Faith Community Nursing

Faith communities and health care organizations are both called to heal.  While they have different practitioners, vocabularies and tools, they share concern for the well-being of the people they serve. CHA is pleased to gather resources and practices on this page for sharing amongst faith community nurses and our members. For additional information or to recommend a resource for sharing, contact Nancy Zuech Lim, MPH, BSN, Director, Community Health Improvement.

What is Faith Community Nursing?

While the concept of faith community nursing may be relatively new to many, the role of the faith community nurse is deeply rooted in the Catholic Church's healing tradition. Not only does the faith community nurse often provide underrepresented individuals with a valuable link to health care, but acting of his or her own faith, the faith community nurse also becomes a healing hand of the Church. The faith community nurse always includes a focus on the spiritual dimension of health, often utilizing prayer, support groups, and Sacraments to promote healing. The faith community nurse is an advocate, an intercessor and a representative of God's healing love.

CHA Resources

Food For the Journey
This essential formation resource is a newly updated edition of the original authored in 1991 by Sister Juliana Casey, a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Monroe, Mich. Food for the Journey offers the story of Catholic health care as a sacrament of Christ’s healing mercy in our day. It provides leaders with insights into the relationship of the health care ministry of the Catholic Church, the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, the social teaching of the Church and health care for those persons who are poor and vulnerable by way of tangible examples and easy to understand theological concepts.

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Living Well with Serious Illness
The Catholic Health Association developed this updated and refreshed guide to learn about the range of support that is available to patients and families to help them live as well as possible during serious illness. It is part of a series of publications that was created in collaboration with physicians, nurses, theologians and ethicists within Catholic health care to help people of all ages, backgrounds, religious traditions and beliefs make important decisions about serious illness and end-of-life care.

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» Download PDF: English |  Spanish

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Teachings of the Catholic Church on Caring for People at the End of Life
The Catholic Health Association has developed this guide in collaboration with physicians, nurses, theologians and ethicists within Catholic health care. It is based on frequently asked questions to help patients, families and clinicians think about end-of-life decisions regarding medical treatments and care. Although the guide reflects the perspective of Catholic tradition, the information is helpful to people from any religious tradition.

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» Download the PDF: English |  Spanish

Improving the Lives of Older Adults through Faith Community Partnerships: Healing Body, Mind and Spirit

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Faith Community Nurse Networking Calls

The Catholic Health Association (CHA) is pleased to host networking calls among parish/congregational nurses working with Catholic parishes, Catholic hospitals or other Catholic health care organizations.

CHA-Member Programs and Resources

A variety of resources to support the parish nurse and his/her many roles (including links to existing programs)

Ascension

CommonSpirit Health

Trinity Health

Other Resources

A variety of resources to support the parish nurse and his/her many roles (including links to existing programs)

Other FCN Programs

Organizations/Training Opportunities 

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