Mission Statement
The Health Ministry of St. Patrick Parish seeks to promote the wellness of all its members.  As members of the Body of Christ, the church, we give witness to the Gospel as we minister to physical, emotional and spiritual well being.

What is Health Ministry?
The Health Ministry is a new form of parish ministry. It integrates a parish Nurse Ministry along with the existing Ministry of Caring and Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick.

Who Provides the Services?
The Health Ministry is made up of nurses and parish volunteers who reach out to those in need of:
• Health specific counseling
• Assistance with elder care issues
• Referrals for health care resources
• Integration of spiritual, mental and physical health
• Transportation to local medical appointments
• Eucharistic for the sick and/or homebound 

What Can Parish Nurses Do?
Parish Nurses promote healing in a confidential and professional manner through the following roles:

Health Educators
• Provide education programs based on the needs of the community, e.g., healthy aging and lifestyle management
• Provide community services, e.g., children and teen classes, nutrition classes, stress management and referrals
• Organize screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, and hearing.

Health Counselors
• Provide community resource referrals
• Provide limited confidential health counseling
• Promote and support the individual’s need for spiritual and physical well being

Parish nurses DO NOT provide any ‘hands on’ nursing care, (e.g., giving bed-baths, giving medications, etc.) as that is not within the scope of the health ministry.

What Does our Caring Ministry Do?
Our Caring Ministry is made up of volunteers who are sensitive to the needs of our parishioners in times of difficulty.  They work as a team, responding to the requests received through the Nursing Ministry office or from parish ministry staff. Services have varied over the years. Our volunteers are ‘on call’ to provide transportation to local doctor appointments, church and parish events. 

Who Are Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick?
Adults in the community bring the Eucharist to the sick or homebound parishioners of St. Patrick. Not all Eucharistic Ministers visit the sick. Specific training and support is provided for this team of ministers. The Parish community wishes to visit all who are ill, whether at home or in the hospital.  

Please notify the Parish Office (973-635-0625) if you would like to have someone prayed for, visited, and/or receive the Eucharist.

How Can You Help?
Please Join Us!
Volunteers are needed to assist with these vital ministries!

Nurse Ministry
• Health professionals and others able to help with screenings, health fairs or other programs. 
• Management and organization skills to assist with ministry development

Caring Ministry
• Ministry Coordination – Bring your ideas and energy to this ministry that has evolved and changed over the years in response to parish needs. 
• Providing transportation to doctor appointments, church and parish activities
• Making friendly home visits
• Being a telephone contact person for a homebound parishioner

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick
• Become a Eucharistic Minister (EM) and consider visiting the sick in the future.
• Trained EMs can receive information about specific training and support before visiting a sick or homebound parishioner.