Another Leader in Our Community
Sunday, May 11th, 2008
Mardelle Helm just spent last week in Fargo taking a course to become a Parish Nurse. She was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and St Francis Xavier Altar Society. A Parish Nurse is a melding of nursing and ministry. She ministers wholistically to individuals and families, in and through a faith community, using her health education and spiritual maturity to promote wellness of body, mind and spirit.
The functions of a Parish Nurse are: 1. Integrator of faith and health 2. Health educator 3. Personal health counselor 4. Referral agent 5. Trainer of volunteers 6. Developer of support groups 7. Health advocate. She is not expected to provide home health-care nursing. When such care is needed, she makes the appropriate referral to a community agency.
Mardelle will be serving St Francis Xavier Catholic Church at Anamoose, St Margaret Mary Catholic Church at Drake, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Orrin. She already has been helping give communion to shut-ins.