Addressing Mental Health Issues in Our Diocese with New Momentum and Partners

In an effort to raise awareness on the mental health crisis in our country, remove the stigma of mental illness and mental health challenges and advocate that those who struggle receive help, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), supported by a coalition of Catholic groups working with mental health issues, recently launched the National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. The campaign aims to inspire a national conversation around the topic of mental health and to mobilize the Catholic Church to respond compassionately and effectively to the mental health crisis.

To support this initiative, Catholic Charities launched the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health to a group of 20 parish and diocesan leaders this past spring. The Fiat Program was developed by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and is designed to provide Catholic formation to individuals in counseling, pastoral care, and leadership by promoting a culture of understanding and hope within the parishes, schools and ministries where they serve.  

Through dialogue and discernment, the Fiat Program offers a staged process of accompaniment. First, the diocese identifies those serving at the diocesan and parish level who are interested in mental health training. Through a community-of-practice formation approach, the group participate in a ten-week course, involving small groups where they practice skills of interpersonal care and discern together the means of integrating the formation to meet the needs of their communities.

The program helps participants:

• Understand mental health through the integration of faith and science.
• Come to a deeper understanding of the local Church as a healing community.
• Develop skills of relational accompaniment.
• Integrate the knowledge and skills learned through pastoral and sacramental care and spiritual accompaniment for persons and families living with mental illness and for their broader parish and school communities.

On Tuesday, June 25, our first cohort was commissioned and blessed by Fr. John Girotti, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, as having completed the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health. Please join us in congratulating the following participants:

1. Cindy Black — Pastoral Associate, St. Vincent de Paul (Fort Wayne)
2. Jeff Koss — Parish Life Administrator, St. Norbert College Parish (De Pere)
3. Gloria Koth — Priest Nurse, Diocesan Office of Priests & Pastoral Leaders
4. Cathy Kulibert — Coordinator of Care Ministry, St. Bernard Parish (Appleton)
5. Meredith Lauer — Youth Discipleship Coordinator, Spiritus (Neenah)
6. Brittany Masak — Grief Support Specialist, Unity Hospice (De Pere)
7. Ellie McDonald — Wellness Coordinator, SS. Edward and Isidore Parish (Green Bay)
8. Ellen Mommaerts — Director of Discipleship Training & Family Ministry, St. Margaret Mary Parish (Neenah)
9. Gina Schmalz — Pastoral Associate, SS. Edward and Isidore Parish (Green Bay)
10. Clare Schumaker — Mental Health Therapist, Catholic Charities (Green Bay and Menasha)
11. Emily Shackleton — Parish Life Administrator, St. Thomas More Parish (Appleton)
12. Amy Shaffer — Spiritual Director, St. Mary Parish (Crivitz)
13. Kristen Sorensen — Lay Leader Formation Coordinator, Diocesan Office of Lay Leader Formation
14. Tom Truckey — Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center, St. Mary of the Angels (Green Bay)
15. Fr. Brad VandenBranden – Prior, St. Norbert Abbey (De Pere)
16. Tammy Wendler — Office Administrator and Faith Formation Facilitator, Three Parish Catholic Family: Holy Family-St. William, St. Anthony, St. Mary (Wittenberg, Tigerton, Marion)
17. Katie Westhoven — Director of Sacraments & Discipleship, St. John the Baptist Parish (Green Bay)
18. Jamie Whalen — Director of Lay Leader Formation, Diocesan Office of Lay Leader Formation
19. Jenn Wood — Spiritus, St. Thomas More Parish (Appleton)
20. Amanda Ziolkowski — Guidance Counselor, St. John the Baptist School (Green Bay)

Responding to Today’s Mental Health Crisis

The next Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health group will begin February 4, 2025, with a retreat at St. Norbert Abbey. Those interested in learning more about the program or registering should contact Lori Paul at (920) 272-8318 or [email protected]. There is no cost to attend as the program is funded through generous support of the Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay.

Lori Paul is the Social Ministry & Community Outreach Manager with Catholic Charities.