Raphael Health Ministry
The Health Ministry Office is located in Harvard House at 689 Harvard (behind Notre Dame Hall). Office hours are Monday and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until noon. Phone Number: (559) 298-5443.
WHO WE ARE
This ministry is a combined effort of health related professionals who want to share their gifts of talent and time in an effort to improve the quality of life in our faith community - physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. If you want more information about how you can be an important part of this ministry, your inquiry will be warmly received and welcomed.
WHAT WE DO
Our Health Ministry offers health education, referrals, resources, health advocacy, spiritual support, counseling and home visits to those in need. Aside from assisting visitors in their office, members are active throughout the year coordinating and/or providing:
  • Blood pressure screening and monitoring
  • Communal Anointing of the Sick for those with serious, life-threatening illnesses
  • OLPH Annual Blood Drive
  • Coordinating Home Visitation Ministry
  • First Aid Station at our annual festival
  • Provide Health related materials for parishioners and health information
  • Annual St. Raphael Health Care Mass in honor of all Health Care Workers
  • Preventive healthcare workshops and events
  • AED / CPR program
  • Card Ministry - sending a prayerful message of encouragement, comfort, or congratulations from you on behalf of our members and the parish staff.
HOME VISITATION
"See Christ in them, be Christ for them." Raphael Health Ministry has a home visitation ministry for members of our faith community who are ill, lonely, or homebound. We invite you to be a part of this ministry. Training and ongoing support are provided. Example of visitor activities are listening, praying, reading, or just "being there" to combat isolation and loneliness. Through this ministry, the homebound are connected to the whole faith community. For information on being a visitor, or if you know of someone who would benefit from a visit, please call the Raphael Health Ministry Office.

Faith Community Nursing Basic Preparation
This course addresses topics key to faith community nursing practice including historical and philosophical perspectives, health and faith bases for practice, advocating, facilitating, teaching and health counseling roles, management of practice, ethical and legal issues, spiritual enhancement, health, wellness and wholeness promotion in congregations, and cultural sensitivity while working with congregations. The course is offered at CSU, Fresno through Division of continuing and Global Education. For dates and more information, call their office at 278-0333 or Sylvia Miller, RN, Ed.D. at 278-4788 or visit www.csufresno.edu.cge.
HEALTH NEWS

Holy Communion and Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease affects 1 in 133 Americans. It is an immune disorder caused by an adverse effect of wheat products (gluten) on the intestinal wall. Catholics who suffer from this condition may experience significant digestive tract damage and pain after consuming Holy Communion. Consequently, these brothers and sisters are unable to participate in the partaking of the Eucharist.

     However, there is good news. Catholics who cannot receive Holy Communion due to Celiac Disease may receive the Precious Blood alone. Remember, that one receives the "whole Christ" in either form. At Our Lady of Perpetual Help, those with Celiac wishing to take the Precious Blood only, should simply remain in line for communion and bow when passing the Eucharist as they continue in line for the cup. Remember, one should not receive the Eucharist without consuming the entire host. Additional information may be found at catholicceliacs.org

H1N1 Flu
Though the severity of this particular flu has not been as severe in our country as it was initially in Mexico, it is good to be aware of causes, spread and health dangers of the normal winter flu and special strands of flu, such as H1N1. Therefore, we are posting links to several sites which will give you more information about this important health issue:

CDC Swine Flu Home Page
Pandemic Flu Home Page

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy:
  • GET A FLU VACCINE. Keep an eye on this webpage for information about upcoming flu shot clinics in our area.
  • Stay informed.
  • Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  • Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  • Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
  • Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

Pandemic (World-wide) Influenza (flu)
As part of your emergency preparedness plans, obtain information and consider preparing for a worldwide outbreak of influenza from a new virus to which no one has immunity. Get informed and learn more ways to protect your family. To access the most current information, you are encouraged to visit the following websites:


Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that is passed from person to person by coughs, sneezes, handshakes and sharing items. Click here to learn more »