Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
Parish Nurse Program
Health Ministry
"You, then, are the body of Christ. Every one of you is a member of it. And God indeed has placed in the Church apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, those with gifts of healing, services of help, power of administration, and the speaking of various tongues."
St. Paul – 1 Corinthians 12:27
There are those men and women in every parish family who feel called to serve the sick, homebound, and bereaved. Some are health professionals, but most are lay persons who have various gifts and talents or have lived through a crisis such as cancer, divorce, or the death of a loved one. These individuals bring a wealth of compassion and resources. Their ministry also touches the lives of those who have problems that often go undetected, like sadness, loneliness, stress, depression, and heartbreak. By caring about and helping individuals during the difficult times in their lives, health ministers can alleviate unnecessary suffering and bring hope and healing.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
Health ministry also involves encouraging others to take responsibility for their own health. Many health problems that people face today are “diseases of lifestyle,” directly related to unhealthy eating habits, obesity, inactivity, smoking, and the abuse of alcohol and drugs. Heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and some lung diseases are examples. To reduce risk factors, people need education and support to follow a healthy diet, exercise, lose weight, and stop smoking. A person's faith and relationship with God and others will help in making these lifestyle changes.
Examples of Health Ministry:
- Send cards and church bulletins
- Make phone calls of concern
- Assist those who just came home from the hospital
- Visit homebound
- Telephone check in for those who live alone
- Provide a ride to church, doctor's appointment, grocery shopping
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Bulletin articles on health topics
- Support groups: grieving, single parents, divorced, weight loss, new moms
- Prayer Chain
- Exercise group
- Deliver Meals on Wheels
- Organize a blood drive in your congregation
