Monthly Newsletter -- Issue #95
 

NEWS FROM GRATIA PLENA
Keep Up with Gratia Plena on Social Media
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Your Choice: Office Visit or Secure Video Telehealth
Although we'd much rather sit down comfortably face to face with our guests in our offices, we are thankful to be able to connect using secure and confidential audio/video technology. In the past two months, we've provided about 750 video Telehealth sessions for our guests. If you don't like the idea of video connection but also are not ready to come in to the office, we can also schedule telephone therapy to get us by until the situation with the COVID changes. We have had people request our services from all around the country because they are seeking Catholic counselors and spiritual directors. We have added new workers to our team and are able to offer services in Spanish. There are several ways to get started with services at Gratia Plena:

1. Call (832) 532-0129 for an appointment.
2. Email info@gratiaplenacounseling.org for an appointment.
3. Fill out one of the forms on our website www.gratiaplenacounseling.org for an appointment.

Here are some additional offerings:

First Responders and Medical Professionals COVID-19 Virtual Support Group
There are widespread reports of increased stress, burnout, and other mental health concerns for first responders and medical professionals. Don't suffer alone! There is help and hope! Beginning in May, our counselors Cindy Renaudo, LPC and student counselor Dorothy Godines will offer a free confidential and private support group for first responders and medical professionals on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 3pm-4:30pm. Email or call the office to provide your contact information for the video Teleconference (no medical records will be kept). Please share this information.

Clergy and Counselor COVID-19 Virtual Support Group
In addition to first responders and medical professionals, clergy and mental health counselors have been working hard behind the scenes to provide spiritual and emotional support for many people suffering during the pandemic. Often the caregivers are not receiving care themselves, and become wounded through secondary or vicarious trauma. Self-care is important! Beginning in May, our counselors Cindy Renaudo, LPC and student counselor Dorothy Godines will offer a free confidential and private support group for clergy and mental health professionals on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, 3pm-4:30pm. Email or call the office to provide your contact information for the video Teleconference (no medical records will be kept). Please share this information.

Forgiven and Set Free
Our counselor Cindy Renaudo, LPC will be leading a special 10 week bible study for women starting May 20th, on Wednesday evenings to address recovery from abortion. This project is offered in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston's Office of Pro-Life Activities. There will be a limited number of participants. There is a $25 fee which includes the price of the book. This program will be in held via private and confidential video teleconference. For more information contact Cindy via Gratia Plena at (832) 532-0129 or Julie Fritsch at the Archdiocese at (713) 741-8728.

"Becoming a Better You" Women's Group
Several female Gratia Plena counselors (Sr. Megan, Dorothy, and Lizzie) will be starting a Catholic adult women's group soon. This group will address many topics pertinent to today's Catholic woman, whether single or married, consecrated or searching. There will be a limited number of participants, so contact us to get on the list to hold a post. Call Gratia Plena at (832) 532-0129 or send email to info@gratiaplenacounseling.org. This group will begin meeting via private video conference, but may transition to the office when COVID restrictions are lifted. More details coming.

Joan's Girls Summer Group
This month we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the canonization of St. Joan of Arc. Several of our Catholic counselors will again be offering the annual summer St. Joan's Girls group. We are still determining the format, given the COVID challenges. This group helps teenage girls with issues of self-image, self-esteem, coping skills, and other aspects of mental health associated with depression and anxiety in teenage girls. Through the generosity of a kind donor, we have some scholarships available! Contact Gratia Plena at (832) 532-0129 for more information, to ask for scholarship coverage, and to get put on the list. Please share this group with your parish or school, especially with your youth ministers. More details coming, so stay tuned to our social media channels:

Dr. Ken's Video and Podcast Series on Recovery Issues
Due to the COVID restrictions, we had to stop our weekly meetings of the King David's Men support group, sessions that had been going on for several years without interruption. We wanted to continue sharing this type of information with those in recovery from compulsive sexual behavior, but we also wanted to expand the topic so that it might be helpful to women, but also other types of compulsive behaviors such as gambling, eating, substances, et cetera. The outcome is a video series offered by Dr. Ken with new free (donation only) content being released on Thursdays. See the YouTube channel for the videos. The audio is being shared on a new podcast called "Encounter with Dr. Ken" on several platforms: Anchor FM, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, and Spotify. Please share the videos or podcasts with others whom you think might benefit from this recovery series. All of us are in recovery of a sort, due to our fallen human nature.

Welcoming New Faces
Gratia Plena welcomes Loran Morello to summer internship. She is an undergrad Psychology student at Texas A&M University, and a graduate of St. John XXIII High School. She is a parishioner at St. Laurence in Sugar Land.

