Parish program is an exercise for body, soul

ALLOUEZ — A local parish is already planning for Christmas — by getting in shape this fall.

Bishop Robert Morneau and members of Resurrection Parish in Allouez begin a two-mile walk around the parish neighborhood Sept. 14. Seventy-eight people participated in the event, part of the parish’s “Walking the Road to Bethlehem” initiative. (Sam Lucero | The Compass)

Resurrection Parish in Allouez kicked off its “The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem” on Sept. 14, with a two-mile walk around the parish’s neighborhood. Seventy-eight people took part in the first walk. As of Sept. 15, 275 people had signed up for the 12-week program.

Bishop Robert Morneau, pastor, led the first of several walks that will take place over those 12 weeks. Bishop Morneau, himself an athlete who walks two miles a day twice a week and runs four miles a day on four days a week, said he was pleased to lead the first event. And while he appreciates the health aspects of walking, he especially likes the fact that people are doing these walks together.

Members of Resurrection Parish participate in “The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem” Sept. 14. (Sam Lucero | The Compass)

“I think the idea that people can be together on the walk, companionship, is very nice,” the bishop said. “And the prayer aspect as well. I would say that the companionship and prayer would be the best part of this program.”

The walk to Bethlehem is the brainchild of Resurrection’s parish nurse, Roseann Dichraff, who has been at the parish for two years.

“I put out a parish needs assessment or survey in April 2013 to try to determine what kind of services the parish was interested in,” Dichraff explained.

High on the list of responses were health issues, such as blood pressure screening and flu shots. So the parish arranged for those clinics, as well as a blood drive, right away.

“Exercise was high on the list” as well, Dichraff added. On the survey, “a number of people wrote that they would love to have exercise available, especially in the winter.”

The parish has a recently-built family activity center and there’s a walking lap track set up inside — which Dichraff said covers one mile in 20 laps.

But the outside walks started now, long before winter. There are three-to-four walking events set for each week. And there are plenty of other ways for those who sign up to record miles. People can use pedometers, smart phones or traverse other walking venues like trails or facilities at the YMCA. They record their miles each week by placing them in baskets in the church.

Tallies of miles will be kept on a bulletin board with a map, showing various virtual way stations along what will become a virtual trek to Bethlehem. Virtual stops will be made in Michigan, New York and Boston.

“And then we’ll spend five weeks walking on water,” Dichraff said with a laugh.

The trek also wends across Northern Africa, with virtual stops at places like Algeria, Libya and Egypt. There will be maps and local information given out about each of the way stations as they are reached.

“We want this walk to be for everyone,” Dichraff said. “So if someone uses a walker, they can substitute walking for 20 minutes as one mile or 10 minutes for half mile. Those who use a wheelchair or stroller — they can record the miles of the person who is pushing them.”

Dichraff is also trying to link the walking program to the parish’s school. Each parish walk will have guest leaders: One will be Jane Scheuller, a member of the diocesan Education Department.

Dichraff also hopes some will be teachers from Resurrection School. One teacher has already signed up her entire class, so they can do the walks together during the school day. There will also be guest walk leaders. The spiritual dimension enters in with prayer. There is a prayer booklet with 12 weekly devotions that people can use before, during or after the walk. The devotions, complete with Scripture readings, reflection and discussion questions and room to write down personal prayer intentions, were devised by St. John Providence Health System in Dearborn, Mich.

In case you’re wondering how far it is from Allouez to Bethlehem: It’s 6,073 miles according to Google Maps.

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