Issue #283 – September 17, 2018

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

Our thoughts and prayers to all our brothers and sisters, and their loved ones in the Carolinas!

1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
Can I first say, “Thank you”? So often you, our NACC members, have kindly and thoughtfully commented to me when I saw you in person or through an email you sent how much you have appreciated these brief reflections I have offered over the years in our NACC Now. I am humbled by your feedback. I usually respond by saying that these reflections are needed by and for me, part of my own spiritual discipline to be open to God’s prompting and direction. I am so grateful that they can be a source of nourishment for you also. Praise God.

I suspect one of the most sensitive moments in our healing ministry comes when a patient and/or family struggle with the suffering and loss they experience. The blank stare, the inner turmoil, and the painful confusion mark the moments as they seek meaning in the midst of this suffering. It reminds me of a description of spirituality that James Green offered: “Spirituality is a way human beings create meaning, something they are prone to do at times of existential reflection or of threatening crisis. They respond with the resources they have on hand, making sense if they can of events that seem arbitrary, hurtful, and meaningless.” (James W. Green, “Cultural Diversity, Spirituality, and End-of-Life Care,” Reflective Practice, Vol. 29, Forming Religious Leaders in and for a Diverse World, 2009, 74-90.) journals.sfu.ca/rpfs/index.php/rpfs/article/viewFile/221/220

It always amazes me when people I know of Christian faith in those circumstance reach deep into their religious convictions and latch on to their belief that they somehow share in the cross of Christ. That not only is Jesus there with them in those times, but they have been offered an invitation to carry their cross with His help. One person expressed it, “I feel Jesus is my Simon of Cyrene helping me follow in His way.” This expression seemed to embody what Green wrote, “They response with the resources they have on hand, making sense if they can of events that seem arbitrary, hurtful, and meaningless.”

When I read again in yesterday’s Gospel, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me,”( Mk. 8:34) I imagined that person who appreciated Jesus as his Simon of Cyrene. I know for myself I struggle to interpret and apply that line, wondering what my “cross” looks like on any given day, and whether I recognize it, much less take it up. I know I am so grateful to those in my life who recognize and live this invitation and find peace and purpose in what they are going through because they have been able to say, “Oh, this is it! This was what Jesus meant for me! I got this!”

Do you know any people like that? How do they help you live out this mystery of the cross?

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. Please consider participating in the important September 29 streamed event! *
A core initiative and priority direction of the NACC now and in the coming years is taking a leadership role in supporting pastoral care in all its forms in the Church. We see you, our members, as key contributors to this leadership as we continue the healing ministry of Jesus in the name of the Church.

Hopefully, you noticed, and even read some articles, in this September-October Issue of Vision entitled, Collaboration in the Church: Extending the reach of Catholic pastoral care. Over the past two years the NACC has been exploring and discerning through the Partners in Pastoral Care collaborative planning funded through the Raskob Foundation how we can help support and resource the very diverse ways and places pastoral care is being provided in the Church. We have received strong affirmation from our current and potential partners.

Part of our efforts is to identify and highlight current diocesan programs that provide formation for those preparing to offer pastoral care in diverse settings. On September 29, we are highlighting the program offered in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. It is a really fine program with one of its main architects being our own NACC board certified member, Denice Foose, BCC. We have been promoting this program in dioceses as well as to you, our members.

It would be so helpful if you reached out to someone in your diocese who is responsible for pastoral care oversight and invite and encourage them to sign up for this event. We realize a Saturday morning, 10:00 a.m. to noon, might not be the ideal time, but it is also when many formation programs are being offered. You could just forward this NACC Now to them and highlight #10 below! Please consider helping us in this way! David Lichter, Executive Director

3. Last call to honor NACC Members, Professional Colleagues and Groups! *
Send us your nominations for the NACC Distinguished Service Award, Emergent Leader Award, and Outstanding Colleague Award. The deadline is Friday, September 21. You can learn more and access the nomination forms at www.nacc.org/about-nacc/annual-awards.

Do you know someone who has inspired you in the work and profession of chaplaincy? We want to know. Now is your chance to express your gratitude and nominate this person. Two (2) awards, Distinguished Service Award and Emergent Leader Award, recognize NACC members for outstanding dedication and service to NACC or to the field of chaplaincy. One (1) award, Outstanding Colleague Award, is presented to a non-NACC member individual or group whose work has proven complementary to, supportive of, or otherwise has contributed to the advancement of the profession of chaplaincy.

Please consider nominating. These awards will be presented at our 2019 NACC Conference May 30 – June 3, 2019, at the University of St. Mary by the Lake in Mundelein, IL.

4. 2018 Annual Campaign Update! Thanks to those who have given! Please join them! *
We are deeply grateful to all those who have been able to give so far to our 2018 Annual Campaign. To date we have received gifts totaling $34,567 compared to gifts totaling $33,525 at this time last year. If you have not yet been able to donate, please consider doing so today or this week! Thank you!

