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.
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 ooking 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 (May 24) from 6-7:30 pm. 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.
BEREAVEMENT AND SUPPORT GROUP for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one is forming at St. Stephen Parish, Trumbull. A series of ten weekly meetings will be held starting Wed., Mar. 21. Meetings will be from 4-5:30 pm or 6:30-8 pm. Registration required. For more information, call the parish office: 203.268.6217.
ST. VINCENT’S STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, May 16 from 5:30-7pm in the Seton Room on Level C at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. The group addresses 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 available to provide information and links to services in the community. There is no charge for attendance at the group. Parking is free with validated ticket. For information, call Melissa Kopp at 203-576-5361 or Helen Polewoj at 576-5608.
ST. VINCENT’S CANCER BOUTIQUE and Saxon-Kent Lingerie of Orange have partnered together to bring comprehensive cancer services to individuals undergoing treatment. The Cancer Boutique offers items made especially for patients undergoing cancer treatments. Gift items include scarves, hats, skin products, spiritual items and cute tops that are hospital and IV-friendly! Sensitive and professional fitters will provide individualized attention in a private setting. Please bring your Medicare and insurance cards and we will complete the paperwork for you. St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound assistance is available to those who qualify. For info call 203-576-6158 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). The Cancer Boutique will feature products for:
Breast Surgery
Breast prostheses, Mastectomy bras, Specialty apparel, Swimwear
Hair Loss
Wigs, Hair Pieces & Bangs, Turbans, Hats & sleep caps, Scalp & wig care products
Lymphedema
Compression garments
Boutique is open Monday thru Friday, 10am to 4pm. Special Fitting Hours (wigs, prosthesis, mastectomy bras, lymphedema sleeves etc). Tuesdays 2 pm–4pm and Wednesday’s 10am –12pm or by appointment.
Located in the Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care Level 3, St. Vincent’s Medical Center.
ST. VINCENT’S “WE CARE” PERINATAL GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEETS on Wed. May 16, 7:00-8:15pm 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. There is no charge for attendance. No registration is required. For additional information, call Sister Arthur Marie Donnelly in the Pastoral Care Department at 203-576-5110 or Marilyn Faber at 203-576-5716.
NUTRITION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS on the second Wednesday of every month from 4:30-5:30pm in its Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care adjacent to the hospital. Upcoming dates May 9 and June 13. 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 - St. Vincent'soffers a massage therapy program for oncology patients undergoing definitive active treatment and for survivors who have completed treatment. 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. Please call 203-576-6158 for an appointment. Free parking is available with validated ticket in the garage immediately in front of the Medical Center front door.
FREE YOGA FOR CANCER PATIENTS/SURVIVORS 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. Yoga yields improvements in sleep quality, mood, stress, cancer-related distress, cancer-related symptoms and overall quality of life. Please call the SWIM line at 203-576-6158 to register or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Restorative Yoga, chair yoga with breathing and meditation, for patients in treatment or post-surgery, Tuesdays at 10am at The Watermark, 3030 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, Saturdays at 8:30am at Yoga for Everybody, 27 Unquowa Road, Fairfield.
Formal Yoga, for cancer survivors of five years or less, Wednesdays at 4:30pm at The Watermark, 3030 Park Ave., Bridgeport.
LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER Program for Female Cancer Patients Thursday, June 7, 1-3pm at Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. This meeting is a supportive first step toward renewed self-esteem and self-confidence for women undergoing radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment. By promoting emotional recovery, the program helps women look and feel their best. Reservations required 203-576-6158. Lunch is provided, free parking.