Dr. Nancy Kratz

Dr. Nancy Kratz Welcome! Wellness and Ministry Coordinator, Naperville, Il

05/15/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to share comfort, prayer and compassion with others? šŸ§¶šŸ’™

Join the Prayer Shawl Ministry on Thursday, May 21 at 10:00 AM as we gather in fellowship and prayer while creating shawls for those in need of comfort and care.

All are welcome!

05/15/2026

Lamorial

05/14/2026

Modern culture constantly praises people who quickly ā€œbounce backā€ after heartbreak, grief, trauma, or major loss. But neuroscience research suggests the brain does not recover that way. Pushing yourself to immediately act normal, stay productive, or suppress emotional pain can actually interfere with the brain’s natural healing process.

Studies on stress and emotional recovery show that the brain needs time to process overwhelming experiences instead of instantly shutting them down. When emotions are repeatedly ignored or buried, stress systems in the brain can remain activated for longer periods, increasing emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and even physical health problems. Researchers studying resilience now describe it very differently from how social media often presents it.

Real resilience is not pretending nothing happened. Neuroscientists increasingly view resilience as the ability to adapt, recover gradually, and allow emotional processing without becoming permanently overwhelmed by it. Recovery often includes rest, reflection, emotional support, healthy routines, and giving the nervous system enough time to stabilize after distress.

That is why some psychologists warn against toxic positivity and pressure to ā€œstay strongā€ too quickly after painful events. Healing is rarely immediate, and forcing emotional recovery before the brain is ready may slow the process instead of helping it. Sometimes resilience looks less like instant strength and more like allowing yourself to heal honestly at your own pace.

05/11/2026

Join us next weekend for a celebration of our ministry teams after all Masses Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.

Come explore where your gifts can shine:
- Discover how Faith Formation is teaching the next generation
- Learn how Outreach Ministries serve our local communities
- Explore opportunities for Young Adults
- Visit Liturgy and Music and leave a note of thanks for our beautiful Mass and choirs
- Get a sticker from Fr. Peter!
- Food, family-friendly fun and more

All are welcome at this celebration of St. Thomas Ministries and Volunteer Teams — we can’t wait to see you there!

05/04/2026

St. Dymphna Mass

Monday, May 11, is the feast of St. Dymphna, patroness of Mental Health.

Please join us for this beautiful Mass as we pray for all those
who suffer the pain of mental and emotional illness, their
friends, family and all those who work to bring hope and
healing.

05/04/2026

ā—IMPORTANT UPDATE : The Mental Health Mailbox date changeā—

The date has changed from May 4th to May 18th 2026 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM on Zoom with guest star Marc Rogala and host Justin Wolfe for an honest, open conversation about mental health. Submit your questions and get real answers in real time — this is your safe space to ask, learn, and heal. šŸ’š

Can't make it live? Send your questions in advance to [email protected] — the full session will be recorded and uploaded to our podcast series!

šŸ“‹ Register only if attending live — https://buff.ly/ulhFvZ6

šŸŽ§ Our podcast series - Healing Minds: Stories of Resiliency and Recovery
ā–¶ļø Check it out! - https://buff.ly/5fWYjAn

Join us for fun and fellowship, food, children’s activities and a $1 book sale! All are welcome to come celebrate our mi...
05/04/2026

Join us for fun and fellowship, food, children’s activities and a $1 book sale! All are welcome to come celebrate our ministries and teams.

Want to get involved?

Learn more about the Young Adult Ministry and so many others at the St. Thomas Ministry Fair!

Saturday, May 16 | 5:30–6:30 pm
Sunday, May 17 | 8:45 am–1:30 pm
St. Thomas Gym

05/04/2026

Through the principle of Neuroplasticity, repeated positive visualization can help strengthen neural pathways associated with confidence, calmness, and goal-directed action.

When people mentally rehearse success—whether it’s performing well in an exam, speaking confidently, or achieving a goal—the brain begins to treat these scenarios as familiar, reducing uncertainty and stress.

This process can also counter the brain’s natural negativity bias, allowing individuals to approach challenges with a more balanced and constructive mindset.

04/26/2026

According to psychology, emotions are not confined to the brain—they are deeply embodied. The body actively registers, stores, and expresses emotional states through physiological changes, muscle tension, heart rate, and hormonal responses.

Psychologist says when an emotion arises, the nervous system and endocrine system respond immediately, producing physical sensations such as tightness, warmth, or increased heart rate. According to psychology, these bodily responses are integral to how humans perceive and process emotions, demonstrating that feelings are as much physical experiences as mental states.

Research in affective neuroscience shows that emotions can leave lasting imprints on the body. Psychologist says chronic stress, unresolved grief, or trauma may manifest as muscle tension, digestive issues, or other physical symptoms. According to psychology, understanding the body-emotion connection allows individuals to address emotional states through both mental and somatic interventions, such as mindfulness, movement, or breathing exercises.

Psychologist says recognizing that emotions live in the body is crucial for holistic well-being. According to psychology, integrating awareness of bodily sensations with emotional processing enhances self-regulation, reduces stress, and improves mental and physical health, showing that attending to the body is essential for understanding and managing emotions effectively.

02/24/2026

Join NAMI DuPage's LGBTQ+ support group tomorrow! A safe space for adults (18+) living with mental health conditions to share and heal.šŸ’™šŸŒˆ

Address

Naperville, IL
60540

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