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Felician Nun Fulfills Her Calling in Excela
Health Laboratory
For Sister Mary Anita Bienia, MT (ASCP), medical
technology is more than a job; it is a calling. Bienia, a sister in
the Felician Franciscan order, lives out her vocation in the
hematology and chemistry departments of the Laboratory at Excela
Health Westmoreland Hospital. I am helping the doctors to
diagnose their patients, says Sister Anita, who marks her 10th
anniversary in the lab, and her golden jubilee in religious service
this year. God has placed me here at this time for a reason.
As I process test results, I see the diagnoses and remember
patients in prayer because I offer all I do for God, Sister Anita
says.
Teachers and family members began shaping Sister
Anitas future while she was still in elementary school in her
hometown of Mt. Pleasant, encouraging her to pursue a life as a
Felician Sister, an order of nuns whose provincial house is located
in Beaver Falls. She joined the order in 1960. The Oklahoma
University graduate began her health care career as an x-ray
technologist at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, and trained as a
lab technologist at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She has held jobs
in Oklahoma and Florida before coming to Westmoreland Hospital in
2000. Viewing her co-workers as family, she values their knowledge
and wisdom in this field of technology as well as their friendship.
Working second shifts allows Sister Anita to
continue her health ministry at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, a
ministry of the Felician Sisters dedicated to healing and supportive
services for adults, where she resides. She is frequently in
service to other nuns accompanying them to medical appointments or
recreational outings. It is just like a mother and father
working and raising a family, you manage to give a little part of
yourself to each part of your life.
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The Arc of Westmorelands Bingo Bash was a
Success!
The Arc of Westmoreland recently hosted its
Basket and Jewelry Bingo Bash at Marian Hall in Crabtree.
Approximately 185 guests enjoyed an evening playing bingo, eating a
delicious assortment of wraps and salads catered by Longs Catering
in Crabtree and dessert created by Jennuine Cakes and Cafe of
Murrysville. Guests played 15 bingo games for chances to win
current and retired Longaberger baskets along with beautiful
sterling Silpada and Sabika Austrian crystal jewelry. The
Chinese auction included additional Longaberger baskets and jewelry.
The event raised almost $10,000 for the lifelong support of children
and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities served
by The Arc of Westmoreland. The Arc of Westmoreland Board of
Trustees in attendance included Marilyn DePalma with her brother
Pat, Carol Kasnevich and Janet Wilden.
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Calling all Cars and Car Lovers!
Community Church Cruise for Christ Benefit Car
Show and Rib Fest! Cool Cars and Good Food! This event will
take place on Saturday, August 28th, from 3:00p.m. - 8:00p.m., at
Community Church of Harrison City. Community Church of
Harrison City is hosting the first annual Cruise for Christ benefit
car show and rib fest to raise funds for the Uganda Christian
Solutions mission team. Owners of hot rods, motorcycles, muscle
cars, antique cars and classic cars and those who like to look are
encouraged to come. The Uganda Christian Solutions mission
team will be serving up ribs, wings and other great food. All
proceeds will benefit the 2011 mission for the people of Mukono
Uganda and Southern Sudan in East Africa. For More Information
Contact: Dan Wilkes at 412-973-7959, and Visit:
www.cruiseforchrist.org.
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Concerts in The Park
Enjoy FREE concerts in the parks beginning in
June. Concerts are scheduled at Cedar Creek and Twin Lakes
Park throughout the summer. The Summer Concert Series is
sponsored by the Greensburg Music Society, Tri-County Federation of
Musicians, Westmoreland County Local Arts Grant Program, Music
Performance Trust Funds and the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts
Program. The schedule is subject to change at any time.
Click Here to view schedule.
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Good Intentions Cause Wildlings to Suffer
Wildlife Works serves all of Westmoreland County
and also takes raptors from surrounding areas. In addition to
rehabilitating wildlings, our mission includes educating the public
on how to live in harmony with wildlife. With your publication's
help, we can use the sufferings of the below raptors to inform your
readers on what to do when injured or orphaned wildlings are found
and consequently prevent further needless suffering. For all other
questions, please call Lisa at Wildlife Works, Inc 724-925-6862.
The most difficult part of being a wildlife
rehabilitator is euthanization. Many wildlings are admitted
beyond help and are euthanized shortly after admission to save them
from further pain and suffering. But the really hard part is
admitting wildlings that have suffered needlessly in the care of
untrained though well-intentioned individuals who try to rehab the
wildlings themselves. It's harder still when the wildings are young
native birds-of-prey. Recently, Beth Shoaf, Wildlife Works
senior rehabilitator, had to euthanize two fledgling Great Horned
Owls and one nestling Red-tailed Hawk due to severely malformed and
fractured bones. The fledgling owls had fallen from a nest. Instead
of placing them in a safe place where the mother could continue to
care for them, they were taken home and fed an unnatural diet until
they could hardly stand. The nestling hawk's legs were so crippled
that it could not even bear its own weight. "These birds suffered
immeasurably for many weeks of captivity because they did not
receive the specialized diet rapidly growing raptors need," Shoaf
explained. Though beautiful on the outside, X-rays taken shortly
after admission revealed multiple bone fractures throughout their
bodies. "All young animals," said Shoaf, "need proper nutrition for
optimum development. In rapidly growing young hawks and owls, this
need is intensified by their important requirement for calcium."
When young raptors are fed ground meat, muscle meat and the like,
they begin to suffer bone loss within days. Even when specialized
dietary requirements are known, they are not easily replicated in
the average home. Shoaf goes on to say, "The most upsetting part of
it is that these deaths did not have to happen." For the sake
of the health and ultimate release of young raptors, as well as
babies of any wild species, they should always be taken to an
experienced and certified rehabilitator as soon as possible.
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Creating Holiday Memories & Traditions
Celebrate the season at Overly's Country
Christmas, an impressive holiday light display complete with a
walk-through Christmas Village thats filled with an array of
old-fashioned traditions and treats. This will take place from
November 19th through January 1st, 2011, at Westmoreland
Fairgrounds. For More Information Contact: Overly's Country
Christmas at 724-423-1400, or Via E-Mail at
info@overlys.com.
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The Acquired Traumatic Brain Injury and Head
Trauma Network of PA
Maria Louise M. Martin , started a support group
for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor's and their family. I'm a
survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury. I fell when I was nine months
old. I started my support group in Dec, 12, 2008. Now I'm an
advocate for Traumatic Brain Injury victims. I have a small business
called the, Newton Manufacturing Company. If interesting in
attending my support group please call: Maria Martin at 724-838-1312
or fax 724-838-7086, Via E-Mail:
mlmartin12@verizon.net.
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