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Vol. 20, No. 3
May/June 2010
Vision is published six times a year by the
National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Its purpose is to connect our members with
each other and with the governance of the
Association. Vision informs and educates
our membership about issues in pastoral/
spiritual care and helps chart directions for
the future of the profession, as well as the
Association.
ISSN: 1527-2370
Executive Editor
David A. Lichter, D.Min.
Editor
Laurie Hansen Cardona
lcardona@nacc.org
Graphic Designer
Gina Rupcic
The National Association of Catholic
Chaplains advocates for the profession of
spiritual care and educates, certifies, and
supports chaplains, clinical pastoral
educators and all members who continue
the healing ministry of Jesus in the name of
the Church.
NACC Editorial Advisory Panel:
Austine Duru, Sr. Michele LeDoux Sakurai; Michelle Lemiesz; Linda
Piotrowski; Rev. Freddy Washington, CSSp;
and board representative Norma Gutierrez,
MCDP.
NACC National Office
4915 S. Howell Avenue Suite 501
Milwaukee, WI 53207-5939
(414) 483-4898
Fax: (414) 483-6712
info@nacc.org
www.nacc.org
Name: Mary Patricia Conlan, RSM, DMin
Work: Certified trainer for Bridges Out of Poverty, The Community Foundation, City of Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa
Member since: 1986
Volunteer service: Lifelong commitment inherited from my parents. At present, I am co-facilitating "Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World" classes for the homeless and low-income individuals and their families by helping them enhance their dignity as children of God and assisting them in co-investigating and learning skills and resources to envision a future story for themselves and their children. I serve on the Operation Empower Board, supporting, educating and advocating for a sustainable community and employment for low-income men and women. We are developing, in collaboration with local businesses, resources for the rehabilitation, education, formation and recreation of our youth.
Book on your nightstand: “Gracism,” by David A. Anderson, a book inviting us "to lift up, to cover, to share with, to honor, to stand with, to consider and to celebrate" each person.
Books you recommend most often: : The Bible, because it invites, challenges and enlightens me where I am each moment of every day. “This Flowing Toward Me,” by Marilyn Lacey, RSM, that helps me to meet God arriving in strangers. I believe that we must stand in the margins and honor one another with Amish grace. "How could encountering God face-to-face be disheartening? Where else could I hope to find such a blessing?"
Favorite spiritual resources: Sacred Scripture, the Eucharist, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, faith sharing and the local faith community.
Favorite fun activity: Walking, listening to nature or classical music and sharing stories of ministry.
Favorite movies: "The Blind Side" and "Invictus" -- building bridges and relationships between economic classes.
Favorite retreat spot: Near the water.
Personal mentor or role model: My youngest and deceased sister, Grace Ann (Conlan) Gassman, who was a model of hospitality and inclusivity.
Famous/historic mentor or role model: Thomas Merton, OCSO, who taught me reflection and contemplation as a stance from which to act.
Why did you become a chaplain? To discover Christ in others by bearing witness to the compassion and love of God for each person through total inclusivity and boundless forgiveness. To live in total surrender according to God's will and the breath of the Holy Spirit through prayer and contemplation. To share my baptismal commitment of daily dying and rising in my transformation process so that we might reflect the Light within us into our scars, our wounds, and our darkness as we become beacons of hope for one another. To focus on the Word of God in the present moment so that we might deepen our relationships with God and one another. To be compassion in action with a passion for justice. To bring truth-telling to the status quo.
What do you get from NACC? Support, connections and an organization with a Code of Ethics, current Standards of Practice, and board certification as we become increasingly more credible, experienced, academic professionals who do research and publish in our fields of expertise and who collaborate, network, and advocate with other disciplines. I am encouraged to serve our organization and society where I can make a difference with others and actively envision our future as the people of God.
Why do you stay in the NACC? NACC motivates and invites me to use my gifts "outside the box" by being a chaplain with the homeless and low-income persons, by ministering on the fringes of society, by empowering "the poverty of our society" to ethical and moral behavior befitting children of God, by challenging unjust practices in corporations and by assisting the local community envision sustainability that enhances the dignity of each person.
Why do you volunteer? To be of service with each other; to empower one another; to facilitate a future story for one another; to be faithful stewards of our gifts for one another; and to grow closer and deeper in our relationships with God and one another.
What volunteer activity has been most rewarding? Ministering with the homeless and/or low-income persons. When we minister "eyeball to eyeball," everyone can own a vision of the future together. One of my greatest joys in life is to celebrate the success of others.
What have you learned from volunteering? We need each other. We receive more than we give. Service is the rent we pay for living! Celebrate each other!
Name: Judy Donohue
Work: Staff chaplain at St. Joseph East Hospital in Lexington, KY
Member since: 2002
Volunteer service: Coordinate the Kentucky NACC regional gatherings once a year since 2008.
Books on your nightstand: “Hope for Today: Hope for family and friends of
alcoholics” and “The Love Revolution,” by Joyce Meyer.
Book you recommend most often: “Beauty for Ashes,” by Joyce Meyer
Favorite spiritual resource: In addition to the Bible, I enjoy “Alcoholics
Anonymous (The Big Book)” or anything involving 12-step recovery.
Favorite fun self-care activity: Comedy movies, walking the trails around
the neighborhood and at the Abbey of Gethsemani
Favorite movie: “Brother Sun, Sister Moon” or the “The Blind Side”
Favorite retreat spot: The Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, KY
Mentors: Fr. Dennis Knight, Sr. Ellen Kehoe
Historic role model: Mother Catherine Spalding
Why did you become a chaplain? I became a chaplain after a career change and much prayer and discernment. I felt that the intimacy of personal conversations with others was what God was calling me to do in my ministry.
What do you get from NACC? Continuing education from the Vision as well as support from the regional gatherings of Kentucky NACC.
Why do you stay in the NACC? Because of the emotional and spiritual support. The conferences are exciting and challenging, and it’s helpful to see what other people are doing.
Why do/did you volunteer? To give back because of what God and others have given to me and in thanks for the many blessings I have received.
What volunteer activity has been most rewarding? I enjoy coordinating the Kentucky NACC Yearly Day of Spiritual Enrichment. I love to see the interaction between members and the satisfaction of growing spiritually and in relation with each other.
What have you learned from volunteering? I have learned to lean on others to provide what I am not able to. Someone will help and pitch in when I cannot do something or don’t have the time and this is comforting.