Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This October, the USCCB is renewing its National Catholic Mental Health Campaign, encouraging all people to become more aware of the issues, eliminate the stigmas around mental illness, and seek creative ways to journey with those who struggle.
The entire Church in the United States is especially encouraged to pray the Novena for Mental Health in solidarity with one another from October 10, World Mental Health Day, to October 18, the feast of Saint Luke, patron of health care, each year.
May we be a Church that listens, supports, and walks alongside all who seek healing.
In Christ,
Natalie Morales, M. Ed
Director
Natalie Morales, M. Ed
Director
Each month you will receive a "mental health minute" which will include facts surrounding mental health, as well as, insights from the Catholic Church. You are encouraged to share the information with your parish communities via Narthex monitors, parish Flocknotes, bulletins or simply in conversation.
"Healing and Hope" is a new component of the USCCB's National Catholic Mental Health Campaign focused on amplifying local engagement on mental health around the United States.
Are you a Licensed Mental Health Professional?
Join the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Mental Health Referral Network. The Archdiocese is seeking local clinicians who would like to support Catholic families and individuals seeking mental health care that aligns with and respects our Catholic beliefs and values. We are especially in need of therapists who can provide services in various languages.
A therapist seeking to be referred by the Archdiocese is required to submit the following for the vetting process:
- current license information
- proof of insurance,
- curriculum vitae/resume,
- a letter of good standing from his or her pastor (or other Catholic ministry leader).
If you are interested in joining or for more information about this program, please contact Natalie Morales, Director of Office for Persons with Disabilities at namorales@archphila.org.
Retreats, Workshops, & Other Opportunities
The Life-Giving Wounds Online Healing Retreat
Wednesday evenings, October 1 to November 12, 8:15 - 10:00 p.m.
This retreat is a unique and powerful opportunity for adult children of divorce or separation (ACODs) to deeply reflect on the wounds caused by their family’s breakdown, and find healing alongside other peers who truly understand this pain.
Location: Online
Retrouvaille Weekend:
Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage
October 3 - 5, 2025
Some couples feel lonely, frustrated, or angry in their marriage, often feeling shut off from one another. Other couples experience severe conflict and never-ending arguments. Retrouvaille offers hope for all these marriages by teaching couples to communicate in a deeper, more meaningful way, healing hurts and rebuilding trust and intimacy. No relationship is beyond help.
Location: Malvern Retreat House, Malvern, PA
More Information: Visit HelpOurMarriage.org or call 215-766-3944 or 800-470-2230. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Healing by Encountering Jesus
October 4, 2025 – 2:00-4:00 PM
Join Bishop Esmilla, Father Rafal Walczyk OSPPE, the Director of the Campus for Encounter School Ministry, Father Philip Forlano, Pastor at St. Charles Borromeo Parish and other great priests to pray with us. Healing from separation, from loss of a loved one, from addiction, from isolation, from the loss of a child through abortion, from a divorce, from anger, from physical pain or any other wound.
Location: St. Charles Borromeo Parish, 1731 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem
More info: View the flyer
Care for Loved Ones at the End of Life: What Everyone Should Know About End-of-Life Decisions and Suffering
Saturday, October 11, 2025 – 8:30 AM-1:00 PM
Dr. Joseph Meaney from the National Catholic Bioethics Center will present on several topics relevant to the end of life including the value of human life, preparation for eternal life, ordinary and extraordinary means of care, palliative sedation, hospice care, medical proxy, and others. He will also discuss physician assisted suicide as this is becoming a more important topic for our nation. Mrs. Susan Middleton from Thinkhope.org will talk about the value of suffering and the Red Rosary of Hope ministry. This is a free event (donations are welcome).
Speakers: Dr. Joseph Meaney, National Catholic Bioethics Center; Mrs. Susan Middleton, Thinkhope.org
Location: Nativity of Our Lord Church, 605 W. Street Rd., Warminster, PA
More info: Register at buckscountyprolifecoalition.org/events
Dr. Joseph Meaney from the National Catholic Bioethics Center will present on several topics relevant to the end of life including the value of human life, preparation for eternal life, ordinary and extraordinary means of care, palliative sedation, hospice care, medical proxy, and others. He will also discuss physician assisted suicide as this is becoming a more important topic for our nation. Mrs. Susan Middleton from Thinkhope.org will talk about the value of suffering and the Red Rosary of Hope ministry. This is a free event (donations are welcome).
Speakers: Dr. Joseph Meaney, National Catholic Bioethics Center; Mrs. Susan Middleton, Thinkhope.org
Location: Nativity of Our Lord Church, 605 W. Street Rd., Warminster, PA
More info: Register at buckscountyprolifecoalition.org/events
Please join us for Behold and Be Held a 2-hour virtual prayer retreat in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on Sunday, October 12th at 4 pm EST.
Behold and Be Held, organized by Red Bird Ministries and friends, is our gift to the Church. This year's retreat features guest speaker Dr. Michael Bullock of Miles' Mission. Dr. Bullock lost his grandson Miles in 2021 and is a leading advocate in offering support and healing to families of pregnancy and infant loss in the Ohio area and beyond. We will also feature a personal testimony from Red Bird leader Tiffani Perales, mother of Will.
We come together as mothers and fathers of pregnancy and infant loss to pray and honor the lives of our precious babies, gone too soon. Registration is free but is required to receive PDF materials. To register, click on the link below.
We are honored to pray with you on October 12th in memory of your beloved children.
Healing Retreat for Women Healing from
Betrayal Trauma
This retreat is for women healing from sexual betrayal trauma due to an intimate partner’s infidelity, pornography use or sex addiction. Through unique, facilitated healing encounters, we listen for the Holy Spirit’s promptings as He reveals the wounds, the memories, the circumstances that caused dis-integration within us. With Him, we are gently invited into a fully integrated experience – mind, heart, body, spirit, soul. Come…and let Him Restore you!
Retreat Leaders: Father Allen Hoffa of the Diocese of Allentown PA, De Yarrison of You Are Made New Ministry and Laura Ercolino of Hope’s Garden
Location: St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, PA
More info: https://youaremadenew.com/restore-retreats-betrayal-trauma/ or email De at de@youaremadenew.com.
Mental Health Leadership: Transformation Through Innovation Harvard Course
November 17 – 20, 2025
This course is based on decades of real-world experiences of the lead Harvard faculty and encompasses a range of themes related to the core mission of scaling-up mental health care and realizing mental health progress. This interactive executive education course will introduce the reasons for the current state, key innovations which can transform mental health care and discuss how these might be scaled up both globally and in the United States.
Unbound: Freedom in Christ Conference
November 21-22, 2025
Unbound is a simple, gentle, & powerful prayer ministry that helps you break free from resentments, loneliness, addictions—anything that limits your life. Join the Heart of the Father team and take hold of the freedom you have been given in Christ!
Location: Victory Church, Audubon, PA
NAMI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for individuals affected by mental health conditions and their loved ones. They raise awareness, offer resources for individuals and families, provide education, and offer both crisis hotlines and help lines for anyone in need.
Testimonials of local parishioners who have found support through NAMI:
“The NAMI family support groups saved me.” - Lisa, St. Eugene, Primos, PA
"I feel so blessed to have found the Havertown NAMI Family Support Group. The facilitators are excellent and it is a great group of compassionate and caring people. My initial experience with NAMI Mainline was through the Family- to- Family classes in the Spring of 2015, and from there began attending the monthly support group meetings.
Our son was experiencing unusual behavior, had several hospitalizations and we were at a loss at how to help him. These meetings allowed me to talk freely about my feelings without fear of judgement. As a group we share our experiences and I’ve been able to find resources that otherwise I wouldn’t have known are available.
My son is doing very well now and I am so grateful for this group at NAMI who have supported me throughout this journey. It is a wonderful resource for those in need."
- Karen, St. Cornelius Church, Chadds Ford, PA
Connect with your local NAMI:
These events and resources offer valuable support however, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia does not guarantee the effectiveness or appropriateness for any individual's specific needs. These events and resources are not intended to replace professional mental health treatment.