Issue #260 – October 23, 2017

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

The theme for Spiritual Care Week this year is “Hospitality: Cultivating Inclusion.”

Pastoral/spiritual care is important for peoples’ sense of identity as they find meaning in belonging to a common humanity and particular cultures. The idea of our sharing preciousness as human beings has found its source in religious, philosophical and societal communities. Sadly for some, defining the “other” has been a desperate attempt to exclude those who are different. Hospitality as practiced by so many cultures and religions breaks through walls of alienation and marginalization which deny human belonging. Welcoming, understanding, and celebrating the place of those who have been isolated make for a wonderfully diverse expression of community. Cultivating (growing and nurturing) attitudes and actions of inclusion means that people are cared for as valuable members of the human family.
http://www.pastoralcareweek.org/themeresources2017.html

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
2. A reflection on recent events from our NACC member, Sr. Carmen Figueroa, sfcc, BCC*
3. Recent deaths of two of our NACC members*
4. Continued thanks to donors to NACC Annual Campaign!*
5. We are grateful to all who contributed to the October 14 & 15, 2017, Certification Interviews!*
6. Free webinar on November 2 for those considering NACC Certification!*
7. NACC Networking Calls for remainder of October*
8. In Vision: Meeting the hardest competencies*

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

APC/NACC 2018 CONFERENCE, Thursday, July 12, to Sunday, July 15, 2018!

9. 2018 Joint Conference Speakers Announced*

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

10. Are you familiar with The Henri Nouwen Society’s Courage for the Caregiver?*
11. Vital topic of next NACC Webinar! Moral Distress!*
12. NACC Local Gatherings in November!*
13. Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
14. Recent job postings*

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Blessings on our Pastoral Care Week!

This year’s theme is a rich one, is it not? Hospitality: Cultivating Inclusion.

Just the word, hospitality, conjures up for so many, if not most of us the healthcare settings within which we minister. The word is grouped with the other familiar words of hospice and hospital that originate from the Latin word hospes that carries the meaning of guest, visitor, stranger, or the host him/herself, or, as well from the Latin word hospitium that can mean either hospitality or guest room.

The being “host” struck me this past Thursday when we opened the Thursday morning portion of our NACC Board meeting with a prayer on connections that included this quote from Diane M. Millis’ Conversation – The Sacred Art (https://www.amazon.com/Conversation_The-Sacred-Art-Practicing-Distraction/dp/1594734747).

I could not help but reflect on you, and your ministry, and how this “hosting” is at the core and encompasses most of your ministry in some form or another! You are quintessential “hosts” who constantly seek understanding with and among those you serve. You model this practice day in and day out. How often you are the broker of understanding, helping others hear one another with new ears and a new heart! Thank you!

Of course, we realize how, in some respects, this type of hosting is almost countercultural in our political and social contexts where a dearth of willingness to seek understanding of different perspectives pervades and causes great pain. Our ministry of hospitality is vital in this time.

I was thinking about this when I read yesterday’s second reading from the first verses of St. Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians (1:1-5), and was struck with how inviting and affirming Paul was with his people.

Maybe one way we could express our gratitude for our ministry this week would be to express our gratitude for the “work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ” that we see lived around us every day. What many of our colleagues might see or experience as the desolate daily-ness of life with its constant challenges, we see the “work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Perhaps, part of our hosting is offering into our conversations a perspective that helps others view their work through these eyes of one who sees and understands the profound human good and love that grounds their work, especially when the strain and stress of the workload can weigh upon them.

Just a thought – one that I have to take seriously this week. How good of a host can I be this week?

Blessings,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. A reflection on recent events from our NACC member, Sr. Carmen Figueroa, sfcc, BCC
Sr. Carmen recently participated in our Latino/Hispanic Members networking call. Those on the call share the impact of recent natural disasters on their families, friends, and inhabitants of those areas. Afterward she sent us this reflection.

3. Recent deaths of two of our NACC members
We recently learned of the death of two of our NACC members. Please join us in a prayer of gratitude to our God for the blessings of these two remarkable women’s ministries. May they enjoy to fullness of God’s peace they brought to so many people.

