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Bishop John Dolan Chaplain Diocese of Phoenix, AZ The Most Reverend John P. Dolan was ordained a priest for the Diocese of San Diego, Calif., July 1, 1989. He was installed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix August 2, 2022, at St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Avondale. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix he served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, California, since April of 2017, where he also served as the vicar general, vicar for clergy and the moderator of the curia. Growing up in San Diego, Bishop Dolan attended local Catholic schools at St. Mary Magdalene parish and University High School, before attending St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. He earned a Master’s degree in Divinity and Theology at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif. Bishop Dolan, along with Deacon Ed Shoener, 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). |
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Deacon Ed Shoener President Diocese of Scranton, PA 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. 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 |
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Margery Arnold Diocese of Orange, CA Margery Arnold earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology at Texas A&M University and is a Licensed Psychologist in California. She is passionate about all the things humans can do for and with each other to bring healing and compassion to those of us with mental illness. She works to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) to improve the health of body, mind, spirit, and community. In particular, she has studied how resilience can come from learning skills, from competent and caring relationships, and from connected and engaged communities. Margery lives with her family in Southern California where they enjoy reading, hiking, gardening, and the sport of dragon-boat racing. |
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Deacon Tom Lambert Archdiocese of Chicago, IL Tom is a founding member and currently co-chair of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Commission on Mental Illness, and advisor to Faith and Fellowship, Oak Park, Ill. Tom served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the State of Illinois’ National Alliance on Mental Illness including a 2 year term as President. Tom co-founded and co-chaired the National Catholic Partnership on Disability’s Council on Mental Illness located in Washington D.C., served on the Board of Pathways To Promise, and served on the Board of NAMI-Faithnet. Tom was ordained in 1983 and currently serves at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish in Chicago. Tom’s wife Rita is a spiritual director. Their oldest daughter has a mental illness. For the past 30 + years they have advocated for people with mental illness and their families in the community and for better pastoral awareness and care within the Church. They have led workshops across the country educating dioceses, priests, deacons, parish staffs, religious and laity about mental illness. Tom authored the manual “Mental Illness and Faith Community Outreach,” and wrote “Justice Issues and Catholic Social Teaching.” Tom provides a website of pastoral initiatives and resources for people with mental illness and their families at http://www.catholicmhm.org/chicago. |
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Barbara Zahner Diocese of San Jose, CA Barbara is a founding member of Mental Health Ministry in the Diocese of San Jose. Barbara is also a Board-Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She has worked in hospital and hospices, specializing in palliative care and behavioral health. Barbara is also a trained Spiritual Director. Following the deaths by suicide of three members of her former parish in March 2015, Barbara began Out of the Wilderness, a suicide bereavement support group for those who experienced grief from the death of a loved one by suicide. Using a grant from the Catholic Institute for Mental Health, Barbara worked with the pastor and staff of her current parish, St. Francis of Assisi Church in San Jose to initiate 3GEN+, a parish-based Mental Health Ministry. 3GEN+ focuses on the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of Three Generations: Teens, Parents and Elders. The mission of 3GEN+ is to educate, advocate, and accompany those affected by mental illness. Barbara collaborates with leaders from other parishes in the Diocese of San Jose to help them launch Mental Health Ministries. She also works closely with NAMI FaithNet of Santa Clara County and she serves on the task force for Suicide Prevention and Intervention for Santa Clara County. In earlier life, Barbara founded an advertising and PR firm. She also served as founding Executive Director of Sacred Heart Community Service, a non-profit agency that serves the economically poor with food, clothes, housing, education, immigration, and health care. In 1968, Barbara married her college sweetheart Richard, whom she met at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. They have four adult children and nine grandchildren. Barbara holds an MA in Pastoral Ministries with an emphasis on Spirituality from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. She also was granted an honorary PhD from Santa Clara University for Public Service. Barbara’s deepest desire is to serve God where most needed. |
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Deacon Adam Michaele Archdiocese of Hartford, CT Adam is a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut. Ordained in 1989, Adam is currently assigned to Saint Margaret Parish in Madison, CT. He has an MA in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration in Spiritual Direction from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT. Since 2003, Deacon Adam along with his wife, Rose, developed and have been active in a Wellness Ministry. Their daughter and son have a mental illness. The ministry provides spiritual comfort and support for those with mental illness for the Eastern Shoreline parishes in Connecticut. Meetings are held twice a month with additional social and religious activities. Adam was also a member of the Behavioral Health Patient and Family Advisory Council at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) for 8 years retiring in 2019 after 4 years as Co-Chair. He also is active in supporting other patient and family experience activities and projects at YNHH. He and his wife also support a Mood Disorders Peer Support group on a weekly basis. Adam is a member of NAMI and is trained in Mental Health First Aid. Adam also participated and completed the Mental Health Minister training from the Catholic Institute of Mental Health Ministry at the University at San Diego in 2019. |
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Deacon Jim Hoegemeier Diocese of Green Bay, WI Jim was ordained a permanent deacon in 2016 and currently serves as the Pastoral Leader for St. Paul Parish in the Diocese of Green Bay. He previously served in special needs ministry in the Diocese of Madison, where he played a key role in developing and supporting parish-based mental health ministry throughout the diocese. Jim founded the Madison, Wisconsin, chapter of CMHM and is a certified instructor of Mental Health First Aid. Jim and his wife, Janet, live in the woods on a small lake in central Wisconsin. |
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Father Timothy Graff Archdiocse of Newark, NJ Fr. Timothy Graff has been a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark since 1985. He is presently the Secretary for Parish Mission and Vitality working with parishes for their pastoral and fiscal health. He also is the Director of the Social Concerns Office and Director of Multi-Cultural Ministry. He teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the Theology Department at Caldwell University. His interest in Mental Health Ministry is in response to the needs that he saw from many parishioners who lived with Mental Health issues during the pandemic and the needs for parishes to provide support for them and their loved ones.
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Maricela Campa In this capacity, she worked closely with the Department of Child Safety as part of their Family Preservation Team, advocating for families and children. Additionally, she is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer, further demonstrating her commitment to mental health awareness and support. Maricela has been a respite caregiver for her brother, who lives with a mental illness. |
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CMHM Staff Jennifer (Jen) Hayes Housel Executive Director Jen earned her BA in Psychology from Swarthmore College and her MA in Theology from the University of Scranton. Throughout her personal and professional life, she has pursued roles in which she could blend her education and experience in these two areas for the benefit of individuals, couples, and communities. Before joining the CMHM in 2022, Jen served as the Director for Community and Family Development in the Diocese of Scranton's Office for Parish Life. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Jen lives with her family in Northeastern PA where they are blessed to enjoy outdoor activities in the beautiful Endless Mountains. |
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Edwin Walker Director for Communications and Engagement With over 12 years of marketing experience, Edwin has successfully assisted some of the leading tech-focused organizations in scaling and boosting demand for their products and services. His expertise spans digital and traditional marketing channels, allowing him to create comprehensive strategies that deliver results. His academic background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Arts with majors in Education and Psychology. Currently, he is pursuing a Master's degree in Psychology to further expand his knowledge in this area. In addition to his professional and academic pursuits, he is a certified QPR Suicide Gatekeeper and Instructor. And is dedicated to raising awareness and providing support for mental health in his community. On a personal note, he resides in India with his wife and their joyful 2-year-old son. |
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