Catholic Mental Health Ministry Rockford Diocese

04/27/2026

🧠💚 May is Mental Health Awareness Month… what better way to honor it than by showing up, listening, and connecting?

Join NAMI Northern Illinois for the 4th Annual Building Bridges Event—an evening dedicated to real conversations, shared stories, and reminding one another that you are not alone.

✨ Featuring keynote speaker Nora McInerny — bestselling author and podcast host known for her honest, heartfelt approach to grief, mental health, and life’s hardest moments. With humor and warmth, she creates space for the conversations we often avoid—but deeply need.

🗓 Thursday, May 14
📍 Embassy Suites, Rockford, IL
🕓 Doors open at 4 PM
🍽 Resource Fair (4–6 PM)
🗣 Local Panel (6 PM)
🎤 Keynote (7 PM)

💙 This free community eventis a powerful way to take part in Mental Health Awareness Month—whether you’re seeking support, learning how to support others, or simply wanting to grow in understanding and compassion.

👉 Save your spot today: bit.ly/m/bb2026

Let’s build bridges together—toward awareness, acceptance, and hope.

04/26/2026

📖✨ Scripture Sunday ✨📖

“I am grateful.”
Today’s affirmation gently invites us to pause and notice the gifts God has placed all around us 🌿💛

With the psalmist, we choose to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness (Psalm 7:17) 🙏 We praise Him for the wonder of our own lives and for the beauty of all creation:
“I thank you, Lord, for the wonder of my being and the wonders of all your creation” (Psalm 139:13) ✨

Even in the midst of life’s challenges, there is still so much to be grateful for. Sometimes gratitude is found in the big blessings—the love and support of family and friends—and sometimes in the quiet, simple gifts: the warmth of the sun, the smell of flowers on a spring day, a moment of peace, or the grace to keep going 🌷☀️

Today, take a moment to think of three things you are grateful for. Let your heart thank Him, praise Him, and bless Him, remembering that “one day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10) 🕊️

May this affirmation fill your heart with peace, perspective, and praise today 💚

🗓️ Save it • Pray it • Share it

04/23/2026

📚✨ Happy World Book Day! ✨📚

Books have a beautiful way of bringing comfort, wisdom, and hope—especially when we are navigating life’s mental and emotional struggles.

In honor of World Book Day, we wanted to share 5 books we highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about mental health through a faith-filled Catholic perspective:

📖 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry — John Mark Comer
📖 Catholic Mental Health Ministry Guides for Implementation — Wendell J. Callahan, PhD. and Priscilla Martinez, MA, APCC
📖 Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy — Matthew Kelly
📖 St. Dymphna’s Playbook — Tommy Tighe
📖 When a Loved One Dies by Su***de — Deacon Ed Schoener & Cardinal John P. Dolan

These books have been wonderful resources for our ministry and retreats, offering encouragement, insight, and practical support for those seeking healing and hope.

We would love to hear from our community 💚
What books have inspired or supported you on your journey of faith and mental wellness? Please share your recommendations in the comments so others may be encouraged as well.

04/23/2026

🧠 Mental Health Minute | Minuto de Salud Mental 💚

✨ Healing happens in community.
We are not meant to walk this life alone. Supportive relationships can strengthen our emotional well-being, help us build resilience, and remind us that we are seen and loved. 🤍

As followers of Christ, we are called to love one another. When we listen, show compassion, and walk alongside each other, we reflect God’s healing presence in our communities. 🙏

If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out. Healing often begins with connection. You are not alone. 💚

📞 Need help now? Call or text 988

✨ La sanación ocurre en comunidad.
No estamos hechos para caminar solos. Las relaciones de apoyo fortalecen nuestro bienestar emocional, nos ayudan a ser más resilientes y nos recuerdan que somos vistos y amados. 🤍

Como seguidores de Cristo, estamos llamados a amarnos unos a otros. Cuando escuchamos, mostramos compasión y caminamos juntos, reflejamos la presencia sanadora de Dios en nuestras comunidades. 🙏

Si estás luchando, no tengas miedo de buscar ayuda. La sanación muchas veces comienza con la conexión. No estás solo(a). 💚

📞 ¿Necesitas ayuda ahora? Llama o envía un mensaje de texto al 988

04/22/2026

⏰ Last chance to sign up! ⏰

Our Be Still Retreat is happening THIS SATURDAY, and there is still time to reserve your spot for a morning of rest, prayer, and renewal. 💙

If life has felt nonstop lately… if your mind and heart are tired… this is your invitation to pause.

Come away from the busyness of the week and spend the morning slowing down, breathing deeply, and reconnecting with God. 🙏✨

Join us for guided meditations, a presentation by Father Butler, worship music, adoration, and peaceful time for reflection — all in a welcoming community space with a light breakfast included. ☕🥐

🗓 This Saturday, April 25
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marengo

Take this time for your soul. Rest is not a luxury — it is holy. 💙

Sign up today using the QR code on the flyer before spots fill!

