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 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 as an individual journey for each person and recognize 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 this 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 people.
- Provided 16 educational programs during the year. Over 516 people attended these programs with topics like Anxiety and Depression, Diabetes, Arthritis and Hand Pain, Cancer Screening and Prevention, Back Pain and Treatments, Medication Safety, Eye Conditions, AARP Driver Safety Programs, Elder Law and Estate Planning.
- Held four First Aid, AED, Medical Emergency Training classes for 105 K of C members and Usher groups.
- Hosted two Flu Vaccine events with 63 people attending.
- The Grief Ministry, facilitated by Marilyn Kylmala, sends sympathy and Christmas cards to families of deceased parishioners and hosted a Memorial Mass.
- Heidi Boccomino, our Health Ministry Member and Social Worker, facilitated our “Hope for the Holidays” workshop for 16 people.
- Hosted a LifeLine Screening Event with 78 people attending.
- Hosted three 9-week Grief Support groups (27 sessions) for parishioners and community, Donna Hagg, Paula Breitschuh and Sr. Mary Andrew helped facilitate these groups with 10-15 people attending each session.
- Sue Verelllen and Donna Ludwig facilitate three Widow/Widower/Men Social groups.
- Sue Verellen and other Health Ministry members have provided over 282 hours of respite care, visits, phone calls and texts to parishioners.
- Hosted 5 Blood Drives this past year and collected 120 units of blood from these events.
- Meals from The Heart program is ongoing and serves meals to parishioners who are ill, or who have had surgery. Mickey Wilson is in charge of this ministry.
- Paula Breitschuh and Char Tocco do monthly Blood Pressure Screenings during Rambling Rose meetings.
- Medical educational articles are written by the Health Ministry each week for the church bulletin.
- Hosted our First Annual Mother’s Day Tea with 104 people attending.
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 44 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. We are always looking for new members for our Health Ministry. If you are interested in joining this rewarding ministry, 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.
