Advancing Chaplaincy: Volunteer of the Month for July/August 2008
Name:
Jodi Studnicka
Work:
Chaplain, St. Francis Medical, Grand Island, NE
NACC member since:
Spring 2006
Volunteer service:
My favorite is Young Neighbors in Action and, most recently, Grand Island Diocesan Pastoral Council
Book on your nightstand:
“Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality,” by Margaret Silf
Book you recommend most often:
Any book or article by Joyce Rupp
Favorite spiritual resource:
"Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits," edited by Michael Harter, SJ
Favorite fun self-care activity:
Meeting friends for dinner after work or enjoying a cup of coffee in our kitchen and looking out at our garden on Saturday morning.
Favorite movie:
“Finding Forrester;” it portrays healing and growth through relationships.
Favorite retreat spot:
Knowles Mercy Center, Waterloo, NE
Personal mentor or role model:
Mentor Sr. Maria Magnan and spiritual director Joan Howard
Why did you become a chaplain
I like to walk with people as they journey through life. In my youth I considered several areas of the medical field but found I didn’t like life sciences. I have always been active in volunteer ministry in my parish and eventually it lead to Stephen Ministry. Stephen Ministry introduced the concept of pastoral care. I entered a Loyola Institute for Ministry Program for Pastoral Studies and eventually Clinical Pastoral Education. I continue to be called into the ministry.
What do you get from the NACC?
NACC enables me to connect my ministry to other chaplains on a national level. It provides support for my ministry through its website and most conferences. I appreciate its website accessibility for the educational resources.
Why do you stay in the NACC?
I appreciate the connection with other chaplains and with the profession as a whole. I appreciate the professionalism of the field that NACC brings to my ministry. I benefit from the standards, ethics, research and collaboration that NACC has promoted and developed. I learn from others and NACC provides that avenue.
Why do/did you volunteer?
I volunteered for Young Neighbors mission trips because my daughters were involved and it was an opportunity for our family to spend time together and experience active social justice. I volunteered to chair our diocesan pastoral council because I was nominated and I play a much different role than in pastoral care. It has allowed me the opportunity to serve the diocese in a different role and to work in the overall system. It has challenged me to step out of my more comfortable role of pastoral care and into a facilitating and planning role.
What volunteer activity has been most rewarding?
I observed the transformation of our mission group youth and adults as they experienced a week of community living, social justice teachings, and service.
What have you learned from volunteering?
I have observed the resiliency of the human spirit and how God is truly in all things.
Take me back to the main Volunteers page.
