NEWS HEADLINE:

Mayslake Ministries to partner with Triton College on White House Interfaith Project.

The goal of this project is to gain a greater understanding of the needs and challenges that our veterans experience when they return home from war.

Mayslake Ministries is committed to working with the academic community of Triton College to provide faith based programs and retreats for our military men and women.

Triton College president, Dr. Patricia Granados said, “ it is important to help veterans return to their families and communities with the support they need to transition back to civilian life.”

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Veteran's Ministry

For many soldiers and their families, life has been forever changed by the experience of deployment and mobilization. Mayslake Ministries has developed a two-part outreach ministry to serve their needs.

Coming Home: A Free Christian retreat program designed to help military men and women come to spiritual healing and reconciliation with God, themselves and with one another. There is NO charge for this retreat for our vets.

Finding Strength, & For Those Who Wait: Free spiritual support groups and spiritual direction for spouses and family members while they wait for their loved one to return.

ABOVE: Click the image for an introduction to Mayslake Ministries' Veteran's Ministry.

In December, 2010, ABC Channel 7 News produced a special report on Post-Traumatic Spiritual Stress entitled "Hope and Help for Veterans" featuring Mayslake Ministries' Veteran's Ministry. Click here to watch it from the ABC news archive.

LEFT:
Julie Haskell, a Vietnam veteran, and attendee of a Mayslake Ministries' Coming Home retreat, offers her story in the October 2011 issue of Christ is Our Hope, the magazine of the Diocese of Joliet. Click the image to read the full article.

Coming Home...
		What is "Coming Home"? An overnight weekend retreat offering a place of reconciliation, respite and support. A program designed to help military men and women come to spiritual healing and reconciliation with God, themselves and with one another. A program which addresses spiritual issues inherent in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Post-Traumatic Spiritual Stress can linger for years after active duty.
Who is it for?		Military men and women and their significant others (should they also wish to attend)
What does it cost?		No cost to attend
When and where does it happen?		May 11-13, 2012 Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, IL
Who are the facilitators?		Retreat leader and veteran, Sister Linda McClenehan, OP, MS, served as a sergeant working in communications in the southern area of Vietnam. She is a Dominican Sister and licensed counselor whose full-time ministry involves helping veterans deal with trauma. Augie Sisco Major, USMC (Ret.) served in Vietnam. He is a retired businessman, married, a father and a grandfather. He is active in his Parish, and is the assistant director for our Vets’ Ministry.
How can I register?		Phone: 630-268-9000 Online: May 11-13, 2012 Space is limited but we try to accommodate as many veterans as wish to attend.
Need more information?		For more information on this life-giving program, or to sponsor a vet for this retreat, please contact Dr. Mary Amore, Executive Director 630-268-9000 or mamore@mayslakeministries.org. For additional information on cutting edge treatments for PostTraumatic Spiritual Stress, please contact Dr. Patrick McGrath at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health.
Testimonial from a veteran who attended a "Coming Home" retreat: "They did everything they could to make us feel at ease. When they saw someone in need, they ministered to them. I am sure the rest of the group would agree that we left with peace in our hearts, healing in our thoughts, comfort in our being and love for all those carrying the burden of war. It was the first time I felt comfortable talking and sharing with fellow veterans the pain I have kept hidden deep inside of me. I felt like I was in the comfort of Our Lord's arms."-Julie
Finding Strength & For Those Who Wait
		The second outreach is for the soldier and their family and has two parts: “Finding Strength,” and "For Those Who Wait." Mayslake Ministries recognizes that the deployment and the subsequent return of a soldier are difficult on families and on marriages. To address this stress that is placed on the family, we have developed free spiritual support groups and spiritual direction for spouses and family members while they wait for their loved one to return. When the soldier returns, many times their marriage has felt the strain of their deployment. As part of this family outreach we offer free Christian marriage strengthening and counseling retreats, including a program currently being developed entitled, “Fighting for Your Marriage.” These programs are delivered by staff including Dr. Barbara Jarvis a pastoral Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and by Eugenia Jaros Callison who has a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies, is a certified Spiritual Director and has been a military wife for over 32 years.

Who is it for?		Families of Military men and women
What does it cost?		Participation in "For those Who Wait" support group is free of charge, although pre-registration is required. Depending on the program, fees for for couples and families within "Finding Strength" are free, or nominal.
When and where does it happen?		For Those Who Wait is a spiritual support group for families of our military stationed overseas. meets once a month at Sts. Peter and Paul in Naperville. Finding Strength programs occur throughout the year.
Who are the facilitators?		These programs are delivered by staff including Dr. Barbara Jarvis a pastoral Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and by Eugenia Jaros Callison who has a Masters degree in Pastoral Studies, is a certified Spiritual Director and has been a military wife for over 32 years. "For Those Who Wait" support group is facilitated by Mr. Joe Verdico.
Need more information?		For more information on how to participate in "For Those Who Wait" and "Finding Strength" programs please contact Dr. Mary Amore, Executive Director 630-268-9000 or mamore@mayslakeministries.org.


Mayslake Ministries' Veteran's ministry is funded entirely through the generous contributions of our donors. If you would like to support this ministry please call 630-268-9000, or visit our donor page.