Issue #291 – January 14, 2019
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. 2019 World Day of the Sick Message and Prayer Cards *
3. Members in the News *
4. Vision seeks writers about trafficking *
5. In Vision: The view from 88: The passing of friends and the passage of time *
6. Now Accepting 2019 Certification Applications! *
7. Graduate Degree Equivalency for Certification applications has been updated. *
8. NACC Networking calls for January/February/March 2019 *
9. Have you visited our NACC Choose Chaplaincy site?
2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019
10. Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, for NACC National Conference
11. Pre-Conference 6-Hour Formation/Training Programs *
12. Become a Conference Sponsor *
13. NACC announces plenary speakers for the 2019 NACC Conference!
14. Conference Registration Types and Rates
15. Conference Sleeping Room Options
16. Important Dates and Policies
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
17. Important clarifications from ACPE regarding DOE Accreditation *
18. Sign up today for NACC’s first webinar of our 2019 series webinars! *
19. Registration is open for the 2019 NACC webinar series! *
20. Don’t miss this free NACC webinar on research competency! *
21. Save the date for San Antonio Gathering, February 21, 2019! *
22. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
23. Recent job postings *
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
I don’t know if we can ever hear it enough? “You are my beloved…; with you I am well pleased.” It is so hard to believe it, isn’t it? That someone would say that to us.
Those are the words of Jesus’ baptism we heard yesterday from the Gospel of Luke. “After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22)
We have all experienced so many baptisms as the water flows over the one being baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We smile and take in the mystery of the one like us, being immersed into the dying and rising of Christ, into the Paschal Mystery we live out every day.
Yet, I think about how often I forget to remember that I also inherited those words and that Love, and that cherished regard, “You are my beloved…; with you I am well pleased.” What do I do to ruminate upon and let those words sink deep into the recesses of my own heart where self-critique and self-loathing can still linger? I know part of me will still say, “Good for you, Jesus, that your Father loves YOU that way, but I don’t deserve it.” Yet, I am beloved…!
I might have shared in the past my experience as a graduate student at the Gregorian University’s Institute of Spirituality when I took a course on Religious Experience through Autobiography, wherein as students, we read several classic autobiographies and applied to them Ignatius’ Rules of Discernment to understand God’s mystery and movement in their lives. One course requirement included having to write our own spiritual autobiography. When I met with the professor, Michael Buckley, SJ , to review my writing and complete the course, he made one point toward the end. “David, one piece of advice for you… make your mantra, ‘You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased.’”
Perhaps, for some of you, as it was and remains for me, it is a lifetime journey to embrace these words as one’s own. Would it not be something if they are the content of our conversation with each person we are asked to accompany? Would it not be something if our baptismal charism were that each person who encounters us hears those words through our presence and actions? Would it not be something if they could be our final words at our death?
What do you and I do to hear anew and tenderly accept them? Please read these words again and add your name. “You are my beloved ___; with you I am well pleased.”
Blessings, beloved one!
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
2. 2019 World Day of the Sick Message and Prayer Cards
In this past week, the Vatican has posted Pope Francis’ 2019 World Day of the Sick message prepared in late November 2018. You can access it here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/papa-francesco_20181125_giornata-malato.html Key passages include the following:
I urge everyone, at every level, to promote the culture of generosity and of gift, which is indispensable for overcoming the culture of profit and waste. Catholic healthcare institutions must not fall into the trap of simply running a business; they must be concerned with personal care more than profit. We know that health is relational, dependent on interaction with others, and requiring trust, friendship and solidarity. It is a treasure that can be enjoyed fully only when it is shared. The joy of generous giving is a barometer of the health of a Christian.
You can now also access our NACC 2019 World Day of the Sick Cards for the caregiver and the one receiving care. www.nacc.org/resources/spirituality-and-prayer-resources/world-day-of-the-sick
3. Members in the News
- Two NACC members are involved in education day on end-of-life care.