• Our NACC member, Sr. Adele Demulling, RHSJ, BCC, informed us that our Sr. Jean Bricco, RHSJ, BCC, died on October 1, 2017, at the age of 93. Sr. Jean joined the NACC in 1979 and was certified in 1980. She served at the Antigo and Langlade hospitals in Antigo, WI, along with her colleague and NACC member Sr. Adele.
  http://www.bradleyfh.com/obituary/201952/Sister-Jean-Bricco/
  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/jean-bricco-obituary?pid=186832613&view=guestbook
• Dr. Eleanor Braddock, MD, BCC, died on October 7, 2017, at the age of 92. Eleanor joined NACC in 1993 and was certified in 1994. Following her retirement as a physician, Eleanor pursued further training and became certified by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She worked in hospital ministry for the Diocese of Jefferson City, serving all three hospitals in Columbia. She remained actively involved in this role until shortly dbefore her passing.
  http://www.columbiatribune.com/obituaries/20171011/dr-eleanor-braddock-1925-2017

4.Continued thanks to donors to NACC Annual Campaign!
Many of our members have recently responded to a reminder request. We are deeply grateful to all those who have been able to give to our 2017 Annual Campaign. To date we have received 423 gifts totaling $44,332, compared to 446 gifts totaling $48,142 at this time last year. If you have not yet been able to make a donation, please consider doing so today or this week! Thank you!

Please note: Also, you can make your donation online by going to the Annual Campaign webpage (https://www.nacc.org/donate/) or just click here to donate. Please give as you can! Blessings!

5. We are grateful to all who contributed to the October 14-15, 2017, Certification Interviews!
The National Office and many volunteers worked hard to make the October 14-15, 3017, certification interviews a success. The interviews were held in three locations: Milwaukee, WI; Lancaster, PA; and Torrance, CA. At least 61 people were involved in the interview weekend: 23 applicants, 24 interviewers, 8 Interview Team Educators, 3 Site Coordinators, 3 Spiritual Care, and 1 Certification Commissioner-on-Call as well as other volunteers. We very much appreciate all our volunteers’ hard work and dedication to the NACC Certification process! Thank you also for keeping our certification applicants and all those involved in your thoughts and prayers as they prepared for certification interviews.

6. Free webinar on November 2 for those considering NACC Certification!
Are you considering applying for certification with the NACC? If so, we would like to draw your attention to the upcoming NACC webinar on Thursday, November 2, 2017 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific, 11:00 a.m. Mountain, 1:00 p.m. Eastern) entitled Certification with the NACC, which will provide participants with an overview of the NACC certification process, with special attention to the revised NACC competencies 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.

Please note that although this webinar is offered at no charge, you still need to register in order to receive information on how to access both the webinar materials and the webinar itself. To register for this 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, and also a link enabling you to register online.

7. NACC Networking Calls for remainder of October
If you wish to participate on any of these calls and are not already on that particular call list, please contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org.

• Hospice and Palliative Care Networking Group Call; Thursday, October 26, at 11 a.m. CT
• Deacons Networking Call; Monday, October 30, at 10:00 a.m. CT

8. In Vision: Meeting the hardest competencies
Which certification competencies are most often a problem for unsuccessful applicants? In the current issue of Vision, Mary Davis offers some answers — and describes how the Certification Commission is trying to set applicants up for success.
https://www.nacc.org/vision/september-october-2017/nacc-certification-meeting-hardest-competencies/

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

APC/NACC 2018 CONFERENCE, Thursday, July 12, to Sunday, July 15, 2018!

