Issue #272 – April 16, 2018

Click here to return to the main NACC Now page.

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. NACC participation in provincial meetings of bishops continues.
3. Recent death of a former NACC Member
4. Five Reasons to read Vision
5. In Vision: POLST might help more patients get the care they want.
6. NACC makes available to its members its 2017 Annual Report.
7. Encourage your volunteers to join NACC in our Ministry Volunteer membership!
8. Member News
9. Remaining NACC Networking calls for April 2018
10. Is your institution looking for a chaplain?

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

11. Conference Registration

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

12. Don’t miss this important April NACC Webinar!
13. NACC Local Gatherings
14. Request still open until this Friday, April 20, to recommend any apps for spiritual care
15. Valuable webinar 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

ADD LINK: Vision!

 

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Yesterday’s Gospel from Luke 24:35-48, included these lines: While they were still speaking about this (the road to Emmaus events), he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it in front of them.

What struck me this time was the initial bewildering and troubling experience of Jesus’ loss and the hiddenness of the Easter Mystery for the disciples. Then, how it took Jesus calling us to human touch and basic functioning (eating) to draw them to recognize and embrace hope/Mystery in this confusion of apparent human loss.

Then I reflect on the mystery of the healing ministry that is ours. Imagine what carriers of the Easter mystery we are when we reflect on how, during another’s disorienting dismay of suffering and tragedy, we provide our humanity of presence, touch, and moments of normalcy! Imagine what carriers of the Easter mystery we are when we let them know we are with them, think of them, care for them, and provide little human comforts. Think of how often people have expressed their gratitude to us because, when their lives were upside down and inside out, we emailed or called them, gave them a stilling embrace, got them a cup of coffee or shared a sandwich, or provided some other small, tangible gift of humanity and normalcy.

I happened to notice this time also that Christ’s words, “Peace be with you,” didn’t do it for them. In fact, they were “startled” and “terrified.” It was only when he invited touch that they were “incredulous for joy” and “amazed.” This makes me reflect further on how I am with people in loss and trauma. What am I doing? How am I being? How do I embody the Easter Mystery through my humanity?

What are your own thoughts on this?

Also….
As you might recall, at the end of my April 2nd Reflection for Easter Monday, I offered the question, “Is that what our Ministry of Presence is like?” and “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?” Here are two reflections that were shared. Thank you, Peg Lanctot and Rick Roos.

Peg Lanctot: I spent over 30 years working in the financial services industry. In the last few years of my career, I felt I was not serving God’s people in the way I should and that I was being called to something different.

When I was laid off four years ago, I spent a significant amount of time reflecting on my life to identify the times I felt most fulfilled. I had been told by a very insightful nun many years ago that “listening is your gift”. At the time I thought that was ridiculous. However, during my reflections, I realized that it was during the times that I listened to others who were struggling (as a Religious Ed instructor, Scout leader, hospital volunteer, mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend) I felt truly fulfilled.

I realized that I didn’t want to remain in financial services. I had been attending deacon formation classes with my husband and decided I could utilize the knowledge I had gained in those classes, along with my 35+ years of ministry to others, by returning to school to become a chaplain. Deciding to walk with Jesus as a chaplain in retirement fills me with a sense of peace that I never experienced in my prior career.

Rick Roos: Thank you for that Reflection. Yes, I read it Monday when I received NACC Now. But I’ve re-read it several times in the course of the week…and once again today. It really makes me wonder about my own “Ministry of Presence”…a term I frequently use as I minister to Hospice Patients who are either non-responsive or suffering from dementia so bad that they cannot do anything for themselves. I really try to believe that if that is not the suffering Lord in the suffering body of this person, then He is sitting or standing next to the bed or geriatric-chair…inviting me to do what He would do, or have me do (i.e., feeding that person, or reminding the Lord of their waiting on His welcoming embrace, or, not feeling the nail marks in His hands, but holding and stroking those vein-y, bone-y, arthritic hands that for a lifetime were themselves instrumental of the Lord’s loving Spirit via cooking thousands of meals and washing tons of laundry, etc.) Thank you, David, for such spiritual direction via your Reflections.

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

 

2. NACC participation in provincial meetings of bishops continues.
Since our USCCB Episcopal Liaison, Bishop Donald Hying, bishop of Gary, Indiana, sent his April 1, 2016, letter to the Archbishops of the United States requesting that they welcome NACC representatives to one of the provincial meetings, bishops across the country have invited chaplains to participate. The purpose of chaplain attendance is to explore both how NACC can work them to create a greater awareness of chaplaincy and the pastoral care ministry, as well to learn how NACC can better support their pastoral care ministries. Over the past two years, NACC members have been invited to and have participated in the bishops’ provincial meetings in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia/Carolina’s, New Mexico/Arizona, Southern California, and Connecticut. And today three of our Texas members, Denice Foose, BCC, Deacon Charlie Stump, and Fr. Lawrence Chellaian, BCC, are meeting with the 18 bishops of Texas in San Antonio, Texas! Here is a link to the materials the bishops receive in advance of the meeting. We only ask for 15-20 minutes on the packed agendas, but most often the meetings last for at least 30 minutes, if not longer. We are grateful to those who have already welcomed our members, and we keep seeking the opportunity to meet with them. A summary of these meetings to date was also included with our February 2018 World Day of the Sick Letter.

 

3. Recent death of a former NACC Member
One of our dear and former NACC members, Gloria M. Troxler, BCC, recently died. Gloria joined NACC in 1987, was certified in 1988, and remained a member until 2015. After a career in education, she became a chaplain, and also served as a director of pastoral care for many years. May the Lord bless her and keep her! More details in her obit: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theneworleansadvocate/obituary.aspx?pid=188482863

 

4. Five Reasons to read Vision
Are you reading our publication, Vision? Here are five quick reasons you should be!

1. Vision is always available. Vision is accessible and available to read online 24/7, and the online format allows readers to easily share articles with anyone else in the world, instantly: https://www.nacc.org/vision/
2. Vision includes a version optimized for printability. If you prefer not to read articles on a screen, or if you need a low-tech version while away from wi-fi coverage or devices, every issue is also posted in a PDF format that is optimized for printing. Extra graphics and colors (that waste ink) are not featured in the printable version, and if you happened to have access to a printer that can print two-sided documents, the PDF can be printed in a very readable and portable booklet format.
3. Vision is mobile-friendly. Vision (and the rest of our website) translates very well to a mobile format, making articles easy and clear to read on your phone or tablet. If you haven’t tried it yet, please do. You will be pleasantly surprised!
4. Over 100 back issues are available. Our archived library of Vision issues goes back sixteen years, with more on the way: https://www.nacc.org/vision/backissues/
5. You can read classic reflections. There is a complete archive of former NACC President and CEO Fr. Joseph Driscoll’s reflections available to read: https://www.nacc.org/vision/jjdcolumn/

 

5. In Vision: POLST might help more patients get the care they want.
A relatively new kind of document to record patients’ wishes is the physician’s order for life-sustaining treatment, or POLST. In the current issue of Vision, Daniel Waters describes the advantages of a POLST and how it fits into ethical Catholic healthcare.

 

6. NACC makes available to its members its 2017 Annual Report.
An important and expected method of accountability to its members, the NACC again makes available the 2017 Annual Report that 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. Please click here to access this report.

 

7. Encourage your volunteers to join NACC in our Ministry Volunteer membership!
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.

