Issue #268 – February 19, 2018

Click here to return to the main NACC Now page.

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
2. NACC sent to the US Bishops the annual World Day of Sick letter*
3. Invite to review draft of NACC’s 2018-2020 Strategic Plan*
4. Recent deaths of NACC members*
5. NACC members needed for NACC leadership positions!*
6. Do you know NACC has a ministry volunteer membership?*
7. In Vision: How do chaplains address ethical issues after a disaster?*
8. NACC Networking calls for February/March 2018*

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

9. Registration Flyers for the 2018 APC/NACC Joint Conference have been sent out!*
10. Important things to know before you register*
11. As you register, please consider a donation to the NACC Scholarship Fund.*
12. Conference Scholarships*
13. Call for Joint Conference Poster Presentations

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

14. Last chance to register for this month’s 2018 NACC webinar!
This Thursday, February 22, 2018. How Chaplains Can Help Patients and their Families
15. Have you registered yet for NACC’s 2018 webinar series?
16. Final Request: A member’s interest with chaplains whose main responsibility is employee support
17. NACC Local Gathering*
18. New book on grieving by Lisa Irish out soon*
19. Other educational events*
20. In case you were not aware and did not see these resources*
21. Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
22. Recent job postings*

* New/updated item

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Growing up we always were excited to see a rainbow over our farm fields looking west or looking to the eastern sky stretching to the horizon just over the road in front of our home. Of course, as a good Christian family we knew the story of Noah and the rainbow as a sign of God’s promise to never allow another flood. I was always told it was a reminder to us of what God promised.

However, I seemed to have missed the point of that reading (as I seemed to do often when first reading scripture 😊!), and as I reread it in preparation for yesterday’s reading, I noticed something I had not seen before. See if you can catch it…

Did you read what I read? This rainbow phenomenon was not a reminder to you and me, but God was saying, when the bow appears I will recall the covenant I have made! So the rainbow was God’s mnemonic marvel for Godself! Hmmm… God needed to be reminded. Or, more importantly God is always doing something to keep us sons and daughters top of mind and center of the Divine Heart, even setting reminders not to forget. I love it!

Could this make us think about Lent differently, and hear God’s Word differently, and be with those we care for differently? What if all our imagination was taken by viewing our God as constantly being with us, reminding Godself of how faithful, loving, and compassionate Godself is with us and for us? I have probably shared too many times in these reflections one of my favorite images shared by John Shea in his introduction to his book of poetry, The God Who Fell from Heaven, where he coaxed the reader to examine one’s own way of viewing God. Is my God like a divine potentate lying lazily on a divan in the sky unconcerned about His sons and daughters, or is God the Divine Insomniac pacing the night skies trying to think of ways to seduce His sons and daughters to recognize, believe in, and embrace Unending Love?

Yes, yesterday’s Gospel told me something I needed to do, “This is the time of fulfillment.
The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” However, I noticed again that the reading started with God’s action, as the Spirit drove Jesus out in the desert, and Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God! Just as the God of Noah (and us!) found ways to remind Godself of the covenant, so does our God of this Lent keep driving, wooing, loving, embracing us into believing, and turning our hearts!

So, if God needed a reminder of the Covenant with us, do I also need some reminder of that deepest, unending, unfailing bond? Maybe the reminder is in the next person who needs my care?

What reminder do you and I need of the God who does not want to forget the bond?

Blessings on your Lenten journey,

David Lichter, DMin
Executive Director

2. NACC sent to the US Bishops the annual World Day of Sick letter
Since 2011, the NACC Executive Director, David Lichter, has sent on behalf of the NACC to the US Bishops a World Day of the Sick letter. Each letter has been composed with the counsel and support of our NACC Episcopal Advisory Council, and our USCCB Liaison, currently Bishop Don Hying of Gary, Indiana. You can access this letter and the accompanying materials (as well as view our Episcopal Advisory Council and access all the WDS letters since 2011 at our Episcopal Advisory Council page.

3. Invite to review draft of NACC’s 2018-2020 Strategic Plan

Dear NACC members,

The NACC Board of Directors is enthused to share with you the draft of the NACC 2018-2020 Strategic Plan. The Board members are very appreciative of NACC members’ input on our priorities, both through the member survey of March 2017 and at the NACC Conference business meeting. The Board worked with a professional planning consultant during the summer and fall to complete this plan. We believe it will assist us in setting a strong future direction for our mission effectiveness and sustainability.

