Ongoing Events & Public Services

All items below are also published monthly as the Bits & Pieces Calendar in the Fairfield County Catholic.
The deadline for calendar submissions for each month is the 1st of that month.

Fax calendar info to 203-374-2044 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .

Note: publication is not guaranteed. Priority is given to Catholic activities and events within Fairfield County.



ST. PHILIP VAT II DICUSSIONS - Weekly discussions Sept. 2012 thru June 2013. Click here for schecule and discussion topics.


YEAR OF FAITH: St. Philip Parish, Norwalk, is holding a Vatican II discussion group the third Thurs. of each month through June, from 7:30-9pm.  For info call the 203.847.4549.

CHAMPIONS MENTORING PROGRAM is a non-profit program for children from 6-13 in Fairfield County who have one or both parents currently incarcerated in a Connecticut prison. The program’s main goal is to enhance the resiliency of children through caring relationships and supportive family services. They are looking for mentors who are able to meet with a child once a week for an hour– the schedule can be flexible to meet the needs of mentors and young people. Couples, coworkers, and friends can also mentor a child as a team. A full year commitment to the program is asked. For more information, call Ashleigh Gaither: 203.382.1190 ext 103

JOURNEY OF HOPE for divorced, separated, or remarried Catholics meets every Tues. at St. Mary Parish, Ridgefield, from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, call Lilore: 203.894.9404.

THE JOURNEY FOR CONTROL a monthly diabetes education workshop will be held at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, the fourth Thurs. of the month, from 6-7:30 pm.  Upcoming dates are Thursday, December 13 and January 10, 2013.  Participants will learn effective ways to manage their diabetes in a fun, interactive group session, understand the link between healthy eating and blood sugar, discover the importance of timing your meals appropriately and learn to recognize and correct thigh and low blood sugar levels and much more. The workshop is free, space is limited. To register, call Diane Sheehan, APRN: 203-576-6168.

ST. VINCENT’S STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month with the next meeting on Oct. 17 from 5:30-7pm in the Seton Room on Level C at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. The Group will be discussing stroke education, the concerns and needs of stroke survivors and their caregivers. It also provides an opportunity for participants to interact with others for emotional support as well as to share strategies and techniques to improve their quality of life.

Speech, occupational, and physical therapists as well as neurologists and social workers are also available to provide information and links to services in the community. No charge for attendance, parking free with validated ticket. For info call Melissa Kopp at 203-576-5361.

ST. VINCENT’S SWIM CENTER BOUTIQUE
St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Saxon-Kent Lingerie of Orange have partnered to create the St. Vincent’s SWIM Center Boutique offering specialty products and services to individuals undergoing treatment or in survivorship. The Boutique is located on the third level of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care.

Products include skin products, garments that are hospital and IV-friendly, as well as spiritual items. Trained and sensitive expert fitters will provide individualized attention in a private setting for those needing mastectomy bras and garments, breast prostheses, swimwear, and specialty apparel following breast surgery. Specialists will be available to fit lymphedema  compression sleeves/garments, and for those experiencing hair loss, to assist in the selection and fitting of wigs, hair pieces and bangs, turbans, scarves, hats and sleep caps, and scalp and wig care products.

The Boutique is open Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special fitting hours for wigs, prostheses, mastectomy bras, lymphedema sleeves etc. will be Tuesdays from 2-4pm and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–Noon or by appointment. Free parking in the garage immediately in front of the Medical Center front door with validated ticket.  For info call 203-576-6158 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

ST. VINCENT’S “WE CARE” PERINATAL GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP meets Wed., June 19, from 7-8:15pm in the Ambulatory Infusion Center waiting area located on level 3 of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, adjacent to the Medical Center.  The group is for those grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillborn, or newborn death.

The group is facilitated by a maternity nurse and a chaplain who are certified grief counselors. It meets the third Wednesday of each month. Speakers experienced in grief counseling are scheduled periodically. There is no charge for attendance. No registration is required. For info, call Barbara Paris in the Pastoral Care Department at 203-576-5110 or Marilyn Faber at 203-576-5716.

NUTRITION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS OFFERED AT ST. VINCENT’s the second Wed. of every month from 4:30-5:30pm in Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care adjacent to the hospital.  Upcoming class May 8, 2013. The class provides information and resources for healthy eating during and after treatment in addition with dietary tips and modifications to help improve overall wellness and health. The class will be facilitated by St. Vincent’s Outpatient Nutrition Educator Karen Novak, MA, RD, CDE, CD-N, who provides individualized nutrition counseling for outpatients referred by their primary care physicians or endocrinologists on issues of weight management, heart and other diseases.  To register or for more information please contact the SWIM Hot Line at 203-576-6158.

MASSAGE THERAPY FOR CANCER PATIENTS/SURVIVORS AT ST. VINCENT’S is open to patients in active treatment or for survivors who have finished treatment within the last six months.  Appointments can be made by calling 203-576-6158.  Limit six free visits.  Massage Therapy has been studied and has proven beneficial to cancer patients in many ways including reducing stress, promoting deep relaxation, improving sleep, and reducing fatigue and nausea.  St. Vincent’s massage therapists have extensive experience working with cancer survivors.

