Parish Nurses

Here is something for the nurses in our parish to think about - Parish Nursing.  Since coming to St. Mary's and St. Patrick's, I have often mentioned to the Pastoral Council that we should have Parish Nurses.  But what does that term or title mean?

As you may know, there are many people in need of health care assistance who fall between the cracks.  They be officially too well to be able to benefit from available services or may be unable to qualify for certain available services.  In making home visits or in bringing Holy Communion to the homebound, we often see situations where a nurse might be able to assist that person even if only in small matters.

While the concept of parish nursing may be relatively new to many, the role of the parish nurse is deeply rooted in the Catholic Church's healing tradition. Not only does the parish nurse often provide underrepresented individuals with a valuable link to health care, but acting of his or her own faith, the parish nurse also becomes a healing hand of the Church. The parish nurse always includes a focus on the spiritual dimension of health, often utilizing prayer, support groups, and Sacraments to promote healing. The parish nurse is an advocate, an intercessor and a representative of God's healing love.

So, if you are a nurse, I am asking you to consider parish nursing.  What's involved?  How do parish nurses function?  What are their responsibilities?  What are their liabilities?  Well, all of those questions, plus many more than you may have or that may come up, can be answered in a series of presentations to be held at Wadhams Hall in Ogdensburg

Dates:   October 11, 25, November 8, 22 - 8 am to 5 pm

There is a $50 charge that the parish will pay.

The following links have more information:

Workshop Information

An Article about Parish Nursing from American Nurse

A document from one organization that describes the work of Parish Nurses.