Issue #286 – October 29, 2018

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. NACC Board of Directors meets this week, November 1-2, 2018 in Milwaukee *
3. 2018 Annual Campaign Update! Thanks to those who have given! Please join them! *
4. Death of NACC members *
5. News of an NACC member *
6. In Vision: If science predicts when you die, how does it affect your spirit? *
7. Vision seeks articles about end-of-life care *
8. Don’t miss this free webinar on Certification with the NACC, Thursday, November 8, 2018! All members actively seeking certification, or considering doing so, are encouraged to register for this webinar! *
9. Thank you to our many members who participated in and contributed to the October 20 & 21, 2018 Certification interviews! *

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

10. Last call for 2019 NACC Conference workshop proposals! Deadline this Friday, November 2, 2018! Act today!! *
11. Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, for NACC National Conference!
12. 2019 NACC Conference Theme and Logo!
13. 2019 NACC Conference Schedule *r=”red”>*

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

14. Did you see this new resource from the Strategic Partners? *
15. Sign up today for our next NACC webinar, Witnessing the Dying of a Child: The Role of the Pediatric Chaplain *
16. You can still register for this special NACC webinar series! *
17. NACC Local Gatherings *
18. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
19. Recent job postings *

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Whether it’s resolve with a resolution, staying firm about a direction I needed to take, or continuing an exercise program, persistence can be tested. Just examining why I falter has been a good practice. Ultimately was I not convinced of the benefit of the choice or did I not realize the impact of not following through? Did I think about how my faltering will affect others, as well as myself, in the long run, or in the end did I really not think the issue was of much consequence so letting it go was no big deal? What keeps me from being persistent on things that really matter?

Yesterday’s Gospel on the familiar story of the blind Bartimaeus (Mt. 10:46-52) was helpful. When reflecting on the story, I found myself responding on behalf of Bartimaeus who was the one first crying out to Jesus repeatedly (persistently), “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” Even in the face of crowd rebuke, he continued to call out, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

So when I read further that “they” called him saying, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” I found myself a little miffed and wanted to retort, “Take courage! What do you think it has been taking for me to keep crying out? Jesus calling me? What do you think I have been doing all this time, whispering and whimpering?! I have been the one ‘calling out’ first!! Hey! Don’t you see what it has taken for me to stay persistent on this?”

It’s a little humbling to admit this not so pretty reaction within me. I was focusing on my effort, what it was taking to be persistent. The story helped me see what real persistence is motivated by. Bartimaeus’s persistence seemed to be rooted both in the realization of who he truly was, a beggar because he was blind and what that meant for his place in his society, and in whose presence he was as he recognized Jesus to be, Son of David. This is the first time this royal or messianic title is used as Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem to fulfill his mission. When Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” his response was simple and profound, “Master, I want to see.” Then when Jesus instructed him, “Go your way; your faith has saved you,” we read that Bartimaeus actually follows Jesus “on the way!” Bartimaeus decided that his way was the Lord’s way, and became (or more fully embraced what he already was) a disciple, follower of Jesus.

So, rereading and reflecting further on this story had me thinking differently about my, at times, paltry persistence on matters, especially matters of importance. I too often focus on the effort something is taking versus seeing anew who I truly am and who are the ones most being affected by my choices. Bartimaeus’s persistence was fueled by his realization of being a beggar from blindness, and he cried out for pity. I also must admit I can sell short God’s desire for me and what God wants to be and do for me. Bartimaeus’s persistence also was fired by the One whom he believed could really help him. So, this reminds me of what Teresa of Avila says comprises prayer: be aware of who you are, in whose presence you are, and gaze at the One who is gazing on you.

In my battles with persistence, I need to stay focused not on my efforts but on those involved and affected by those efforts. The word “courage” is a good one here, as it reminds me of where is the source of persistence. Courage comes from the two Latin words, cor (meaning heart) and agree (to act). So persistence comes from the heart, not the head. Too often I can rationalize and talk myself out of being persistent. The heart needs to help me keep the course.

It made me think whether the “take courage” line in the story could better be understood not so much as “Here, guy, take this courage you lack, and use it to go to Jesus.” as “Hey, we recognize your courage! Love it! Go with it to the Master!”

So do I have the courage to be persistent in the areas that really matter? Is my persistence fueled by those most affected by my good actions and by God’s desire for me and what God wants to be and do for me and through me?

What helps you to stay persistent?

