities “can truly make a difference,” said Gena.
The couple started seeking out training and education on mental health ministries, which are largely comprised of lay people who are welcoming and walk alongside those suffering and their supportive family members, offering prayers and caring, even occasionally advocating for those in need.
They eventually talked with their pastor, Father Marty Kern, who set up a meeting with Bishop Alfred Schlert and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. All eagerly supported moving forward with establishing mental health ministries in the Diocese of Allentown.
In November 2025, Our Lady of Perpetual Help became the first parish in the Diocese to launch a Mental Health Ministry under the leadership of Father Kern and a parish leadership team. Coincidentally, Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention that same month focused on the prevention of suicide.
Deacon Shoener traveled to Bethlehem to help with the launch, speaking to parishioners at all weekend Masses. He spoke tearfully of his daughter Katie, saying, “She died by suicide, but she’s not defined by that. She’s a beautiful child of God.” He also spoke with compassion of the “stigma and discrimination” that people with mental illness are often forced to endure.
This May, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Bishop Schlert will celebrate a special Mass on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, highlighting the Church’s commitment to supporting individuals and families affected by mental health challenges.
The Mass is one of several activities taking place during May as the parish continues to spread the word of its Mental Health Ministry.
As part of the parish’s Mental Health Awareness Month activities, it will also host an educational presentation titled “Faith, Hope, and the Brain: When to Pray and When to Call a Doctor,” with Dr. Michael Kaufmann, psychiatrist and former Chair of Psychiatry at Lehigh Valley Health Network. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Marian Inn, adjacent to the church.
More information about the parish Mental Health Ministry, available resources, and activities can be found at www.my-olph.org. Additional information about the international Catholic Mental Health Ministry movement is available at www.catholicmhm.org.
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