Issue #238 – December 12, 2016

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
2. USCCB marks today’s Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be a day of prayer and solidarity with families of immigrants.*
3. Welcome new members who joined NACC in November!*
4. NACC Member in the News*
5. Death of a former NACC member: Sr. Mary Jude Rindfuss*
6. Important information for NACC interviewers, mentors and CPE supervisors.*
7. Consider NACC in your end of year giving*
8. Another important end-of-year gift to NACC – updating your member profile!*
9. Upcoming NACC networking calls in December/January*
10. Did you read in Vision – patients with dementia challenge the idea of “dying well”?*

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

11. Where is this place, Tamaya?*
12. Registration Brochures for the NACC 2017 Conference have been sent out!*
13. Conference Registration and Payment Options*
14. As you register, please consider a donation to the NACC Scholarship Fund.*
15. Conference Scholarships*
16. American Red Cross Fundamentals in Disaster Spiritual Care – Training Course*
17. What do you know about NACC 2017 Conference plenary speaker Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lartey*
18. Roommate Referral Service*
19. Please see more background on our 2017 Award Recipients!*
20. Conference Schedule can be accessed.*
21. Make your reservations at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

22. NACC Webinars in 2017*
23. Did you read the article on NACC hospice and palliative care specialty certification in December 1, 2016 Catholic Health World?*
24. Interested in being part of a behavioral health or student networking group?*
25. Let your family and friends know about the viewing of the Journey Films’ Chaplains!*
26. Solidarity Bridge seeks Mission Team Chaplains for Medical Missions in Bolivia.
27. Request: We encourage to you participate in this survey on behalf of an NACC member.*
28. Other Education offerings*
29. Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
30. Recent job postings*

1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
Yesterday’s second reading from James (5:7-10) is one of those that has us reflect on the role of patience in our ministry.

Growing up on a farm I always found a certain affinity to this passage. I recall watching my dad silently fret over the fickleness of weather conditions of too little or too much rain, and how the weather would be when it was time to harvest the wheat or dig the potatoes. It was a worrisome work for him. I know I inherited his penchant to worry about future outcomes – even when I knew intellectually I had no control over them!

Early in ministry I learned a lesson about this. It was the last session of a weekend retreat. I invited participants to reflect on the experience. Silence ensued for over a minute. Getting uncomfortable (impatient), I was ready to reassert myself to break the silence when my seasoned colleague gently but firmly put his hand on mine and whispered, “Trust and wait. Don’t you sense the Spirit?” Humbled by his loving lesson, I did wait, trying the trust part, and a rich exchange unfolded.

“Trust and wait. Don’t you sense the Spirit?” This stays with me. I have had to invert trust and wait, putting the act of waiting first, since waiting became a testing of my trust! Maybe that was what was meant by “Make your hearts firm.” That doesn’t just happen through intellectual assent, but the daily practice of waiting, trusting the silence or lack of evidence that something is happening.

Yet, “Don’t you sense the Spirit?” is the other call, isn’t it? In this Advent season, how am I practicing the sensing of the Spirit?

In the past week, I appreciated being reacquainted with a prayer by Ted Loder, Advent: We Watch and Wait for You, that was shared on one of our conference calls during this Advent Season. I appreciated his language, as it seemed to embody a prayer that responds to the “Don’t you sense the Spirit?” question.

In a particular way, on this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may his line, Come and fulfill through us Mary’s vision of mercy stretching to all generations…… with our lives magnifying your grace, be our special prayer this day.

Advent Blessings, and a Blessed Christmas Season to you,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. USCCB marks today’s Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be a day of prayer and solidarity with families of immigrants.*

The US Catholic Bishops have set aside this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe as a day of prayer to “focus on the plight of refugees and migrants.” The USCCB websites states that, “it will be a time to place before a merciful God the hopes, fears, and needs of all those families who have come to the U.S. seeking a better life.” For more information and resources go to: www.usccb.org/news/2016/16-168.cfm

3. Welcome new members who joined NACC in November!*
Please join us in welcoming our new NACC members who joined us in November! Welcome!