We are inviting you to review the plan, and, for those who would like, to join during March in one of three conference calls to share with Board members what excites you about the plan, and how we can best engage you as members to move the plan implementation forward.

Here are the three dates and times.
Wednesday, March 7, 3:00 p.m. central
Friday, March 16, 9:00 am central
Tuesday, March 20, 12:00 pm central

Please register for ONE of these calls by going to this LINK.
After you have registered we will send you the meeting access information.

Blessings,

David
David A. Lichter
Executive Director
National Association of Catholic Chaplains

4. Recent deaths of NACC members
Please remember in your prayer with gratitude for their healing ministry:

• Our former NACC member, Sr. Corinne (Georgeanne) Brown, OSF, died on February 5, 2018. She joined NACC in 1997 and was board certified in 1998. She served in spiritual care leadership both at St. Vincent Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati. wrbiradio.com/2018/02/09/sr-corrine-brown-o-s-f
• Our former NACC member and past president of the NACC, Fr. Eugene (Joseph) McGlothlin, OSB, died on February 3rd.
  His obituary quoted Father Eugene to have said, “If you try to fix or solve people’s problems, you’ll be saddened because you can’t. But if you are open to sharing a patient’s experience, then something life-giving can happen. Supporting people through very difficult times, helping them find hope and maybe peace—this is ministry at its deepest level.”

  Fr. Gene was deeply loved and respected by NACC members. In the NACC 40th Anniversary Book, Fr. Gene reflected on NACC and the 1995-1997 years he was president of NACC.
  40th Anniversary Reflection: The 90’s – Professionalism Through Partnerships (excerpt)

  To read Fr. Gene’s obituary, please go to:
  www.legacy.com/obituaries/sctimes/obituary.aspx?pid=188095718

5. NACC members needed for NACC leadership positions!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Mark 3:13-15, asks us to Extend our Influence. “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He himself wanted. And they came to him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have the power to heal sickness, and to cast out demons.”

As chaplains we too have been called to influence others: to engage in action, as we help develop the gifts God has given us. We are reaching out to you to help fill leadership positions within NACC by volunteering your gifts to serve on an NACC Commission, Committee, or Panel.

Extend Your Influence by helping others to develop. At NACC there are openings in many of our committees and panels. We are looking for individuals who have gifts and talents that can help influence the direction of NACC, as we grow and develop our members.
If you are ready to engage in an area of influence in our NACC community, please respond to these available positions. We have or will have openings for the following.

• Certification Commission
• Governance Committee
• Annual Awards Panel
• Education Advisory Panel
• Editorial Advisory Panel
• Marketing/Communication Advisory Panel
• Nominations Panel
• Research Advisory Panel

Please review the qualifications needed by following the links on this page of the NACC website: www.nacc.org/membership/volunteers. By choosing the link next to the position you are researching, you can follow it to the application. Please complete the application and return it to Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org. May God’s grace be with you, Cathi Ruiz, BCC – Chair of the NACC Nominations Panel

6. Do you know NACC has a ministry volunteer membership?
The NACC has a Ministry Volunteer membership category to encourage the many men and women who are providing spiritual/pastoral care in a variety of settings to join NACC and experience the benefits of networking, education, and resources. If you are overseeing any volunteers, please encourage them to join. It can benefit them and NACC. To view our membership categories go to:
www.nacc.org/membership/apply-for-membership

7. In Vision: How do chaplains address ethical issues after a disaster?
Can a disaster work crew temporarily put living patients in a morgue? Can a Red Cross worker throw away part of an impromptu sidewalk memorial? Should an unidentified body be washed in a ritual manner? Ethical dilemmas for a chaplain on deployment are many and varied. In the current issue of Vision, Tim Serban considers some of them.

www.nacc.org/vision/january-february-2018/chaplains-address-ethical-issues-disaster

8. NACC Networking calls for February/March 2018
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 for information. Times listed are Central Time Zone.

