The Christmas season always causes me to pause and reflect on the year past and the blessings God has bestowed upon us. Although there are so many terrible things going on in the world with wars, unrest, unhappiness, and anxiety, we are still blessed in so many ways.
Although the Christmas holidays are usually a time for fun-filled family and friend get-togethers, celebrations, and wonderful religious events, it is important to remember it might also be a time of sadness and loneliness. Hosting Grief Support Groups at St. Therese over the last few years has taught me there are no “time limits” for those who have suffered a loss, even though others may think sufficient time has passed. We must respect grief is an individual journey for each person and the holidays may be a difficult time for them.
It is important to keep our parishioners, community, and world in our prayers and offer support to those who may be suffering either physically or mentally. It is our responsibility to help those in need, be compassionate and understanding, and kind. The St. Therese of Lisieux Health Ministry is here to help you. Please reach out to a Health Ministry Member or Parish Office if you are in need of help or support.
St. Therese of Lisieux Health Ministry has been busy with our “usual” activities, but we have added some new and exciting programs! As we customarily do at the end of the year, I would like to share some of the year’s highlights of our wonderful St. Therese Health Ministry:
- Our Medical Lending Closet provides briefs, durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, shower chairs, and commodes, protein supplements and briefs at no cost to our community. We served over 200 parishioners
- The Health Ministry provided 20 educational programs with a total of 36 hours of education throughout the year. Over 642 people have attended these programs with new topics like Advance Directives, Hospice/Palliative Care, Drivers Safety, Dental Care, Gift of Life, Crime Prevention and Fraud Victimization, Elder Law, Medicare and Medicare Supplements, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, and Pre- Planning Funerals.
- We provided 3 CPR and AED courses.
- Hosted two Flu Vaccine events (including a Drive-Through) with 64 people attending.
- Hosted informational/educational tables for parishioners after masses.
- The Grief Ministry, facilitated by Marilyn Kylmala, sends sympathy and Christmas cards to people who have lost a loved one and hosted a Memorial Mass with 74 families attending.
- Heidi Boccomino, our Health Ministry Member and Social Worker, facilitated our “Hope for the Holidays” workshop.
- We hosted three separate 9-week Grief Support groups for parishioners and community, Donna Hagg, Paula Breitschuh and Sr. Mary Andrew helped facilitate these groups.
- Sue Verelllen and Donna Ludwig facilitate two Widow/Widower Social groups.
- Sue Verellen and other Health Ministry members have provided over 240 hours of respite care, visits, phone calls and texts to parishioners.
- Hosted 5 Blood Drives this past year and collected 110 units of blood from these events.
- Meals from The Heart serves meals to parishioners who are ill, or who have had surgery. Mickey Wilson is in charge of this ministry.
- The St. Therese of Lisieux Parish Emergency Preparedness Plan (PRES) was reviewed/revised by Health Ministry in collaboration with the Administrative Staff.
- Medical educational articles are written by the Health Ministry each week for the church bulletin.
This list is not inclusive of all of the countless hours and activities the St. Therese of Lisieux’ s Health Ministry participates in. And, none of this would be possible without the help of our 49 Health Ministry members. Each and every one of them donates their talents, time and energy selflessly for the good of our parish community. Not everyone in the Health Ministry is a healthcare worker, but each person contributes in their own way to make our Health Ministry successful. And, we are looking for additional members for our Health Ministry, if you would like to join a rewarding ministry. If interested, please contact Marilyn Cito.
I feel blessed to be able to work with each of our ministry members, Monsignor Kasza, the wonderful St. Therese of Lisieux Administration and staff, ministries, volunteers and parishioners. It is a privilege to be one of your St. Therese of Lisieux parish nurses.
God Bless You and Merry Christmas
Marilyn Cito, Parish Nurse
