Each year our Justice & Peace group prepares a message on mental health for parishioners, which provides the cover article for the weekly The Dominican on a Sunday close to World mental health day.

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Each year since that statement we have played a role in what is now an annual ecumenical Mental Health Liturgy celebrated among members of the Canterbury Council of Churches. St Dominic’s has been the host church for this on two occasions, most recently in 2026.

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In April/May 2021 our parish organised a Mental Health First Aid course, which was attended by a capacity group of 20 people.  Participants were very positive about the two-day program.  They thought that it made a significant difference to their understanding about mental health, and to their ability to engage positively in many settings with friends, family, workmates etc who suffer from mental illness.

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A similar program is now planned for Saturdays 6 and 13 March 2027. The 2027 course will again be presented by Mr Neal Murphy (www.thatspeaksofpeace.com.au is Neal's website). Bookings can be made here.

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A final prayer from St Augustine:

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Watch now, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ, rest your weary ones, bless you dying ones and all for your name’s sake.