Tuesday, Feb. 20; 2 p.m. CT Ambassador Networking Group
Wednesday, Feb. 21; 10 a.m. CT Corrections Ministry Networking Group
Thursday, Feb. 22; 11 a.m. CT Palliative/Hospice Networking Group
Thursday, Feb. 22; 2 p.m. CT Deacon Member Networking Group
Friday, Feb. 23; 10 a.m. CT State Liaison Networking Group
OR
Monday, Feb. 26; 2 p.m. CT State Liaison Networking Group
Monday, Feb. 26; 10 a.m. CT Integrative Care Networking Group
Tuesday, Feb. 27; 10 a.m. CT Long-Term Care Networking Group
Wednesday, Feb 28; 10 a.m. CT New Member Networking Group
Wednesday, Feb 28; 2 p.m. CT Age 45 & Below Networking Group
Thursday, March 1; 10 a.m. CT One-Person Dept. Networking Group
Thursday, March 1; 2 p.m. CT Dir. of Spiritual/Pastoral Care Networking Group
Monday, March 5; 10 a.m. CT Outpatient Settings Networking Group
Monday, March 5; 2 p.m. CT African Member Networking Group
Tuesday, March 6; 2 p.m. CT Nurse Chaplain Networking Group
Wednesday, March 7; 10 a.m. CT Retired/Emeritus Member Networking Group
Thursday, March 8; 10 a.m. CT Student Members Networking Group

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

9. Registration Flyers for the 2018 APC/NACC Joint Conference have been sent out!
The 2018 Joint Conference flyer has been mailed out. If you haven’t received it yet, please know it should come any day. If you don’t receive it within one week, contact the NACC office and we can send you one. This flyer contains much of the key information regarding our 2018 Joint Conference. All other detailed information will be found on the NACC website.

10. Important things to know before you register
How to receive the Member rate: In order for an NACC member to receive the discounted Member rate for registration, the member must enter the email address they have on file with the NACC. The online system will recognize the member’s email address and discount the registration. Please contact the NACC if you have questions or need assistance.

How to receive the Hotel Discount: Conference attendees who book sleeping rooms at the conference hotel will receive a discount off their early bird/full conference registration. To receive this discount, you must be registered at the conference hotel (Anaheim Marriott) and have the hotel confirmation number available when you register online. You will be required to enter the confirmation number during the registration process. The discount will also be extended to locals whose mailing address is within 50 miles of the conference hotel as they will be commuting to the conference. Visit the NACC website to find out how to register at the hotel.

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

12. Conference Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships will be available from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains for registration fees for the 2018 APC/NACC Joint Conference. The applicant must apply no later than Friday, March 8, 2018. Visit the NACC website for more information.

13. Call for Joint Conference Poster Presentations
The 2018 Joint Conference Education Subcommittee invites you to submit poster presentation proposals for the 2018 APC/NACC Joint Conference, July 12 – 15 at the Marriott Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. Poster presentations will allow you to share your expertise, inspire colleagues, stimulate thoughtful discussion and educate others on important issues within chaplaincy. Accepted posters will be displayed on Friday, July 13, through Sunday, July 15, 2018. There will be a session 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, that will allow presenters to interact with conference participants. For more information and to download a poster presentation application, please visit the Joint conference website.

For more information about the Conference go to:
www.nacc.org/conference

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

14. Last chance to register for this month’s 2018 NACC webinar!
This Thursday, February 22, 2018. How Chaplains Can Help Patients and their Families Decode Provider Information, presented by Prudence R. Hopkins, MA, BCC-ACHPC *

This coming Thursday, February 22, the NACC will host the second NACC webinar of our 2018 series, How Chaplains Can Help Patients and their Families Decode Provider Information, presented by Prudence R. Hopkins, MA, BCC-ACHPC. Participants will explore ways medical providers show they have difficulty with goals of care discussion. The webinar will discuss how from a position of empathy for the providers as well as the patients, chaplains can help decode the veiled messages, providing a more open dialogue.

Additional information about this webinar (also all our 2018 webinars) can be found at the following link: 2018 webinars.

To register online and pay by credit card, for this webinar as well as for any other NACC 2018 webinar, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form and pay by check, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK.

15. Have you registered yet for NACC’s 2018 webinar series?
A full list of offerings, with program details, is available at this link: 2018 webinars.

The registration fee for individual webinars is $40 for NACC members and $55 for non-members. Please note that we are offering a package deal that encompasses all of the regular series of 2018 NACC webinars, available at a significant discount: $320 for NACC members, $430 for non-members.

To register online and pay by credit card, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form and pay by check, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK.

NOTE: All of the NACC webinars are recorded, and online access to the recordings is made available to all registrants. If you cannot participate live, you still have the opportunity to enhance your learning (and earn CEHs) by means of the recordings.