9. 2018 Joint Conference Speakers Announced
In July 2018, Chaplains from across the country will gather in Anaheim, California, with the realization that we cannot do our ministry alone. Two associations will come together to look toward the future as professionals who value the diversity of our members and those we minister to, and who continue to discover new research and resources available to us. The 2018 Conference Planning Committee identified the conference theme as Partners in Shaping the Future with four underlying topics that will be explored by our plenary speakers. The four topics are – Collaboration, Supporting Diversity, Research, and Professionalism. The Plenary Subcommittee is pleased to announce the four dynamic and versatile speakers who will present at our 2018 Joint Conference:

Thursday, July 12, 2018 ~ Art of Collaboration
Dawn Gross, MD, PhD, FAAHPM
Physician, Palliative Care Service, San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center
Radio Host, Dying to Talk, KALW 91.7 FM

Friday, July 13, 2018 ~ Diversity
Dr. James Mason, PhD
Chief Diversity Officer, Providence Health & Services

Saturday, July 14, 2018 ~ Research
The Rev. Richard Tessmer Leadership Lecture Revd. Dr. Steve Nolan, PhD, MA, MSc, BC, MBACP (Accred)
Chaplain, Princess Alice Hospice
Visiting Research Fellow, The University of Winchester
The Rev. Richard Tessmer Leadership Lecture honors the memory of Dick Tessmer, longtime chaplain, supervisor, and pillar of the NACC. The lecture is sponsored by AMITA Health, a faith-based health system created by the Alexian Brothers Health System and Adventist Midwest Health.

Sunday, July 15, 2018 ~ Professionalism
Adrienne Boissy, MD, MA
Chief Experience Officer, Cleveland Clinic Health System

Each of these plenary speakers will unite the community of chaplains gathered in Anaheim and in their own unique way challenge us to remain partners as we move into the future. More information about our speakers and their plenary sessions will be available in the coming months. Here is a link to our website: https://www.nacc.org/conference/2018-plenary-speakers

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

10. Are you familiar with the Henri Nouwen Society’s Courage for the Caregiver?
We recently learned of the Henri Nouwen Society’s resource, Courage for Caregivers – an excellent resource. As we know, the challenges of caregiving don’t end with the needs of the one being cared for. Caregivers need practical and spiritual support as well. The Henri Nouwen Society is excited to introduce Courage for Caregivers aimed at both professional caregivers as well as those providing at-home care to a chronically ill, aging, or incapacitated loved one.
http://henrinouwen.org/courage-for-caregivers/

11. Vital topic of next NACC Webinar! Moral Distress!
We all encounter the moral distress experienced by our professional colleague.
Presented by Dr. Rodger F. Accardi, BCC, and Karen Pugliese, MA, BCC
Thursday, November 16, 2017 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time
REGISTER

12. NACC Local Gatherings in November!

• Cincinnati, OH, Thursday, November 9, 2017. The NACC and Mercy Health are co-sponsoring a morning education event on the topic of The New NACC Qualifications and Competencies at the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast. Please click on the following link for more information and the opportunity to register, either online or with the option of using a paper registration form: REGISTER.
• Baltimore, MD, Tuesday, November 14, 2017. The NACC is presenting an afternoon program at Mercy Medical Center. David Lichter will present on the subject of What Do I Do With This? A Spirituality of Suffering. For details about the program and information about registering, please click on this link: REGISTER.

13. 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: Anne Murphy, Sr. Mary Clare Boland SP, Sr. Romona Nowak, OP, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Julie Bablin, Sheila Amrich (niece-in-law of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, Susan Balling, Jim and Frances Castello.

14. 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
Southeastern Wisconsin – Ascension Healthcare

CHAPLAIN
Duluth, MN – Essentia Health

CHAPLAINCY SERVICES DIRECTOR
Duluth, MN – Essentia Health

CHAPLAIN
Valparaiso, Indiana – Dunes Hospice

DIRECTOR of SPIRITUAL CARE
Springfield, Ohio – Mercy Health

SPIRITUAL CARE STAFF CHAPLAIN
Carroll, Iowa – St. Anthony Regional Hospital & Nursing Home

FULL-TIME LEAD CHAPLAINS and STAFF CHAPLAINS
Rhode Island – Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, and Newport Hospital

CHAPLAIN – HOSPICE
Fond du Lac, WI – Agnesian HealthCare

VICE PRESIDENT of MISSION
Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center – Marshall, Minnesota

DIRECTOR of MISSION INTEGRATION
Grand Rapids, MI – Mercy Health Saint Mary’s

CATHOLIC PRIEST
Ann Arbor, MI – Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS)

CHAPLAIN
Lima, Ohio – St. Rita’s Medical Center

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