Faith & Health
Faith Community Partnership Newsletter
March - April, 2012
Spiritual Spring Cleaning
In our last issue of Faith & Health, we talked about our
spiritual winter. Now we come to the transition time from
winter to spring. After our rest we have the spiritual and
physical energy to break the fallow ground and plant. The signs
of life return to the earth and we carry out the plans we made
during our winter quiet and reflection. During this time, God
may also lead us into new activities or opportunities which
refresh and renew our ministry with fresh ways to serve God.
We also come to Lent. The word Lent comes from the
Germanic word for springtime. Lent can be seen as a time for
spiritual spring cleaning – taking stock of our relationship with
Jesus and cleaning out those things that hinder that relationship
and our service to Him. The spiritual disciplines of fasting,
self-denial, simplicity, and prayer can be used during Lent for
that spring cleaning.
What are some ways to enrich our spirit during Lent?
•
Set aside specific time for prayer and Bible study.
•
Pray that God would help you focus on the true meaning
of Easter and the awareness of the Holy Spirit in your life.
•
Confess those things that are keeping you from a true
relationship with God and ask for wisdom and strength to
initiate those things that increase intimacy with Him.
•
Thank God for all of His blessings in your life and seek to
use those blessings to bless others and serve Him.
•
Deny yourself something you enjoy. Fast for one meal or a
day, and use that money you would have spent on food to
donate to a local food pantry. Fast from television and use
that time to help others or pray for them.
•
Serve your community. Visit lonely elders in a nursing
home or volunteer to work in a food pantry.
•
Simplify your life – determine who and what is really
important and focus on that. Buy less, recycle more, save
water and electricity.
•
Prepare and serve a Passover Seder meal like Jesus did with
His disciples. Share the meal with others and use it as a
time of worship.
Sources: Meet Me in the Meadow by Roy Lessin, Let God Change Your Life by Whitney Hopler
on www.crosswalk.com, and www.churchyear.net
Jesus Did It All.....
Jesus didn’t leave heaven because He was in need of a Savior...
He didn’t fulfill the law because He was waiting for the Messiah...
He didn’t die on the cross because He was guilty of sin...
He didn’t rise from the dead because He was in need of hope...
He didn’t become a High Priest because He was in need of prayer...
He didn’t send the Holy Spirit because He was in need of comfort...
He did it all because we were!
—Roy Lessin
March Health Observances
National Nutrition Month........................... www.eatright.org
American Diabetes Alert Day.....................www.diabetes.org
Save Your Vision Month.................................... www.aoa.org
National Poison Prevention
Week............................................ www.poisonprevention.org
Get Your Plate in Shape
March is National Nutrition Month. Here is an easy way to
shape your plate to ensure you are getting a well balanced diet
of protein, carbohydrates, fat and fiber. A colorful plate is a
healthy plate. This plate method colors your plate with
vegetables and fruit which contain many of the essential
vitamins and minerals you need. This simple eating plan can
help people to get more vegetables into their diet and control
the portion sizes of other foods. Here is a simple way to shape
your plate and maybe trim your waist.
Breakfast:
1. Start with a 9-inch dinner plate. Divide the plate in half.
Leave one half empty for breakfast. Divide the other half
into two quarters.
2. Use 1/4 of the plate for protein like low-fat meat/sausage or
other protein foods like eggs, low-fat cottage cheese or beans.
3. Use the other 1/4 of the plate for whole grain carbs/starch
such as whole wheat toast, 1/2 bagel or have a small bowl
of whole grain cereal or oatmeal instead. The main thing to
keep in mind for breakfast is to have both a little protein
and some carbohydrate foods preferably the type that
includes whole grains/fiber.
4. Add a piece of fruit, and one glass of low-fat milk or yogurt.
Lunch/Dinner
1. Start with a 9-inch dinner plate. Divide the plate in half.
Use one half for cooked or fresh vegetables.
2. Divide the other half into two quarters. Use 1/4 of the
plate for whole grain foods or starchy foods. Remember
this does not mean you can pile food like a pyramid. The
food on your plate should not be more than 1 inch high.
