Bishop Soto invites parishes to participate in "Healing & Hope," a diocesan-wide initiative for Pastoral Year 2026-2027 focused on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) National Catholic Mental Health Campaign. Parishes are encouraged to integrate mental health ministry into parish life. Many families today are confronting a range of mental health issues. The initiative seeks to equip parish communities as havens of hope and healing. Pope Francis's encyclical Dilexit Nos, presents the Sacred Heart of Jesus as the ultimate source of mercy and healing for all who suffer, loving us "to the end" and inviting us to console the afflicted as He did. "Healing & Hope" seeks to transform parishes into sanctuaries of pastoral care and companionship.
https://www.usccb.org/mental-health
Homily from Bishop Soto at the Healing and Hope Retreat on 2/6/26
Healing and Hope Novena 2026
This Novena for Mental Health is an opportunity for all the People of God to join together in prayer for women and men experiencing or impacted by mental health issues and for all those who accompany them. The Novena can be prayed at any time of year. The entire Church in the United States is especially encouraged to pray this Novena in solidarity with one another from October 10 to October 18 each year. October 10 is a fitting beginning as it is also World Mental Health Day. It is a time when people around the world are seeking to raise awareness and remove the stigma connected to mental health issues. This nationwide annual moment of prayer fittingly concludes on the feast of Saint Luke, patron of health care, on October 18.
https://www.usccb.org/mental-health-novena
Reflection Sheets
All parish ministries and groups are invited to ongoing reflection this pastoral year from July 2026 - June 2027. The reflection sheets below can be used for any ministry meeting or small group gathering to facilitate continued discussion and dialogue on Mental Health and how it impacts our parish communities.
Healing and Hope Parish Retreat Materials
Please consider hosting a retreat for your parish group or ministry to reflect more deeply on mental health and your parish. Materials are below, including sample schedule, welcome and talk videos, journal, powerpoints, etc.
Journal:
Sample Retreat Schedule for Parish Groups:
Welcome Talk Video:
Bishop John P Dolan's Talk from Parish Pastoral Council Virtual Retreat
Talk #1 (Practicing Self Care) Videos & Powerpoints:
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Talk #2 (Accompanying Hearts and Minds) Videos, Resources, & Powerpoints:
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Talk #3 (Walking Together in Hope) Videos & Powerpoints:
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Past Events:
July 17: ACT: Accompaniment and Connection Training | Event Flier
July 18: ACT: Accompaniment and Connection Training at St. Ignatius Parish | Event Flier
Ministry Days 2026: https://www.ministrydays.com/