Our NACC member, Chaplain Betty Warner, BCC, BCCC, CFHPC, a spiritual support counselor, Samaritan Healthcare & Hospital, will participate in an interdisciplinary panel discussion on end-of-life care. Our NACC member, Chaplain Marge McGinley of Virtua Hospital and national chair of Formation for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, will facilitate the panel to be held on February 15, 2019, in Burlington, NJ. southjerseyobserver.com/2019/01/03/samaritan-healthcare-hospice-announces-educational-workshop-on-palliative-hospice-care-from-a-catholic-perspective - Our NACC member, Michael Millard, who just joined us in the past month, was quoted, where he works in Arizona, on chaplaincy services provided to patients over the holidays.
www.nwaonline.com/news/2019/jan/01/hospital-chaplains-aim-to-offer-patient-1
4. Vision seeks writers about trafficking
The March-April issue of Vision will address the theme of human trafficking, for all purposes: sex, forced labor, “re-homed” children, etc. How can chaplains spot and help the victims, and what can they do to stop it? If you have personal experiences, or if your hospital has a program in place, we want to hear from you. Send your story idea to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The copy deadline is Feb. 11.
5. In Vision: The view from 88: The passing of friends and the passage of time
Longtime NACC employee Becky Evans no longer has a five-year plan. At age 88, she has learned to enjoy each day, to adjust to the loss of friends, and to embrace the mystery of “is this the last time?” Read more of her reflections in the new issue of Vision.
6. Now Accepting 2019 Certification Applications!
Initial Board Certification – The postmark deadline to apply for initial certification is February 15, 2019. You may find application materials here:
www.nacc.org/certification/board-certified-chaplain/initial-certification-materials.
Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification (PCHAC) – Our Advanced Certification is now in collaboration with APC and BCCI. We have two tracks available. Track one includes written materials and an interview. Track two is an Action Reflection workshop which is being held in Milwaukee, WI, on April 5 & 6, 2019. The next postmark deadline to apply for either of these two tracks is February 15, 2019. You may find the application materials and more information here:
www.nacc.org/certification/palliative-care-and-hospice-advanced-certification.
Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) – We are accepting six applicants for this pilot process. The postmark deadline for this process is March 15, 2019. One of the prerequisites is to have the equivalent of 32 hours of graduate-level theological education. In order to assess this prerequisite, we have an application form that needs to be filled out, with accompanying evidentiary documentation, approximately nine (9) weeks before application. You may find the application materials and more information here: www.nacc.org/certification/applying-for-cac-certification
For more information on any of these application processes, please contact the Administrative Specialist, Certification, at rzeb@nacc.org or (414) 483-4898 Ext. 304.
7. Graduate Degree Equivalency for Certification applications has been updated.
The Graduate Degree Equivalency application process has been revised to include other forms of theological education and experience. A Graduate Degree Equivalency may be applied for at any time throughout the year. You may find the application materials and more information here:
www.nacc.org/certification/board-certified-chaplain/applying-for-certification/graduate-degree-equivalency
For more information on this process, please contact the Administrative Specialist, Certification, Ramona Zeb, at rzeb@nacc.org or (414) 483-4898 Ext. 304.
8. NACC Networking calls for January/February/March 2019
Beginning with our 2019 Networking calls, NACC will be using Zoom as its conferencing software.
As the time of the call gets closer and you have replied that you will participate, I will forward both passcodes for a visual connection via internet or, if you prefer, you can still call in via a phone line.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 10 a.m. CT NACC Long Term Care
Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 10 a.m. CT NACC New Members
Monday, January 21, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC Behavioral Health
Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 1 p.m. CT NACC Hispanic Chaplain
Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 1 p.m. CT NACC Canadian Chaplain
Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 12 p.m. CT NACC Palliative Care/Hospice
Monday, January 28, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC State Liaison
Or
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 10 a.m. CT NACC State Liaison
Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 10 a.m. CT NACC Retired/Emeritus
Thursday, January 31, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC African Members
Monday, February 4, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC Pediatric
Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 1 p.m. CT NACC One-Person Dept.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC Directors of Spiritual Care
Monday, February 11, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC Outpatient Settings
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 3 p.m. CT NACC Permanent Deacons
Monday, February 18, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC <45 Members
Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 3 p.m. CT NACC Students
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at 1 p.m. CT NACC Ambassadors
Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 12 p.m. CT NACC Palliative Care/Hospice
Monday, March 11, 2019 at 1 p.m. CT NACC CPE-E Community of Practice
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 2 p.m. CT NACC Nurse Chaplains
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.
