Issue #298 – April 22, 2019

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

A BLESSED EASTER TO ALL OF YOU!

Our prayers this Easter Monday go out to all the families and faith communities affected by the 290 killed by the eight horrendous attacks on the churches and the hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter.

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. Death of one of our NACC members *
3. Member News *
4. “Purposeful retirement” group for retired chaplains *
5. Thank you to our many members who are contributing to the May 4 & 5, 2019, Certification Interviews! *
6. In Vision: ICD-10 codes will raise awareness, gather data on trafficking. *
7. You can still view this free NACC webinar recording on the NACC and service opportunities! *
8. June 15, 2019 next deadline for applying for Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) *
9. Networking Calls in April/May/June 2019 *

2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, MAY 31 – JUNE 3, 2019

10. Friday, May 31, to Monday, June 3, 2019, for NACC National Conference
11. Conference Registration is now closed! *
12. Live-Streamed Events *
13. Conference Sleeping Room Options *
14. Important Dates and Policies

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition offers their free webinar: Immigrant Detention Ministry *
16. Register now for our May webinar in the 2019 series! *
17. You can still register for our entire 2019 NACC webinar series! *
18. Consider the 13th Annual Healthcare Renewal Retreat in Assisi Thursday, August 16-Wednesday, August 22, 2019! *
19. Formation Resources for healthcare volunteers providing spiritual support. *
20. You can become a Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator CDSGF. *
21. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
22. Recent job postings *

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
The Joy of this Easter be with you!

This Easter I was remembering one Easter Sunday in the early 70’s walking to St. Peter’s Square for Pope Paul VI’s Easter message. He came on his balcony and acclaimed three times, each time with more passion and enthusiasm, “Cristo e risorto!” “E risorto!” “E risorto!” You could feel the joy, conviction, and strength that came from those simple three words. I don’t remember anything more from his message; that was it. It was the tone, vigor, and hope that emanated from those words. I can still see him, his eyes and hands flailing upwards towards the heavens, hear his voice, emboldened by this message, as I write this reflection.

It makes me wonder about the grace of this day, this season. What does it need to be for me this year? I also found myself gazing at a variety of online images of the Risen Christ, looking for one that would capture my imagination. Do you notice how difficult it is to find any images of a Risen Christ of color? Then I was imagining so many images of people I know whose countenance reflects the joy, conviction, and strength that I remember of Paul VI. The ones who in the midst of loss or suffering see you and appreciate your welcoming compassionate visit and embrace. Can you picture them too?

One impression of those many online images was that almost all of them had the Risen Christ with open arms, not unlike the baby Jesus in the crib or the crucified Jesus on the cross; the arms are open wide to embrace. So, do I also reflect Easter’s joy, conviction, and strength with open arms? Is the Christ waiting for me with open arms actually experienced in my imitation of the open arms of the Risen One?

I ended up going back to the opening lines of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, “The Joy of the Gospel.” He begins with, “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew… A joy ever new, a joy which is shared… Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless.”

Then he redirects me to Mystery of Easter as he wrote, “That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ.” (My italics)

He speaks to you and me as he continued, “I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.” “The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms.”

So, the two images of this Easter for me are: the passionate voice and flailing open arms of Paul VI expressing, “Cristo e Risorto!” and the compassionate eyes and soft-spoken invitation of Francis to take the step with open arms towards the Risen One who is in each person I am invited to embrace. This Risen One is waiting with open arms to embrace me there.

How is the Risen One seen by you this Easter season?

Blessings,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. Death of one of our NACC members *
We recently learned of the death of our NACC member, Sister Donna DeMange, OSF, BCC, who died March 29, 2019. Sister Donna joined and was board certified with the NACC in 1982. She spent 33 years as a hospital chaplain, primarily at Providence Hospital, Cincinnati. May God’s fullness of peace be hers in eternity. For more information about her go to:
https://oldenburgfranciscans.org/ministries-article/every-day-a-surprise/

3. Member News *
Our NACC member, Patricia Stockdale, BCC, recently received from her Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT, the Most Reverend Frank Caggiano, the Father Rufin Compassionate Care Award, named for an exceptional priest that exemplified compassionate and loving care for the sick. She was honored for her coordination of the ministry to the sick and homebound in her parish. The event took place on Sunday April 7, 2019, after the dioceses’ 26th Annual White Mass. Congratulations Patricia! To read the bishop’s communication to her click here.  

