Oak Park church to host reception for adults with mental illness


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Faith and Fellowship, a church-based outreach for adults with mental illness, invites residents to attend their Sept. 26 prayer service and reception at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church, 34 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park.

Janice Benton, executive director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, will speak briefly about the group’s efforts to make churches more welcoming and inclusive for people with disabilities, especially those with mental illnesses. Members of Faith and Fellowship will be on hand to provide information about what the ministry does and how it does it, according to a press release.

The prayer service will feature Praise Dancers from St. Catherine-St. Lucy School and the parish’s Celebration Choir. The Rev. George Omwando will offer prayers and a blessing. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Faith and Fellowship.

Since 1979, Faith and Fellowship has carried out its mission of creating communities of faith in which people with mental illness find God’s presence and care.

“Why do I feel comfortable here? Because we love each other. We’re like family,” longtime member Jackie Burks said in the release.

The service is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. For additional details about this event and information about Faith and Fellowship, contact Connie Rakitan at the Faith and Fellowship office, 708-383-9276.

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