By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
A gathering of parish nurses and health ministers will address compassion fatigue and burnout in ministry during the fourth biannual gathering June 14 at St. Mary Parish in Fairfield.
Cathy Thennes, parish nurse at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf, said the purpose of the gatherings is to learn, share ideas and promote health ministry.
The day begins with a prayer service from 10:30-10:45 a.m. IlaMae Hanisch will give a talk from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. She retired from the Diocese of Davenport as adult and family formation/lay ministry coordinator. The parish will host lunch. Sharing of ideas, programs and happenings will continue from 12:45 p.m. until ministers are done sharing.
Hanisch said, “We will look at compassion fatigue, its symptoms, its causes, and some remedies. The session will give participants an opportunity to self-evaluate and determine what might be best for each of them to be rejuvenated in their individual ministries. We will explore the role of self-reflection, the characteristics of God-centered ministry, importance of mentors, how to balance life and ministry, organizing and prioritizing tasks, sharing your ministry by training others, and a significant time will be reviewing spirituality in one’s ministry. We will explore all the various spiritual disciplines and how they help one to stay connected to and live their faith.”
All parish nurses and health ministers in the diocese are invited to attend.
Reservations are due May 29 by contacting Roseann Karbacka at (641) 472-3179 or
rkarbacka@gmail.com.
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