A Bold Model for Diocesan Pastoral Care Ministry
and Equipping Catholic Laypersons to Serve

Click here to download files and to listen to the recording from this event.

* To participate remotely in a live-streamed event, all that is needed is a computer with Internet access and speakers. (There will be NO phone number available to listen by phone.) Remote participants will watch and listen to the presentation via streaming internet feed. The event is priced per internet connection, not per participant. That means you can invite colleagues to join you in your office or conference room.

Program Description
Over the past couple of years, several Catholic ministry associations (Partners in the Pastoral Care Ministry) convened with the support of the Raskob Foundation, to examine the diverse settings within which pastoral care is needed, to identify core competencies needed for those providing pastoral care, to highlight good practices in preparing to offer pastoral care, and to provide networking and resources for those involved in the formation for pastoral care ministry. As part of our efforts, in the coming years our Partners in the Pastoral Care Ministry want to provide those responsible for pastoral care preparation in dioceses, education institutions, formation programs, and other organizations opportunities to learn from those responsible for existing or new efforts to prepare men and women for this pastoral care ministry.

This first streamed session will feature colleagues from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, who will present an overview of a major diocesan initiative: assessing pastoral care needs, designing and implementing a multiple-dimensional program addressing those needs, and developing a three-tier educational program to equip Catholic laity to provide pastoral care ministry. This multiple-year project will provide a significant expansion of ministry to hospitals in the Texas Medical Center and other healthcare institutions throughout the Archdiocese, as well impact the pastoral care provided in so many diverse settings in the Archdiocese. Presenters will offer assessment of the program’s progress after the first six months of operation and projections for the next 6-12 months. Presenters will share the extensive preparation and implementation strategy, as well as the core content of the in-person and online program.

Objectives
Participants will:

1. Gain an overview of the Partners in the Pastoral Care Ministry initiative and the potential value of the newly developed Competencies for Pastoral care, and how they can participate in this initiative.
2. Learn about the implementation phase of the Galveston-Houston’s pastoral care initiative, followed by plans to advance the program in the coming months.
3. Understand this model’s approach to equip Catholic laypersons to assume the role of Pastoral Visitor by providing pastoral care to patients and families. Gain knowledge of the diocesan Catholic Chaplain Corps formation program, and the early insights of the program’s performance, and what can be helpful to other dioceses that have or plan to implement a diocesan pastoral care training program.
4. part of a network of professionals involved in the preparation of others for the pastoral care ministry.

About the Presenters
David A. Lichter, DMin is the Executive Director of the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

Sr. M. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O.Carm., BA, LNHA has been the Director of the Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. since 1997, and has over thirty-five years’ experience in the continuum care ministry as a Carmelite Sister for the Aged and Infirm.

Deacon Al Vacek, JD, MAPS, BCC is the Director, Catholic Chaplain Corps, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. He is a principal in vision and implementation of the new Archdiocesan lay ministry program.

Denice S. Foose, MAPS, MBA, BCC is the Associate Director, Catholic Chaplain Corps, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. She too is a principal in vision and implementation of the new Archdiocesan lay ministry program.

Rev. Ted M. Smith, D.Min., Certified ACPE Educator, BCC (APC) is a member of the NACC, and Director of Mission, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. He is a faculty member for the new Archdiocesan program.

Program of Events
10:00 a.m. Welcome, Prayer, Introduction (David Lichter)

10:10 a.m. Partners in the Pastoral Care Ministry – an overview (David Lichter)

10:20 a.m. Session One: Pastoral Care to the Elderly as an Integral Component (Sr. M. Peter Lillian Di Maria)

10:35 a.m. Session Two: Galveston-Houston – How was the assessment and implementation conducted? (Deacon Al Vacek, Denice Foose)

11:00 a.m. Exchange: with those participating – How to determine what’s needed? (David Lichter)

11:15 a.m. Session Three: Galveston-Houston – How does the program equip laity for pastoral care? How are these educational goals correlated to the newly formed Competencies? (Rev. Ted Smith)

11:35 a.m. Exchange: What are the takeaways about designing and implementing programs for pastoral care? (David Lichter)

11:50 a.m. Conclusion: How can we strengthen one another’s work going forward? Partners in the Pastoral Care Ministry. (David Lichter)

2 CEH’s are offered.

Files

D. Lichter Intro
D. Lichter Intro 3 Slides Per Page
Session 1 Geriatric Spiritual Care
Session 1 Geriatric Spiritual Care 3 Slides Per Page
Session 2 Assessment And Implementation
Session 2 Assessment And Implementation 3 Slides Per Page
Session 3 Curriculum Module I, II
Session 3 Curriculum Module I, II 3 Slides Per Page
CEH Certificate for this event

Session recordings

Session One: Pastoral Care to the Elderly as an Integral Component (Sr. M. Peter Lillian Di Maria)
Session Two: Galveston-Houston – How was the assessment and implementation conducted? (Deacon Al Vacek, Denice Foose)
Session Three: Galveston-Houston – How does the program equip laity for pastoral care? How are these educational goals correlated to the newly formed Competencies? (Rev. Ted Smith)

If you have any questions, please contact Andris Kursietis at the national office: 414-483-4898 or Akursietis@nacc.org.