We also welcome Monica Guillen for summer volunteer work. She is a grad student studying counseling at Lamar University. She has been involved in ministry at Assumption and St. Charles Borromeo parishes. She will begin her clinical training at Gratia Plena in the fall. Monica is bilingual.

Also starting with us this summer for clinical training is Liz Adams from St. Faustina parish. Liz is a grad student in the counseling program at University of Houston-Victoria. Liz is bilingual.

Adore Ministries Seeks Youth Ministers
Our friends at Adore Ministries are looking for young people who might want to serve as summer interns or become employed as youth ministers in parishes in the Galveston-Houston area. They are still in June taking applications for summer internships. There are several positions open due to increased demand for youth ministry.

SPIRITUAL LIFE
Come, Holy Spirit!
The 2020 Lent and Easter seasons will be ones that we never forget as altered somewhat by the COVID pandemic. Who would ever have imagined celebrating Easter Mass in our living room? Sunday, May 31st is Pentecost, the day we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion. It empowers us to flourish, reflecting God's glory in our lives. It opens and encourages us to proclaim the Good News of the real presence of Jesus in the world as our Savior. Yet, Bishop Barron suggests that "the Holy Spirit is dangerous" in this interesting video. On this Pentecost 2020, we might also remember in prayer those young people awaiting their delayed Confirmations. We also pray daily for those Confirmed whom we may have sponsored in the past.

Authority
The concept of authority in the spiritual world is quite important. Think of the military as an image, with soldiers of lower rank submitting to the authority of commanders of a higher rank. In the spiritual world, each human person has spiritual authority over his or her own self, yet submits to the spiritual authority of God. We can be tempted to give away or release our authority to worldly people, places, and things, and so we need to be wary of this spiritual danger. Like sheep, we might not even sense the danger, and so a vigilant shepherd can be helpful for us. A father, for example, has spiritual authority over a family, wife, and children and is called to exercise it well and for their protection and good. In the midst of powerful worldly events like the COVID, we should retain our authority and not give it over to fear and preoccupation with the news of the virus that we encounter daily. We should not give over our authority to despair and discouragement during the pandemic. Fr. Mark Goring preaches about spiritual warfare in this great homily from several years ago. In the COVID pandemic we are battling a physical virus, but also psychological afflictions and spiritual temptations.

Spiritual Direction
Gratia Plena employs several trained and experienced spiritual directors to help you grow and develop your prayer life and relationship with Jesus. Many people seek spiritual direction to learn how to prayerfully discern important life decisions. Our spiritual directors are unique due to their knowledge of psychology. Perhaps the summer is a good time to meet regularly with a spiritual director. We do not charge a fee for spiritual direction, but ask that a donation be made to Gratia Plena for this service. Meetings with our spiritual directors can be held in the office or by secure and confidential video conference. Our spiritual directors are also available to speak to your parish, school, or ministry group.

1. Call (832) 532-0129 for an appointment.
2. Email info@gratiaplenacounseling.org for an appointment.
3. Fill out one of the forms on our website www.gratiaplenacounseling.org for an appointment.

RAISING AWARENESS
How are You Sleeping Lately?
The number of children, teens, and adults with sleep problems is a significant problem. Sleep is very important for good physical and mental health. Problems with sleep are significantly related to overeating and alcohol/drug use. Anxiety and depression commonly negatively impact sleep. Good sleep hygiene is important to learn about. We had a request to address sleep this month in our newsletter. Here are 25 sleep tips:

• Try not to panic or become upset if you have trouble with sleep as this may intensify the problem (practice acceptance and letting go)
• If you are struggling to sleep, get up and do something like reading that might lead you back to being sleepy
• Arrange for a quiet and dark room if possible
• Get some exercise during the day
• Find a comfortable bed/mattress/pillow (see Mattress Mack)
• Use the bed only for sleeping
• Practice meditation, prayer, or relaxation during the day to reduce stress
• Don't eat a large meal or exercise too close to bedtime
• Find the best room air temperature for you
• Do some problem-solving if animals or young children interfere with your sleep
• Be cautious with Melatonin hormone supplements (too much can create problems)
• Avoid screens (phone, TV, iPad, et cetera) for at least an hour before bedtime
• Wake at the same time every day (even weekends and holidays)
• Schedule a "time to worry" appointment during the day so you don't engage in worry at bedtime
• Talk with a trusted friend about what might be bothering you
• Avoid caffeine in the late afternoon/evening (energy drinks, coffee, soda, chocolate, etc)
• Find the right amount of sleep that you need (each person is different)
• Avoid sleep aids like alcohol or certain medications that may have a rebound effect and wake you during the night as they wear off
• Consider if any of your prescribed or over-the-counter medications may have insomnia as a side effect (consult prescribing physician about taking at a different time of day)
• Have a "winding down" routine such as reading a book, listening to music, or praying Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours
• Recognize that our need for sleep is different at different ages
• Invoke the help of your guardian angel or favorite saint for a peaceful sleep
• Avoid the temptation to stay up late because you expect to have trouble falling asleep (beware of self-fulfilling prophecies)
• Be careful about falling into day/night reversal
• Seek a doctor's help if the problem is ongoing

