St. Mary's Parish Nurse Ministry Program
Ruth E. Williams, RN, MEPD, MSN

Dear Viewers, Peace to all this New Year of 2005 in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Happy New Year! January is the month that hosts the National Blood Donor Month, National Birth Defects Prevention Month and the Thyroid Awareness Month to name a few. This month is, also, the time of year when many review what to change in their lives. They examine their habits of the past year to change and replace, hopefully, with better habits. What is a habit? According to Webster's Dictionary a habit is a distinctive costume as a nun wears, a thing done often and easily, a usual way of doing something, and an addiction.

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"In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility" (Titus 2:7). So, this New Year of 2005 to name a few things or habits to change could be to set a pattern for daily prayer especially morning prayer, get the recommended amount of sleep according to age: newborns need 14-18 hours, six months need 12-16 hours, six months to four years need 12-13 hours, five to 13 years need 7-8.5 hours, 13-21 years need 7-8.75 hours, adults under 60 years need 6-9 hours and adults over 60 need 7-8 hours of sleep (Nursing Diagnoses Application to Clinical Practice: Edition 9, Carpenito, 2002), watch less television, exercise 30 minutes daily at least 3 times weekly, practice thorough hand washing, eat more fruits and vegetables daily, drink less alcoholic beverages, drink 8 glasses of water daily, attend worship at the church of choice weekly, respect yourself and others, stop smoking, and see your health care provider at least yearly. "Therefore, keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do" (Deuteronomy 29.9). January 1st is the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, January 4th is the feast day of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, January 9th we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, and January 25 is the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle.