When Deacon Ernie Martinez took on his role as director of deacons for the Archdiocese of Denver three years ago, he brought with him an insight few clergy possess: 40 years of experience with the Denver Police Department, where he witnessed firsthand how peer support could save lives.

During this Jubilee Year of Hope, the Church calls for all of us to be “tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind” (Spes Non Confundit, 10). Finding reasons for hope and sharing that hope with others is part of our vocation as Christians. Perhaps one of the greatest areas where the hope of Jesus Christ is needed here in the United States is mental health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s mental health awareness theme is “From Awareness to Action.” Many Catholic dioceses across the United States are taking action to support the mental health of their parishioners.

COLORADO SPRINGS. St. Gabriel Parish will offer three grief support groups starting in March: An English-language bereavement support group and a Spanish-language bereavement support group, both on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. beginning March 13 and running for 10 weeks. Also, “When A Loved One Dies by Suicide,” a group specifically for those who’ve lost a loved one to suicide whether recently or many years ago, will run for eight weeks on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. beginning March 25. Advance registration requested. For more information or to register, contact Linda at lpopolano@saintgabriel.net or the St. Gabriel office at 719-528-8407. 

COLORADO SPRINGS.  An Indian priest serving in the Diocese of Grand Island in Nebraska is now asking the community to help him find a kidney donor.