The Covid-19 pandemic has put our world into a collective trauma. Effective ministry during a crisis necessitates new skills to support our work as Lay Pastoral Associates and ministry personnel.

Our workshop presenter, Fr. Stephan Kappler, is the President and Chief Psychologist of The Southdown Institute. He is a licensed psychologist and priest of the Diocese of Oakland. Fr. Kappler will provide an overview of the symptoms of trauma and offer spiritual and emotional coping skills in maintaining a healthy and effective ministry presence.

This will be a virtual event on Zoom for Lay Pastoral Associates employed by a parish. It will include group discussions and will not be recorded.

There is no cost to attend. Registration closes on March 1, 2021.

Rev. Stephan Kappler, Psy.D., C.Psych., R. Psych.

Rev. Stephan Kappler is a licensed psychologist and priest of the Diocese of Oakland. Currently,

Fr. Stephan is President and Chief Psychologist of The Southdown Institute. Fr. Stephan received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) from John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill, CA, and his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Franciscan School of Theology, Berkeley, CA. In February 2014, he founded KAIROS Psychology Group in Oakland, CA and has served as its Director since that time. He has served as Parochial Vicar and Pastor in the Diocese of Oakland since May 1994, with his most recent ministry as Pastor of St. Jarlath Catholic Church in Oakland. He has facilitated workshops internationally for Religious and Clergy in the area of mental health, and has served as a consultant for many dioceses. Fr. Kappler speaks fluent English, Spanish, and German.