Christ Medicus Foundation Announces its HOPE Program for Employee Health, Healing, and Flourishing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2025
CONTACT: Kathy Dempsey for Christ Medicus Foundation
Troy, Michigan – On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and during this Jubilee Year of HOPE, the Christ Medicus Foundation (CMF) announced today that all seven Catholic dioceses in Michigan have joined HOPE, a whole-person wellness program designed to transform employee wellbeing by connecting them with Christ’s healing love.
The establishment of the HOPE Program provides Catholic dioceses and private employers around the country with a Christ-centered whole-person health and wellness program for employers that serves the health, wellness, and healing needs of their employees.
HOPE is a new offering from CMF that represents a paradigm shift in Catholic workplace health and wellness, recognizing that true health extends beyond physical symptoms to encompass the emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
Bishop James Conley, a CMF Board Member, praised the HOPE Program as “an innovative Christ-centered approach to health care that is deeply grounded in a true Christian anthropology.”
“I hope this program can spread to dioceses across the country,” Bishop Conley added.
HOPE’s coaches, spiritual directors and mental health professionals draw upon the insights of the Catholic understanding of the human person to promote flourishing of the entire person. The program offers a holistic suite of services including Catholic behavioral health counseling, personalized Catholic wellness coaching, Catholic spiritual direction, and Catholic bioethical guidance – all grounded in Catholic teaching and the belief that the person is created good by a loving Father who desires our holiness and flourishing.
“Catholic employers face unique challenges in supporting their teams,” said Louis Brown, Executive Director of CMF. “Burnout, disconnection, and mental health struggles are real issues in today’s workplaces, especially in ministry-oriented roles. HOPE provides a comprehensive solution that doesn’t just treat symptoms but addresses the whole person – helping employees grow closer to Christ.
“On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, it is a blessing to announce the HOPE Program and tell the story of how God is healing and transforming his sons and daughters working in the Church. The health care answer for Catholic dioceses and private employers is to help employees reencounter the Divine Physician through Christ-centered health care services that empower healing and flourishing,” said Louis Brown.
Father Sam, a diocesan priest participant in a diocese outside of Michigan, saw this play out in his experience with wellness coaching. “As priests, we’re constantly giving – always taking care of others – yet rarely allowing ourselves to be cared for. Self-care is something we’re not good at, and asking for help feels like weakness. But wellness coaching reminded me that saying ‘yes’ to caring for myself isn’t selfish; it’s obedience to my bishop and a service to my people. When I’m healthier and more balanced, I’m happier, more energized, and more available for mission. Priests need to know they’re seen, loved, and not alone. Coaching gave me accountability, a plan, and the freedom to live fully alive – because if I can love myself, I can love my people.”
The decision by Michigan’s seven dioceses and their affiliates to implement HOPE for their 8,000 employees reflects a growing recognition among Catholic organizations that workforce wellness requires more than traditional employee assistance programs.
HOPE’s integrated approach includes:
- Catholic behavioral health counseling
- Catholic spiritual direction
- Personalized Catholic wellness coaching that connects physical, mental, and spiritual health
- Catholic bioethical guidance
- 24/7 crisis intervention with direct call access
- Legal and financial consultation services
- Work-life support including childcare and elder care resources
Exceptional Engagement
Early results of HOPE’s engagement demonstrate the program’s transformative impact. Since September, more than 180 people have connected with HOPE. Of those, 7 people have had a spiritual direction session, 7 have completed a personalized wellness coaching session, and 6 people have received Catholic mental health care. Over 20 individuals also have taken the VIA strengths survey to learn how to utilize their God given strengths for their flourishing. These results are more than double the normal engagement rate for a typical employee assistance program.
Mary, one of the new Michigan participants, shared her experience. “Wellness coaching has been a wonderful experience. The coach’s approach is prayerful, thoughtful, well-informed, and faith-filled. She listens well and asks some great questions that have helped me look at my circumstances in a new way.”
CMF’s team customizes HOPE to meet the specific needs of each organization; ensuring services align with mission, culture and the unique challenges facing different workplaces.
“This partnership with Michigan’s dioceses represents our commitment to supporting Catholic employers who want to truly care for their people – not just as workers, but as whole persons created in God’s image,” added Rebecca Wilson, Director of Wellness Programs. “HOPE empowers organizations to build cultures where employees don’t just survive but thrive.”
Catholic employers interested in bringing HOPE to their workplaces may visit cmfcuro.com/hope or email: [email protected].
The Christ Medicus Foundation is dedicated to bringing Christ’s healing love to the whole person through innovative health care solutions, wellness services, and defending life, conscience, and human dignity through public policy at the federal and state levels.
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