Mercy Parish/Congregational Nurse and
Health Ministries Program

The Mercy Parish/Congregational Nurse and Health Ministries Program is an interfaith community partnership dedicated to reclaiming and reaffirming the faith communities' role in ministering to the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Parish and congregational nurses and health ministers are links between spirituality and health science; between congregations and communities; between individuals and health care providers; between individual needs and community resources. These providers of holistic care demonstrate the interrelationships between faith and health as they minister with individuals, groups, parishes, and communities.

The Mercy Parish/Congregational Nurse and Health Ministries Program provides:

• Assistance to volunteer parish/congregational nurse and health ministry programs with implementation or expansion of their programs
• A resource center that delivers symposiums, educational meetings, demonstration projects, consulting and mentoring services. Mercy's curriculum for the preparation of parish nurses has been endorsed by the International Parish Nurse Resource Center and is the only such center in western Pennsylvania
• Links between individuals-in-need from the community and the health ministry programs
• Practicums in holistic health ministry for residents and students of medicine, nursing and other health disciplines.

With the support of the Mercy Parish/Congregational Nurse and Health Ministries Program, health ministers identify the needs of the congregation and the surrounding community and develop support services with the participation of the congregation. Needs are addressed for every stage of life and health with programs ranging from parenting classes to support and counseling for those with a terminal illness. No matter where or when the health ministry begins, the goal is to address whole person care for body, mind and spirit through services such as:

• Support Groups
• Health Assessments
• Bereavement Support
• Health Counseling
• Screenings
• Lay Pastoral Care
• Health Education
• Monitoring
• Ministry of Presence
• Advocacy
• Health Promotions
• Community Wellness
• Prayer
• Healing Services
• Referral
• Tools and Opportunities for Health-Promoting Practices