Issue #271 – April 2, 2018

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. Thank you to our members who were able to join our NACC Board of Directors’ listening sessions on the NACC 2018-2020 Strategic Plan. *
3. NACC makes available to its members its 2017 Annual Report *
4. Welcome new NACC members who joined us in March! *
5. Do you know NACC has a Ministry Volunteer membership? Encourage yours to join! *
6. Death of a former NACC member, Sr. Joan Crocker, SC *
7. Vision seeks writers about the opioid crisis.
8. In Vision: Ethical and Religious Directives can help form care plan *
9. NACC Networking calls for April 2018 *

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

10. How to Register for the Conference
11. As you register, please consider a donation to the NACC Scholarship Fund.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

12. Have you registered yet for these two important April NACC Webinars? *
13. You can still register for NACC’s 2018 webinar series.
14. NACC Local Gatherings *
15. Two valuable webinars hosted by ACPE, co-sponsored by Transforming Chaplaincy *
16. Have you seen these resources? *
17. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
18. Recent job postings *

* New/updated item
For more NACC news and information be sure to read Vision.
Vision offers information about current movements in pastoral and spiritual care and helps chart directions for the future of the profession as well as the Association.

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Blessings on your Easter Monday, called in Italy pasquetta, or little Easter – a day to take picnic breaks and enjoy the outdoors of an early spring day (weather permitting ). Of course, for most of us, it is most likely still a work day and caring for those most vulnerable. How do I take that “break” in whatever way I can?

Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 28 begins with verse 8, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce the news to his disciples.” Yes, they did encounter the Risen Lord on the way who said to them, “Do not be afraid.
Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Mt 28:10) Within these two verses, we read again about “fearful” and “do not be afraid.” It seems that the nearness of Mystery in the form of the unexpected evokes fear of some sort, no matter how faith-filled we might be. Change, whether planned or unplanned, brings some uncertainty and fear. In recent weeks, however, I have had several exchanges with people who recently retired or plan to, on how that change has or will affect them – how they view themselves and their lives differently. For most of them most of the time, it is even more faith-filled. It was not a fear of the change or unknown, and there was a reason for that. Let me go on…

In the Easter Mystery, reflecting on this as a profound change that altered those early believers, it was both a new experience of God’s Presence in the Risen Christ yet “recognizable” – they would see him in Galilee. I recall years ago how Jack Shea had offered a way of thinking about the Resurrection appearances. As the disciples gathered, it was not so much just recalling what Jesus did and what He was like when He was with them, but more so, what they were like in His Presence. How His Presence, His being in their midst, impacted how they experienced themselves and one another. What were they like when He was near? As they remembered what they were like, they re-experienced His Presence in their midst!

One of our retired members, Sr. Pia Bautista, RC, (who gave me permission to share this) recently wrote me the following.

She added:

While she lives in Appleton, she is a Cenacle Sister who belongs to the Chicago Cenacle. However, she noted, while being retired, she is also still:

I am grateful to Sr. Pia for sharing her MINISTRY OF PRESENCE with me/us. It reminds me of the precious gift of our presence that shares in the Easter Presence of the Risen One.

Here is how this is connecting for me. Yes, fear is a natural response to the unknown and uncertain. However, it went away for the early disciples because they recognized His Presence in a new way. An important part of the recognition was that they experienced again “what it was like when He was near,” as they experienced themselves again as loved, forgiven, calmed, held, healed. Sr. Pia’s reflection reminded me of our share in, and call to be, His Presence in our Ministry of Presence. Do people near me experience His Presence? Do they experience being loved, forgiven, calmed, held, healed? Are they wondering, “Is this what it was like when Jesus walked the earth? Is this what it was like when He was near? When the early ones were in His Presence?”

Is that what our Ministry of Presence is like?

In particular, would you who are retired be willing to share your own personal reflections on this theme of re-discovering ourselves in a new way in our walking with Jesus “on the road” during retirement? As we receive your reflection we can include it in NACC Now, and even create a place on our website to house these reflections for the benefit of all of us!

Blessings on your Pasquetta!

