PCLs encouraged to embrace self-care methods for mental health

“Your ministry is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit through you.”  This and many more nuggets of wisdom were shared by Eileen Zeismer on May 16, as twenty parish catechetical leaders gathered in St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, for a presentation entitled “Mental Health for PCLs.”

Sponsored by Catholic publisher RCL Benziger, Zeismer, pastoral associate at the Church of St. Denis, Manasquan, combined her more than 30 years of experience as a licensed social worker with her extensive experience in parish ministry as the basis for her presentation.

She offered points of reflection which illustrated that PCLs can actually “start to negatively impact the people around them” if their own mental health is not in order.  Good parish catechetical leadership requires empathy, which can be lacking when a PCL is overly stressed or distracted. PCLs need to be skillfully attuned to others to respond appropriately to the needs of catechists, parents, parish staff, and the children in his or her care.

Zeismer also noted that PCLs are fully aware that “the liturgical calendar stops for no one” and intensely feel the responsibility of being physically present for all parish religious education activities throughout the year.  When a PCL experiences unresolved mental health challenges, however, being physically present at a multitude of activities can actually contribute to the mental health “downward spiral” and be detrimental to a religious education program.

Zeismer’s experience as a parish catechetical leader for several years in the Diocese of Trenton allowed her to provide personal insight laced with a bit of humor as she gave guidance to PCLs for managing their own mental health.  First, PCLs were urged to avoid “going it alone.”  People are made for community and PCLs need to tap in to their colleagues in their parishes or utilize the comradery of other PCLs to navigate some of the challenges experienced in ministry.

PCLs were also urged to intentionally take time every day for their own physical well-being and make it a priority. Zeismer pointed out that “sitting is the new smoking” and how important it is for PCLs to participate in some form of regular exercise for their mental health.  Even 15 minutes of walking every day can, over time, lead to an improved state of mental health.

Additionally, PCLs were prompted to “set yourself up so that you aren’t afraid to leave.”  In other words, PCLs should do their best to arrange their personal lives such that they do not have an overdependence on their role as PCL in their parishes.  PCLs should strive to live within their financial means and have balanced personal lives outside of their parish ministry.  In addition, PCLs should actively involve others in all aspects of their ministries such that others could take over essential responsibilities if needed.

Zeismer also encouraged PCLs to avoid “pretending everything is OK.”  Speaking up, getting help, and making changes are healthy steps to take when trying to improve difficult situations.  She stressed that “resilience does not only mean putting up with terrible circumstances, it also means knowing when you have had enough.”

To avoid ministry burnout, PCLs were encouraged to budget time with God. Intentionally taking time for quiet prayer is essential for anyone in active ministry and burnout is “a consequence of our life management.”

Finally, Zeismer stressed that PCLs need to embrace their identities as sons and daughters of God before they can fully embrace catechetical ministry in a healthy and balanced way, urging them to make room for solitude with God and to come to a deeper realization that we are “God’s beloved.”

Jill Kerekes serves as diocesan director, Office of Discipleship Formation for Children.