Janice Gatons - Parish Nurse, Rite of Christian Initiation Adult Coordinator

219-322-4505 ext. 41

As a professional nurse and a member of the St. Michael parish family, this position promotes the health and spirituality of the faith community by working with the pastor and staff to integrate the theological, psychological, sociological and physiological perspectives of health and healing into the Word, Sacrament, and Service of the community. The services of this office, in compliance with the Indiana State Nurse Practice Act and other governmental regulations, include health promotions, prevention and resource counseling, parishioner advocate, facilitator, and the integration of faith and health. Parish nurse meetings are held on a monthly basis for nurse and other medical professionals who wish to attend. These meetings provide support, sharing of information, and those attending come to know each other as part of the faith community. Services of this office also include scheduling monthly blood pressure readings for parishioners, coordinating visits to the hospitalized and nursing home parishioners, working with the bereaved, coordinating Ministers of Care (those taking Eucharist to the homebound) and pastoral care for the St. Michael Community as well as helping to assess the needs of the community.

As a member of St. Michael Community, Janice serves on the Liturgy committee, in the Bereavement ministry, as an extra-ordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and as a Minister of Care.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Coordinator

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the rite and process of the Roman Catholic Church for those who wish to be baptized into the faith, those who are uncatechized and wish to prepare for Confirmation and Eucharist or those of other faith traditions who wish to become members of the Roman Catholic tradition. Coordinating a year round process includes assisting the catechists with scheduling weekly sessions, through instruction, providing resource materials, and continually, updating education for all involved in this precious Rite of the Church.