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. Thank you to our members who were able to join our NACC Board of Directors’ listening sessions on the NACC 2018-2020 Strategic Plan.
The NACC Board of Directors is very grateful to those members who were able to provide their feedback, recommendations, and ideas for implementation during the listening calls on the draft of the NACC 2018-2020 Strategic Plan. Overall, the feedback was very positive toward NACC direction and priorities, and many good ideas for implementation were given. This feedback will be reviewed by the Board members during its May 12, 2018, Board call.

3. NACC makes available to its members its 2017 Annual Report
An important and expected method of accountability to its members, the NACC Annual Report includes reports for the Board of Directors, Executive Directors, heads of its Committees, Commissions, and Panels, as well as the 2017 Financial Review, and lists of our donors and volunteers, and other important information. 2017 Annual Report

4. Welcome new NACC members who joined us in March!

Affiliate Members
Rev. Allan R. Robinson (Philadelphia, PA)

Education Institution
Loyola University Chicago

Full Members
Rev. Raymond P. Branstiter (Urbana, OH)
Mrs. Faith L. Glisson (Elk Grove, CA)
Rev. John Kyere (East Hartford, CT)
Sr. Laura C. Parker SP (Oak Lawn, IL)
Sr. Virginia M. Pfau IHM (Monroe, MI)

Ministry Volunteer
Ms. Susan M. Fachini (Billings, MT)
Professor Merylee R. Shelton (San Jose, CA)

Student Members
Dr. Veronica L. Marchese (Oak View, CA)
Mrs. Natalie F. O’Loughlin (Bethel Park, PA)
Ms. Insha Manvi Singh (San Diego, CA)
Mr. Scott A. Spence (Melbourne, KY)

5. Do you know NACC has a Ministry Volunteer membership? Encourage yours to join!
This is probably our best-kept secret – our Ministry Volunteer membership! Knowing the many volunteers that serve in your settings, have you invited them, would you invite them to join NACC?
We have many resources available. Their participation in our webinars and accessing past webinars can provide them with ongoing education. Here is a link to our membership page. Here is a link to our Ministry Volunteer membership application. Consider making some copies and giving them to your volunteers.

6. Death of a former NACC member, Sr. Joan Crocker, SC
We recently learned of the death of our former NACC member, Sr. Joan Crocker, SC, who died March 19, 2018. Sr. Joan joined NACC in 1989, was certified in 1992, and retired in 2001. She served as a chaplain at Penrose Hospital in Colorado from 1990 to 2001. May God grant her the fullness of joy. For her obituary, go to http://www.gilliganfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Sr.-Joan-Crocker-S.C./Mount-Saint-Joseph-OH/1788028

7. Vision seeks writers about the opioid crisis.
The May-June issue of Vision will cover the growing opioid crisis in America and the steps that spiritual care can take to address it. If you facilitate a support group, or intervene regularly in the emergency room, or have access to research that offers insights or has any other angle on the epidemic, we would like to hear from you. Please send your article idea to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The copy deadline is April 16.

8. In Vision: Ethical and Religious Directives can help form care plan
Creating an advance care plan may well raise ethical questions in the mind of the patient, the family, or the hospital staff. In the current issue of Vision, ethicist Michael McCarthy gives an overview of how the Ethical and Religious Directives can help patients make decisions.

9. NACC Networking calls for April 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.

• African Member Networking Group; Thurs., April 12; 10 a.m. CT
• Behavioral Health Networking Group; Tues., April 17; 11 a.m. CT
• New Member Networking Group; Wed., April 18; 10 a.m. CT
• Palliative Care/Hospice Networking Group; Thurs., April 26; 3 p.m. CT (NOTE TIME)

NACC realizes the value of networking and appreciates members taking time out of their schedules to share and lend support to others who are ministering in the same area. NACC is looking at alternate ways to connect our members, but until then, this quarterly call is a means to that end.

