Issue #235 – October 31, 2016

Eve of All Saints!

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. November-December 2016 issue of Vision on mental health is now online! *
3. Seeking writers of articles about ministry to families for Vision *
4. Upcoming NACC networking calls in November and December *
5. Please consider submitting prayers for the World Day of the Sick cards.

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

6. What do you know about NACC 2017 Conference plenary speaker Dr. Dianne Bergant CSA, who is speaking on Friday, April 28, 2017? *
7. Thank you to all those who submitted workshop proposals! *
8. NACC announces Retreat and Retreat Leader for our 2017 Conference.
9. Making reservations at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, for our April 28 – May 1, 2017 NACC Conference! *

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

10. Current Health Progress is on Common Good theme. *
11. Thursday, November 10 is next NACC Webinar: Ethical Issues Facing Our Healthcare Settings, and Implications for Spiritual Care. *
12. The remainder of 2016 NACC webinars!
13. Consider contributing to a new issue on chaplain case studies! *
14. Transforming Chaplaincy applications are now opened.
15. All details of remaining 2016 NACC Local Events *
16. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
17. Recent job postings *

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
Yesterday’s second reading from 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, presents St. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian community under great duress: “Brothers and sisters: We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” When I reflect on the privilege and power of the chaplaincy ministry, is it not our prayer too that “God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith”?

How often are the times when we sense and are awed by the sacred moments in which we are present to and mediators of the graced goodness of the encounter? When words of reconciliation are spoken to break a decades-old family feud? When you read in the eyes of the dying one the long-awaited peace of a too long-resisted letting go and witness a loving surrender into the arms of God? When you experience in the firmness of another pressing on your forearm that speaks their gratitude to you for hanging in there with them as they endured the uncertainty of a risky operation? When an exhausted nurse cries on your shoulder after she watches her loving investment in a patient end with the lifeless body being carted away, separated all too soon from a spirit/soul of her patient who struggled so mightily to stay alive.

How precious and privileged the ministry! Paul wrote a few verses before 11 and 12, saying that “We ought to thank God always for you, brothers (and sisters), as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more, and the love of every one of you for one another grows ever greater.” (2 Thes. 1:3) Then Paul writes, “Accordingly, we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God regarding your endurance and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions you endure.” (2 Thes. 1:4) While the Thessalonians faced grave suffering, each human being with whom we are present in their life challenges faces a test of purpose and faith. How graced we are to be the human being that stands with them!

Can we pause for an internal “Amen” to the ministry to which we are called, “that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ?”

Blessings,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. November-December 2016 issue of Vision on mental health is now online! *
The new November-December 2016 Vision issue is dedicated to our ministry in the mental health field. Please go to www.nacc.org/vision.

3. Seeking writers of articles about ministry to families for Vision *
The January-February issue of Vision will have the theme of ministering to families, and we welcome contributions from our members. We would like to cover the unique aspects of ministering to families in various subspecialties (long-term care, pediatrics, trauma, etc.); the unique pressures on family members as decision makers; the role of chaplains in the move toward patient and family-centered care; and other ideas that you, our members, may think of. Please send a brief summary of your idea to Vision Editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The deadline is Dec. 5.

4. Upcoming NACC networking calls in November and December *
If you wish to participate on any of these calls and were not already contacted about that call, then you are most likely not already on the contact list. So if you would like to be on the contact list for a particular call, please contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org.

• Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 10 a.m. CT – Outpatient Group Members
• Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 10 a.m. CT – Long Term Care Members
• Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 1 p.m. CT – Integrative Health Members
• Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 3 p.m. CT – African Members
• Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 10 a.m. CT – Hispanic/Latino Members
• Monday, November 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. CT – Correctional Group Members
• Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 11 a.m.- Nurse Chaplain Members
• Monday, December 5, 2016 at 2 p.m. CT or Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 11 a.m. CT – Liaison Members
• Monday, December 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. CT or Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at 2 p.m. CT – Retired and Emeritus Members
• Monday, December 12, 2016 at 2 p.m. CT – Deacon Members
• Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 3 p.m. CT – One-Person Department Members