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

5. Member in the news *
The Nashville Register, August 24, 2018, did this lovely article on Mary Lou O’Gorman, our recipient of the 2018 NACC Distinguish Service Award.
www.nacc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/18-08-24_tnregister-p14.pdf

6. In Vision: Following the call from communion minister to BCC *
As a hospital communion minister, Sharon Schmidt felt the call to chaplaincy. Her path to becoming board-certified was long and circuitous, but her success might hold lessons for other volunteers – and for the pastoral care profession. To read her story in the new issue of Vision, click below.
www.nacc.org/vision/september-october-2018/following-the-call-from-communion-minister-to-bcc

7. Seeking writers for Vision: Ministry to immigrants and refugees *
Our November-December issue of Vision will cover ministry to immigrants and refugees, and we would like our members’ help to put together a compelling package of stories. If you regularly work with this population and have ideas to share, please send a message to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The copy deadline is Oct. 8, and the maximum length is about 1,000 words.

8. NACC Networking calls for September/October 2018 *
Take an hour to share your ministry with your colleagues. It is often uplifting to share concerns, ask questions or suggest resources with those who are in like ministry. If you wish to participate on any of these calls and have not already responded, please contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org for more information. Times listed are Central Time Zone.

Monday, September 17, 2018 at 2 p.m. CT……….Retired/Emeritus Networking
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. CT ……..Canadian Member Networking
Thursday, September 20, 2018 at 2 p.m. CT …….New Member Networking
Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 12 Noon CT ……Palliative Care/Hospice Networking
Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 2 p.m. CT …….Spiritual Care Directors Networking
Monday, October 1, 2018 at 10 a.m. CT ………..State Liaison Networking (1/1)
OR Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 2 p.m. CT………State Liaison Networking (2/2)
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10 a.m. CT………Student Member Networking
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 2 p.m. CT ………Deacon Chaplain Networking
Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 10 a.m. CT ………Correctional Chaplains Networking

Registering for the call, even if you cannot participate, will allow you to receive notes of the conversation and resources shared.

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.

Unfortunately, the calls lose value if there are few participants, limiting the sharing that could take place. In order 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 registered for the call a week prior to its scheduled date. To sign up, contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org for more information, questions, comments or concerns.

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

9. Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, for NACC National Conference!
Mark your calendars for the NACC Conference in 2019! This conference will be held Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, at the University of St. Mary of the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein, IL. It will be preceded by preconference workshops and our NACC retreat. Plan to join us!

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

10. Sign up today for special streamed event from Houston, TX ~ Saturday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time (this meeting will be live-streamed) *
The topic for this event is: A Bold Model for Diocesan Pastoral Care Ministry and Equipping Catholic Laypersons to Serve. The NACC is pleased to welcome colleagues from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, who will present an overview of a major diocesan initiative: assessing pastoral care needs, designing and implementing a multiple-dimensional program addressing those needs, and developing a three-tier educational program to equip Catholic laity to provide pastoral care ministry. This event will be live-streamed and therefore available to be accessed nationally. For further details and registration information, please click on this LINK.

11. Tomorrow, September 18, a free webinar on prison ministry is offered! *
The newly formed Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC), of which NACC is a partner, has been offering free monthly webinars through the USCCB. We want to invite you to the next webinar on September 18 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Dr. Eileen Dombo and Fr. George Williams, SJ, PhD, will present on the topic of “Retaining resilience in prison ministry: using self-care to avoid burnout.” They will discuss the emotional impact that prison ministry has on those who minister as well as within ourselves.

Please visit our website for more information about the webinar and its presenters:
https://www.nacc.org/event/maintaining-resilience-in-prison-ministry-using-self-care-to-prevent-burnout/.
Here is a link to the September 18 registration: REGISTER.

12. Don’t miss this special NACC webinar series! *
ACPE Certified Educator Rabbi Susan Freeman recently published To Dwell in Your House: Vignettes and Spiritual Reflections on Caregiving at Home. The book received excellent comments from many reviewers, and is available at this LINK.

At the request of the NACC, Rabbi Susan has agreed to lead a book review series of three one-hour webinar sessions which will give members the opportunity to read and process the book with her. (The participants will need to purchase the book in advance.) This series will provide the beginning, learning, and seasoned chaplain with insights into the resources and struggles of patients who confront challenging health crises at home. Participant cost for these three sessions is $60, which includes all sessions (but does not include the book – you are responsible for obtaining a copy yourself).

This series will provide 7 CEHs (1 CEH per session plus 4 CEH for reading the book).

The three sessions will take place on the following dates:

 Wednesday, October 24 (12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Central Time)
 Wednesday, October 31 (12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Central Time)
 Wednesday, November 7 (12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. Central Time)

To register online to participate in these sessions, please use the following link: REGISTER. If you prefer to pay by check, please mail your $60 check, made out to NACC, to: National Association of Catholic Chaplains, 4915 S. Howell Avenue, Suite 501, Milwaukee, WI 53207.