NACC appreciates the effort it takes to participate and hears of the value these calls provide our members.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

10. How to Register for the Conference
A Message from your Joint Conference Co-Chair and How to Register for the Conference

It has been an extraordinary experience to participate in the planning and observe the development of NACC’s first joint conference with APC since 2005. Since that gathering, NACC and APC have become strong and effective collaborators in addressing our joint commitment to spiritual care by certifying competent, board certified chaplains and to supporting our members as well. This dynamic partnership has created an exceptional educational Joint Conference program which will include quality keynote presentations, intensives, and workshops. The joint worship events will highlight and celebrate the diversity of the participants. If you have not had the privilege of attending a joint conference before, take advantage of this unique opportunity. It is the hope of all of those who helped plan this gathering that it will be informative, expansive and energizing for you.

The Early Bird registration deadline (April 13, 2018) is quickly approaching. I encourage you to register now so that you can take advantage of this discounted registration rate.

Members and Non-members are welcome to attend. Want to learn more about the conference? Visit the NACC website.
STEP ONE (1):  Make your reservation at the Conference Hotel
Conference attendees who book sleeping rooms at the conference hotel will receive a $159 discount off their full conference registration fee. To receive this discount you must be registered at the conference hotel (Anaheim Marriott) and provide your confirmation  during the registration process. Information on how to register at the hotel can be found on the NACC website.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.

STEP TWO (2): Know the Email Address on File for You at NACC
For an NACC member to receive the discounted Member rate for conference registration, the member must register utilizing the same email address that is on file with the NACC. The online system will recognize the member’s email address and discount the registration. If you are unsure of the email address you have on file with NACC, please contact the NACC national office. If you do not have an email address on file, please contact NACC for further direction.

STEP THREE (3): Navigate to the Online Registration web-page and Register for the Conference.
Navigate to the conference online registration system. Be sure to have your confirmation number and your email address handy. Follow the screen prompts to register.

Registration Options:

1. Register online and pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or DiscoverCard.
2. Register online and indicate you will send a check.

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.

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

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

12. Have you registered yet for these two important April NACC Webinars?

• Thursday, April 12, 2018. Rediscovering the Art of Dying, presented by Sr. Nuala P. Kenny OC, MD, FRCP

  Our Canadian colleagues have developed a special NACC webinar which is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 2018, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time. Sr. Nuala P. Kenny OC, MD, FRCP, will present Rediscovering the Art of Dying.

  The goals for this session are to provide lessons for disciples of Christ from the legalization of medically assisted death (MAD) in Canada and to propose challenges to the faith community in response.

  We will clarify the reasons persons request MAD, which is the medicalization of human suffering and death. As such, it is in contradiction to the tradition of a good death and of the Paschal Mystery itself. Catholics need to be clear about the reasons for requesting assisted death, our cultural and medical context and inherent threats to protection of conscience and to the most vulnerable among us. This is an urgent issue because the more common MAD becomes, the more likely even Catholics will accept it as the ‘new normal.’ Reflecting together on Jesus’ story and stories of patient, family and caregiver experience, we will identify specific clinical, ethical and pastoral challenges that arise in health decisions and care for the seriously ill and dying. Finally, we will address some challenges to disciples of Christ and the need for a robust parish ministry of care and companionship.

  To register online and pay by credit card for this 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, please contact Andris Kursietis at the NACC national office at akursietis@nacc.org.

• Thursday, April 19, 2018. How Do We Hold the Tension Between Chaplain Beliefs and Patient Choices? presented by Dr. Vicki J. Farley, DMin, BCC

  On Thursday, April 19, 2018, the NACC will host the next NACC webinar of our 2018 series, How Do We Hold the Tension Between Chaplain Beliefs and Patient Choices? presented by Dr. Vicki J. Farley, DMin, BCC. Chaplains walk with people of all faiths and no faith. As chaplains, we hold our own faith and the faith of our patients as we walk with them through many life choices. We meet our patients where and how they are and walk alongside them, treating each with dignity, honor, and respect. On this journey, we often encounter patient choices that do not fit with our personal beliefs or the beliefs of our faith community. How do we, as chaplains, hold this tension when it goes against our beliefs? Participants of this webinar will articulate one’s own experience when one’s beliefs are challenged by patient choice, explore coping strategies and how effective they are in this circumstance and identify one’s values surrounding one possible conflict of values such as assisted death.

  Additional information about this webinar (and our other 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 regular series 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.

