The Catholic Leader - 12 November - Issue 5477

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The Catholic Leader, November 12, 2017
Nourishing a communion of charisms Advertising
Feature
Mercy Partners … operating in
Queensland since 2009. Proudly
sponsoring ministries in the
name of the Catholic Church
and nurturing the rich traditions
and charisms of the founders of
our ministries.
• All Hallows’ School
• Mount Alvernia College, Kedron
• St Patrick’s College, Townsville
• St Rita’s College, Clayfield
• St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon
• Mater Misericordiae
• Mercy Health and Aged Care Central Queensland
• Mater Health Services North Queensland
• Mercy Community Services North Queensland
OOur mission is to contribute to the emergence of a world where the healing, liberating and
life-giving mercy of God is experienced. Our ministries offer services in health, aged care,
community services and education. Our ministries include:
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Mercy Partners ad Catholic Leader 12 November 2017 FNL.pdf 1 6/10/2017 11:31 am
Support: “The needs faced by older people when requiring allied health assistance are very
particular.”
Program to help people stay at home with care
MERCY Aged Care Services has delivered
aged care and support to Central Queensland
residents for more than 75 years.
From 2017, this knowledge and experience
has found an additional base, with the opening
of the Mercy Day Therapy Centre at Mater
Gladstone.
Services are delivered as part of the Com-
monwealth Home Support Program.
CHSP aims to assist people over 65, or 55 in
the case of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island-
ers, who wish to remain independent and in
their own homes.
Mercy Day Therapy Centre offers physiother-
apy and occupational therapy through CHSP at
a subsidised rate.
These treatments can assist care recipients
to maintain their independence, recover after
setbacks, and achieve their health, wellness and
reablement goals.
Mercy Aged Care S vices’ executiv officer
Lesley Schneider said they were excited to be
offering support to residents of Gladstone and
surrounds.
“The needs faced by older people when
requiring allied health assistance are very par-
ticular,” she said.
“Our team has years of experience in address-
ing these needs and tailoring treatments to suit
each individual’s objectives.”
Manager Jenny Grillmeier and physiothera-
pist Amanda Campbell have developed a space
within the Mater Gladstone where clients can
receive private or group treatments.
This gives them the opportunity to deliver a
wider variety of therapies and exercises.
“Every person we treat is unique, with their
own set of challenges and goals,” Ms Grillmeier
said.
“Some people want to maintain a high level
of physical activity, others just want to be able
to use the steps of their house, and anything in
between.
“Whatever the need or the situation, our team
Every milestone, lesson momentous
AT All Hallows’ School, Brisbane, students and
families are encouraged to give generously in the
spirit of Mercy so that positive actions of hope
are modelled and a greater appreciation of their
own circumstances is fostered.
The school’s theme for 2017 Opening Doors of Hope set a chal-
lenge for the All Hallows’ community to focus on finding ways to
provide hope to others.
One example was an initiative in May when the Year 9 Whitty
House students set about providing hope by raising $2500 at Cen-
tral Station for Hummingbird House.
Hummingbird House is Queensland’s only children’s hospice
supporting kids affected by life-limiting conditions, providing
respite and care at the end of life.
After presenting their donation, the All Hallows’ students were
praised for their efforts by Hummingbird House management
who said: “The parents and staff of All Hallows’ should be so
incredibly proud of the way these young ladies conducted them-
selves.
“They spoke with passion, commitment and respect and we
were so grateful to have them with us for the morning.”
According to the Year 9 Whitty students and head of Whitty
House Sue Havers who visited the hospice, all praise should be
reserved for the wonderful work being done by the Humming-
bird House team.
Students and staff were impressed by the care and thought that
went into the design of the facility.
While the hospice had all the function of a hospital, a huge
amount of effort has been directed toward making the envi-
ronment welcoming and homely for the families caring for ill
children.
“Touring the facilities of Hummingbird House was truly an
eye-opening experience,” All Hallows’ student Charlotte said.
“The sense of community created by the staff shines through-
out the building – when you enter you cannot help but smile with
an odd mix of joy and melancholy.
“From the dog, Olly, to the sensory room, you can tell that
many happy memories are made on the campus.
Generosity: “All Hallows’ School, students and families are encouraged to give generously in the spirit of Mercy.”
“Knowing that Hummingbird House is working to comfort
these children and their families reminds me that the Mercy Mis-
sion is being fulfilled in our community.”
Fellow Whitty House student Laura was also grateful for the
opportunity to visit Hummingbird House.
“I was privileged enough to walk through the halls of the hos-
pice and see that all children, no matter their illness, are able to
make memories there,” Laura said.
“I am proud to have been one of the many Whitty Year 9 girls
who supported this hospice and the hard-working staff who
make it all possible.”
As a symbol, the hummingbird represents forever seeking out
the good in life and the beauty in each day.
Though the complexity of life can sometimes overwhelm us, it
is important to open the doors of hope.
This experience at the hospice reminded the girls we all have
the ability to lift up and accomplish great things which begin
with the smallest of actions.
has the experience and ability to adapt treatments
and exercises to help our clients achieve their
goals.”
Mercy is also the only approved provider of
Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) in Central
Queensland.
STRC is a new initiative from the Government,
focused on supporting people recovering from
a setback of some kind, or halting a decline in
health and ability to move.
Under this program, Mercy’s team assists
clients with services specifically tailored to help
with independence and the aim of avoiding
admission to residential aged care.
Eligible clients can receive therapy and nurs-
ing services, assistance with housework or yard
maintenance, transport, purchasing of aids, and
other services.