4. “Purposeful retirement” group for retired chaplains *
Many of our retired and emeritus members have been part of quarterly online conversations. We wish to continue these supportive calls and to benefit from the life experience and skills of our retired members. Our next “Purposeful Retirement” Zoom call is scheduled for May 21, 10:00 a.m. Central. Please join us and come prepared to talk about how NACC can be more helpful to you, and perhaps, how you can be helpful to NACC. For information on how to join the call, email Ramune Franitza, rfranitza@nacc.org.

5. Thank you to our many members who are contributing to the May 4 & 5, 2019, Certification Interviews! *
The National Office and many volunteers have been busy completing preparations for the May 4 & 5, 2019, certification interviews. The interviews are being held in Lancaster, PA; Milwaukee, WI; St. Louis, MO; and Portland, OR. There are at least 98 people involved in the interview weekend: 38 applicants, 43 interviewers, 8 Interview Team Educators, 4 Site Coordinators, 1 Certification Commissioner-on-Call, and 4 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! Please keep our certification applicants, and all those involved in making the weekend a success, in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for interviews.

6. In Vision: ICD-10 codes will raise awareness, gather data on trafficking. *
One sign that human trafficking is becoming a widely recognized problem is that it now has its own assigned diagnostic codes. In the current issue of Vision, Laura Krausa of CommonSpirit Health writes about the effort to create the codes and the benefits that will result.
https://www.nacc.org/vision/march-april-2019/icd-10-codes-will-raise-awareness-gather-data-on-trafficking/

7. You can still view this free NACC webinar recording on the NACC and service opportunities! *
More than 100 members registered for The NACC and You: Bringing Your Gifts to Leadership webinar that was presented on April 11 by NACC leaders. You too can still view it! This webinar recording provides participants an overview of the NACC with its governance structure, and the diverse committees, commissions, and panels that require our NACC members’ leadership, as well as the certification opportunities of interviewers and Interview Team Educators (ITE). This presentation provided participants with an understanding of the diverse opportunities for leadership to support and advance the NACC’s mission and vision. This webinar will help you to reflect upon and discern where and how you might be able to offer your gifts in service of your fellow members and the profession of chaplaincy.

This free webinar provides 2 CEHs (90 minutes for the webinar plus 30 minutes preparation time).

You can access the webinar materials, the CEH certificate, and a volunteer sign-up form, as well as the recording, at this link: APRIL 11, 2019 WEBINAR.

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

8. June 15, 2019 next deadline for applying for Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) *
The new postmark deadline for accepting six applicants for the Certified Associate Chaplaincy (CAC) pilot process will be June 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: https://www.nacc.org/certification/applying-for-cac-certification/

9. Networking Calls in April/May/June 2019 *
NACC Networking calls for April/May/June 2019 – All are welcome to participate in calls of their interest!

To sign up, contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org for more information, questions, comments or concerns. As the time of the call gets closer and you have replied that you will participate, we will forward ZOOM passcodes for a visual connection via internet or, if you prefer, you can still call in via a phone line. Registering for the call, even if you cannot participate, will allow you to receive notes of the conversation and resources shared.

If you’ve had difficulty in joining calls using ZOOM, please let Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) know so that we can address the difficulty. THANK YOU!

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.

11. Conference Registration is now closed! *
Registration for the 2019 NACC Conference has now closed. Thank you to all who have registered to attend, we look forward to welcoming you to the USML campus. If you have not yet paid your registration fees, please remit to the NACC office immediately or your registration may be cancelled.