May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Every year the month of May is a time of focus on mental health issues. This is particularly important in 2020 with the distress arising from the COVID pandemic. Check out the presentation by psychiatrist Dr. Katz, leader from SAMHSA at this recent White House Cabinet Meeting. The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides education to the community, but especially support for family members of those with mental illnesses. Clubhouses in the 1970s and 80s were a significant part of building community and social skills for those adults with severe mental illness, but budget cuts in the 90s forced many out of action. It is a wonderful development that we are starting to see some return. Check out the Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse, a real gem in our community. Because treatment resources are lacking in our communities, those with mental illness unfortunately often encounter legal issues with law enforcement. The training of law enforcement officers on mental illness is increasingly important. This HBO documentary spotlights two San Antonio officers who do good work in this area. Jail diversion programs are quite important. Gilbert Gonzales was instrumental in putting into place jail diversion and CIT programs in San Antonio, and previously Gilbert worked in the mental health system in the Houston area.

May is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
Personality disorders are consistent patterns of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that interfere significantly with relationships and may interfere with work or family life. Two examples are Dependent Personality Disorder and Paranoid Personality Disorder. Less well-known is Borderline Personality Disorder. This article provides an overview as the month of May brings awareness to this disorder which is sometimes confused with Bipolar Mood Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder may be treated by psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both interventions.

June is PTSD Awareness Month
After World War II, physicians noted psychological difficulties in some soldiers and called it "shell shock." Our beloved veterans returning from the Vietnam War experienced distress that was termed "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" or PTSD. It was originally placed in the category of Anxiety Disorders, but has since been removed and given its own section in the diagnostic manual. PTSD is a term (along with many others) that has been adopted into cultural language and misused. For instance, you might hear a young person say that they have "PTSD" or a "panic attack" because they forgot there was going to be a quiz in school today. The National Institute for Mental Health provides this overview so that we can be more aware of the disorder and treatment. "Borne the Battle" is a podcast of the Department of Veteran Affairs. There is hope and recovery from PTSD!

RESEARCH
Positive Mental Health Benefits of Gardening
In the gospels we encounter Jesus using the vineyard as an image in his teachings. God indeed is the Master Gardener: planting, fertilizing, growing, and pruning for new life. He wastes nothing, and can save anything that still shows signs of life. He wants us to bear good fruit. We can find peace in our own gardening, meditating and praying as we go and grow. And we might discern where we could do some work in God's vineyard, to assist the community with our skills, talents, and energy. Check out this article about the positive benefits of gardening on mental health, as well as this article from the National Institute of Health.

• Sunday, May 24: Feast of Mary, Help of Christians
• Monday, May 25: St. (Padre) Pio's Birthday
• Sunday, May 31: Vocations Awareness Retreat Online
• Sunday, May 31: Pentecost
• Sunday, May 31: Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary (to Elizabeth)
• Monday, June 1: Memorial of St. Justin, Martyr
• Friday, June 11: Memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle
• Sunday, June 13: Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Sunday, June 13: Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor
• Saturday, June 20: "Pierced by Sorrow, Released into Joy" (Jerome's Hope retreat)
• Sunday, June 21: Father's Day
• Sunday, June 21: Memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Religious
• Wednesday, June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist
• Friday, June 26: Optional Memorial of St. Josemaria Escriva, Priest
• Saturday, June 27: Optional Memorial of St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor
• Sunday, June 28: Memorial of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr
• Monday, June 29: Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Apostles
• July 6, 13, 20, 27: Cafe Catholica Online
• July 30-August 2: Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit
• August 21-23: Rachel's Vineyard Retreat (Post-Abortion Healing)

Book of the Month
This month we feature the old bestselling book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Dr. Viktor Frankl. Frankl was a psychiatrist from Austria who was imprisoned for several years in Nazi concentration camps during WWII. His parents and a brother were killed in concentration camps. Many people have described their isolation during the COVID pandemic as a type of imprisonment, particularly people at risk who have been staying at home most all the time since February or March. His book is a remarkable observation about persistence and purpose for survival in the face of great suffering.

MONTHLY RECOMMENDATION

As always, if you purchase books or movies on Amazon, be sure to log in to "AmazonSmile" with your charity set to “Gratia Plena” and we will receive a portion of the sale as a donation. Thank you!