Issue #228 – July 25, 2016

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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
One of the rich and insightful texts from the Muslim tradition was the Hadith of the Night Journey and Ascent (Al-Issra Wal Mi’raj), narrated by Anas Bin Malik, included in Al-Bukhari and Muslim ‘Hadith sources, and reported by Bin Katheer. This part of the Hadith was recorded by Al-Bukhari, and reported in Bin Katheer’s interpretation. It can be found at:
http://www.aljazeerah.info/Islamic%20Editorials/2014/January/Prophet%20Muhammed’s%20Night%20Journey%20and%20Ascent%20to%20Heavens,%20Al-Issra%20Wal%20Mi’raj,%20By%20Hassan%20Ali%20El-Najjar.htm

Then (when I was in audience with Allah), prayer was ordained on me, fifty prayers every day. As I descended back, I passed by Moussa, who asked me about what I was ordained (to do).

I said, “I was commanded (to perform) fifty prayers every day.”

He said, “your Ummah (followers, community, nation) cannot perform fifty prayers every day. By Allah, I had an experience with people before you, dealing with the Children of Israel, with the hardest of ways. Go back to your Lord and ask him a lighter ordinance for your Ummah.”

I went back (to my Lord) Who decreased the number of prayers by five. Then, as I descended back, I passed by Moussa, who said the same words. I went back (to my Lord) Who decreased the number of prayers by five. (The Prophet did that five times) I was (finally) commanded to perform five prayers everyday (which are equal to fifty in their weight, as rewards for good deeds will be multiplied ten times – Sahih Muslim).

(When the Prophet passed by Moussa the last time, and was advised to go back and ask his Lord for less number of prayers), he answered: “I asked my Lord enough, I’m too shy now (to ask Him for more), I am content and I submit (to His will).

As I left (Moussa), I heard a call (from my Lord):
“I have decreed my command and made it light on my worshippers.”

When I reflected on this text for the first time, besides appreciating sacred roots of the five Rakahs of the Muslim Salat, I was moved to wonderment and gratitude for the universal experience of the art of negotiation and persistence in prayer among the Abrahamic traditions. We recognize quickly in this narrative the similar dialogues between Moses and God, as well as yesterday’s first reading sharing Abraham’s pleading with God to save Sodom negotiating from fifty to ten, with in the end, not finding the ten! Of course, yesterday’s Gospel (Luke 11:1-13) reintroduces us to both the Lord’s prayer and the comparisons of relating to God with the outcome of pleading for bread from a friend at midnight and getting fish, not a scorpion, from a loving father. How do we grow in assurance in our prayer?

I find myself often going back to a perspective of Teresa of Avila, who commented that in prayer we need to be aware of who we are and in Whose presence we are, and to gaze on the One who is gazing at us. So what does that gaze look like? I tried to think about situations with people where I was trying to negotiate and be persistent. I usually remember my being uncomfortable and uneasy, and was concerned about how that person would respond. Those human analogies were not very helpful to me to reflect on Teresa’s counsel. Then, reflecting further, I realized over time (and maturity), that the source of my courage (cor-agere- Latin roots, meaning to act from the heart) and fortitude (fortis – Latin strength) in being persistent/negotiating was the passion for the importance of what I was being persistent and negotiating for, who or what was at risk.

So I wonder if I could amend Teresa’s counsel to add not only being aware of “who we are” but of “the loves of our lives” that we bring before the Source of Love? Was it not the Prophet’s, Moses’, and Abraham’s love for their people that kept them in conversation with the Ultimate? Our persistence, then, just reflects or mirrors that of the Source of Love. Our prayer becomes a persistent, mutual mirroring of passionate love as our deepest concerns more and more mirror God’s deepest concern. What seems to be the human art of negotiating is actually participating in God’s never-ending passionate, persistent dance of love for us that we only gradually recognize. So, it seems that the source of persistence or negotiating in prayer has little to do with the human experience of negotiation but everything to do with my persistently being aware of and embracing the loves of my life and letting them lead me to, being with, and mirroring the Ultimate Love and Love’s intentions for us.

So what do you think? What does persistence in prayer look like to you?

