St. Ferdinand Parish -- Father Dave's Reflections

St. Ferdinand Parish has recently formed a Health Advisory Board under the direction of Parish Nurse Janet Thomas, RN. Janet completed the parish nurse course that was offered by USI through a grant from Welborn Health Foundation.

Health Ministry Programs are now present in many churches throughout the diocese and the United States, and some have several trained parish nurses to assist church members.

The St. Ferdinand Health Ministry helps educate and integrate our faith and our health. There is a holistic viewpoint addressing the whole individual’s needs of physical, emotional, spiritual and
social. Health Ministry brings all of the caring ministries of the faith community together under an umbrella, and adds the dimension of a parish nurse taking it to a new level. Wellness programming is planned throughout the year beginning with free blood pressure checks every third Sunday after Sunday Masses.

Information and resource materials, referral services, and planned health speaker programs are being addressed. CPR classes were taught during the holidays for the scouts, and there will be more scheduled for other groups in the future.

Members of the Board actively minister to the sick and bereaved in many ways: Hospital visitation, Visitation of the shut-ins and the Nursing homes, Bereavement ministry, Health Checks, Blood Drive Participation, Health Service Booth at the Picnic, CPR Instruction,
Educational Programming, and articles for newsletters and the Website.

The St. Ferdinand Health Ministry wants to serve the parish through education, coordination of services, resource work, and as a referral source.