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Home of the Saint Labre Community
based in Northern VirginiaWalking together in Faith and Fellowship towards mental health recovery -
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About Saint Labre Community
The Labre Community for Adults with Mental Illness was founded in 2018 in Alexandria, Virginia. It provides an alternative to secular support groups by offering supportive prayer/intercession, Christian fellowship, and Catholic/Christian mental health resources.
As such, the community emphasizes peer supported recovery: growing in healing and holiness through the intercession and fellowship of our “peers” (PIRs=People in Recovery) who also walk the continuous journey of mental health recovery. As a ministry, the Saint Labre Community is not a clinical service, and does not take the place of clinical or psychiatric services, but works alongside more clinical aspects of recovery by offering the spiritual element and the company of others who likewise carry this cross. Our spiritual support group meets on first Saturdays and virtually on third Sundays (see Events page); other activities include healing Masses, retreats, and social evenings.
In July 2020, The Labre Community of Northern Virginia united itself as a chapter of the Association for Catholic Mental Health Ministers. Contact us via email for more information at [email protected]. You may wish to consider starting a Labre Community in your own parish or diocese; we'd be happy to assist.
Founding peer member Kirsten Marie Obadal is a Catholic of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, and she lives with a chronic mental health condition. Kirsten is a Certified and Registered Peer Recovery Specialist in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a trainee for the license of Qualified Mental Health Professional. She is devoted to our Blessed Mother as well as to Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, the Patron Saint of Mental Illness.
Contact Us
You can contact us via email at [email protected] or on Facebook. For immediate crisis response, call 911 in your area or contact the national suicide hotline: 988 on any device. Or text HOME to 741741.
National Mental Health Crisis Line
For immediate Crisis assistance, call 988 from anywhere in the United States.
For someone to talk to, call 1-800-273-TALK.
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Start a Labre Community in your Parish or Diocese
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The original Labre Community is based in Northern Virginia, and has joined up as a chapter of the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers. The Labre Community offers Catholic peer support services. Peer support is mentoring, fellowship, and supportive prayer and sharing among individuals affected by mental health conditions along the journey of mental health recovery.
Mental illness is indeed a cross, but you need not bear it alone. The fellowship and support of one’s peers (PIRs–people in recovery) is a vital element of successful and sustained recovery. Recovery is an ongoing task which needs a variety of resources including medical intervention and counseling, but peer support has been demonstrated to be a very helpful resource along the way.
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Interested in learning more? Contact us at [email protected].
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Resources & News
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Catholic clinical mental health servicesRead More
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Creating space to receive the whole person, grow systems of mutual support, and empower for creative discipleshipRead More -
Courage members are men and women who experience same-sex attractions and who have made a commitment to strive for chastity. They are inspired by the Gospel call to holiness and the Catholic Church’s beautiful teachings about the goodness and inherent purpose of human sexuality. Through our apostolate, people who experience same-sex attraction receive pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, and fellowship.Read More -
In a world turned upside down by the coronavirus pandemic, Michael Horne offers a balm of gentle help and calm normalcy. As a licensed clinical psychologist and director of clinical services for diocesan Catholic Charities, Horne, 42, supervises counseling, medical and other programs, and still sees a few therapy clients on the side.Read More
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Upcoming Saint Labre Community Chapter Events
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Saturday, October 7, 3:30 PM
In-Person Spiritual Support Group Meeting 1st Saturdays at 3:30PM, at 307 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314Read More -
Sunday, October 15, 6:30 PM3rd Sundays at 6:30pm, please email to request the link to join.Read More
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Saturday, November 4, 3:30 PM
In-Person Spiritual Support Group Meeting 1st Saturdays at 3:30PM, at 307 S. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314Read More
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Sunday, November 19, 6:30 PM3rd Sundays at 6:30pm, please email to request the link to join.Read More
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ad hoc-Ask about meetings for the adult children of parents with mental illness. Meetings occur periodically.
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Videos
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