9. Have you visited our NACC Choose Chaplaincy site?
As part of our outreach efforts to make younger Catholics aware of chaplaincy as a profession and a ministry of the Church, our NACC Marketing Advisory Panel, along with Westwords Consulting, have been working over the past months on materials and a web presence for this population.
It can be reached at https://www.nacc.org/about-nacc/choose-chaplaincy/
AND from http://choosechaplaincy.org/ or http://choosechaplaincy.com/
You might have seen for some years on our website home page the “Consider Chaplaincy” link to a webpage on materials for promoting chaplaincy. This Choose Chaplaincy (much more direct than ‘consider’!) site replaces that.
Also, we recently sent posters and brochures on chaplaincy to over 1500 Catholic campus ministry and Newman Centers.
Please share this link and these materials with those you know. If you know of a program that could use this information, please let Ramune Franitza know at rfranitza@nacc.org.
2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019
10. 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!
11. Pre-Conference 6-Hour Formation/Training Programs
On Thursday, May 30, the NACC Conference will offer three (3) 6-hour formation/training programs that focus on the diverse ways and settings that pastoral care is provided as a ministry of the Church.
- Prison and Corrections Ministry 101
- Catholic Laity in Pastoral Care Ministry – Equipping, Coordinating, Sustaining
- Fundamental Aspects of Geriatric Spiritual Care Education or Principle Elements of Geriatric Spiritual Care Education
Visit the NACC website to learn more about these three offerings.
12. Become a Conference Sponsor
We are inviting institutions, individuals and other non-profits to consider becoming a Conference Sponsor for our 2019 NACC Conference. There are several ways you can contribute to the NACC Conference. You can sponsor a plenary speaker, a 6-hour pre-conference training program, a 4-hour pre-conference workshop, a 90-minute workshop, or an event such as the Awards Dinner. We also have “Friends of the NACC Conference” sponsorships as low as $500. Every dollar helps us to provide our attendees with the best conference experience possible. We are also asking for your help in spreading awareness of these sponsorship opportunities to your institution or an affiliated foundation. Perhaps a donation might be made in honor of the work of your chaplaincy services team or because your institution strongly supports quality education for their professionals. Visit our website to see the available conference sponsorship opportunities.
13. NACC announces plenary speakers for the 2019 NACC Conference!
We are excited to announce our plenary speakers for the 2019 Conference! Both will speak on Saturday, June 1, 2019.
Mr. Robert G. Mundle, MDiv, STM, ThM, is a certified spiritual care practitioner, registered psychotherapist, qualitative researcher, and author from Toronto, Canada.
Visit the NACC website to learn about our speakers.
14. Conference Registration Types and Rates
Visit the NACC website to find out about the different types of registration available, as well as the registration rates.
15. Conference Sleeping Room Options
The NACC is pleased to offer four (4) options for accommodations for your time at the 2019 Conference.
1. University of St. Mary of the Lake (USML)
2. Joseph and Mary Retreat House (formerly known as Cardinal Stritch Retreat House)
3. Marytown Franciscan Retreat Center
4. Doubletree by Hilton Hotel
Space is limited, so make your reservation early!
Visit the NACC website for more information about each option and how to make your reservation.
If you are looking for a roommate, please use the NACC roommate referral service to facilitate your search.
16. Important Dates and Policies
Do you want to know when registration will open or when sleeping rooms will be available to reserve? All important “date” information is available on the NACC website at www.nacc.org/conference/important-dates/.
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
17. Important clarifications from ACPE regarding DOE Accreditation
In the January 7, 2019, This Week @ACPE, the article, ACPE: Still the Standard for Spiritual Care and Education, provides very important distinctions between the initial accreditation granted through the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) to the Institute for Clinical Pastoral Education (ICPT) doing business as the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains and the ACPE accreditation through the DOE. Please read these distinctions at:
www.acpe.edu/ACPE/News/Stories/2019/ChairsArticle010719.aspx
Also, please note that NACC and APC statements of clarification regarding their acceptance of ACPE CPE units toward board certification. You can read NACC’s statements here.
18. Sign up today for NACC’s first webinar of our 2019 series webinars!
- Thursday, January 24, 2019. Family Systems Approach to Spiritual Care within Clinical Settings, presented by Kevin Stephenson, MDiv, MA, LPC-S, BCC.
