Catholic News Around Indiana

Compiled by Brandon A. Evans

Diocese of Evansville

'Tech It Easy' Makes Summer-time Learning Fun

By Trisha Hannon Smith

Marian Educational Outreach sponsored the third annual “Tech it Easy” summer day camp on June 27-28.  The goal of the camp is to introduce students who benefit from assistive technology to new accessible programs in a fun atmosphere, which will inspire students for success, educationally and in life.

This year’s camp, hosted by MEO for students from grades 3-12, was held in the Reitz Memorial High School Media Center.

MEO Director Beverly Williamson organizes the annual workshop with the assistance of area teachers and technology specialists.  Teachers and volunteers serve as instructors for the sessions, taking care to ensure that students are as active as possible in playing, creating and designing.

Using Tellagami, an app that allows users to create quick videos with messaging, counselors instantly engaged students as the camp began.  Students shared information through their own video clips displayed on a large screen.  Jamie Broeker, special education teacher at Holy Spirit School, stressed the importance of how students could use this program, as well as others such as PicCollage, Jotnot and Wunderlist in the real world across devices.

Sandy Stabenfeldt, PATINS (Promoting Achievement through Technology and Instruction for all Students) Coordinator for Southwest Indiana, agrees with Broeker. “The need for (devices and apps) is growing. We’re getting the word out and sharing what is available.”

The PATINS Project is a statewide technical assistance network that connects local education agencies to accessible materials, assistive technology, professional development and technical support through the Indiana Department of Education.

On June 28, Stabenfeldt held a parent break-out session to share tips and tricks to help students use tools not only in the classroom, but also to assist students as they continue to learn at home.

Helping parents become familiar with the apps increases the student’s chance for success. The more students use the apps, the more comfortable they will become and be less hesitant to use the tools to assist in their classwork.

Photo caption: Jamie Broeker, right, assists Lillian Siebers in displaying her Tellagami video at the MEO.
 

(For news from the Diocese of Evansville, log on to the website of The Message at www.themessageonline.org)

 

Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend

No news briefs are available this week

 

(For news from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, log on to the website of Today’s Catholic at www.todayscatholicnews.org)

 

Diocese of Gary

Hospitals host events to celebrate new beginnings

By Marlene A. Zloza

Franciscan Alliance hospitals hosted several National Cancer Survivor Day events last month to celebrate life and raise awareness of issues related to cancer treatment and research.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Michigan City kicked off the observance June 2 with a Hawaiian-style luau at its Woodland Cancer Care Center.

A butterfly release, signifying new beginnings, was a highlight of the program that attracted about 100 survivors and guests. The event also featured testimony from breast cancer survivor Susann Pangerl, of Grand Beach, Mich., who recalled how she learned she had been stricken with the disease, and lauded the services she received from the Woodland staff.

Staff members and other speakers also provided information on cognitive issues and treatment, cancer-related fatigue and psychosocial and emotional issues. Musical entertainment and refreshments were also enjoyed.

Approximately 170 attendees were on hand June 5, the actual date of the observance,  at a “Savor the Sweet Life” ice cream social hosted by Franciscan St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond in celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day. Bingo games, a sundae bar, a candy table and raffle prizes were included at Briar Ridge Country Club in Schererville. Participants offered words of praise to hospital representatives.

Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point welcomed about 30 participants and guests to its second annual Cancer Survivor’s Day Canvas Painting Party in the Marian Education Center on June 5. The afternoon event was termed a “time to create and celebrate” for those who have faced the potentially deadly disease.

They were guided by Tracy Tauber, an MRI staff member who owns a painting party business but donated her services along with staffers from the hospital’s Breast Cancer Center to coach participants in painting a tropical island seascape. In addition to encouragement, the group was also treated to sandwich wraps, snacks and soft drinks.

“Each painting is unique, because they are painting the scene the way they see it,” said St. Anthony nurse navigator Joan Filipowski, of Lowell, referring to stormy skies, windblown trees, blazing sunsets and calm seas.

Photo caption: Joyce Elliott, of Crown Point, fills in a palm tree on the tropical island she painted at the National Cancer Survivors Day Canvas Painting Party she attended June 5 at Marian Education Center. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
 

(For news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com)

 

Diocese of Lafayette

Groundbreaking celebrates expansion of Lafayette hospital

By Caroline B. Mooney

LAFAYETTE — Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health officials hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 27 to celebrate the beginning of construction on a new patient tower to be built at its St. Elizabeth East campus, 1701 S. Creasy Lane.

Construction will begin on July 10, according to Terry Wilson, president and CEO of Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health. The project is expected to take two years to complete.

“Today is a celebration for you — our physician partners, our nurses, staff, community leaders, neighbors and friends,” he said. “It is your belief in what we do to improve health care for the community, your commitment, your loyalty and your thoughts, guidance and input that made this day possible.”

The celebration came after several years of planning for the expansion. 

The West Tower will be three stories, with 106,000 square feet of space, and will include 52 new patient beds. The site of the new tower is currently a parking lot.

The following services will be relocated to the tower from elsewhere or expanded:
 

• Third floor: inpatient medical/surgical (30 beds), expansion.
• Second floor: inpatient rehabilitation (15 beds), relocation from central campus; four medical/surgical overflow (expansion) and three palliative care suites (relocation/expansion).
• First floor: Advanced Wound Healing Center (13 treatment rooms and three hyperbaric chambers); expanded Outpatient Center to include a new endoscopy procedure room and prep recovery room; and 11,600 square feet of shelled space for future use.
• Basement: Mechanical and storage.

The first floor also will have a visitor entrance that will lead to the visitor lobby and elevators.

The West Tower will be connected via walkway to the North and South towers.

“Over 800 years ago, St. Francis heard the call to rebuild this church and over time he knew a very deeper call, rebuilding the Church as people,” said Father Paul Graf, chaplain in the hospital’s spiritual care department. “We, too, have been building and rebuilding our hospitals, along with the physical, mental and spiritual health of those we are privileged to serve.

“With this groundbreaking, please bless us as we renew our commitment to provide the medical excellence and compassion and care for which we are known and rededicate ourselves to meeting the health-care needs of all,” he said.

Photo caption: The June 27 celebration came after several years of planning for the expansion. Construction of the new patient tower is scheduled to begin July 10 and is expected to take two years to complete. (Photo by Caroline B. Mooney)
 

(For news from the Diocese of Lafayette, log on to the website of The Catholic Moment at www.thecatholicmoment.org)