Masses to Highlight Mental Health Awareness

In October, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will celebrate special Masses in two areas of the Diocese of Fall River to help raise awareness of mental health and substance use challenges and the impact they can have on individuals, their families, and caregivers.

For a few years now, the bishop has celebrated these Masses annually coinciding with October’s designation as a time for greater focus on mental health awareness and also to call attention to efforts by Catholic Charities to develop mental health ministries within parishes in the Diocese of Fall River.

“Bishop da Cunha will offer two Masses within the Diocese to highlight the importance of sending the message that parishes within the Diocese want to be seen as welcoming, supportive and healing communities for those impacted by mental health or substance use challenges,” explained Jack Weldon, LICSW, who serves as Mental Health Coordinator for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River.

The Masses will take place on Saturday, October 11, at 4 p.m. in Corpus Christi Church in East Sandwich and on Sunday, October 19, at 10:30 in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River.

Each Mass will be offered for those who are experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge, and for those who have lost a loved one to suicide or from mental health- or substance use-related causes.

During the Masses, a Book of Remembrance will be offered inscribed with the names of those who have died by suicide or from mental health illness or substance use. Names are currently being accepted for inclusion in the Book of Remembrance. Anyone who would like to submit a name of loved one(s) should email FR-Reception@ccfrdioc.org, with the subject line: Name for Remembrance Book.  Persons may also call Catholic Charities Diocese of Fall River at 508-674-4681 Ext. 1101 and provide the name to the receptionist.

Weldon oversees Catholic Charities’ efforts to develop Mental Health Ministry within parishes throughout the Diocese, along with Rose Mary Saraiva, Community Engagement Coordinator, to overcome the stigma and discrimination that people living with a mental illness encounter in the Church and in society in general. They have provided training for nine parishes which have developed a Mental Health Ministry team and are currently working with several additional ones to develop parish-based Mental Health Ministries in the near future.  To date, 62 individuals who have completed the mandatory training sessions are now lay mental health ministers, already serving individuals, family members and caretakers impacted by mental health or substance use challenges within their parish communities.

“We are intentionally working to create places of belonging for those impacted by mental health and substance use challenges and reducing stigma by encouraging open conversations and creating welcoming, healing communities which can promote empathy and understanding through our Mental Health Ministry, Weldon said. “We seek to actively engage those impacted by mental health or substance use challenges as a source of acceptance, hope and healing not as MH professionals, but as a caring, supportive Faith community to provide psychological, spiritual and social support.”

October 10^th is designated as World Mental Health Day within what is Mental Health Awareness Week (Oct. 5-11).

Diocese of Fall River

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