Nursing the Physical , Emotional , and Spiritual
Jeanne Pyonk has worked in the healthcare field since 1988 . She volunteers as parish nurse at St . Thomas the Apostle Parish in Garden City . She is pursuing a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with a concentration in health care .
Alumni Advancing the New Evangelization INTO THE VINEYARD
Inever had an inkling as a child or young adult that I would end up with such a rich faith-life . I was born in 1968 and raised in a Catholic home . I am a product of parochial education , ultimately graduating from Divine Child High School in Dearborn .
At my high school graduation , I was given an award for “ Excellence in Religion .” The award was a complete surprise to me and , at that time , I didn ’ t know why or how I was chosen .
I ultimately chose nursing as a career and have been practicing since 1991 . I have worked as a RN and currently practice as a nurse practitioner in a Catholic healthcare system .
The beauty of nursing is that you do not only minister to the physical needs of the patient , but to their emotional and spiritual needs , as well . I would say that for years I did a good job of ministering to the physical and emotional needs of my patients ; the spiritual needs were not something that I remember actively ministering to .
In fact , I really wasn ’ t ministering to my own spiritual needs either . It wasn ’ t until
I experienced some serious and life-changing medical problems over the course of six years that I began to see that God had something more planned for me .
Despite my health concerns , I still didn ’ t immediately re-invigorate my faith life as one would expect . However , the stress of living with the uncertainty of my health eventually led me back to Mass . Mass was the only place I could find peace . I rapidly grew to understand that I not only needed to be there , but I wanted to be there , in the presence of Christ .
Here , at Mass , is where my journey began , my renewed relationship with God and the Church .
One Sunday after Mass , the priest mentioned that a representative from Sacred Heart Major Seminary would be in the vestibule with information on opportunities for lay ministers in the Church . I
think the Holy Spirit spoke to me that morning , encouraging me to check this out . The more information I collected , the more excited I became . After speaking to Sr . Jeanne , the chaplain at the hospital , and my uncle , Fr . Joe Hund , OFM , I was convinced that I was called to pursue a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies at the seminary .
I am still continuing this piece of my journey . Each class has helped me to love and grow in my faith . As a nurse practitioner , I encounter numerous patients in distressing situations . I am honored to not only minister to their physical and emotional needs , but I am feeling ever more confident in ministering to their spiritual needs , as well , for we are all children of God .
I am excited to finish my degree and to see where my journey will lead me . I am honored to not only identify myself in my personal , parish , and professional life as a nurse , but also as a student at Sacred Heart .
I often wondered if that award I was given on my high school graduation day was a sign from the Holy Spirit . It may have taken me some time to figure that out , but I think I finally have . shms . edu 23