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. Please send by August 31 your nominees for the three NACC awards! *
The NACC Annual Awards Advisory Panel invites NACC members to nominate NACC members who exemplify the award criteria both for the Distinguished Service Award and for the Emergent Leader Award (for an NACC member 50 years of age or younger who is serving NACC in some leadership capacity). Also, the Panel invites you to nominate a non-NACC member professional colleague who embodies the award criteria for the Outstanding Colleague Award. These awards will be presented at our 2017 Annual Conference. Criteria and nomination forms can be found here. Please send in your nominations by Wednesday, August 31. For questions, please contact Tim Charek (tcharek@nacc.org).

3. Seeking applicants for additional NACC leadership positions
The Board of Directors election process has concluded for 2016. The Nominations Panel is now focusing its efforts on the NACC leadership positions that will be open January 1, 2017. Currently identified openings are:

Certification Appeals Panel (1)
Certification Commission (2)
Editorial Advisory Panel (1)
Educational Advisory Panel (2)
Ethics Appeals Panel (2)
Finance Committee (1)
Governance Committee (1)
Nominations Panel (1)
Standards Commission (2)

You can access the Roles, Responsibilities and Criteria for the various committees, commissions, and panels on the NACC Website at www.nacc.org/about-nacc/leadership/association-leadership. Make a difference and get involved, as NACC is a membership-directed organization! Please contact Tim Charek (tcharek@nacc.org) at the national office for more information.

4. Retired Member Status and Maintaining Chaplain Board Certification *
This past week the NACC national office emailed to all NACC Certified members information relative to maintaining certification during retirement. This communication was the same as the communication which was mailed to all NACC certified members on July 8, 2016. The communication outlines the Board of Directors’ decision to reduce the requirements for renewal of certification for Retired members of the association. Please contact Jeanine Annunziato at the NACC National Office with any questions (jannunziato@nacc.org) related to the reduced requirements. We look forward to being blessed by retired chaplains/supervisors who renew their certification under the revised guidelines and we welcome their continued service to the NACC.

5. News about our NACC members *
We always welcome hearing about our members. Please send us news items about yourself or our NACC colleagues!

Read the wonderful article about our NACC member, Marcia (Marcy) Thaeler, BCC, and her husband, Deacon John Thaeler, “Couple lives their calling by visiting the sick,” – www.icatholic.org/article/couple-lives-their-calling-by-visiting-the-sick-3299095

Also, read the news about Fr. Anthony Nwudah BCC’s new position at Mercy Medical Care – Sioux City. www.catholicglobe.org/?p=7590

Our member, Cheryl Frei, BCC, and her husband, David, were recently written about also regarding personal and professional transitions.
www.dailyastorian.com/columns/20160720/southern-exposure-couple-exchange-big-apple-for-cannon-beach

6. Deaths of current and former NACC Members *
We recently learned of the May 27, 2016, death of our member, John P. Grubba, BCC, who joined NACC in 1994 and was certified in 2000. He served faithfully for 25 years as the night chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center right up to the time a fast moving cancer took him within five weeks of diagnosis. Read more about John below:

Twenty-five year Night Chaplain John Grubba, died here at Loyola University Medical Center, surrounded by his Loyola family, on Thursday, May 27.

John was suddenly and terminally diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma five weeks earlier. John was the only child of parents were also only children, having no siblings, aunts, uncles, or cousins. His Loyola family took up his care.

On Monday, May 24, PC Director Marie Coglianese, his POA, and I met with him to clarify some issues with him at home, where he wanted to die. It was clear to us that he needed help to be ready for his next day doctor appointment, so I stayed overnight with him on the spur of the moment. His deteriorating condition led the doctor to immediately admit him to the hospital in hospice. As John withdrew with comfort care pain management, a steady stream of hospital staff stopped to say good-bye and “thanks.”

About ten years ago, John was the only chaplain (other than our director, Marie Coglianese) to be recognized as the “Magis Employee of the Month,” complete with his picture in the hallway by the cafeteria. That ironic humor (which John was known for) was not lost on any chaplain in the department. John was notably great with patients, families and staffs, but often gruff with CPE students and staff chaplains. As we all knew, his dedication to patient care often came across as brusque and impatient in his interactions with us. As the only child of parents who were also only children, John was a perfect “night staff person.”