Full Members
Mr. John P. Boyles (Houston, TX)
Mr. Michael A. Carter (Cumberland, RI)
Ms. Mary M. Haley (Portland, OR)
Rev. Thomas C. Joseph (White Plains, NY)
Mr. Calvin E. Kennerly (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Rev. Jose Pazheveettil MST (Jacksonville, FL)
Ms. Diane M. Solheid-Miller (Rochester, MN)

Student Members
Ms. Lisa M. Abrusia (Lyndhurst, NJ)
Rev. Sev M. Kuupuo (Palo Alto, CA)

4. NACC Member in the News*
Our NACC member, Maria McLain Cox, BCC-ACHPC, had a nice article written about her and her spiritual care ministry to patients, families, and staff. Marie recently received the NACC Advance Certification of Hospice and Palliative Care. To read the article in the Coloradoan go to:
http://www.coloradoan.com/story/healthyu/2016/12/05/spiritual-clinician-look-into-chaplains-unique-role-support-staff-within-health-care-system/95011666/

5. Death of a former NACC member: Sr. Mary Jude Rindfuss*
We recently learned of the death of our former NACC member Sr. Mary Jude Rindfuss who joined NACC in 1986, was board certified, and remained a member for twenty years until 2006 when she retired. May she rest in God’s Peace. To read about Sr. Mary Jude, go to: buffalonews.com/2016/12/07/sister-mary-jude-rindfuss-84

6. Important information for NACC interviewers, mentors and CPE supervisors.*
Precipitated by the introduction of the Common Qualifications and Competencies by the Cognate Groups, the Certification Commission and NACC staff are in the process of revising the Certification Procedures Manual and supporting documentation. We have completed the revisions for Initial Certification and would like to share this information with you especially if you are involved in the Certification process as an interviewer, mentor or CPE Supervisor. Please contact Ramona Zeb at rzeb@nacc.org if you would like a packet of revised Initial Certification information emailed to you.

7. Consider NACC in your end-of-year giving*
We are deeply appreciative to our members who have been able to contribute to our 2016 Annual Member Campaign. If you have not yet made a gift, consider including NACC in your end-of-year giving: www.nacc.org/donate. With deep gratitude for your generosity

8. Another important end-of-year gift to NACC – updating your member profile!*
The NACC staff would really appreciate it if you would update your member profile if you have had any change of address, email, position changes in the recent past. It really helps communicating with you. Here’s how you update your profile our our website at www.nacc.org:

9. Upcoming NACC networking calls in December/January*
If you wish to participate on any of these calls and are not already on that particular call list, please contact Ramune Franitza rfranitza@nacc.org.

• Monday, December 12, 2016 at 10 a.m. CT – NACC Ambassadors
• Monday, December 12, 2016 at 2 p.m. CT – Deacon Members
• Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 1 p.m. CT – Under 45 Members
• Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 3 p.m. CT – One-Person Department Members
• Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11 a.m. CT – Palliative/Hospice Care Members
• Monday, December 19, 2016 at 12 pm CT – Canadian Network Call
• Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 10 a.m. CT Outpatient Settings Group

10. Did you read in Vision – patients with dementia challenge the idea of “dying well”?*
Patients with dementia challenge the idea of “dying well” and challenge those around them to recognize their own vulnerability. In the latest issue of Vision, Matt Moser describes how chaplains can tell the story of God’s presence in their weakness.
www.nacc.org/vision/november-december-2016/dementia-testimony-silence

2017 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 28-MAY 1, 2017

11. Where is this place, Tamaya?*
Our 2017 Liturgy Chair, Rich Bartoszek, writes:

12. Registration Brochures for the NACC 2017 Conference have been sent out!*
The 2017 Conference registration flyer has been mailed out. If you haven’t received it yet, please contact the NACC office (conference@nacc.org) and let us know so we can mail you one. This flyer contains much of the key information regarding our 2017 conference. All other detailed information (like workshop descriptions) will be found on the NACC website. The conference webpages are a “one-stop shop” for all conference-related information. Can’t find something you are looking for? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions section on the website OR email us at conference@nacc.org and we will be happy to help.