5. Please consider submitting prayers for the World Day of the Sick cards.
We can’t tell you how many people appreciate and utilize the NACC World Day of the Sick prayer cards for Sick Persons and Caregivers. We will again be preparing prayer cards for the February 11, 2017 World Day of the Sick, for use in hospitals, hospices, long-term care facilities, parishes, and for anyone else interested in the spiritual needs of sick persons and caregivers. We invite our members to write prayers to be used on these prayer cards. We will again publish two cards: Prayer for Sick Persons and Prayer for the Caregiver. You may submit prayers for either or both. Prayers may be written in any style or format you like, but they should be no more than 32 lines long, with an average line length of not more than 10 syllables. To see examples of past prayers, click here. All submissions must be received at the NACC office by Monday, November 14. We will notify the person(s) whose prayers will be used by November 28. We are not able to offer payment, but the authors will be credited. We will share a total of two prayers in print, although some honorary selections may be featured on our website later in the year. Please send your submissions to Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org). Thank you in advance for sharing your gifts.

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

6. What do you know about NACC 2017 Conference plenary speaker Dr. Dianne Bergant CSA, who is speaking on Friday, April 28, 2017? *
Dianne Bergant, CSA is Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP Distinguished Professor Emerita of Biblical Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She was President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America (2000-2001) and has been an active member of the Chicago Catholic/Jewish Scholars Dialogue for the past thirty years. For more than twenty-five years she has been the Old Testament book reviewer of The Bible Today, having been a member of the editorial board for twenty-five years. Five of these years she served as the magazine’s general editor. She wrote the weekly column The Word for America magazine (2002-2005), reflections that have now been published by Paulist Press. She has authored numerous articles and publications, including most recently: A New Heaven, A New Earth, (2016). She is currently working in the areas of biblical interpretation and biblical theology, particularly issues of peace, ecology and feminism.

7. Thank you to all those who submitted workshop proposals!
We are grateful to all those who submitted workshop proposals for the 2017 National Conference. After thoroughly reviewing all the submitted proposals, we have selected 4 preconference workshops and 24 75-minute workshops. In the coming weeks we will share on the NACC website a full listing of all workshops that will be available at the conference

8. NACC announces Retreat and Retreat Leader for our 2017 Conference.
On Thursday, April 27, 2017, the preconference Day of Reflection will take place at the Norbertine Hermitage Retreat Center in Albuquerque, NM. The theme will be In Step with the Grace of the Moment and will be led by Meg Ashcroft, OPraem Obl. The day will include time for individual reflection, opportunities for sharing, poetry, song and story, and the freedom to go down whatever road the Spirit leads you toward. Please plan on joining your colleagues for this day. For more information go to: www.nacc.org/conference/day-of-reflection-2017

9. Making reservations at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, 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.
Visit the NACC website to find out more about the hotel and how to make a reservation.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

10. Current Health Progress is on Common Good theme. *
The current Health Progress addressing the Common Good theme also includes an insightful article, “Medical Schools Explore Spirituality,” by our NACC Vision editor, David Lewellen.
https://www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/the-common-good/medical-schools-explore-spirituality

11. Thursday, November 10 is next NACC Webinar: Ethical Issues Facing Our Healthcare Settings, and Implications for Spiritual Care *
Don’t miss the next NACC webinar in our 2016 program which is scheduled for Thursday, November 10, 2016 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Rev. Thomas A. Nairn, OFM, PhD, will present “Ethical Issues Facing Our Healthcare Settings, and Implications for Spiritual Care.”

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

Program Summary
This webinar will provide an overview of the ethical issues that face the work environments within which we function as chaplains. Specific attention will be devoted to end-of-life issues and palliative care in light of the attempts in so many states (and Canada) to initiate aid in dying legislation. Fr. Thomas Nairn will examine these issues through the lens of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care, and offer suggestions on their importance for our spiritual care ministry.

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.

You can read more of this topic of end-of-life issues and aid in dying legislation in Canada by going to: http://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-catholic-health-cares-conscientious-objections-appropriate-in-canadian-health-system.

12. The remainder of 2016 NACC webinars!

To register for these 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. You can also register to access the recordings of previous 2016 webinars at the same web page.

