HENDERSON,Ky. - Today, the healing ministry that began in the church two thousand years ago is renewed through a unique and innovative program called Parish Nursing. Because the program is so new, many of us may never have heard of it, let alone know its purpose or how it works. Let these few paragraphs serve as a brief introduction to Parish Nursing as well as provide an invitation for each of us to help mold the specific Parish Nursing Program which started October 1, 2001 in Holy Name Parish.

The overall purpose of a Parish Nursing Program is to provide for health promotion and disease prevention within the framework of a faith community. The Parish Nurse is an experienced nursing professional who also serves as an integral part of the broader healing ministry of the church.

A Parish Nurse serves as a health counselor - a bridge between health care providers and the faith community. For example, a Parish Nurse will visit individuals in the home, hospital, or nursing home. The purpose of these visits is to assess physical and spiritual needs and, depending upon these needs, provide support and referral information and resources.

The Parish Nurse is also a health educator who plans opportunities for groups and individuals to learn about health topics and issues. For example, classes could be offered in weight control for healthy living. time management, or bicycle safety for children. They also promote health screenings and make available a library of printed materials on health topics.

Another role of the Parish Nurse is to identify needs and facilitate support groups for those coping with issues such as death of a loved one, addiction, or divorce.

Volunteers are essential to the success and growth of a Parish Nurse Program. Depending upon the needs, volunteers might assist in a card or phone ministry, educational programs, record keeping, maintenance of a loan closet, etc. The Parish Nurse must recruit, train, and coordinate the activities of volunteers.

The Parish Nurse Program uses the foundations of existing activities in the church and community to develop and coordinate programs and services so that those who are broken in mind, body, or spirit may be restored to health and wholeness. As part of this, each one of us must recognize our own responsibility for maintaining our own well-being as well as our responsibility for supporting others in our community. "If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it" (ICor 12:26).

Cathy Wischer, a registered nurse with many years experience in the health care field and a member of Holy Name parish, has generously volunteered her time and talent to become the Parish Nurse for Holy Name. She received training in Parish Nursing at Kordes Retreat Center in Ferdinand, IN, and is certified by the American Nurses Association.

Mrs. Wischer planned the program for Holy Name parish and first asked parishioners for help by filling out a questionnaire about needs for the parish and how parishioners might be able to offer their time, talent, or treasure for this important health ministry.

"Anyone can refer a person to come to see me," Mrs. Wischer said. "We don’t do invasive testing, caring or treatment," she said. "We do not try to do what Home Health nurses or Hospice volunteers do, or do what Medicare covers. A Parish Nurse facilitates support groups, visits people, provides health and some spiritual information to those in need. Parish nurse volunteers can take people Communion, or we can refer people to other agencies who can care for their health needs. We can transport people to doctor appointments,provide some caregiver respite, bring food to people, be a van driver, even play cards with people."

Mrs. Wischer said that a Parish Nursing Program lets people understand that their faith community is interested in their health care as well as spiritual care.

The Parish Nurse office is currently located in the Youth Group house near the Holy Name Parish Center. Interested persons can call Mrs. Cathy Wischer at 1-270-826-4225 or e-mail her at wisch@dynasty.net.

Editor’s Note: Excerpts of this article are from an article by Carmen Andrew printed in the August, 2001, Voices In The Parish for Holy Name Church.