If you have any questions, please contact Andris Kursietis at the national office: akursietis@nacc.org

13. September 20 deadline for presentation applications for 2019 NACC Webinar Series!
September 20, 2018, is the deadline for submitting applications for the NACC 2019 webinar series. Please consider applying.

NACC webinars are usually held on the second or third Thursday of each month of the year, excluding the month in which the NACC National Conference falls (in 2019 the conference will take place at the end of May). Each webinar is scheduled for 90 minutes (which includes a 15-20-minute Q&A session after the presentation itself), starting at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. All webinars are recorded, and therefore the presenter(s) will be required to sign a consent form to that effect. A stipend is offered for each presentation.

Below is a preliminary list of topics that the NACC Education Advisory Panel thought would be of interest to participants in our 2019 webinar series:

• Mental health
• Substance abuse
• Palliative care and end of life
• Interdisciplinary teams
• Outpatient pastoral care
• Staff education
• Working with LGBTQ patients

If you are interested in presenting a NACC webinar in 2019 on one of the above topics (or if you have a suggestion for a different topic), please download and complete the application form from the following link: WEBINARS 2019 and submit it to Andris Kursietis at the NACC national office (akursietis@nacc.org) by September 20, 2018. Please note that you do not need to be an NACC member to present a webinar.

14. NACC Local Gatherings

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. The full registration fee is $135, or $65 for students. Daily rates are also available. A total of 7.75 CEHs are offered for participation in both days’ activities. For further details about the event, and to register online, please click on REGISTER.
Livonia, MI (Madonna University) ~ Thursday, October 18
The theme for the 2018 NACC gathering in Michigan (this year it will take place in Madonna University, in Livonia) is “Filling the Well: Practical Tools to Sustain Your Ministry.” The keynote presentation will be by Geila Rajaee, MPH, MPA, MDiv, BCC, and a host of other presenters have been lined up to fill out the day’s program. For further information about the program and to register online, please click on this LINK.
Charleston, SC ~ Monday, October 22
Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC, is holding its 7th annual Richard H. Fitzgerald Lecture in Pastoral Education on Monday, October 22 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). This year’s speaker will be the NACC Executive Director, David Lichter. The NACC would like to invite you to participate in this event as an integral part of a local NACC gathering – David will present relevant NACC updates after lunch. Details about the lecture can be found at this link: LECTURE. You can register for the event by calling 843-402-2273. The $15 fee includes morning coffee, lunch, and the program.

Save the date!
Additional local gatherings are being planned at the following locations. Please note the dates on your calendars – further details will be announced in due course.

• Seattle, WA ~ October 13
• Milwaukee, WI ~ November 9
• Baltimore, MD ~ November 13

If you have any questions about NACC webinars or local gatherings, please contact Andris Kursietis at the NACC national office at 414-483-4898 or akursietis@nacc.org.

15. Pastoral Care Week / Spiritual Care Week will be October 21-27, 2018 *
Pastoral Care Week gives opportunities for organizations and institutions of all kinds and types to recognize the spiritual caregivers in their midst and the ministry which the caregivers provide.

The theme for Spiritual Care Week in 2018 is “Hospitality – cultivating time.”

Spiritual care has a wonderful history of cultures and religions that build communities’ sense of support and meaning. This year’s theme continues the emphasis on hospitality with a focus on cultivating time. The welcoming and belonging associated with hospitality require time that is treated as precious in developing relationships.

Are you planning something for PCW 2018? Tell us about it! Contact us at info@nacc.org or 414-483-4898 to tell us how you plan to celebrate the week. Send pictures and details of events after you’ve held them, too! If you give permission, we’ll share them here.

Get resources: artwork, suggested activities, and other ideas are available at: www.nacc.org/resources/spirituality-and-prayer-resources/events-and-observances-pastoral-care-week or www.spiritualcareweek.org

16. 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: Lisa A. Laviolette-Bondt, Liam and Dillon, (Grandsons of member Ray Townsend), Fr. Art Schute, Janet Furman (at the death of her brother Robert Furman), Dr. Maritza Ramos-Pratt, Nolan (3-year-old grandson of member Dale Recinella), Tim Charek, 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.

17. 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.

CPE RESIDENCY
Anchorage, Alaska – Providence Alaska Medical Center

DIRECTOR OF MISSION INTEGRATION & SPIRITUAL CARE
Portland, OR – Providence Home & Community Care

CHAPLAIN (Catholic Priest Preferred)
Austin, Texas – Seton Healthcare Family

CHAPLAIN
Allegany, New York – St. Elizabeth Motherhouse

SPIRITUAL CARE MANAGER
Everett, WA – Providence Regional Medical Center

CATHOLIC STAFF CHAPLAIN
Dallas, TX – Parkland Health & Hospital System

SUPERVISOR – PASTORAL CARE
Fond du Lac, WI – St. Agnes Hospital

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

NACC Now #283

Issue #283 – September 17, 2018

NACC

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

Issue #283 – September 17, 2018

NACC

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

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