Rev. Father Charles T. Rubey
Father Charles T. Rubey joined Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1972. Upon earning his Master’s degree in social work in 1977, he became Director of Mental Health Services, a post he held from 1978 until 1989—while concurrently holding other roles including Manager of the Division of Family and Community Services, now known as the Division of Family and Parish Support Services. From there, he moved to Director of Programs in 1993 and then Associate Director of Programs in 2004.
Fr. Rubey is also the Founder and Director the Catholic Charities LOSS (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) program. He created this unique ministry that brings people together to support one another at a time when they feel irreparably broken. LOSS is one of Fr. Rubey’s greatest contributions to Catholic Charities, the mental health field and to the thousands of people who have participated in this unique counseling and self-help program since he started it in 1979 at the request of three families who had lost loved ones to suicide. Today there are 12 meeting sites across Cook, Lake and McHenry Counties and the Diocese of Joliet.
Through LOSS, Fr. Rubey’s talents have touched people around the world. In October 2006, LOSS hosted a training seminar at the request of the World Health Organization. In 2008 at the request of the Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center, and with the support of Suicide Prevention International (SPT), the LOSS staff performed a special LOSS training in Beijing, China.
Father Rubey’s compassion is felt by all who turn to LOSS at one of their darkest times.