3. Use the remaining 1/4 of the plate for meat, poultry, fish,
or other protein foods such as tofu, beans, and legumes.
4. Add a piece of fruit, and one glass of low-fat or fat-free milk.
Don’t forget that getting plenty of water and exercise should
also be included in your nutrition plan.
Take it. Share it.
American Diabetes Association Alert Day ®, which is held
every fourth Tuesday in March (March 27, 2012), is a one-day,
“wake-up call” asking the American public to take the Diabetes
Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2
diabetes.
The new Diabetes Risk Test asks users to answer simple
questions about weight, age, family history and other potential
risks for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventative tips are
provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging
those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.
Diabetes by the Numbers
Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million
children and adults in the United States, and a quarter of them
– 7 million – do not even know they have it. An additional 79
million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes,
which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes . Recent estimates project that as many as one in three
American adults will have diabetes in 2050 unless we take the
steps to Stop Diabetes®.
Are You at Risk?
Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for type 2
diabetes. People who are overweight, under active (living a
sedentary lifestyle) and over the age of 45 should consider
themselves at risk for the disease. African Americans,
Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific
Islanders and people who have a family history of the disease
also are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes 7 to 10 years after the
onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly
complications have had time to develop. Therefore, early
diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or
preventing some of its complications such as heart disease,
blindness, kidney disease, stroke, amputation and death.
Take Charge of Your Health
Studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can often be
prevented or delayed by losing just 7% of body weight (such as
15 pounds if you weigh 200) through regular physical activity
(30 minutes a day, five days a week) and healthy eating. By
understanding your risk, you can take the necessary steps to
help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.
You can be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes® and get
your free Diabetes Risk Test (English or Spanish) by visiting
the Association on Facebook, stopdiabetes.com or by calling
1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Although Alert Day is a
one-day event, the Diabetes Risk Test is available year-round.
April Health Observances
Alcohol Awareness Month.............................. www.ncadd.org
National Autism Awareness
Month............................................... www.autism-society.org
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness
Month........................................................www.aboutibs.org
National Donate Life Month.................. www.organdonor.gov
•
Withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, nausea, sweating,
insomnia when the effects of alcohol are wearing off
Where to get help
Start by contacting your personal physician for assistance, or
your local treatment center. Medication as well as counseling
may be necessary. There are several self-help groups, including
Alcoholics Anonymous (find a group in the phone directory
under “alcoholism”), Al-Anon/Alateen for family and friends of
someone with a drinking problem, and Adult Children of
Alcoholics. Alcohol Awareness Month
Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependence
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
defines alcohol abuse as “a pattern of drinking that results in
harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to
work”. According to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, excessive alcohol use is the third leading life-style
related cause of death and accounts for 79,000 deaths each
year. The CDC also reports that men are more likely to drink
excessively than women and have higher rates of alcoholrelated deaths and hospitalizations. Women are more
vulnerable to the long-term effects of alcohol due to gender
differences in body structure and chemistry.
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit,
who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not
your own; you were brought at a price. Therefore, honor God with
your body. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20
Excessive alcohol use can cause a myriad of health problems
over time. These include liver disease such as alcoholic hepatitis
and cirrhosis, gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis and
gastritis, and cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver,
colon, and breast. Neurological problems such as dementia and
stroke and cardiovascular problems such as myocardial
infarction, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension can also occur
due to long term alcohol abuse. Besides the medical issues,
psychosocial consequences such as depression, anxiety, and
suicide as well as unemployment, financial difficulties, legal
problems, and damage to family relationships can result.
Indications of a problem with alcohol include:
•
Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
•
Family or friends express concern about your drinking
•
A desire to stop drinking, but being unable to
•
Feel guilty about your drinking or regret things you said or
did while drinking
•
Unable to remember what occurred while drinking or
having memory blackouts
•
Legal problems due to drinking such as driving under the
influence violation or domestic disputes
Donate Organs and Save Lives
There are 112,860 people waiting for an organ. Each day 79
people receive an organ but 18 others die while waiting. One
organ donor can save up to eight lives. Donors can provide a
heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver, small intestine, corneas,
bone, heart valves, connective tissue, and skin for those in need.
