Welcome to the Health & Wellness Ministry

Programs and Info as of August 1, 2022

New Suicide Hotline now Live nationwide

Program options for late summer and fall

Virtual Program sponsored by Hartford Hospital

August 12, 2022, 6-7pm Virtual Class:

 The following programs are in person and held at the church.

If a program indicates “pre-registration required” please call the rectory or sign up on a registration sheet if available in the church vestibule.

Nutrition Series

Wednesday Sept 7 & 14

6-7:30 pm

Healthy Eating with Marisa

Pre-registration is required.

Speaker Marissa McCoy, Nutritionist

 Join Marisa, your very own dietitian, from ShopRite of Wallingford in a two-week series on healthy cooking, shopping and eating!

Session one will include a food demo on a fall themed healthy appetizer and information on healthier cooking swaps and grocery shopping tips.

Session two is TBD.  Tasty food samples of course are always included!

Blood Pressure Screening

Sunday Sept 11

7:30am-12noon

All are welcome to stop by for this important health screening. No pre-registration is required.  One of our health care providers will be available from 7:30am to 12 noon to check your blood pressure in a private setting and record the result on a wallet card for your convenience.  Enjoy breakfast prepared and served by our very own Men’s League!

Cyber Safety Program

Wednesday Oct 5

 6:30 – 8:00pm

Pre-registration is recommended

Speaker:  Scott Driscoll, President, Internet Safety Concepts

In today’s ever growing technological world, new trends and programs are developed to improve our lives.  With this constant surge of new information and programs available, communication and the world is a click or text away.  But with all these new advances, come new dangers and concerns.  Parents need to be aware of the technology their children are using and the trouble that can follow if safety rules are not in place.  Please join us for an informative and eye-opening evening.

Bereavement Dinner/Speaker Program

Wednesday, November 2

Before Bereavement Mass

Speaker: TBD

Invitations for this program will be mailed to those who have lost a loved one in the last year.  The program will be held before the Bereavement Mass and will include a talk and dinner.  

_________________________________________

May 15, 2022

The Health & Wellness Ministry again hosted a Blood Pressure screening event after all morning masses on May 15, 2022 with lots of great feedback from the 25+ participants as well as the health care volunteers who provided their expertise. Thank you to Dan & Les Carmody and Ann Marie Bonvini for volunteering their time and making this such a success. We look forward to our next one in the fall, please look for the date in the bulletin and plan to stop by!

The Health & Wellness Ministry would also like to acknowledge the ongoing contribution of the Carmodys through their business, Survival Group, in maintaining the church’s Automated External Defibrillator (AED) located in the votive candle holders room  in the rear of the church.  We are grateful for your generosity in maintaining this life-saving piece of equipment. 

_________________________________________

March 2022

As we begin the Lenten season and see the early daffodils and crocuses poking their blooms through what is left of the snow, the spirit of renewal and rebirth also blooms.  In that spirit, it is a good time to recommit to our personal goals, our relationship with God, our church community, and our also our good health.

Good health is not just a goal, it is a process….below are a few ideas to consider for your process.

Longer and warmer days are coming, which means we can get back to outside activities like walking. If you have not been walking or doing any regular exercise during the winter months start slow….a nice brisk 10 minute walk most days is a good start.  Build up slowly, add 5-10 minutes a week. Set a goal for your daily time, 30 minutes a day of brisk walking or other moderate exercise has great health benefits. Bring a friend or join a class, exercise can be fun in the right setting. If arthritis or other health issues are a concern, check with your healthcare provider… Tai Chi or work outs focusing on joint mobility, flexibility, strength and balance may be right for you.

Another great spring activity is planning a garden. There are so many options including inside pot or hydroponic gardens which grow all year, or outside traditional, raised or pot garden beds. Fresh vegetables are an important part of any healthy diet.   Fresh herbs are easy to grow and add flavor to any dish. Pick a few of your favorites. Vegetables like lettuce, onions and carrots do better planted earlier in the season while other vegetables like tomatoes, corn and squash grow well through the summer. Do an online search, or visit your favorite local nursery for some in person advice on what to plant and where and when to plant it.

For those with allergies and asthma, spring brings pollen and other allergens, be sure you have your inhalers, allergy medications and Epi-pens (if prescribed by your doctor) ready to go. Check expiration dates and replace expired medications as needed.

COVID appears to be on the wane, but there is strong evidence that even healthy vaccinated and boosted individuals can get COVID.  If you are 65yrs old, have chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease or if you are significantly overweight discuss with your healthcare provider if precautions are still appropriate for you before you retire your masks and return to crowded social gatherings.

Many of us have not kept up with our routine visits with our primary care providers and health screenings. Now that COVID cases are decreasing it is a good time to catch up. Make an appointment for your routine health physical, screening exams such as mammograms, colonoscopy, and immunizations. These preventative strategies are proven to be tried and true measures that promote good health, detect early disease or prevent disease altogether.

Check out program offerings such as Bp screening listed below.

Wishing all a happy healthy Lenten season and spring!

We again hope to have events scheduled throughout the year to address a wide variety of health needs for our parishioners. Our goal is to enhance the lives of our parishioners in body, mind and spirituality.

Recommendations:

Hartford Health Care publishes a newsletter for seniors filled with lots of great information. Here’s a link: https://hhcseniorservices.org/file%20library/publications/my%20healthy%20advantage/advantagenews-sping-2022.pdf

There has been a great deal of discussion about online safety and how social media affects us. There is a great documentary on Net Flicks entitled: The Social Delema. We cannot completely avoid social media today but understanding how it works will help us avoid its dangers.

_________________________________________

Past Events

Quarterly Blood Pressure Screening: Health Ministry volunteers will again be available to check your blood pressure on September 8, 2019 after all morning masses.  Come visit us in the conference room off the vestibule. New and repeat parishioners welcome!  We will provide you with your blood pressure measurement in writing, resources for follow up if needed, and a wallet card where serial blood pressures can recorded. If you have not had your blood pressure checked this year, or take medications for blood pressure please take advantage of this free screening.

June 2, 2019: Quarterly Blood Pressure Screening 

We had a record 42 parishioners come in to have their blood pressure checked  with referrals recommended as appropriate for follow up.

May 22, 2019:  Coping with Grief Program

Twenty five parishioners participated in this program by Sr Catherine Mary Clarke, FSE, LCSW.  Sr Catherine provided insights into the grieving process and strategies and resources to assist in coping with the loss of a loved one.  This program was extremely well received by those participating and we are hopeful to have follow up sessions.

April 3, 2019:  How to Help your parents age with Grace

This well attended program was given by Marc Levesque, Senior Resource Case Manager at Midstate Medical Center and our parishioner and Parish Council member who reviewed resources available for caregivers of older adults.

March 3, 2019:  Mindfulness for Parents Program

Amanda Voto, PA discussed how to be “present” in the lives of their children in the hectic life that is the reality for most parents of young children.

February 6, 2019:   Strength and Balance Assessment Program

This “hands on” program by MaryBeth Vientos, Physical Therapist from Ivy Rehab included an individual assessment of strength and balance of every participant . She also provided important tips and resources as well as gift bags for each participant.

January 9, 2019:  Kick Off to Weight Loss for 2019

Marissa McCoy, Registered Dietician at ShopRite reviewed practical tips and menus suggestions for healthier eating and invited participants to schedule an individual meetings at her office at ShopRite to review personalized menus for special requirements such as diabetes, gluten intolerance, vegetarian preferences or more generalized guidance regarding good nutrition.  She even offers to shop with you in the store.   She provided healthy snacks during her talk and written guidelines.