We loved him and he will be missed.

Jerry Kaelin / jkaelin@lumc.edu
ACPE Supervisor, Pastoral Care/CPE Manager & NACC Certified Chaplain
Loyola University Medical Center

Our former NACC member Sr. Catherine D. Cress, SNDdeN, died on July 3, 2016. She joined and was certified with NACC in 1988 and remained a member until 2009. She served many years at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Baltimore, MD. As a “diamond jubilarian,” she wrote of her great gratitude for the “privilege of ministering to the sick and dying, visiting hospitals and nursing homes, leading funerals and cemetery services.” www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?n=catherine-dolores-cress&pid=180621136

7. Vision: did you read the article by Ann Garrido on managing conflict? *
In Vision Ann Garrido discusses managing conflict and how can you change your supervisor’s mind? Ann Garrido, author of the new book “Redeeming Conflict,” says that that may be the wrong question. In the new issue of Vision, she lays out steps for constructive dialogue with a person in a position of greater power. To read the article, and much more about leadership, click here.

8. Upcoming NACC networking calls in August *
If you wish to participate on any of these calls and are not already on that particular call list, please contact Tim Charek tcharek@nacc.org

Tuesday, August 16, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time – Long Term Care
Tuesday, August 16, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time — African Members
Wednesday, August 17, 10:00 a.m. Central Time — Outpatient/Discharge/ACO Group
Thursday, August 18, 10:00 a.m. Central Time – Hispanic/Latino Members
Monday, August 22, at 11:00 a.m. Central Time — NACC Retired/Emeritus Members
Monday, August 22, at 1:00 p.m. Central Time — Deacon Members
Tuesday, August 23, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time – State Liaisons
Tuesday, August 23, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time — NACC Retired/Emeritus Members
Wednesday, August 24, 2:00 am Central Time – State Liaisons
Thursday, August 25, at 11:00 a.m. Central Time — Palliative Care/Hospice Group

9. Seeking Vision writers for the September-October issue on ministering to cultural and religious diversity. *
The September-October issue of Vision will center on ministering to cultural and religious diversity, and as always, we welcome your contributions. We are particularly interested in articles to cover ministering to those of no religion; training staff in religious and cultural awareness; and triaging referrals for non-Christian patients. If you would like to write about these ideas, or others, please send a note to Vision editor David Lewellen at dlewellen@nacc.org. The copy deadline is August 8.

10. Seeking Vision writers for the November-December issue on the mental and behavioral health ministry. *
We are considering a theme of mental and behavioral health ministry for the November-December issue of Vision. Relatively few of our members work exclusively in mental health settings, but the topic has wide relevance to the work of spiritual care. If you have ideas for an article related to this theme, please send a note to Vision editor David Lewellen at dlewellen@nacc.org.

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

11. Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM is site for our April 28-May 1, 2017 NACC Conference! *
The April 28 – May 1, 2017 Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, just outside Albuquerque. It is in a beautiful setting ideal for our conference. More information on hotel reservations will be forthcoming. To view the Resort and Spa, go to tamaya.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html.

12. 2017 NACC Conference Planning Task Force announces 2017 Conference Theme! *
The Conference Planning Task Force is pleased to announce the theme for the 2017 National Conference is “Hearts on Fire, Our Own Emmaus Journey: Living Tradition, Sacred Stories, God Always with Us, Continually Transformed.”

In April, Catholic Chaplains and Chaplains of other faith traditions from across the nation, Canada, and beyond, will gather in New Mexico to be energized, supported, challenged and transformed personally and professionally. This year’s conference theme, “Hearts on Fire, Our Own Emmaus Journey,” will render the opportunity for each person to reflect on his or her own journey as Followers of Christ.

We will begin our journey with recognizing our Living Tradition – a Tradition that travels through time with a shared experience and history making us who we are as individuals and as chaplains. This Living Tradition is deeply rooted in faith and theology.

The road we travel is one in which we are continually developing our own story while we engage in the stories of those we minister to, as well as a global story. These stories are filled with challenges, struggles, brokenness, strife as well as joy, grace, peace and reconciliation. As we encounter the roads of life, how do we as individuals, as a Church and as an organization, continue the Living Tradition through these Sacred Stories?

