Christian Service Commission
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Health Ministry
The purpose of this ministry is to promote good health focusing on the whole person. Physical, social, psychological and spiritual with the spiritual dimension considered central. The Parish Nurse acts as the liaison from and to the parishioners at S.E.S. We work closely with the Pastoral staff and other ministries as well as community organizations.
If you are facing emergent medical situations regarding end of life decisions, the National Catholic Bioethics Center (www.ncbcenter.org/emergency_consultation.asp) will respond ASAP with help from an ethicist, doctor, etc.
The number to call is (215) 877-2660.
Even though the site states “Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM” for emergency consultation questions, calls are returned even after hours.
| Mission Statement Individually and collectively to grow and create an environment of encouragement toward positive health behaviors and the promotion of health and wellness.
Health Ministry
Issues of health are basic to all people. We all struggle with illness, stress, injury and loss. We all want to be well and functioning to the best of our abilities.
Health is viewed not only as the absence of disease, but as a sense of physical, social, psychological and spiritual well-being and of being in harmony with self, others, the environment and with God.
The purpose of the Health Ministry is to nurture the human spirit through health education, spiritual support and linking the needs of the whole person to resources within the congregation, community, and the health care system.
What is a Parish Nurse?
The Health Ministry is anchored by the Parish Nurse. A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse who is specially trained to assist persons toward wholeness and enable persons in their holistic health journey.
The Parish Nurse can often assist during times of crisis or celebration, offering presence or prayer. She does not replace the patient’s need for routine physical check-ups and necessary medical care, but can assist with accessing appropriate levels of health care.
Holistic Health
Spiritual – Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life for both the present and for the future. 1 Tim. 4:8
Emotional – A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17:22
Physical - ….your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God. 1Cor. 6:9
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Parish Nursing Services:
- Health Education: Weekly Bulletin/ Bulletin board
- Monthly Blood Pressure Screenings
- Emergency Instructions for SES
- CPR/AED Training
- Annual Flu Shot Clinic
- Support groups: weight loss, menopausal, and others as needed
- Home visits, nursing home visits and hospital visits
- Works closely with other ministries: Helping Hands, Elizabeth Ministries, Bereavement
- Supports preschool requirements and Religious Education projects
- Health Promotion Activities
- Resource referral information
- Oversees the needs of the homebound
- Health Ministry Emergency Preparedness
When Should You Call the Parish Nurse?
- Admission to the hospital or discharge from the hospital
- Health questions
- Recovering from illness/surgery and need support or visits
- Support for coping with chronic illness or support for the caregiver of one with chronic illness
Who is Our Parish Nurse?
Kathy Ross has been a registered nurse for over 40 years. She comes from Brooklyn, New York where she graduated from Kings County Hospital Center School of Nursing.
As a member of the International Parish Nurse Association, Kathy enjoys working with other local nurses and health care professionals in promoting good health habits. She sees this position as a ministry of presence, in which she can bring God’s love to people in many ways.
The Health Ministry Office is located in the Parish Center.
Parish Nurse:
Kathy Ross, R.N.
(630) 416-3325 x 212
sesparishnurse@sbcglobal.net
People Ministering to People
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Click to view our newest Emergency Protocol and Proceedure Manual for the parish.
Included in this Manual are guidelines for medical emergencies, locations of our first aid kids and wheelchairs and many other useful facts. Please review them carefully.
Congregations Who Care … Prepare*
Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit
Get Informed, Be Prepared
Dear Parishioner,
The Emergency Preparedness Tool Kit packet contains basic but credible information on preparedness for a national or local disaster. Click to see and print this 14 page informational document prepared for us at SES.
Although the following pages speak specifically to a Pandemic Flu Outbreak, they are useful planning ideas for any serious incident as: severe weather with destruction, civil disturbance, bio-terrorism, or flu outbreak with quarantine. As a vital parish with an active health ministry, St. Elizabeth Seton recognized its responsibility to raise awareness, when a health threat, reported in the media, is possible. Be assured, there is no immediate threat. Providing health information and spiritual guidance and alternatives, when availability is non-existent, is the goal of this packet. Several web sites are available for complete preparedness information and challenges.
Web sites are:
www.protectdupage.org .. www.willcountyhealth.org
www.pandemicflu.gov .. www.cdc.gov
www.dupagehealth.org .. www.fema.gov
www.nod.org .. www.ready.gov
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Kathy Ross RN, Parish Nurse sesparishnurse@sbcglobal.net
(630)416-3325 x 212
 People ministering to people
HOSPITAL VISITS:
When you are in the hospital and want someone from St. Elizabeth Seton to visit you, please let us know by calling the Parish Office. Due to privacy policies, we will not be notified by the hospital if you have been admitted – it is the responsibility of the patient or family to notify the parish.
 Kathy Ross, RN If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.
Corinthians 13: 26, 27
Contact: Kathy Ross, RN
(630) 416-3325 x 212
sesparishnurse@sbcglobal.net
People Ministering to People
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