Dear Friends:

Want to know what happens in a world with no religious values? Watch cable news for about five minutes and see. You’ll hear stories about spouses killing themselves and their families, active shooters in a shopping mall, or terrorists running people over with a pickup truck. The recent news about sex abuse by Catholic clergy is the most damaging example of life without religious values. It shows the world that even those committed to serving Christ can be seduced to commit sin. When that happens, troubled souls around the world (both clergy and lay people) can become severely depressed and give up hope for a better life. Some may even consider suicide.

Some cable television channels will have experts talk about ways to spot and prevent suicide. They will provide hotlines and web URLs but they will not address the real problem. Our culture is losing its moral compass because it has replaced its respect for religious values with secular ones. The great British Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton once said, “When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing – they believe in anything.” Over the last four or five decades, we have come to believe that we are accidents of birth rather than unique creatures created in the image and likeness of God. Is it any wonder that we are surrounded by so many people suffering from depression and manic behaviors?

While the current crisis in the Church has the potential to make it even worse, we believe God will have the final say. We know it is difficult enough for healthy Catholics to keep their faith let alone those struggling with mental and spiritual problems. Yet, we know the Holy Spirit is working through The Upper Room to bring His love and peace to all those who suffer whether they are a lonely teen in a dark urban alley or a victim of abuse by a dark member of the clergy.

By being there to answer the phone, we are changing the world one person at a time. By regularly calling a troubled soul, we are giving people hope for another day. We have clients on the verge of suicide who still answer the phone when we call. We also help the clergy because we know many of them are hurting too. We want everyone to know God’s love and fulfill their vocations. That is our
mission.

Please help us help bring the peace of Christ to troubled souls around the world. Your donation in any amount will keep the phones open and the love pouring out. You can make a donation by clicking here.  

 

Help bring religious values back to our culture by bringing the love of Christ
to every human being. Thank you for your continuing support. May God bless you and give you peace.

In His love,

Sister Mary Frances Seeley, OSF, PhD
Founder and CEO
The Upper Room Crisis Hotline