Education for Faith Communities

Virtual Day Retreat 2021

From Darkness into Light: Encountering the Heart of Christ

Saturday, April 17, 2021, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. ET

The theme of this year’s retreat is “From Darkness into Light: Encountering the Heart of Christ” and will be facilitated by Dr. Carolyn (Carrie) Nickerson who provides ongoing spiritual and retreat direction including the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL), and serves on the Leadership Team of the Pneuma Spiritual Direction & Leadership Program at Pneuma Institute in Pittsburgh, providing instruction and supervision. She is a member of Spiritual Directors International and was very well received at the 2017 Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Retreat, “Listening and Becoming Free.”

Carrie resides in Cresson, PA and is a married Roman Catholic lay woman, mother of three adult daughters, grandmother, and music minister in her parish with experience in nursing, midwifery, and nursing education. She completed a Master of Arts in spiritual and pastoral care at Loyola University in Baltimore MD; requirements for certificates in spiritual direction & leadership, and direction of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises at the Pneuma Spiritual Direction & Leadership Program, Pittsburgh, PA; the Retreat Directors Workshop at Loyola House, Ignatian Jesuit Centre in Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and a certificate of advanced studies and supervision at West Virginia Institute for Spirituality. She also has a Master of Science Degree in Maternal Child Nursing & Midwifery, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Program Planning & Evaluation.

This retreat is based on the spiritual exercises in Putting on the Heart of Christ by G. Fagin SJ and will explore what it is like to wait on God, the experience of loving service, and the fruit of prayer. The day will consist of Scripture, prayer, music, videos, guided contemplation, and group discussions lead by the retreat facilitator. Our Scripture theme is Proverbs 16:3 NLT “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

This year’s virtual retreat is provided via Zoom Web Conferencing. The opening session begins at 10:00 a.m. ET and the retreat ends by 3:00 pm ET. A lunch break is included in the agenda. This retreat serves as a time away from personal and professional responsibilities as we contemplate our spiritual life and relationship to God.

The cost of the retreat is $45.00 per person. Limited, partial scholarships are available upon request by contacting the office at 412-232-5815 or ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org.

By April 12, 2021, please send completed registration form along with a check for $45.00 made payable to Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program, Mercy Health Center, 1515 Locust Street, Suite 705, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-5154. For more information, call 412-232-5815 or email ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org or visit https://www.pittsburghmercy.org.

VIRTUAL DAY RETREAT FLYER & REGISTRATION FORM

For more information about our next Spiritual Retreat, please contact us at 412-232-5815 or email ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org.

Faith Community Nursing & Health Ministry Education: Customized for Your Ministry

The Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program offers creative heath ministry workshops and education programs for laypersons and health professionals who want to serve their faith communities. We’ll work with you to prepare programs that will meet the unique needs of your faith community or organization. We’ll also tailor topics to fit your learning needs.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• What is Health Ministry?
• Advocacy & Referral
• Building a Health Ministry Team
• Coordinating Volunteers
• Promoting Health & Wellness in Your Faith Community
• Spiritual Care of the Elderly with Dementia
• Understanding Grief & Loss
• Visitation Ministry.

Depending on the topic, health ministry education programs can last from two to six hours.

We encourage a minimum of 10 participants per program.

Health ministry education programs are offered at no cost to faith communities and faith-based organizations. However, to cover the costs of travel, education materials (hand-outs), and advertisement in “The Faith Connection,” our monthly e-newsletter, we gladly accept donations.

To design a health ministry education program to meet the needs of your faith community or organization, please contact us at 412-232-5815.

Candle Meditation & Prayer Gatherings 2021

A wonderful opportunity to experience spiritual awareness and group faith sharing through a virtual setting. All are invited to this quiet place and time to prayerfully reflect on whole-person health … balancing body, mind, and spirit. You are invited to this special time away to continue with safe, better health and well-being.

These virtual offerings are FREE.  Registration is required to receive the Zoom link, meeting ID, password, and agenda. Dial-in option is available. Registration deadline is by 3:00 p.m. ET on the date of your choice.

Thursday, February 11, 7:00 p.m. ET – Preparing for Lent

Thursday, March 11, 7:00 p.m. ET – Spring into Action

Thursday, June 10, 7:00 p.m. ET – Summer Solstice

VIRTUAL CANDLE MEDITATION FLYER

For more information or to register, contact the Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program by email ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org or call 412-232-5815.

Peer Support, Learning, & Conversation 2021

The goal is to emphasize the importance of networking, fellowship, learning, and peer support for faith community nurses and health ministers as they assist their congregations and local community to better health and well-being.

The target audience is faith community nurses, health ministers, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, clergy/laity, and anyone interested in learning about wholistic care (whole-person health) approach as we commit to health advocacy and education of others.

Participants will take part in a brief learning activity such as a PowerPoint presentation, a video clip, a short article, or case study, then participate in group discussion on the chosen topic. There will be time for Q&A by using peer discussion and brainstorming.

These virtual offerings are FREE.  Registration is required to receive the Zoom link, meeting ID, password, and agenda. Dial-in option is available. Registration deadline is by 3:00 p.m. ET on the date of your choice.

Each meeting is held on the 3rd Tuesday evening of the month beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET (except where noted below) and lasts one hour.

February 16

March 16

A special Saturday session will be offered March 20, 11:00 a.m. ET and will include the same presentation as March 16.

April 20

May 18

June 15

PEER SUPPORT, LEARNING, & CONVERSATION FLYER

For more information or to register, contact the Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program by email ParishNurse@pittsburghmercy.org or call 412-232-5815.