Blessings,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. NACC Board of Directors meets this week, November 1-2, 2018 in Milwaukee
The NACC Board of Directors will be meeting this coming Thursday and Friday, November 1-2, 2018 in Milwaukee. Newly elected board member, Beth Lenegan, will also be participating. The primary focus of the meeting will be the ongoing implementation of the 2018-2020 NACC Strategic Plan. Please pray for the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit of our NACC directors.

3. 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 425 gifts totaling $45,557 compared to 420 gifts totaling $47,152 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 (https://www.nacc.org/donate/) or just click here to donate: https://nationalcatholicwiassoc.wliinc32.com/donate. Please give as you can! Blessings!

4. Death of NACC members
We just recently learned of the death of two of our NACC members;

• Janet Shachner, BCC, who died April 29, 2018. Janet joined NACC and was board certified in 1999. She was also a Lt. Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol. www.hampfuneral.com/notices/Janet-Schachner
• Gina L. Roecker BCC, who died on August 21, 2018. Gina joined NACC in 1986, was certified in 1987, and remained a member until her death.

5. News of an NACC member
Our NACC member, Phil Reeves, has been involved as a volunteer chaplain in the greater Los Angeles public safety chaplaincy/outreach efforts (Clergy Advisory Council) through the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The faith communities’ and Sheriff staff’s response has been very positive. While a volunteer chaplain, Phil is working on both his master’s degree and CPE requirements towards board certification.

6. In Vision: If science predicts when you die, how does it affect your spirit?
A recent artificial intelligence study processed two million patient records in an effort to predict when an individual patient might die. But how would patients and caregivers handle that knowledge? In the current issue of Vision, Allison Delaney considers how chaplains might mitigate the drawbacks of such technology.
If science predicts when you will die, how does that affect your spirit? By Allison DeLaney

7. Vision seeks articles about end-of-life care
The January-February issue of Vision will cover the theme of end-of-life spiritual care. If you have best practices to share, or stories to tell, about palliative care, anointing, ministry to families, or any other related topic, please share your idea with Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The copy deadline is Dec. 3

8. Don’t miss this free webinar on Certification with the NACC, Thursday, November 8, 2018! All members actively seeking certification, or considering doing so, are encouraged to register for this webinar!
Susan S. Liguori, BCC-E, and Bonnie J. McCulley, BCC, of the NACC Certification Commission will provide participants with an overview of the NACC certification process, with special attention to the revised NACC competencies and procedures. The webinar will present key information about certification and offer a forum for answering questions.

Even though there is no charge to participate in this webinar, please register for it by clicking on this LINK. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK.

9. Thank you to our many members who participated in and contributed to the October 20 & 21, 2018 Certification interviews!
The National Office and many volunteers participated in certification interviews October 20 & 21, 2018. The interviews were held in Rockville Centre, NY; Milwaukee, WI; and Petaluma, CA. There were, at least, 72 people involved in the interview weekend: 26 applicants, 31 interviewers, 8 Interview Team Educators (including 2 shadow ITEs), 3 Site Coordinators, 1 Certification Commissioner-on-Call, and 3 Spiritual Support Volunteers as well as Other Volunteers. We are so thankful for all our volunteers’ hard work and dedication to the NACC Certification process! It was a successful weekend. Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

10. Last call for 2019 NACC Conference workshop proposals! Deadline this Friday, November 2, 2018! Act today!!
This Friday, November 2, 2018, is the deadline for workshop applications! On behalf of the NACC, you are invited to submit an application to lead a workshop for the upcoming 2019 NACC Conference. This conference promises to be rich and memorable, with the gift of presence of friends, mentors and colleagues old and new. We welcome the addition of the gift of your presence as a workshop presenter. Visit the NACC website today to view the Submission Guidelines and download an application form.

11. 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!

12. 2019 NACC Conference Theme and Logo!
The NACC is pleased to announce the theme for the 2019 National Conference is “Partners in Pastoral Care: Continuing the Healing Ministry of Jesus in the Name of the Church.”

In May/June 2019, Chaplains and those serving in varied ways in pastoral care from across the nation, Canada, and beyond, will gather in Mundelein, IL, to be energized, supported, challenged and transformed personally and professionally. This year’s conference theme “Partners in Pastoral Care” will provide the opportunity for each person to:

• Be inspired and supported in their own particular ministry,
• Receive specialized sessions in their own area of ministry,
• Network with other pastoral care providers in health care, parish, correctional, and other ministry settings,
• Be exposed to diverse resources to improve their ministry.

The 2019 conference will also allow participants to celebrate the Eucharist and other liturgical services along with the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful environs of the University of St. Mary of the Lake campus.