13. Conference Registration and Payment Options*
There are three options for registering and paying for the Conference.

1. Register online using the registration portal and pay with Visa or MasterCard.
2. Register online using the registration portal and indicate you wish to be billed and will mail your payment.
3. Register by completing a paper registration form and mail the form with your payment (check/money order) to the NACC office.

14. As you register, please consider a donation to the NACC Scholarship Fund.
Please consider a donation to the NACC Scholarship Fund. All donations received will help an NACC member to attend the NACC National Conference. Every dollar counts; no amount is too big or small. Thank you for your support.

15. Conference Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships will be available from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains for registration fees for the 2017 NACC National Conference. The applicant must apply no later than Friday, January 13, 2017.
Visit the NACC website for more information.

16. American Red Cross Fundamentals in Disaster Spiritual Care – Training Course (Thursday, April 27, 2017)
If you are interested in learning more about supporting the needs of those impacted by disaster and mass casualties, please consider registering for this intensive five-hour training. More information on the session, pre-requisites, and how to register can be found on the NACC website at www.nacc.org/conference/redcross

17.What do you know about NACC 2017 Conference plenary speaker Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lartey, who is speaking on Sunday, April 30, 2017?
Dr. Emmanuel Y. Lartey comes from Ghana, West Africa. He holds degrees in Psychology and Statistics [BA (Hons), University of Ghana], MA en passant, and PhD, University of Birmingham, UK, in Pastoral Theology, Religion and Health. He is currently the L. Bevel Jones III Professor of Pastoral Theology, Care and Counseling at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Lartey teaches courses in the areas of his research interests including ‘Spiritual Care in African Religious Cultures’, ‘International perspectives on pastoral care’ and ‘Intercultural pastoral care and counseling’. In addition to 24 chapters in edited volumes and over 16 articles in peer-reviewed journals, Professor Lartey’s single authored book publications include Pastoral Counseling in Intercultural Perspective, (1987); In Living Color: an Intercultural Approach to Pastoral Care and Counseling, (1997/2003) and Pastoral Theology in an Intercultural World (2006). His latest book is titled Postcolonializing God: An African Practical Theology (2013).

18. Roommate Referral Service
The NACC is pleased to again facilitate a Roommate Referral Service. Follow the link below to find out how to submit your information and get onto the list. We will send you a list of potential roommates. It will be up to you to contact individuals on the list to discuss the suitability of rooming together. The last date that names will be accepted is Wednesday, April 8, 2017. To sign up for Roommate Referral click here.

19. Please see more background on our 2017 Award Recipients!
You can go to www.nacc.org/about-nacc/annual-awards to read more about our 2017 Award Recipients:

• Distinguished Service: Nancy K. Cook, MDiv, MSW, BCC
• Outstanding Colleague: Cecille Allman Asekoff
• Outstanding Colleague Award: George Fitchett, DMin, PhD

20. Conference Schedule can be accessed.
Visit the NACC website to view the 2017 conference schedule. www.nacc.org/conference/schedule

21. Make your 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

22. NACC Webinars in 2017
The NACC is in the process of putting together its webinar/audio conference program for 2017. Details of the full schedule will be available by the end of the year, but we can already announce the first three webinars that will take place in January, February and March 2017.

Social Justice and Chaplaincy in Settings Other Than Healthcare
Presented by Barbara Sheehan, SP
Thursday, January 26, 2017 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Program Summary
This webinar explores the intersectionality of social justice and chaplaincy. It identifies the dynamics of those whose primary crisis is social and reflects on the areas of spiritual assessment and effective responses by a chaplain/ caring practitioner.

