Advancing Chaplaincy: Volunteer of the Month for June 2008
Name:
Kathleen (Kate) Sullivan
Work:
Vice President of Religion and
Pastoral Care and NACC/ACPE
Supervisor, The Village at Manor Park,
Milwaukee, WI
NACC member since:
1988
Volunteer service:
I’m
evening receptionist and lector
at the Cathedral of St. John
the Evangelist in Milwaukee. I also volunteer at the
church’s major fundraising project, the St. Patrick’s
Day Celebration. In the past I have had the privilege
of serving on:_ NACC Regional Certification
Committee; Interview Team member for NACC
certification; Search team for the NACC executive
director; and ACPE National Certification Commission.
Book on your nightstand:
Miss Rumphius by Barbara
Cooney, a children’s book that speaks to three important things
in my life: travel, living by water and making the world a more
beautiful place.
Book you recommend most often:
When Things Fall
Apart / Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron,
and
Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope by S. Joan
Chittister, OSB.
Favorite spiritual resource:
Sitting on my balcony
overlooking Lake Michigan
Favorite fun self-care activity:
Getting massages
Favorite movie:
“Calendar Girls”
Favorite retreat spot:
St. Joseph Retreat Center, Baileys
Harbor, WI
Personal mentor or role model:
My high school
teacher, Sr. Cecilia James, who embodied gentleness of spirit,
acceptance of people, sense of humor and, most significantly, a
deep and abiding faith in her God.
Famous/historic mentor or role model:
Henry Nouwen
and S. Joan Chittister, both have modeled for me being a
“wounded healer” as well as a disciple of integrity and
faithfulness.
Why did you become a chaplain?
During a
three-week stint in the hospital as a patient in 1975 I
observed a chaplain “working with” patients. She
offered a safe, accepting presence. Six months later I
had the opportunity to take my first unit of CPE, fell
in love with the process and the caring ministry. The
rest is history and the beginning of living a new
ministry.
Why do you stay in the NACC?
Since becoming
a member of NACC I have been impressed with the
professional, competent training for ministry, the respect with
which lay people are welcomed and trained, and NACC’s
efforts to work toward creating standards that put us on a par
with other certifying organizations.
Why do/did you volunteer?
For me, it is part of faithful
stewardship. I have been given much, and I try to give back
when possible and with gratitude.
What volunteer activity has been most rewarding?
Serving on the National Certification Commission for ACPE
and the Regional Certification Committee for NACC.
“Journeying with” people as they answer God’s call is truly
visiting sacred space.
What have you learned from volunteering?
I’ve been
in awe and humbled by the generosity of so many wonderful
people.
Take me back to the main Volunteers page.