13. Consider contributing to a new issue on chaplain case studies! *
Health and Social Care Chaplaincy is planning a special issue on chaplain case studies (Issue 5:2, 2017). Steve Nolan and George Fitchett will be the guest editors. Please see below to read the flyer describing the issue. Instructions for how chaplains can contribute are attached. It would be a gift to the profession for one or more of our NACC members to submit cases for consideration. Please contact George Fitchett (see flyer) for more information.

HSCC case study flyer

14. Transforming Chaplaincy applications are now opened
The Transforming Chaplaincy: Promoting Research Literacy for Improved Patient Outcomes project has opened for applications for the second round of awards, as of October 15. The project, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, with support from the APC, NACC, NAJC and ACPE, aims to equip healthcare chaplains to use research to guide, evaluate, and advocate for the daily spiritual care they provide patients, family members and colleagues. Transforming Chaplaincy has three exciting initiatives. The project will provide: 1) Research Chaplain Fellowships to pay for 16 board-certified chaplains to complete a two-year, research-focused master’s degree; 2) Curriculum Development Grants to 70 CPE programs to support incorporation of research literacy education in their residency curricula; and 3) a free Online Continuing Education course, Religion, Spirituality and Health: An Introduction to Research for members of the supporting organizations.

You’ll find details about these three initiatives, including our first round of grant recipients, application information and timelines, on the project website (www.researchliteratechaplaincy.org). Check the Calendar page of the website for important information about activities we have organized to provide additional information about the Fellowships and CPE Grants. These include workshops at upcoming ACPE regional events where a Transforming Chaplaincy representative will be on hand to answer questions. Sign up on the website to be on the email list to receive updates on applications and project-related events. You are also welcome to contact the project coordinator, Kathryn Lyndes, PhD, at Kathryn_Lyndes@rush.edu and 312.942.0247 for further information

15. All details of remaining 2016 NACC Local Events *
Several local gatherings are scheduled for the remainder of 2016. For further information about the events and how to register, please click on the links. If you would like to consider hosting and helping plan an NACC local event, please contact Andris Kursietis (akursietis@nacc.org).

• November 10, 2016, Cincinnati, OH, see details
• November 11, 2016, St. Louis, MO, see details
• November 15, 2016, Baltimore, MD, see details
• November 19, 2016, Boston, MA, see details

16. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing. We will leave the person’s name on the Healing Tree list for three months, unless you ask us to remove your or the person’s name earlier. You can always request us to leave the name on longer.

We continue to pray for: Sr. MariaTheresa Hronec, Sr. Mary Thecla Kuhnline, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Mary Smiley (mother of member Diane Smiley), Mason Richter, Shane Rebholtz, Rosemary Benya BCC, Sr. Nancy Beckenhauer, Linda Dickey, 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 Teresa Sullivan); Julie Bablin, The family of Dale Dewitt, Marie Coglianese, Nancy and Sheila Amrich (nieces-in-law of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, Sister Patricia Watkins, GNSH, Sister Stephanie Morales, FMI, Marybeth Harmon, Susan Balling, Maria Meneses, Chaplain Julia Mary Sweeney (mourning the death of her sister, Margaret Maureen Lewis, BA Honors), Sister M. Dianna Hell, Betty and Louis Skonieczny, Jim and Frances Castello, Thomas Smiley(brother of member Diane Smiley), Marga Halala, Thomas (grandson of NACC member Ginny Grimes Allen), Elizabeth A. Walsh, Glenn and Pat Teske, Sr. Mary Clare Boland, SP, Kathy Brier (daughter of NACC member Teresa Brier), Gloria Troxler, and Kelly Elizabeth Sexton (daughter of NACC member Melyssa Sexton).

17. 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.

CHAPLAIN
Park Rapids, Minnesota – CHI St. Joseph’s Health

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

CPE SUPERVISOR
Buffalo, New York – Sisters of Charity Hospital

CHAPLAIN RESIDENTS
Buffalo, New York – Sisters of Charity Hospital

CHAPLAIN
Tampa, Florida – BayCare Health System

DIVISION DIRECTOR – MISSION
Omaha, Nebraska – CHI Health

CHAPLAIN
Milwaukee, WI – Wheaton Franciscan Health

PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Paterson, New Jersey – St. Joseph’s Healthcare System

SPIRITUAL CARE MINISTER (16 hours a week)
Green Bay, WI – St. Mary’s Hospital