16. Final Request: A member’s interest with chaplains whose main responsibility is employee support
One of our NACC members seeks to network with other chaplains who are assigned to be of support for employees. If your ministry includes a significant amount of spiritual care for employees and you would like to network with other chaplains providing such support, please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org). We will plan a call for this group. Thank you.

17. NACC Local Gathering

• La Grange Park, IL, Friday, March 16, 2018 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). The NACC is presenting a program at Presence Bethlehem Woods (in La Grange Park, near Chicago). Elizabeth-Anne Stewart, BCC, PhD, will present on the subject of The Art of Sacred Listening. For details about the program and information about registering, please click on this link: REGISTER.

18. New book on grieving by Lisa Irish out soon
Grieving – the Sacred Art: Hope in the Land of Loss, Skylight Paths Publisher, will be released on Amazon and Barnes and Noble on April 3, 2018.

NACC member Lisa Irish’s new book presents grief as our “ally” in the Land of Loss. She gathers the wisdom of bereavement experts, spiritual leaders and everyday people to offer pathways through the challenging terrain. Developing the idea of “conscious grieving,” Lisa encourages us to let the seeds of hope find their way into our grieving hearts and to cultivate self-compassion. Grieving – the Sacred Art makes a space for love in our sadness and leads us into a Land of Hope. Fr. Richard Rohr’s book endorsement says, “…The roadmap is wise, but sensitive – grounded in hope – and reminds us to rest in God’s healing love.”

19. Other educational events

• 2nd Annual Spirituality and Aging Symposium — The Measure of Our Days: Awakening Hope in Aging, Loss and Death
  This symposium will take place March 4-8 at Saint John’s on the Lake in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For further information about the event, and registration details, please click on this LINK.
• The First Train-the-Trainer Inter-professional Spiritual Care Education Curriculum (ISPEC), July 10-12, 2018, Washington, DC. The 2018 Application is now Open!

  What: The 2018 Inter-professional Spiritual Care Education Curriculum Train-the-Trainer Leadership conference will prepare physicians, nurses, and other clinicians from a variety of clinical settings to advocate spiritual care at their institutes and cultivate organizational change.
  Attendees will be chosen through a competitive selection process.

  Who Should Apply:
  Each organization will have the opportunity to send a two-person team consisting of clinician-chaplain pairs.

  If selected, attendees will receive;

  • Free Registration
  • All course supplies including; syllabus, workbook, and resources
  • Breakfast, lunch and snacks
  • Continuing Education Credits (CME, Nursing credit hours, CEU)

  
  Each organization selected to attend will receive free, unlimited access to the ISPEC online course for healthcare providers of their organization for one full year!!!

  How to Apply: Please Review Request for Applications. All Applications are due by Monday April 2, 2018!

• Fordham University Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care Conference
  Fordham University is hosting its annual Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care Conference on Friday, March 2. The topic for this year’s conference is “Calming the Chaos: Clinical and Pastoral Responses in Traumatic Times.” The NACC has approved it for 4.5 CEHs. For further information about this event and registration details, please click on this LINK.

20. In case you were not aware and did not see these resources

• Did you see the recent article on chaplains in the Sacramento Bee?
  www.sacbee.com/news/local/article199521109.html
• Have you seen the CHA 2018 Lenten Podcast series available to you?
  www.chausa.org/prayers/videos-podcasts/lent-podcasts

21. 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: Sheila Fonseca, Russ (Husband of Linda Bronersky, BCC-E), Vicki Farley (on the recent death of her husband, Tom), Maggie Finley, Mary K. Pauluk BCC, Sr. Mary Clare Boland SP, 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.

22. 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 – SPIRITUAL CARE SERVICES
Reading, PA – St. Joseph Medical Center

DIRECTOR of PASTORAL / SPIRITUAL CARE
Notre Dame, IN – The Sisters of the Holy Cross, Inc

CERTIFIED CHAPLAIN
Beaumont, TX – CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital

CHAPLAIN/ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
Anchorage, Alaska – Providence Alaska Medical Center

DIRECTOR of SPIRITUAL CARE
Toledo, Ohio – St. Vincent Medical Center

PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Fresno, CA – Saint Agnes Medical Center

CHAPLAIN
Hinsdale, IL – RML Specialty Hospital

CHAPLAIN
Camp Hill, PA – Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital

MANAGER of SPIRITUAL CARE
Philadelphia and Darby, PA – Mercy Philadelphia and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospitals

VICE PRESIDENT, CHIEF MISSION OFFICER
Little Rock, AR – CHI St. Vincent Health System

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