Do Not Quench the Spirit: Being Open to the Spirit that Transforms, Renews and Gives Hope in Today’s World
C. Vanessa White, MTS, DMin
Friday, April 22, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
As we journey in the words of Pope Francis and St. Francis to care for all of creation, let us be mindful that it is that Holy Spirit that gives us the power and the resilience we need to do the work of chaplaincy in today’s world. Have we allowed distractions and busyness to quench the Spirit (1Thes. 5:18) and ‘dry up our bones’ (Proverbs 17:22)? As chaplains, how can we reconnect to that Spirit that transforms, renews and gives hope for today?
C. Vanessa White, MTS, DMin is Assistant Professor of Spirituality and Ministry, Director of the Certificate in Pastoral Studies and the Director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union. She is also a member of the faculty for Xavier University’s Summer Institute for Black Catholic Studies in New Orleans where she is currently the coordinator of the Elder’s Retreat, as well as adjunct faculty for the African American Ministries Certificate program at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. Dr. White is co-editor of the book, Songs of the Heart and Meditations of the Soul – A book of prayers, and contributing author in Liturgy and Justice published by Liturgical Press. She has published articles in Horizons, New Theology Review, The Bible Today and U.S. Catholic Magazine. She was asked by CNN News to contribute to their “Black in America” series. She has been appointed as a consultant to the USCCB Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service which assists US bishops in reviewing and approving certification standards and procedures to be used by arch/dioceses and national organizations in the certification of specialized ecclesial ministers.
