Mental Health Forum

This free workshop will examine how Catholic parishes nationwide are instituting ministries to support individuals and families struggling with mental health issues.

The Keynote Speaker is Deacon Ed Shoener, director of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers in the Diocese of Scranton, PA (Read his bio below).

Deacon Ed will share how dioceses and parishes across the country have developed and implemented a “Mental Health Ministry” as a vital part of their evangelization efforts and parish programs.

The event takes place in the Great Hall of O'Connor Hall at the Diocese of Pittsburgh Pastoral Center (2900 Noblestown Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205). 

Every parish is encouraged to send representatives. The event is presented by Catholic Charities and the Health and Well-being Ministry.

To register contact Jack Shaw: 412-508-5383 or shaw.jack@verizon.net
 

Deacon Ed Shoener

Ed Shoener was ordained a permanent deacon in 2004 and serves at St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Scranton.

Shoener is a founding member of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers and the Catholic Institute of Mental Health Ministry at the University of San Diego. He serves on the Council on Mental Illness of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and on the Board of Pathways to Promise, an interfaith cooperative that facilitates the faith community’s work in reaching out to those with mental illnesses and their families.

Deacon Shoener, along with Bishop John Dolan, is coauthor of the books Responding to Suicide: A Pastoral Handbook for Catholic Leaders and When a Loved One Dies by Suicide (Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, IN).

He, along with family and friends, founded “The Katie Foundation” after his daughter, Kathleen, died by suicide in 2016. Katie’s obituary went viral because it spoke to the needs and concerns of people who live with mental illness. He lives with his family in Scranton, Pennsylvania.