Program Summary
This webinar will provide a brief overview of Dr. Murray Bowen’s family systems theory and its application to spiritual care and counseling. Kevin will discuss the eight concepts of Bowen’s family system theory and its spiritual application within the pastoral care setting. There will be a brief discussion on the purpose of a genogram as a spiritual assessment tool for chaplains working with patients, families and staff members.Program Objectives
As a result of this webinar, participants will learn:
1. What is family systems theory
2. How to utilize family systems theory as an assessment tool
3. How to apply family systems theory to spiritual care within clinical and pastoral settingsKevin Stephenson works full time as a Staff Hospital Chaplain with Saint John Health System/Ascension in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a Board-Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor for the State of Oklahoma. He has provided multiple behavioral health continuing education workshops on addictions and spirituality for mental health professionals and clinical pastoral education students. He has authored a book on Addiction and Spirituality published through Amazon publishers. He is a former Baptist minister who converted to the Roman Catholic faith in 2009. His conversion story was published on the Coming Home Network/EWTN. He is currently in the Deacon Formation program for the Diocese of Tulsa. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Montclair State University and has earned a Master of Divinity and Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Oral Roberts University. He has over 13 years of experience working with behavioral health clients in inpatient and outpatient medical settings as both a chaplain and professional behavioral health therapist. He is married to his wife Monica and is the father of six children and nine grandchildren.
To register online and pay by credit card for this webinar, or for any other NACC 2019 regular series webinar, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. NACC Student members wishing to register online should use the following special link: STUDENTS. If you prefer to register using a paper registration form and pay by check, a downloadable registration form can be accessed at this LINK. Information about our 2019 webinars can be found at the following link: 2019 webinars.
19. Registration is now open for the 2019 NACC webinar series!
You can now register for the 2019 NACC webinar series! This year the series comprises 12 webinars, instead of the 11 per year that has been the norm during the past few years, plus the usual free webinars on Certification with the NACC and Renewal of Certification. Details of each of the webinars and information on how to register for them are available on our website: www.nacc.org/education-resources/nacc-webinars-and-audio-conferences/
For NACC members the registration fee for each individual webinar is $40 per connection for the live sessions or $40 to purchase access to the recordings. There is a special rate of $20 per webinar for those who have NACC student membership. For non-members the registration fee is $55 per connection for the live sessions or $55 to purchase access to the recordings. We are offering a special package that includes all twelve of our regular January – December 2019 webinars at a discounted rate of $340 for NACC members ($170 for NACC student members) and $450 for non-members.
To register online and pay by credit card, please visit the registration page by clicking on this LINK. NACC student members wishing to register online should use the following special link: STUDENTS. 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.
20. Don’t miss this free NACC webinar on research competency!
Are you in the process of applying, or planning to apply, for NACC Certification or Renewal of Certification? Are you already certified, but looking to improve your skills in tackling research articles? NACC member LaVera Crawley, MD, MPH has recorded a webinar entitled “How to Speed Read a Research Article: A Beginner’s Guide to Research Competency”, which is being offered by the NACC at no charge. The recording can be accessed at the following link: youtu.be/w-Yio7u-67w. Prior to watching this recording you should download the following article:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4015868. It will be used for the practice session. Do not read it in advance of watching the recording.
1.5 Continuing Education Hours are offered for viewing this webinar recording.
21. Save the date for San Antonio Gathering, February 21, 2019!
A local gathering is being planned at the Oblate Renewal Center, San Antonio, Texas, in the afternoon of Thursday, February 21, 2019. The NACC Executive Director, David Lichter, will be the presenter at the gathering. Please note the date on your calendars – further details will be announced in due course.
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.
22. 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: Connie Pawicz (husband of Mary Pawicz) 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.
23. 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-VOLUNTEER SERVICES
Quincy, Illinois – Blessing Health
CPE RESIDENCIES
Santa Monica, Torrance, Burbank, San Pedro & Tarzana, California – Providence Health & Services California Center for CPE
CHAPLAIN I
Joplin, Missouri – Mercy Hospital
CHAPLAIN – CATHOLIC PRIEST
Riverview, Florida – BayCare
DIRECTOR of PASTORAL CARE
Watchung, NJ – McAuley Hall Health Care Center
PRIEST
Orange, CA – CHOC Children’s
View these jobs and more at www.nacc.org/resources/positions.