13. You can still register 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.

14. NACC Local Gatherings

• New Jersey
  The NACC is planning a local gathering on Saturday, April 21, (9:30 am to 3:00 pm) at the CentraState Medical Center (Jack Aaronson Conference Center) in Freehold, New Jersey. The theme for the event, which will be presented by Jose A. Contreras, M.D., and Sharon Douglas, BCC, is Palliative Care and Self-Care. For more information, and to register online for this event, please visit our website at this link: April 21 NJ local gathering.

  A $35 participant fee will cover lunch and the program. 3.25 CEH’s are offered.

• Save the date! Alexandria, MN!
  The 2018 Fall Chaplains’ Conference will take place in Alexandria, Minnesota, on September 20-21. The theme for this year’s event is “The Prophets: Speaking to Us in Times of Loss, Trauma, and Injustice,” with Rev. Dale Launderville, OSB, and Dr. Corrine Carvalho as the speakers. Further details and registration information will be sent out shortly.

15. Two valuable webinars hosted by ACPE, co-sponsored by Transforming Chaplaincy

• TODAY, April 2, 2018, 1-2 pm CST, a valuable webinar by ACPE on “Return on Investment” Featuring Mark Grace, Baylor Scott & White
  Co-hosts George Fitchett and Kelsey White

  Chaplaincy managers are frequently asked to provide information about the cost and impact of the services they provide. In some cases, this takes the form of documenting the return on investment (ROI). In this webinar, the manager for spiritual care in a large health system will describe their involvement in documenting ROI on several activities.

  Attendees and others interested may want to read this report from the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion: Johnson and Wubbenhorst, Incorporating Faith and Works within a Healthcare Network. http://www.baylorisr.org/wp-content/uploads/BaylorISR_ScottWhite-CaseStudy-FINAL-web-05112017-1.pdf

  Register Here https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sWwYBbRbRU2sad5xJBo0-A

________________________________________

• Challenges in Healthcare Delivery and Implications for Spiritual Care
  May 17, 2018, 1-2 p.m. CT
  Presenter: Timothy Glover, Senior Vice President, Mission Integration, Ascension Healthcare

  Across the country healthcare systems are taking responsibility for covered lives with an emphasis on helping people stay well and out of the hospital. In this webinar, we will describe these developments and the impact they will have on healthcare in the next 3 to 5 years. Then we will discuss their implications for spiritual care. Timothy (Timm) L. M. Glover provides spiritual, strategic and collaborative leadership that helps deepen the integration of Ascension Healthcare’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Catholic Identity throughout all sponsored ministries and partnerships.
  Register Here https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JC81wY6VSkKXgtWve3HGTA

16. Have you seen these resources?

• The NACC alerted members to the new two-part series on chaplaincy by The Joint Commission in the February 5, 2018, issue of NACC Now (https://www.nacc.org/nacc-now/nacc-now-267/#10) However, APC’s recent APC Forum provided a really fine summary of the two-part series in The Joint Commission’s The Source. You can access that summary at: http://www.professionalchaplains.org/content.asp?admin=Y&pl=463&sl=463&contentid=813
• ACPE recently alerted its members to this wonderful resource. In their weekly e-News, they wrote: Thanks to the generous support of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and the F.I.S.H. Foundation, ACPE partnered with Interfaith Voices to produce Chaplains, a podcast series about the work of diverse chaplains in diverse settings making a difference in the world. We hope the Chaplains series can be a learning tool for you and your students. Thank you to all of our ACPE educators who contributed to the series! It is available at http://interfaithradio.org/chaplains?utm_source=This+Week%3A+March+26%2C+2018&utm_campaign=Feb+19th+News&utm_medium=email

17. 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: Nolan (3 year old grandson of Dale Recinella), Tim Charek, Joe Cipriano, 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.

18. 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.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT of MISSION
Sioux Falls, SD – Avera Health

SUPERVISOR SPIRITUAL CARE
Springfield, MA – Mercy Medical Center

CHAPLAIN
Baltimore, Maryland – Mercy Medical Center

PM CHAPLAIN POSITION
La Crosse, WI – Gundersen Health System