One of the greatest blessings of serving as a Parish Mental Health Ministry Coordinator is the opportunity to share this mission through writing. It is a mission that exists because of the vision and faith of Deacon Ed Shoener and my supervisor, Lisa Wagner-Carollo.
Lisa first learned about the Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers through Archdiocesan Special Needs Consultant Tom Racunas, who suggested that Catholic Charities consider becoming a chapter. Moved by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Lisa began exploring this opportunity more deeply. As she learned more about the organization’s vision, she felt called to apply and begin building a ministry locally.
Clear signs of the Spirit’s hand soon followed. Around that same time, Deacon Ed was scheduled to visit Kansas City and was invited to speak at the Chancery about launching Parish Mental Health Ministries. The response was overwhelming and affirming- there was a clear and urgent need. It became evident that the Holy Spirit was guiding Catholic Charities toward this work.
From there, the ministry began to take shape, through grant writing, hiring a coordinator, and building parish partnerships. Today, 13 parishes are actively involved, supported by dedicated volunteer coordinators. This is a deeply needed ministry, as mental health challenges touch so many of our families and communities.
The roots of this ministry are grounded in both sorrow and hope. Deacon Ed’s passion was born from personal loss- he lost his daughter after her long struggle with mental illness and suicide. From that grief, something beautiful has grown. The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers is truly a rose that has bloomed from suffering, offering hope, support, and healing to others.
Deacon Ed will be in the Kansas City area from May 4–9, 2026 and I strongly encourage everyone to make time to attend one of his presentations:
- May 5 – Mental Illness and Healing: Friends and Family at St. Charles Borromeo
- May 6 – Responding to the Mental Health Crisis with the Love of Christ and Hope at St. Elizabeth
- May 7 – Same program at St. John Francis Regis
All presentations will be held from 7:00–8:30 p.m.
I plan to attend and am incredibly grateful for my role as Mental Health Ministries Coordinator at Catholic Charities of Kansas City–St. Joseph. This work is a true blessing. The “roses” that continue to bloom from this ministry are our parish volunteers- faithful, compassionate individuals serving those in need every day.
If you are looking for a parish with a Mental Health Ministry, here are current locations and contacts:
Northland
- St. Charles Borromeo — CMHM@stcharleskc.com
- St. James (Liberty) — Chuck@stjames-liberty.org
- Holy Family — mentalhealthministry@holyfamily.com
- St. Thérèse North — mmhm@sttheresenorth.org
- St. Gabriel the Archangel — MHM@stgabrielskc.com
East of Kansas City
- St. Mark — MHM@stmarksparish.com
- St. Jude & St. George — kcsjcatholicMHM@gmail.com
- St. John LaLande — positivewellbeing@sjlparish.org
- St. Robert Bellarmine — mhm@srbcatholic.org
South Kansas City
- St. Elizabeth — mhm@stekc.org
- St. John Francis Regis — positivewellbeing@stregis.org
- St. Sabina — mhm@stsabinaparish.org
You can find more information, parish links, and a full calendar of events here:
https://catholiccharities-kcsj.org/mentalhealthministry/
By Linda Hopkins, Parish Mental Health Ministry Coordinator