It was a sight to behold on an early Saturday morning – a river of people in bright red shirts along the pathways and sidewalks of the Beach Road – as more than five hundred participants of the 2018 Health Ministry 5K Walkathon joined in the launching of the new Health Ministry program of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
Parishioners of all ages, families with their young children on strollers and even non-Catholics showed up early at the parking lot of Kristo Rai Parish in Garapan where they started the walk towards Quartermaster Road and back.
“I am proud of our Diocese for such a great kickoff event!”, says Claire Seelinger, who is a parishioner of Kristo Rai. “Out on the trail, I felt that people were really trying to take advantage of the occasion to ‘push’ themselves. Some running, some jogging, others were keeping up a brisk pace. It seemed that folks were really catching the vision to try to be healthy, and the choice of finish line snacks were excellent, too.”
Helen, a non-Catholic resident of Dan Dan participated in the event as an advocate in keeping good health. “I really like this kind of activities,” she said. “Even to my friends, I recommend walking, jogging, running and eating healthy foods because health is wealth!”
Bishop Ryan initiated this new program of the diocese as a sign of the commitment of the Church to take care of the welfare of its people, not only spiritual but physical as well. Even though he was unable to participate in the actual walk because of his recent foot surgery, Bishop Ryan led the event by doing the opening remarks and prayer and he stayed throughout the entire event mingling and talking with parishioners.
It wasn’t only healthy but it was also a fun-filled event for everyone. Parishioners were delighted to see their respective parish priests as well as some of the religious sisters walked with them. Mount Carmel School students were also present, some of them as volunteers. CHCC nurses and Northern Marianas College nursing students were also available monitoring blood pressures and blood sugars for those who wanted.
There was definitely a strong sense of excitement among the large crowd, most of them already talking about the next event. “This is exciting,” says Jennette Camacho from San Roque. “I hope next time, it will be longer than 5K!” Jennette and many parishioners from San Roque came as early as 5 AM.
Bishop Ryan and the new Health Ministry has other activities planned for the year. They will also come up with a diocesan policy on how to promote awareness on a healthy and active lifestyle in the parishes.
Health issues are always one of the major concerns of our island community and therefore it is also one of the issues which the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa must be involve with. After all, one of the important mission of the clergy in the parishes is the ministry to the sick in the hospital and in the homes. However, the diocese believes that ministry to the sick must also include prevention and therefore, it means to be pro-active in raising awareness to a healthy lifestyle.
Check the photos here: 2018 Walkathon photos.