13. 2019 NACC Conference Schedule
The 2019 conference schedule is now available. Visit the NACC website to learn more about the events being offered as part of the 2019 NACC Conference.

Stayed tuned to the coming issues of NACC Now for more information on the 2019 conference.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

14. Did you see this new resource from the Strategic Partners?
As you know we collaborated in 2001 on the white paper, Professional Chaplaincy: Its Role and Importance in Healthcare. Since then our respective associations, as well as other associations, have published a variety of very helpful resources and research on professional spiritual care.

This current resource, entitled The Impact of Professional Spiritual Care, CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS RESOURCE has been co-authored and co-published by the five associations to provide you the most current expressions of, and research on, the profession of chaplaincy and spiritual care in the United States and Canada in a very accessible and readable format so that you can utilize the materials for yourself, and for your staffs, associates, and executives to explain and advocate for our profession.

This flip book format, versus a typical pdf format of a white paper, will allow us to continue to update materials as they become relevant, as well as aid you in using them.

We are committed with you to strengthen and advance the profession for the benefit of the care-recipients we serve.

ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education
Association of Professional Chaplains
Canadian Association for Spiritual Care/Association canadienne de soins spirituels
National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains

15. Sign up today for our next NACC webinar, Witnessing the Dying of a Child: The Role of the Pediatric Chaplain
Thursday, November 15, 2018, Jim Manzardo, STB, BCC and Glenda Spearman, MDiv, BCC, will present on Witnessing the Dying of a Child: The Role of the Pediatric Chaplain. There is no more painful death than the death of one’s own child. This webinar will explain the reality for parents/caregivers who face their children’s death in a hospital context and who must also make very complex and difficult decisions about medical treatments and end-of-life care. It will also elaborate the dying experience of infants through young adults in a pediatric hospital setting. Finally, the webinar will describe the unique and integral role of a pediatric chaplain with dying children and their families.

Program Objectives

1. To understand the breadth of the experience of parents/caregivers and families whose children die in a hospital setting.
2. To describe the experience of the dying adolescent, child and infant.
3. To explain the role and contributions of chaplains who minister to dying children and their families.

Additional information about these webinars (and our other 2018 webinars) can be found at the following link: 2018 webinars.

16. You can still register for this special NACC webinar series!

All sessions of this series are being recorded, and all registrants will be given access to the recordings. Although the first session has already taken place, you may still register for the series and participate in the first session via the recording.

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

17. NACC Local Gatherings

• Toledo, OH ~ Tuesday, November 6
  Chaplains from the area will have a chance to gather at Mercy Health St. Charles Hospital in Oregon (Toledo), Ohio to hear Father James Bacik present on the topic of Pastoral Ministry with Guidance from Pope Francis. Father Bacik will explore the example and teachings of Pope Francis that encourage chaplains to be in solidarity with their patients and to walk with them in the dark valley of illness. To learn more about the event, and to register, please click on this LINK.
• Milwaukee, WI ~ Friday, November 9
  This year’s local NACC gathering in Milwaukee will address the topic of Group Dynamics and Dynamic Groups. Rev. Traci Houts, MDiv, MSW, Rev. Bob Turner, MDiv, BS, BCC, Ven. Dr. Chris Ozodi, Ph.D., BCC, CCC and Rev. Joby Brown, BCC will help participants develop basic group facilitation skills and learn programming content specific to Behavioral Health settings. For more information about this event, and instructions on how to register online, please click on this LINK.
• Baltimore, MD ~ Tuesday, November 13
  You are invited to participate in a gathering organized by the NACC, the topic of which is: Reset and Restore, presented by Stephannie Weikert. Serving others through compassionate spiritual care is profound and sacred work. Stress negatively affects the caring relationship and healing environment and is a major contributor to illness and burnout. Yoga therapy for stress offers simple and potent practices that spiritual caregivers can use to reset and restore themselves as well as support the life-giving relationships they form with those they serve. Additional information about this event and how to register for it can be found at this LINK.

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.

18. 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: Mrs. Lisa A. Laviolette-Bondt BCC, Liam and Dillon, (Grandsons of member Ray Townsend), Fr. Art Schutte, Janet Furman (at the death of her brother Robert Furman), Nolan (3-year-old grandson of member Dale Recinella), 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.

19. 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.

SPIRITUAL CARE MANAGER
Everett, WA – Providence Regional Medical Center

CHAPLAIN
Lancaster, PA – Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

CHAPLAIN
Mitchell, SD – Avera Health

CHAPLAIN – 1800436
Stony Brook, NY – Stony Brook Medicine

PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Lafayette, LA – Our Lady of Lourdes RMC

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