The program is by appointment only at the SWIM Integrative Survivorship Center located on the 3rd floor of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care adjacent to St. Vincent’s Medical Center.  Free parking is available.

FREE YOGA FOR CANCER PATIENTS/SURVIVORS OFFERED BY ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER open to cancer survivors undergoing active treatment, as well as those who have completed treatments within the past five year. Yoga can help those recently diagnosed with cancer to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for upcoming surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Improvements in sleep quality, mood, stress, cancer-related distress, cancer-related symptoms and overall quality of life. To register call 203-576-6158.

Restorative Yoga, is a chair yoga with breathing and meditation is offered on Tuesdays at 10 am at The Watermark, 303 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, and Thursdays at 10am in the Yoga Room on Level 3 of St. Vincent’s Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, adjacent to the Medical Center.
Gentle Yoga, for patients in treatment or recently finished, is offered on Saturdays at 8:30am at Yoga for Everybody, 27 Unquowa Road, Fairfield.
Formal Yoga, for cancer survivors of five years or less, is offered on Wednesdays at 4:30pm at The Watermark, 3030 Park Ave., Bridgeport

FREE BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP OFFERED AT ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER meets on the first and third Tuesdays of every  month from 5:30-7:00pm on Level 4 of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, adjacent to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800  Main St., Bridgeport. Upcoming dates are May 21 and June 4. Group provides information and resources to women dealing with breast cancer at any stage of survivorship.  Breast cancer patients are given the opportunity to share their questions and concerns about the disease. No reservations required, free parking. For more info call 203-576-6158 or visit .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

FREE PATIENT/CAREGIVER SUPPORT will be offered by St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound on the last Tuesday of the month.  The next session will be Tues., May 28 from 6pm-7:30pm in the Medical Oncology Conference Room located on Level 3 of the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care adjacent to St. Vincent’s Medical Center. The program is open to all cancer patients and survivors along with their caregivers including family and friends. Open discussion for participants to share concerns, express emotions and talk about coping with the stress associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.  The group is lead by a licensed clinical therapist and oncology nurse. No reservations required; parking free with a validated ticket. For info call 203-576-6158 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

FREE PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVORS EDUCATIONAL LECTURE SERIES OFFERED BY ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER SWIM ACROSS THE SOUND held on the second Tuesday of every month from 4:30–6pm.  The next session will be Tues., May 14, in the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care Level 3 – Medical Oncology Conference Room.

Lynn Roberge, Psychotherapist will be the speaker presenting on “Let’s Talk”.  The series provides information, support and resources to men being treated for prostate cancer, those recovering from treatment and prostate cancer survivors.  No reservations required and there is free parking with validated ticket. For info, call 203-576-6158 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP OFFERED BY ST. VINCENT’S MEDICAL CENTER for adult patients, family members and friends who are coping with a diagnose of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s Disease is being offered at St. Vincent’s on the first Tuesday of every month from 4-5:30pm. The group will meet in the Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, Level 3 Medical Oncology Conference Room, adjacent to the Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 4, 6:30pm.  No reservation required and parking is free with validated ticket. For info call 203-576-6158 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

MEDICARE/HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING - St. Vincent's Medical Center is offering a free program of health insurance and Medicare information and counseling to the public. One-to-one information sessions are conducted by volunteer with Connecticut’s Program for Health Insurance Assistance, Outreach, Information and Referral, Counseling and Eligibility Screening (also known as CHOICES), who helps seniors explore their options in health insurance, supplemental coverage and later life care arrangements. The purpose of the “CHOICES” program is to enable older persons to understand and exercise their rights, receive benefits to which they are entitled and make informed choices about quality of life issues.  To schedule an appointment or for info contact 203-576-5111.

ST. LAWRENCE SCHOOL FUNDRAISER "GOT BOOKS?" is raising money through donations of new and used books, CDs, DVDs, records and audio books.  The grey book donation container is located in the parking lot behind the Religious Ed. Office at 503 Shelton Ave. in Shelton.  For details click here.

THE UPPER ROOM Connecticut Catholic Young Adult's in their 20’s & 30’s, single or married we meet on the 2nd & 4th Thurs. of every month 6–9pm. We strive to develop and strengthen our relationships with Christ, one another, and the wider Catholic community. For Young Adults like YOU - regardless of where you are in your life and your faith journey! Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or   Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheUpperRoomCT

A free Lunch & Learn Cancer Support Group is offered by St. Vincent’s on the third Thursday of every month from 12-1pm.  The next group will meet May 15 in the Oncology Conference Room, located in the Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care - adjacent to the St. Vincent's Medical Center, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport.

The group is focused on supporting patients and families who have been diagnosed with lung, colon, head & neck, esophageal, GI cancers and other solid tumors.  Discussions on medical issues and stress related issues regarding the medical, physical, and emotional effects concerning the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.  For more info call the (203)576-6158 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

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