Contact Information
|
Diane Daly
(314) 821-1682
|
|
|
|
|
Health Ministry
The Health Ministry Committee of St. Clement of Rome began in 1996 with approval from the parish council and Monsignor Pieper to develop a group who could help the elderly and ill during times when their good health is challenged. The committee is a response to Jesus’ call to teach and heal, recognizing the Church as the heart of the community. Within the Archdiocese, it answers the call from the Archbishop’s Commission of Community Health for action in health care. Since it is a ministry that addresses the needs of the parish community, a needs assessment was conducted at St. Clement parish before the committee began its work and found that there was some need in the parish. In St. Clement many parishioners are helped by their family and friends, but the committee can be especially helpful for those who do not have those resources to help them. It specifically is not a committee to do “hands on” care, but a committee that helps out with transportation, visiting and networking. The committee is divided into 4 subcommittees:
1. Phone Buddy Resource Committee…this group is available to place phone calls to those who are homebound and desire fellowship through someone visiting them by phone periodically.
2. In Person Resource Committee….this group visits parishioners in their homes as a source of fellowship. They may provide meals or transportation to doctors and for other appointments. This is the most frequently utilized committee.
3. Health Education Resource Committee…this group serves as a resource to bring health educational opportunities to the parish. This is the group that sponsored our past parish health fair.
4. Information Referral Resource Committee…this group maintains information about resources for those with specific health care needs. Information includes resources for specific conditions such as support groups and home health care agencies.
Members of the committee generously volunteer their time for one of the above committees and are called by the chairman who requests help from the committee for the specific parishioner when needs arise. There is no obligation to provide a certain amount of service. Committee meetings are rare, although they could be increased when there is a special need identified. With a large number of volunteers, tasks are shared so no one is asked to “over commit.”
It is often a family member who calls with concern about their loved one and are reassured that someone can look in on him/her and provide transportation if they are not able. One nice thing that has evolved is that relationships develop with the volunteer and the one being helped. It is a way to reach out to those who may not be as involved in the parish and help them experience the warm welcoming parish of St. Clement more fully during their time of need. As with all ministries, the volunteers gain grace and fulfillment through helping others.
In the future we would like to add to our committee the project of sending get well cards to those in the parish who notify the rectory of an illness.
Our prayer we leave with those we assist is from St. Frances de Sales:
“Do not fear what may happen tomorrow,
The same loving Father who cares for you today,
Will care for you tomorrow and every day.
Either He will shield you from suffering or
He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
|