04/20/2026

📖✨ Scripture Sunday ✨📖

“I am fearless.”
Today’s affirmation reminds us that fear does not have the final word—God does🕊️

The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) 💛 As Psalm 27:1 reminds us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

With God, all things are possible 🙏 There is no need to fear tomorrow, because God is already there. While trusting Him can sometimes be easier said than done, take heart and know that whatever challenges you face, you are not facing them alone. God goes before you, walks beside you, and strengthens you for every step ahead ✨

Because of His presence, we can be strong, courageous, and bold, proclaiming with confidence: “With God I shall do bravely, and he will trample down all my foes” (Psalm 60:12) 🌿

May this affirmation bring peace to anxious hearts and courage to anyone walking through uncertainty today 💚

🗓️ Save it • Pray it • Share it

04/16/2026

Feeling like there just aren’t enough hours in the day? ⏳
Is your to-do list growing faster than you can keep up this Easter season? 🌿
Longing for a moment to simply pause and breathe? 🤍

If that sounds like you, come join us next Saturday in Marengo for the Be Still Retreat. This peaceful morning is an invitation to slow down, rest, and be renewed in God’s presence. ✨

📅 April 25, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Step away from the noise, reconnect with your soul, and allow yourself to be restored. You deserve this time. 💙

🔗 Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1984307572365?aff=oddtdtcreator

We’d love to have you there! 🙏

04/13/2026

🕯️ Pope’s Monthly Day of Prayer

This month, we are invited to pray in a special way for priests who are experiencing crisis. 🙏

While the priesthood is filled with deep joy and purpose, it can also carry hidden burdens—stress, loneliness, and even depression brought on by heavy responsibilities, isolation, and high expectations.

In a heartfelt message, Pope Leo XIV reminds priests:
“Above all, I urge you never to close yourselves off: Don’t be afraid to talk to others, even about your fatigue and your crises.” 🤍

Let us lift up our priests today—especially those who are struggling. May they find the mental health care they need, be surrounded by supportive and life-giving relationships, and experience communities that walk with them in understanding, compassion, and prayer. 🌿

And may we, as the faithful, be attentive to their humanity—offering encouragement, gratitude, and a listening heart.

You are not alone. 💛

04/12/2026

Happy Divine Mercy Sunday! ✨

Today is a beautiful reminder of the endless mercy God pours out on us each and every day. No matter what you’re carrying — whether it’s addiction, anxiety, depression, or simply the weight of getting through the day — His mercy meets you right where you are.

You don’t have to have it all together to receive His love. In your struggles, in your healing, and even in the smallest steps forward, Jesus is with you — offering compassion, grace, and renewal.

Let us rest in the truth that we are never beyond His mercy. Today, we celebrate the unfailing love of Jesus Christ and trust that His mercy is always greater than anything we face. 🙏💙

04/11/2026

📅 Save the Date – May 15!

Join us as we celebrate St. Dymphna, patron saint of mental health 🌿💛. This special Mass will be offered for those facing mental health challenges and their caregivers, with Bishop Malloy as the main celebrant. 🙏✨

🕠 5:30 PM | 📍 St. Peter’s Cathedral
💒 Fellowship, prayer, hope… and a reception to follow! 🫂☕

Let’s come together in prayer and support 💛

04/09/2026

Acompáñanos este mes de mayo en nuestras actividades educativas y comunitarias mientras recorremos el Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries Curso para católicos.

¡Acompáñanos a este bello curso del Santuario .

Este curso se centra en cuidar tu salud mental y emocional .
No te pierdas esta gran oportunidad de asistir : En estos tiempos, necesitamos mantenernos informados con recursos y información importante, para nuestro bienestar emocional , y el de nuestras familias, y también el de nuestra comunidad.

Cuidar La Salud Mental es Amor propio y Amor al Prójimo ♥️
📍Salón Parroquial
Iglesia SS Pedro y Pablo Rockford, IL
617 Lincoln Ave
Rockford IL 61102

📅Próximos Viernes 10 de abril al 8 de mayo 2026.

⏰ Horario 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
No te pierdas esta oportunidad de crecer en fe y salud mental! 🙏


Catholic Mental Health Ministry Rockford Diocese

04/07/2026

🌍💚 World Health Day 💚🌍

Health is more than just our physical well-being—it’s our mind, body, and spirit working together. We can’t separate one from the other… they are deeply connected.

Today is a beautiful reminder to care for your whole self:

✨ Take a walk and let your mind breathe
😴 Prioritize rest and protect your peace
🥗 Nourish your body with foods that give you energy
🌿 Step outside and soak in God’s creation
🤝 Reach out to someone—you don’t have to do life alone
🧠 Check in with yourself… how are you *really* doing?
🧘‍♂️ Make space for stillness, prayer, or quiet reflection
💧 Don’t forget the basics—hydration, routine, care
🎯 Seek what gives your life meaning and purpose
💛 And if you’re struggling, ask for help—you are not alone

Taking care of your health isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. You are worthy of care, rest, and healing.