Program Objectives

1. To increase participants’ awareness of chaplaincy beyond institutional healthcare facilities.
2. To provide helpful assessment tools in caring with those challenged with social crises.
3. To enhance the participants’ practice of care of the whole person.
4. To deepen participants’ connection of actions and faith in the healing ministry of care for today’s needs.

About the Presenter
Barbara Sheehan is a Sister of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. Since August 1995 she is the ACPE Supervisor and Executive Director at Urban CPE Consortium, Inc. in Chicago, IL. She was fully certified as an ACPE Supervisor in 1986, and has spent 14 years as a Hospital/Medical Center Chaplain with foci on hospice, behavioral health (in-patient and aftercare), infant loss and general medical surgery. Sister Barbara earned a Masters in Theology from Xavier University, Cincinnati, and is the author of a book entitled Partners In Covenant: The Art of Spiritual Companionship, published by Pilgrim Press.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Opportunities for Chaplains
Presented by Jason Nieuwsma, PhD
Thursday, February 16, 2017 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Where’s the Evidence? Introduction to Research Literacy ~ Part 2
Presented by LaVera Crawley, MD, MPH
Thursday, March 23, 2017 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Further details about the February and March presentations will be forthcoming soon.

Registration for these events will open shortly and will be announced both in NACC Now and via e-mail.

We encourage you to share this information with your friends and colleagues who may not be members of the NACC – all are welcome to participate in our webinars/audio conferences.

23. Did you read the article on NACC hospice and palliative care specialty certification in December 1, 2016 Catholic Health World?
If you have not read it yet, please read Julie Minda’s article in the December 1, 2016 issue of Catholic Health World entitled, “NACC’s specialty certification elevates chaplain’s role on palliative care team.” We appreciate Julie’s article, our partnership with Tina Picchi, Executive Director of the Supportive Care Coalition (supportivecarecoalition.org), our many NACC members who helped develop and implement the specialty certification, and our NACC members who have already been certified in this specialty certification. Here is a link to the article.
www.chausa.org/publications/catholic-health-world/archives/issues/december-1-2016/nacc%27s-specialty-certification-elevates-chaplain%27s-role-on-palliative-care-team

24. Interested in being part of a behavioral health or student networking group?
There’s been a request to set up a network call for chaplains who work in Behavioral Health.
Part of self-care is not going it alone. NACC offers networking groups, usually on a quarterly basis, for chaplains working in specific ministries. Whether you minister occasionally, part time or full time in behavioral health, would you like to be on the list of those networking in behavioral health? We will organize a group call around this specialty early in January. Please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org).

There’s been a request to set up a network call for Student Members. If you would like to network with other students, please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org). We will organize a group call around this specialty.

Also, if you would like to suggest a networking group that currently does not exist, or want to join an existing one, please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) with your contact information and ministry.

25. Let your family and friends know about the viewing of the Journey Films’ Chaplains!
Journey Films’ Chaplains will be shown on the dates below. Please alert your family and friends, and encourage them to view it! What an opportunity to learn and discuss your ministry!

As you know, Chaplains is the 2-hour documentary film that profiles eight chaplains from various faith traditions working in professional settings such as the military, prisons, hospitals, and police departments. The film also continues to air nationwide on PBS stations. The film won the two major awards for television programming on religion: the Gabriel Award and the Wilbur Award. Check their website for further listings and times in your area. WORLD Channel is Public Television’s premiere network for documentary and new programming and is now seen in two-thirds of American households.

26. Solidarity Bridge seeks Mission Team Chaplains for Medical Missions in Bolivia.
Solidarity Bridge (SB), together with their partner organization Puente de Solidaridad (PdS), trains and equips medical communities in Bolivia, empowering them to provide high-complexity surgery and other health care for those living in poverty. Their year-round medical programs have grown out of partnerships between U.S. and Latin American medical personnel who are committed to serving the poor.