 

8. Member News:

• A recent reflection on the spiritual life, by our NACC member, Onie Misio, BCC, http://www.tri-cityherald.com/living/religion/spiritual-life/article207398704.html
• A recent Advance Directive program offering by our NACC member, Diane McCarthy, BCC, who is the Parish Education Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Boston Initiative for Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning. A great program focus includes: At the end of the evening, attendees will take home two tools: a concept of how to begin a conversation in the time of need and an understanding of how a healthcare proxy operates in Massachusetts when needed. The goal is to arm loved ones in making difficult decisions that may carry perpetual consequences to everyone’s wellbeing. The program write up includes: http://carver.wickedlocal.com/news/20180412/5-things-to-do-this-week-april-14-20/1

 

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.

• 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.

Unfortunately, the calls lose value if there are few participants, limiting the sharing that could take place. For the call to have the most value for participants, we will postpone a call until the next quarter if there are fewer than 5 participants who have signed up for the call a week prior to its scheduled date.

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

 

10. Is your institution looking for a chaplain?

How about a Director? Manager? We can help!

Post an ad on our website and watch your applications roll in!

Our Positions Available web page sees hundreds of visitors each month. A 100-word ad costs only $300 to run for two full months on the NACC Positions Available page. Ads are also listed in two issues of our biweekly e-newsletter NACC Now. For more information and a complete list of rates go to www.nacc.org/resources/positions/adinfo.

Please forward to your human resources department!

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

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

11. Conference Registration
While Early Bird registration is now closed, there is still time to register to attend the conference utilizing the Full Conference registration rate. Visit the NACC website for more information.

Already registered for the conference but looking to receive further continuing education hours? Consider registering for the pre-conference Day of Reflection or one of our many Professional Development Intensives. Information on all pre and post conference offerings is available on the website. If you are interested in registering for any additional offerings, simply reply to your conference registration email to request the addition OR call the APC office (847.240.1014).

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

 

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

12. Don’t miss this important April NACC Webinar!

• 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. 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.

 

14. Request still open until this Friday, April 20, to recommend any apps for spiritual care
CHA’s Pastoral Care Advisory Committee’s Patient Services subcommittee is creating an annotated listing of apps for use by patients, their loved ones, and their staff, and can use your help.

If you currently recommend any apps for patients, families, and staff to use, would you let us know? We need the name of the app, a two- to three-sentence description of the circumstances for which this app is useful, and specifically how it supports people in those circumstances. We will be including apps that cost less than $5 to download. This will be available to the public on CHA’s care section of its website.

We are creating this annotated library in the possible following categories:

• Patient Healing and Hope
• Pain and Symptom Response
• Well-Being and Resilience
• Bereavement
• Religious Resources and Sacred Texts
• Spirituality

Please send your examples to Carrie McGrath, CHA Director of Mission Services, at (cmeyermcgrath@chausa.org) by Friday, April 20.
Thank you in advance for your contributions, The CHA Patient Services Subcommittee

 

15. Valuable webinar hosted by ACPE, co-sponsored by Transforming Chaplaincy

• 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 this resource?

• Palliative Care and Hospice Education
  California State University partners with the Association of Professional Chaplains to develop the Essentials of Palliative Care Chaplaincy. A 64 CE hour instructor-led course. NACC also had the opportunity to review this material as APC and NACC collaborated in the revising our common qualifications and competencies required for an advanced specialization in Palliative Care and Hospice. This course will be a valuable resource to prepare one for this specialty certification.
  https://csupalliativecare.org/programs/chaplaincy/

 

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: Sister Maria Luisa Guerena, CSC, Jim Letourneau (on the death of his brother, John), Nolan (3 year old grandson of Dale Recinella), Tim Charek, Joe Cipriano, Sheila Fonseca, 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.

SUPERVISOR SPIRITUAL CARE
Springfield, MA – Mercy Medical Center

CHAPLAIN
Baltimore, MD – Mercy Medical Center

PM CHAPLAIN POSITION
La Crosse, WI – Gundersen Health System

SPIRITUAL CARE MINISTER – 40hrs/wk – Days
Eau Claire, WI – HSHS Sacred Heart

STAFF CHAPLAIN
Camp Hill, PA – Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital

CHAPLAIN
Waterloo, Iowa – Covenant Medical Center

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