Health Ministry


Saint Irenaeus Health Ministry promotes and encourages health of body, mind and spirit through education and support for the community. Health Ministry expresses God's love and mercy daily through a multitude of compassionate and enriching programs. This ministry is dedicated to the spiritual care of our parish community.


IN OUR PARISH COMMUNITY

Care Facilities

Care facility residents can enjoy being part of our Saint Irenaeus family by sharing in prayer, Communion, and fellowship with visiting parish volunteers. Area care facilities served include Genesis, Karlton Care Center, Health Care Center of Orange County, Harvest Retirement, and Sunrise Assisted Living. Just give us a call at 714-826-0760 to learn how you can be part of this vibrant ministry.

Faith Community Parish Nurse

This ministry recognizes the importance of caring for the spirit as well as the mind and body to promote good health and to prevent or minimize illness. The parish nurse serves as a referral agent and advocate of health for all parishioners.


Got a health related question? Call the Parish Office and ask for the Parish Nurse - we'd love to hear from you!

Funerals, Vigils, Memorial Masses

Health Ministry ensures that all parishioners receive spiritual support when a loved one dies. Volunteers assist both clergy and family to help ensure a tranquil and compassionate journey from vigil to graveside. This ministry provides assistance, guidance and comfort to families throughout these holy services. To learn more about this ministry, please call the Parish Office or send an email.

The Giving Tree

Each year Saint Irenaeus' Health Ministry host holiday parties at nearby care facilities where seasonal treats, warm smiles and gift bags filled by parishioners are shared with residents. Our Homebound Ministers also deliver gift bags to our homebound parishioners. Please consider participating in the true meaning of Christmas by spending an hour singing carols and sharing Christmas happiness with residents as they enjoy a visit from Santa! Look for more information about this wonderful Saint Irenaeus Christmas tradition in November bulletins.

GriefShare


This ministry provides bereavement support to grieving individuals both before and after the death of their loved one.


One does not need to be a parishioner of Saint Irenaeus to join the GriefShare group. Register by going to www.griefshare.org, select find a group, choose St. Irenaeus Cypress, Ca., and register. Our Faith Community Nurse Jennifer will receive your registration and contact you.


Please know that you are not alone in your grief. Our GriefShare team is here to walk with you on this difficult journey.


For questions or more information, send an email or call 714-826-0760.

Homebound Communion Ministry

By faithfully bringing the Gospel and Communion to individuals who are elderly or ill, volunteers ensure that all in our Saint Irenaeus family are able to share in God's love and mercy.

Labyrinth

The slow walking of this full-body prayer is a welcome respite from the noise and confusion that may clutter your daily life. If you are unable to physically walk the labyrinth, finger labyrinths are available to trace by hand while sitting in the serene candlelit environment. Praying the labyrinth takes about 20-30 minutes. Check the weekly bulletin for upcoming labyrinth events!

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP

This organization helps families who are coping with mental illness issues by providing information, support and agency contacts. It meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Formation Office. Please contact Deacon Jerry at 310-756-4908 for more information.

Rosary Ministry

This ministry creates rosaries to present to family and friends of deceased loved ones, to those living in care facilities, to schoolchildren and to people around the world. Hundreds of handmade rosaries are given away each year.

Shawl Ministry

Crafter's share the warmth of God's love by creating beautiful shawls for people in need. Shawls are given to individuals who are experiencing loss, illness, loneliness or are simply yearning for the spiritual hug that these homemade gifts provide. A prayer is said with every stitch - a gift of love in every shawl.


This ministry always needs crafters - from inexperienced to expert! 

Women's Cancer Support Group

If you are newly diagnosed, receiving treatment, or a cancer survivor, please join us for our monthly Women’s Cancer Support Group meeting. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month. Our main focus is on the faith journey of each person in the group.


Please call the Parish Office to find out where the meeting will be held.


IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD


Bridge of Light

Human Trafficking to Human Triumph

Human Trafficking is a world-wide problem with many atrocities happening right here in Orange County. To learn what you can do to help make a brighter future possible, join us at our quarterly meetings, send us an email, click on the photo below, or visit RCBO.


CarePortal

Our church is one of the 3,000+ churches in the United States who belong to the CarePortal (CarePortal.org) network, a streamlined tech platform that connects people with needs to people who can fulfill those needs.



CarePortal requests are varied and usually cover basic needs. A donation of sheets, blankets, or shoes can help stabilize a home. Your used kitchen table and chairs can be a blessing to a family that is unable to sit together at meals. Earbuds for a high school student wanting to stay connected to school and friends can be a wonderful gift. Simple things can often make a big difference in someone's life.

Send an email to healthministry@sticypress.org or visit careportal.org to learn more about this important ministry.