Anyone, regardless of age or medical history, can sign up to
be a donor. Doctors decide at the time of death whether or not
donation is possible. If donation is possible, there is no cost to
the donor or their families. Several factors are taken into
consideration when deciding who receives the donation,
including severity of illness, amount of time waiting, blood type,
geographic location, and other relevant medical information.
If you are unsure of whether to donate or not because of
religious questions, talk to your religious leader. Most major
religions are supportive of organ donations. For many, it can be
considered to be a final act of love and generosity toward others.
How to Become a Donor
Visit www.organdonor.gov to enroll in the donor registry or
do so when you renew your driver’s license. When you do
decide to become a donor, talk to your family and friends about
your decision and inform your physician. Don’t forget to put
you donor status in your advance directive and living will.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.organdonor.gov
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
Health Care Reform
Dates to Remember
March 18 - Rose Mass for Healthcare Professionals
10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit
March 21, 2012 - St. Paul of the cross Retreat Center,
23333 Schoolcraft, Detroit, “Rekindle the Spirit of
Caring: A Holistic Approach”, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Conference fee $75.00, 6.0 contact hours for nurses.
(313) 535-9563.
April 19-20 Overnight retreat for Parish Nurses and
Health Ministry leaders
Time to relax, discover and pray with fellow
colleagues in Health Ministry.
Put this on your calendar now! Join us for a welldeserved retreat at the Capuchin Retreat center in
Washington, MI (near Dequindre and 28 Mile
Roads). Thursday night - Topic -Nurses and the
impact of Divine Mercy- how to pray with your
clients. Friday - Interweaving the Martha and
Mary story with the seasons of a woman’s life.
Come experience peace while strolling through
their 95 acres of meadows and walking paths. Take
time for a massage while you’re there.
Cost - Only $75 for the 2-day overnight, or come
for the day Friday only - $35. Contact your
Coordinator for more information.
April 24, 2012 - St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center,
23333 Schoolcraft, Detroit, “Every Nurse a Leader”,
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Conference Fee: $80.00, $40.00
Friday only, 6.0 contact hours for nurses. (313) 535-9563.
Hold the Date
Preventive Health Services Coverage by the Affordable Care Act
Under the Affordable Care Act, which became law on March
23, 2010, you may be eligible for preventive health services
such as screenings, vaccinations, and counseling. These services
are important for improving health and controlling health care
costs. Among Americans, 7 out of 10 deaths are caused by
chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and
cancer. They also account for 75% of the health spending in the
nation. Preventing disease helps make us healthier individuals
who can be more productive in our jobs and lives, helps kids
learn better in school, and keeps seniors independent.
Preventive health services includes (but is not limited to)
blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol tests, cancer screenings
including mammograms and colonoscopies, and routine
vaccinations for measles, polio, meningitis, flu and pneumonia.
Counseling for quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthy,
treating depression and reducing alcohol use are also part of
preventive health services.
Talk with your doctor about which preventive health services
are right for you. Talk to your employer or health plan
administrator to see if these services are covered for you. Some
details to remember are that you may have to pay for an office
visit when you get the preventive service. Also, if your plan uses
a network of providers, and you use an out of network provider,
you may be charged a fee. If your plan is “grandfathered” these
preventive health service coverage may not apply to you.
Grandfathered plans are exempt from some of the provisions of
the Affordable Care Act.
For more information, go to www.healthcare.gov to learn
more about the Affordable Care Act.
To find out what the screening recommendations are
for men and women, contact your Faith Community
Coordinator for bookmarks that give this information.
Caring for you, caring for others
May 10, 2012 - Pastor Appreciation Breakfast and
Health Screenings. Join us in a morning of
celebrating your support of health ministry. Find
out how your health numbers look and hear about
ways to care for yourself.
Who’s Responsible?
Jane Cheyne, RN, BSN, Lisa Schmidt, RN, MS &
Suzanne Povinelli, RN, BSN,
Faith Community Coordinators
Sally Sterr, Administrative Assistant
St. John Providence Health System, Community Health
586-753-1484 • Fax: 586-753-1488
Email: [email protected]