The Christmas season always prompts me to pause and reflect on the past year and the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Although the world seems chaotic with natural disasters, wars, unrest, unhappiness, and anxiety, we are still blessed in many ways.
It is important to keep our parishioners, community, and world in our daily prayers and to offer support to those who may be physically or mentally suffering. It is our responsibility to help those in need and to be compassionate, understanding, and kind. The St. Therese of Lisieux Health Ministry is here to help you. Please contact a Health Ministry member or the Parish Office if you need help or support.
The Health Ministry has been busy with our “usual” activities, but we have also added some new and exciting programs! To continue our annual tradition, I would like to share some of this year’s Health Ministry highlights:
- Our Medical Lending Closet provides durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, shower chairs, and commodes, at no cost to our community. This year, we served over 180 people with diverse equipment needs and conducted numerous distributions of protein supplements, briefs, and other medical supplies.
- We delivered 13 educational programs during the year, including Wellness Strategies, Strokes, Kidney Disease, Caring for Caregivers, Crime Prevention for Seniors, Veterans and Spousal Benefits, First Aid, AED Training, Active Shooter Training, and Emergency Plans for Parishioners. 798 people attended our classes and workshops throughout the year.
- We held three classes on First Aid, AEDs, Medical Emergency Training, Active Shooter Training, and Emergency Planning for staff, K of C members, and ushers.
- We provided a CPR course to St. Therese of Lisieux Health Ministry members.
- We hosted 16 balance workshop classes for seniors, with 40 participants.
- We hosted three vaccine events, with 86 people attending.
- The Grief Ministry, facilitated by Marilyn Kylmala, sent sympathy and Christmas cards to families of deceased parishioners and hosted a Memorial Mass.
- Heidi Boccomino, our Social Worker and Health Ministry Member, facilitated our “Hope for the Holidays” workshop.
- We hosted three nine-week Grief Support groups (27 sessions) for parishioners and the community. Donna Hagg, Paula Breitschuh, and Sr. Mary Andrew helped facilitate these groups, with approximately 15 people attending each session. The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) support group also takes place at St. Therese.
- Sue Verellen and Donna Ludwig facilitated 2 Widow Social groups.
- Sue Verellen and other Health Ministry members have provided more than 250 hours of respite care, visits, phone calls, and texts to parishioners.
- We hosted five blood drives this year, collecting 119 units of blood.
- The Meals from the Heart program, overseen by Mickey Wilson, is ongoing and serves meals to parishioners who are ill or recovering from surgery.
- 52 weekly medical education articles were published in the bulletin.
- We hosted our annual Mother’s Day Tea, with 105 attendees.
- The Colon Cancer Blood Screening event was held for the first time on December 14.
This list is not exhaustive of all the countless hours and activities in which St. Therese of Lisieux’s Health Ministry participates. Furthermore, none of this would be possible without the help of our 48 Health Ministry members. Each 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 ministry successful. We are always looking for new Health Ministry members. If you are interested in joining this rewarding ministry, please contact Marilyn Cito.
I feel blessed 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.