At the invitation of Bolivian hospitals, SB Medical Mission Teams include US doctors and nurses who work alongside Bolivian medical professionals in an effort to build solidarity as they treat patients together and grow through the encounter. SB mission trip training and equipping in turn supports local, year-round medical programs in General Surgery, Gynecologic Surgery, Heart Surgery and Neurosurgery.

Solidarity Bridge’s Mission Team Chaplain provides pastoral care to patients, families and their religiously diverse mission team while offering the mission team opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation. Mission trips occur at various times throughout the year and are typically ten days in length.

Click here to see the job description
For more information, contact Megan Kennedy-Farrell, Senior Director of Mission and Identity at megan@solidaritybridge.org or (847)328-7748. Website: www.solidaritybridge.org

27. Request: We encourage to you participate in this survey on behalf of an NACC member.

Our NACC member, Fr Celestine Afugwobi, is conducting a survey on the importance of the skills of “presence” and “listening” in the pastoral care ministry as part of his Masters Project in Pastoral Counseling. If you are able to complete the survey, please click the link below:
The Importance of Presence and Listening Skills In Pastoral Care Ministry
(https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/?sm=iIv_2BLXKnpzF2Cnp_2FahNDfQ_3D_3D)

Fr. Celestine deeply appreciates your willingness to complete this brief survey.

28. Other Education offerings
We receive from other organizations and educational institutions notice of events or programs that might be of interest to our members. We also post these on our NACC website .

• Chaplaincy Research Summer Institute, July 24-28, 2017, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL www.researchliteratechaplaincy.org/summer-research-institute
• APC Webinars
  • December 14, 2016 – Riding the Spiritual Roller Coaster: Providing Chaplaincy Care for Oncology Patients and Families Across the Disease Continuum
  • January 10, 2017 – Spiritual Peace Reduces Mortality for Patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), WJC 6 S3
• Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. Several spring semester (January 17-April 28, 2017) courses might be of particular interest to NACC member for their chaplaincy ministry or for continuing education interests. One can enroll in these courses as non-degree seeking students without committing to a certificate or degree program. Click here to read about these courses.

  IPS 404, Theologies of Suffering (online, Jean-Pierre Fortin, Wed.’s 5:30-6:45)

  IPS 467, Introduction to Canon Law (WTC, Dan Smilanic, Wed’s, 4:15-6:45)

  IPS 485, Religious Education, Evangelization, and Culture (Timone Davis, online, Tues 7:00-8:15)

  IPS 599, Martin Luther King, Jr: Prophet of Justice (WTC, Timone Davis, Monday, 4:15-6:45)

  IPS 599, Documents of Vatican II (online or WTC, Tuesday, 4:15-6:45, Michael Canaris)

  IPS 570, Introduction to Theology and Ministry (online, Tuesdays, 4:15-5:45, Peter Jones)

  IPS 615, Liberation Theology (online, Wed., 7:00-8:15, Peter Jones).

29. 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: Frances Langdon (wife of member Jerry Kaelin: prayerful thanks for successful cancer surgery, an experience of realized eschatology this Advent), Sr. Ramona Nowak, OP, Charlotte Leas (on the death of her 97 year old Mother, Bernyce Paltani), 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).

30. 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.

DIRECTOR of LITURGY – .8 FTE
Wheaton, Illinois – Wheaton Franciscan Sisters

SACRAMENTAL MINISTER
Wheaton, Illinois – Wheaton Franciscan Sisters

CHAPLAIN I, Full Time Benefited
Rockford, Illinois – Presence Saint Anne Center, Presence Health

CATHOLIC PRIEST (1.0 FTE)
Portland, Oregon – Providence St. Vincent Medical Center

CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Atlanta, Georgia – Emory St. Joseph Hospital

Director of Pastoral Care
Brainerd, Minnesota – Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center

DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE
Rockville Centre, New York – Mercy Medical Center

CPE RESIDENCY
La Crosse Wisconsin – Gundersen Health System

HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois – Carle Foundation Hospital

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