Next Meeting: June 30!

My apologies for the delayed posting, but our next meeting will be held tomorrow, Thursday, June 30, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Parish Center Fireplace Room. We look forward to seeing you there!

Also, the Boston Globe Spotlight team recently investigated the state of mental health care in Massachusetts since the mass closing of public psychiatric hospitals. The Globe, while acknowledging the need to close such hospitals, argues that the state has failed to provide viable alternatives, and concludes: "By almost any measure, Massachusetts has lost the leadership role it once had in mental health care." A must-read for anyone who cares about the state of mental health care in this state and country!

Suffering and Hope in the Healthcare Practitioner's Vocation

A friend alerted me to the work of Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, a psychiatrist at Denver Health in Colorado, who is currently helping to organize a conference on treatment of mental illness in Christian communities. With a Master of Theological Studies degree focusing on the intersection of medicine and religion, Dr. Nussbaum offers a unique perspective on the practice of medicine from a Christian point of view. Last year he gave this intriguing talk on how Christian physicians are called to see their patients as the suffering Christ, and how their vocation is to help lead their patients from the darkness of suffering into the light of hope. Perhaps this discussion will spark change towards a more holistic understanding of illness, whether mental or physical! Enjoy!

Next Meeting: April 28

Please join us for our next meeting of the St. Agnes Depression Support Group this Thursday, April 28, at 6:30pm in the Fireplace Room of the St. Agnes Parish Center. Together we will pray, reflect, and support each other on our journeys through depression. We look forward to seeing you there as we strengthen one another in seeking the Lord's comfort and healing!

Next Meeting: March 31

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Our next meeting will be held tomorrow, March 31, at 6:30pm in the St. Agnes Parish Center Fireplace Room. Please join us for prayer, meditation, and support. We very much look forward to seeing you there!

Words of Inspiration from Oscar Romero

From Plough Quarterly:

God is not failing us when we don’t feel his presence. Let’s not say: God doesn’t do what I pray for so much, and therefore I don’t pray anymore. God exists, and he exists even more, the farther you feel from him. God is closer to you when you think he is farther away and doesn’t hear you. When you feel the anguished desire for God to come near because you don’t feel him present, then God is very close to your anguish.

Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love 

Next Meeting - February 25!

Hello all!  Just a head's up that our next meeting will be this Thursday, February 25, from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the St. Agnes Parish Center Fireplace Room.  We hope you can join us for prayer and fellowship!

Next Meeting: January 21!

I hope everyone had a very happy New Year!  Our next meeting will be held on January 21 from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Parish Center Fireplace Room.  We hope to see you there!