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• Throughout Lent, there will be a display of brochures and pamphlets from various local organizations who are available to help families and individuals in times of crisis and before it becomes a crisis. It’s okay to NOT be okay. Let’s help break the stigma of mental illness.
• The money donated to our Lenten project will help fund The Adam Lentz Memorial Scholarship and Aidan’s Light charity. Aidan’s Light uses some of its donations to bring Emma Benoit, a nationally recognized speaker and survivor of a suicide attempt, to local school districts. A documentary titled “My Ascension” was made after Emma attempted suicide in 2017. Sharing her story of survival and hope has made an enormous impact on those who have met her and those who have seen her documentary.
• Holy Spirit will be offering a Suicide Bereavement Group beginning in late spring for those who have been affected by suicide. Facilitators will be trained by a professional organization.

Mental Health—With a Focus on Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Mental illness affects more than 1 in 5 adults and youth either currently or at some point during their life (www.cdc.gov). The highest suicide rates are seen among teenagers and young adults between the ages of 10 to 35 years old.
 
Many of us have been touched by suicide in some way or another; and by bringing this difficult topic into conversation, we hope to share some awareness and healing during this Lenten season.
Someone who suffers from a broken leg clearly has avisible injury, but someone who suffers from mental illness often suffers alone because it isn't outwardly seen. There is a stigma surrounding mental illness that needs to be addressed.

AIDAN’S LIGHT and THE ADAM LENTZ
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

 
Aidan’s Light
Aidan’s Light is a local charity dedicated to Aidan Hegge, who died by suicide on July 27, 2020 in Kasson, MN. Aidan’s Light advocates to help stop youth suicide through charitable giving to both national and local charities, focusing on the prevention of youth suicide and treatment of mental health problems. They also work to provide local schools the needed resources to bring awareness to youth mental health and prevent youth suicide.
 
The Adam Lentz Memorial Scholarship
The scholarship was established in 2022 by family, friends, and Smith Schafer & Associates after Adam’s death on November 3, 2021.
Adam is the son of long-time parishioners, Ken and Leann Lentz. Adam and his brother, Kurt, attended Holy Spirit Catholic School and Lourdes High School, obtained accounting degrees, and then worked together at Smith Schafer, an accounting and consulting firm.
Within the attentive and supportive Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) community, Adam looked up to older kids as he was growing up and while he and the LHS football team were setting new school records, Adam gave his time to younger students, like team managers, underclassmen, and friend’s siblings. Hence, the scholarship is preferred for students at Holy Spirit Catholic School, such that young students have the opportunity to attend RCS and continue on to graduate from LHS. Students and their families will learn the RCS community is there for you…before and long after graduation!

Holy Spirit has a Suicide Survivors Bereavement Support Group beginning Monday, August 12, from 6:30-8:00 PM and will continue on the 2nd Monday of every month.