I want you all to know that I deeply care about all of you, and you all deserve to know what is going on with your parochial vicar. Last week I had the opportunity to go to a five-day psychological evaluation at the St. Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. Well, I took advantage of that opportunity, and let the psychologists, psychiatrists, and doctors take a peek into my head. It was a fairly unpleasant experience, but even after just five days I already felt a little better. They helped me to see that I have suffered from moderate to severe depression since I was a little boy. I also never learned good coping skills. On top of all of that I have had hurts from my family, and in my past I have made some very poor decisions that have only continued to hurt my current mental health. I thought they would help, but they just made things worse.

At the conclusion of the five days the psychologists strongly recommended that I come back to the Institute as quickly as I can, and that I stay for their six-month program. As much as I did not want to agree with them, I also came to the conclusion that the opportunity these professionals are offering is God’s way of getting me the help that I need. I have been praying for many years to be able to actually be happy with life, rather than constantly struggling to want to keep going. I would tell people that I felt like a dolphin swimming in an ocean of depression, and every once in a while I would jump out of the water to breathe and to see the sun, but it would only last a few moments, and then I would plunge back into the depression. In the end I see this six-month program as a blessing, and I am looking forward to working with them. The Intensive Outpatient Program is Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 with individual sessions, and group sessions. I have worked with counselors and psychologists before, and they helped me with specific issues, but this intense program will help me heal the root causes of my mental health problems that have been building for 40 years.

The last two years have been a real blessing to me, and you all have truly helped me get through some dark times in my life, and I want you to know that none of this has been caused by any of you. “It’s me, not you”. These issues of mine needed to be addressed a long time ago.

When I figure out my new address I will share that with the staff(s) if anyone would be interested in sending letters, or anything else. What I need the most is your prayers! I will be keeping you all in my prayers as well!

God’s grace & blessings to you,

Did you know that one in five adults suffer from mental illness? That number may seem high, but like many other disabilities, mental illness is referred to as an “invisible disorder.” Often people suffer silently due to the stigma that is affiliated with a mental health diagnosis. Mental illness is not often addressed by the Catholic Church, but we are called by Jesus to recognize those who are suffering in our midst and to accompany them on their journey.

 

“People can and do recover from mental illness. Recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life, to be a member of a community despite the continuing challenges of living with mental illness. Recovery can be thought of as a table with four legs. All four legs must be whole, strong and firmly attached for recovery to take hold.”

Everyone wants to experience peace. When we look to the world to provide this for us, we can easily get disappointed. We associate peace with an absence of war and conflict, good relationships between neighbors and coworkers, the achievement of success and even the absence of noise! While all of these are worthy endeavors, pursuing them exclusively as a path to experiencing peace sets us up for failure. When we look for peace outside of ourselves, it will never be found. True and lasting peace is something that comes from within and not something we can produce on our own or receive from others. Peace is discovered when we experience an inner wholeness and harmony. It is born of a sense of connectedness with a God who is larger and greater than ourselves, gifting us with His presence. It is the only the peace offered by the Risen Christ that can settle our hearts and calm our fears. Regardless of the degree of turmoil around us, this sense of completeness that Jesus gives anchors our boats and prevents us from sinking.

Training is provided. Please contact Bonnie at bprine@scpchurch.org or 898-3542 x101. Thank you in advance for considering!

One of our collection counting teams is in need of another counter. Counting is done on Monday morning and would be every 7 weeks, which would be 8 times a year. Training

will be provided. Please contact Bonnie at bprine@scpchurch.org or 898-3542 x101. Thank you in advance for considering!

A Greeter Is Needed! Greeters set the tone of a warm and friendly parish when welcoming people to Mass. A greeter is needed for the 9am Sunday Mass, once a month. If you're willing to help, please contact Jennifer at 937-626-3367 or jweatherly@writetarget.com.

Our technology team is in need of more livestream operators. It’s a very easy skill to learn! Training and shadowing provided. Operator would only need to cover one 9am Sunday Mass per month. Adults as well as Jr. High and HS teens are encouraged to inquire. Please contact Elena Pope at epope@scpchurch.org or text 937-248-7150.

You want to help with festival but don’t know how? Here’s a great way. Items are needed for our basket raffles. Items that are new and someone would be excited about winning. These items can be big enough to be raffled on their own or put with other items to make a theme basket. Bigger items may include: tickets to sporting events, theater, or concerts, restaurant gift cards, doll house, porch swing, or a grill. Some themed baskets may include: outdoor fun, gardening, movie night, weekend get-a-way, cooking, baby items, and fun for kids. These items for the baskets are much needed to make the raffle a success. All donations are needed by Friday, June 3rd . If you will help the festival with a donation, please contact Theresa at tsmcatee@gmail.com , 937-416-8359 or Mary Jo at mjkoons1@aol.com , 937-689-8718.

DEADLINE TO ORDER: Tuesday, May 24th, 2022

• Our parish gets $7 back from every ticket purchase.

• Great way to get to know your parish community!

• The Dragons are having an amazing season!

• Fun to watch!

DON’T FORGET: PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ASAP!

• Game ticket for a stadium seat

• Great family entertainment

• Click ONLINE LINK below to purchase via Ticketmaster promotional link.

• Download the PDF form and Email it to the ticket representative below.

• Call the ticket representative listed below.

• Fax the PDF form to (937) 228-2284.

• Mail PDF form to: Dayton Dragons, Day Air Ballpark, POB 2107, Dayton, OH 45401

• Tickets will be texted to you unless specified below

• $2 fee to print and mail tickets

DRAGONS REPRESENTATIVE: Carl Hertzberg

• (937) 228-2287 EXT. 160

• Carl.Hertzberg@daytondragons.com

VBS: Children ages 4 though incoming 4th graders

VBX: Incoming 5th and 6th graders

Adult and Teen Volunteers (gr. 7+) are greatly needed! Please register via link as a volunteer.

CALLINGS BOOK STUDY ~ JOIN TODAY!

Contact Andrea Parker at the Parish Office at

937.898.3532 x109 or aparker@scpchurch.org

Or look for fellow parishioners wearing a “CALLED” lapel

button in the Gathering Space of the church after Mass.