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Northern California gathering: October 28, 2008

Reflection by Nancy Cook, NACC State Liaison for California
The Northern California NACC chaplains gathered last week in San Jose for a time of friendship and sharing. Ann Seckinger of Odyssey Hospice was our gracious host and facilitator. National Pastoral Care Week’s theme of Listening Presence Listen Hear the Story served as our guide.

Fr. Rory Murphy (Daly City) and Sister Jane Garrison (San Jose) served as prayer leaders. Five chaplains presented on the varied and many ways to be a listening presence. In Stories, Connie Johnstone (Sacramento) led us off in two humor filled and thought provoking fables. In TWWAMs we were reminded how to have solid footing on the healer’s path. In Entering the Sacred Encounter Patty Harrison (Lodi) shared with the group her ministry experiences and her time of waiting and keeping faith in the wait. Dan Olivieri (Santa Cruz), in Contemplative Presence, invited us to contemplate the experience of the self, self-image and presence. He shared with us his experience in a Native American ritual where in darkness one finds the light. Dan’s story also included music accompanied by his wife and a rich reflection written on Palm Sunday. Young Mi A. Pak (Berkeley), in Waiting, invited us to consider the gift in waiting and to consider when waiting becomes suffering and/or healing. She connected this to our own experience and to that of our patients. Lastly, in Listening Eyes, Ann Seckinger (San Jose), invited us to use lugubrious eyes in our patient care and urged us to care for our eyes so that they may always be filled with compassion. We then ended Ann’s story, and all the stories, in a blessing of our eyes.

After lunch and small group sharing the group discussed future topics (aromatherapy, healing touch, working with patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s and people in coma and/or non-verbal) for the next meeting to be held this summer. We gather in the fall and spring. If you would like to host a gathering please contact me, your NACC State Representative, at nancy.cook@chw.edu or 916-453-4552.

Southern California gathering: June 20th, 2008

On Friday, June 20th, 25 NACC members gathered at the Vitas Innovative Hospice Center in Irvine, California. The Sisters of St. Joseph Health System and St. Joseph Hospital sponsored the meals. Participants spent the day getting to know each other, identifying key ministry issues, and focusing on future gatherings. Marie Polhamus will be their NACC Liaison. They are already planning a November education day on ethics.

Northern California gathering: June 25th, 2008

On Wednesday, June 25th, 24 NACC members gathered at Catholic Health West offices in San Francisco, California. Catholic Health West both offered their office space and meals. The participants learned about each other’s call to chaplaincy and current ministry, and identified key topics for future gatherings. Nancy Cook will be the northern California liaison. They are planning another fall meeting.