[Archived News] Friday, August 17, 2012
Parish Seminar Focuses on Individuals with Disabilities
Carmichaels, PA - With the Archpastoral Blessing of His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, the Sixth Annual Healthcare Day Seminar was held on August 9, 2012 at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. The Parish Nurse’s Office celebrates St. Panteleimon as the Nurse’s Office Patronal Feast.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN officiated at the Hierachical Divine Liturgy and blessed the Slava Kolac and Koljivo. Living and departed parishioners working in the healthcare field were remembered as part of the service.
Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rodney Torbic, Reverend Father Robert Popichak, Very Reverend Protodeacon Milan Medakovic and Reverend Deacon Sinisa Duvnjak served with His Grace. St. George Choir Director Sonia Janson was present to provide the responses with Protinica Victoria Trbuhovich participating.
The seminar program was coordinated by Parish Nurse Practitioner Millicent Mitzie Hunchuck. The theme for this year’s seminar was “Focusing on Individuals with Disabilities.’ Greene County First Assistant District Attorney Linda Chambers spoke on “Legal Issues-Americans with Disabilities Act.” Parent, Special Education Teacher and Seminary graduate Protinica Victoria Trbuhovich spoke on “Parenting and Teaching Individuals with Disabilities.” Speech Therapist Jennifer Kornick spoke on “Overcoming Disabilities: A Rehab Perspective.” Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Mitzie Hunchuck spoke on “Emotional Mental and Physical Disabilities.” Social worker Subdeacon Anthony Miralles spoke on “Services for Individuals with Disabilities.”Father Rodney Torbic spoke on “Looking at Disabilities from a Religious Perspective.”
An Akathtist to St.Panteleimon was served at the conclusion of the seminar. The continental breakfast and lunch for the program was provided by the St. George Kolo.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN honored and blessed the parish by serving the Divine Liturgy and participating in the seminar. His Grace also officiated at the blessing of the Fayette Emergency Medical Services ambulance. His Grace encouraged that further seminars to be held because of the multitude of contemporary issues existing. He thanked speakers, the participants and all working for the seminar.
The blessing of ambulances began in 1999 and has continued each year since. The practice was initiated to express appreciation to emergency medical workers and to recognize the importance of their work. Eventually, Healthcare Day became the Nurse’s Office Slava(Patronal Feast) and a dinner and program were added. All areas of healthcare are recognized and parishioners working in the field or having worked in the field are prayed for. Six years ago the first Healthcare Day Seminar was held.
Mr. Rick Adobato, Fayette EMS Director has consistently provided an ambulance for blessing during the past fourteen years on Healthcare Day. Neal Packett and Rich Watson staffed the Fayette EMS ambulance this year. Appreciation was expressed to Mr. Adobato, Mr. Packett and Mr. Watson and their coworkers for the vital services they provide throughout the year. On more than one occasion, parishioners have been in need of ambulance services. Parishioners have been transported in ambulances that were blessed or by a driver who had been at the ambulance blessing.
Very Reverend Lt.Col. Adam Yonitich, Reverend Father Fred and Matushka Kathy Phiel and Reverend Father Larry Daniels were in attendance as were Abbess Mother Ana and Sister Anastasia from Monastery Marcha. Additional attendees during the day included: Brother Tom Sommerfield, Dr. Natalie Pavolovich, Patricia Cekoric, Anna Miscovich, Amelia Damiano, Natalie Vuick, Cheryl Calvert, Sandy Rantovich, Tom Kornick, Melva Hunchuck, Norma, Anya and Ksenije Hickman, Ana Mae Knezovich, Dorothy Smargie, Anita Andrade, Carlos and Edith Godbey, Diana Brozik and Bernard John. Protinica Victoria’s sister Stephanie McNichols accompanied her from Lackawanna, New York. Dr. Ezekiel Olagoke and Richard Porter were present at the Divine Liturgy.
The seminar participants in addition to the clergy, monastics and interested individuals had professional backgrounds in law, nursing, education, social work, drug and alcohol treatment, medical technology, medical emergency services and medical rehab services.
The annual seminars provide a careful and extensive look at healthcare issues from various perspectives. The Healthcare Day is a way to recognize the important contributions made by individuals working in healthcare. Thanks to God, His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN and all participants in this seminar.
Father Rodney Torbic