The Diocese of Orlando will hold on March 18 the “In Your Hands: A Conference on Healing and Awareness of Suicide” at the Holy Family Parish at 5125 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd.
According to a post by The Florida Catholic, the one-day conference will start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.
Conference on Suicide Prevention, Acceptance
The Florida Catholic reported that the diocese views the one-day affair as a “very spiritual conference.”
Diocese of Orlando’s Adult Ministry Director Tony Evans said the conference would help those with suicidal tendencies and their loved ones overcome the ordeal.
“We want to make a connection with those people and let them know, ‘You are not alone. You have a community. We are your community. We can help you,” The Florida Catholic quoted him saying.
Evans issued the statement during his guesting on the “Treasures of Faith” radio program with Our Lady of Lourdes Parish’s Dan Powers, his co-coordinator for the conference. Bill Gent is the program’s host.
The conference would feature discussions on helping people dealing with a loved one’s loss due to suicide. It would also tackle common myths about suicide and the truth about them. Finally, the conference would offer parish ministries the right tools to minister to people undergoing suicide crises effectively.
Other Details of the Conference
The same report said Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe rector and Missionary of Mercy parish priest Fr. Anthony Aarons would celebrate the opening Mass of the conference. A Sacrament of Reconciliation would follow the Mass.
Meanwhile, Marian priest Fr. Chris Alar is the event’s Keynote Speaker. Father Alar is the provincial superior of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy Province, which is under the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception in Argentina and the U.S.
Alar also wrote the bestselling books “Understanding Divine Mercy” and “After Suicide: There’s Hope for Them and for You.” The same report said he hosts the EWTN show “Living Divine Mercy.”
Deacon Powers explained that Father Alar experienced loss in his family when his grandmother committed suicide when he was still a young boy. Powers disclosed that Alar found it hard to pray for his grandmother during Mass.
“As a young boy (Father Alar), he couldn’t even pray for her at Mass. In seminary, he explored this and was led to St. Faustina. He will teach about the mercy of the Lord and how we must be merciful in our own lives,” Powers told the news outlet.
Powers explained during their podcast guesting that people who were left behind by a person who committed suicide had to deal with many emotions. These emotions include guilt, anxiety, anger, and hurt.
Deacon Powers said the Catholic Church must “walk alongside” people who experience the negative emotions following a loved one’s suicide.
“If we really believe Jesus is where pain is, then this is where Jesus abounds. And we can walk with Jesus as a Church and individually,” Powers explained.
Meanwhile, conference speaker Deacon Ed Shoener said his daughter, Kathleen, whom they fondly called Katie, ended her life in 2016 following a two-year battle with bipolar disorder. Powers said they established “The Katie Foundation” after the incident.
Deacon Shoener added that people related to her daughter’s now-viral obituary because it delves into the situation of people battling mental health issues.
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