This road we travel and the ministry we engage in are not done in isolation. As we continue on the road to our own Emmaus, we are constantly reminded that God is always present – ahead of us and beside us. This God is one of faithfulness who we are called by to continue the work of His saving action.

As we discover the meaning of our own Emmaus, we are transformed every step of the way. With the presence of God and Burning Hearts, we continually change and grow personally, professionally and as Followers of Christ. It is with Transformed Burning Hearts that we continue the mission of a Church with a Living Tradition and Sacred Stories always in the Presence of a Living God.

13. 2017 NACC Conference Logo *

Visit the NACC website to get a first look at the 2017 Conference Logo.

14. 2017 NACC Conference call for workshop proposals *
Watch the NACC Now in the coming weeks for our official “call” for workshop proposals. Please consider this opportunity to share your gifts as a workshop presenter.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. This coming Thursday’s webinar – July 28, Certification with the NACC! *
This coming Thursday, July 28, the NACC continues its 2016 webinar series with Certification with the NACC, presented by Carolanne B. Hauck, BCC.

This webinar is of particular interest to those who are working towards certification as a Board Certified Chaplain and will provide participants with an overview of the NACC certification process, with special attention to the revised NACC standards and procedures. We will present key information about certification and provide a forum for answering questions about certification with the NACC. This free webinar will be presented by members of the NACC Certification Commission. This webinar will be repeated in November.
Thursday, July 28, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

If you have not already done so, it is still not too late to register for this webinar.

Please note that this webinar is offered at no charge, but you still need to register in order to receive information on how to access both the webinar materials and the webinar itself. Please see below for registration information.

Participants qualify for 2.0 CEHs total for the session (which includes 90 minutes for the webinar plus 30 minutes preparation time).

To register for this webinar, as well as for any other NACC 2016 webinars, please visit the webinar page on our website by clicking on this LINK. The web page contains a link to a downloadable paper registration form, but you can also register online by clicking on REGISTER.

16. This coming Thursday, July 28, 1:30-3:00 p.m. Central Time, APC Webinar on Best 2015 Papers for Chaplaincy by Krisha Arvin BCC, Sarah Byrne-Martelli BCC and Brian Hughes BCC *
This webinar will introduce the best published (research) chaplaincy-related papers from the 2015 calendar year, broken down by category, and provide a kind of verbal annotated bibliography to the participants:
www.professionalchaplains.org/calendar_day.asp?date=7/28/2016&event=109

17. The upcoming NACC webinars! *

Renewal of Certification by the NACC
Presented by NACC Certification Commissioners: Augustine (Austine) Duru, MA, MDiv, BCC, Kathleen M. Ponce, MAPS, BCC, and Jane W. Smith, DMin, BCC, AADP
Thursday, August 18, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Metrics for Spiritual Care Interventions: a CHI Kentucky One Initiative
Presented by Rabbi Dr. Nadia Siritsky, MSSW, BCC
Thursday, September 22, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

What Every Chaplain Should Know About the Business of Health Care
Presented by Tim Crowley, MHA, MAPM, LFACHE
Thursday, October 13, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Ethical Issues Facing Our Healthcare Settings, and Implications for Spiritual Care
Presented by Rev. Thomas A. Nairn, OFM, PhD
Thursday, November 10, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Certification by the NACC
Presented by the NACC
Thursday, November 17, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Chaplaincy and the Ritual Ministry: Its Role and Value
Presented by Jim Letourneau, BCC and Linda Bronersky, BCC-S
Thursday, December 8, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

To register for these webinar, please visit the webinar page on our website by clicking on this LINK. The web page contains a link to a downloadable paper registration form, but you can also register online by clicking on REGISTER.

18. New book on chaplaincy and suffering: The End of the Island: Finding Life in the Movements of Human Suffering, Pain, and Loss by Jeffrey C. Tucker *
Jeffery Tucker, a chaplain serving the greater Philadelphia area, has recently published this book that provides both a theory and theology of human suffering, as well as practical pastoral and behavioral practices and ideas. This book is both for those who suffer and those who care for the sufferer.
www.amazon.com/End-Island-Finding-Movements-Suffering-ebook/dp/B01FIJ28KM#navbar

19. Request: Learning from Chaplains: The Role of Spirituality in Medical Education *
Vision editor David Lewellen is gathering sources for an article in Health Progress about spirituality education in medical schools and nursing schools — programs such as the Healer’s Art course and the Physician’s Vocation Program at Loyola. Do any NACC members know of other programs (not necessarily Catholic) along those lines? If so, please send a note to David at dlewellen@nacc.org. Thank you very much.

20. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
We continue to pray for: Rosemary Benya BCC, Sr. Nancy Beckenhauer, Charlotte Leas, Mara Kujawa (very good friend of NACC staffer Sue Walker), Jeanine and Jim Annunziato (at the death of Jim’s father and mother), Marilyn and Chuck Silkey (sister and brother-in-law of NACC member Kathy Ponce), Dr. David Nile (Husband of recently deceased NACC member Lucy G. Nile BCC),Amy in Redwood City, CA (friend of NACC member Theresa Sullivan), Julie Bablin, the family of Dale Dewitt, Fr. Douglas F. Faraci, Maritza Ramos-Pratt, Jane Chiamaka Onuoha (very young baby of our NACC member Michael Onuoha), Kathleen (Kate) Sullivan, Sandy Tiefenbrun (spouse of Anita Barni), Marie Coglianese, Nancy and Sheila Amrich (nieces-in-law of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, Sister Patricia Watkins, GNSH, Rev. Gerald U. Onuoha, David Markiewicz (grandson of recently deceased NACC member Roberta Markiewicz), Sister Stephanie Morales, FMI, Marybeth Harmon, Renato Fallico, Susan Balling, Maria Meneses, Chaplain Julia Mary Sweeney (mourning the death of her sister, Margaret Maureen Lewis, BA Honors), Sr. Sheila Prendeville, CPPS, Sister M. Dianna Hell, Sister Maria Theresa Hronec, Betty and Louis Skonieczny, Jim Castello, Jeff Michel (brother-in-law of David Lichter), Thomas from Chicago (12 years old), Thomas Smiley (brother of member Diane Smiley), Marga Halala, Donn Renfro (son-in-law of Karen Pugliese), Thomas (grandson of NACC member Ginny Grimes Allen), Beth from Boston (friend of NACC member Dana Sandlin), Sr. Janet Bielmann, Elizabeth A. Walsh, Francesco Marshall, Glenn and Pat Teske, Susan Murphy, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Sr. Mary Clare Boland, SP, Sr. Phyllis Ann DiRenzo, Kathy Brier (daughter of NACC member Theresa Brier), Gloria Troxler, Fr. Kevin Ikpah, and Kelly Elizabeth Sexton (daughter of NACC member Melyssa Sexton).

21. Recent job postings*
The following positions have been posted recently on our Positions Available page.
For more information go to www.nacc.org/resources/positions.

CERTIFIED CHAPLAIN
Baltimore, Maryland – Mercy Medical Center

REGIONAL DIRECTOR – MISSION, ETHICS AND PASTORAL CARE
Jefferson City, Missouri – St. Mary’s Hospital

FULL-TIME STAFF CHAPLAIN – ROMAN CATHOLIC
St. Paul, Minnesota – St. Joseph’s Hospital

CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, hospital campus

STAFF CHAPLAIN AND COORDINATOR OF CATHOLIC MINISTRIES
La Crosse, Wisconsin – Gundersen Health System

ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
St. Louis, Missouri – Mercy Hospital

CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Blue Springs and Kansas City, Missouri – Prime Healthcare

HOSPICE CHAPLAIN
DePere, Wisconsin – Unity Hospice

DIRECTOR, MISSION INTEGRATION & SPIRITUAL CARE
Medford, Oregon – Providence Medford Medical Center

SPIRITUAL CARE MANAGER
Vancouver/Longview, Washington – PeaceHealth

PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Washington, DC – MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Jackson, Mississippi – St. Dominic Hospital

CHAPLAINS
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin – Agnesian HealthCare

CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Fullerton, California – St. Jude Medical Center

View these jobs and more at: www.nacc.org/resources/positions.

NACC Now #228

Issue #228 – July 25, 2016

NACC

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

Issue #228 – July 25, 2016

NACC

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

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