12. Live-Streamed Events *
Not coming to the conference this year, but still wish to achieve some education hours? We are streaming several sessions from the NACC Conference and invite you to register and view these sessions.

13. Conference Sleeping Room Options *
For those who still need to make a sleeping room reservation, please do so ASAP – we don’t have much space left. Options for rooms are:

1. University of St. Mary of the Lake (USML)
2. Doubletree by Hilton Hotel

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.

14. Important Dates and Policies
All important “date” information is available on the NACC website at www.nacc.org/conference/important-dates/. Please review the important dates and policies prior to registering for the conference.

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition offers their free webinar: Immigrant Detention Ministry *
You are invited to a Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition Webinar! When: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Time: 1:00 pm EDT (US and Canada) Topic: Immigrant Detention Ministry.
This webinar will feature Ashley Feasley and Ofelia de los Santos, who will discuss practical and spiritual dimensions of immigrant detention ministry. Ashley Feasley is the Director of Policy for Migration and Refugee Services at the USCCB. She has also worked as the Director of Advocacy for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network and taught at Fordham University School of Law. Ofelia de los Santos is the director of immigration services and liaison for Catholic Relief Services in the Diocese of Brownsville. She previously served as a public defender for indigent women and juveniles. Mrs. de los Santos is an active volunteer in jail and prison ministry. Register in advance by clicking this link: https://usfca.zoom.us/webinar/register/ae15b41814522959cde7dc3c8da9331e

16. Register now for our May webinar in the 2019 series! *

• Thursday, May 16, 2019. Racial Disparities at the End of Life and the Catholic Social Tradition, presented by Sheri B. Browne, PhD, BCC.

  This webinar has two goals: 1) discuss the persistence of racial disparities in health care, specifically referencing Black individuals’ perspectives on end-of-life (EOL) care; and 2) propose that the Catholic Social Tradition offers a framework for addressing healthcare disparities. Black Americans bring perspectives to EOL care that reflect their experiences as a historically marginalized and oppressed people. These perspectives help to illuminate more broadly dynamics that underlie healthcare disparities in the United States. The Catholic Social Tradition’s emphasis on solidarity, justice, and the pursuit of the common good will be highlighted as a framework for relational and intentional approaches to ending racial disparities in EOL care.

  Program Objectives
  By the end of this webinar, participants will:

  1. Understand the historical and cultural roots of racial disparities in health care, particularly as they impact Black Americans’ end-of-life choices.
  2. Gain new knowledge about the Catholic Social Tradition.
  3. Make connections between a persistent problem in health care and how Catholic doctrine can inform solutions to this problem.

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.

17. You can still register for our entire 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: LINK.

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. Registrants for the package deal will receive access to the recordings of the webinars that have already taken place.

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.

18. Consider the 13th Annual Healthcare Renewal Retreat in Assisi Thursday, August 16-Wednesday, August 22, 2019! *
This 6-day retreat is designed to help clinicians develop the professional and personal skills to practice compassionate presence in their clinical settings. Dr. Christina Puchalski welcomes and encourages chaplains and spiritual care professionals to participate. Go here for more information:
https://smhs.gwu.edu/gwish/events/art-presence-%E2%80%93-13th-annual-healthcare-renewal-retreat

19. Formation Resources for healthcare volunteers providing spiritual support. *
The Spiritual Care Partners Volunteer Program is an 80-hour, online course that trains community-based volunteers to provide spiritual support to patients and their loved ones in healthcare settings. To learn more, we invite you to attend our informational day on June 11, 2019, in Richmond, VA., or contact Bob Shenk at robert_shenk@bshsi.org or 804-510-6787. View video at https://vimeo.com/309933136/bfe6da6b3d

20. You can become a Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator CDSGF. *
For information on becoming a Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator (CDSCF), please contact National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners at www.nccdp.org or via email at nccdpcorporate@nccdp.org. Their phone number is 1.973.729.6601.

21. 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: Ms. Pauline T. Lavelle BCC, (for healing after the death of her husband), Jensen and Emory (grandchildren of member Carol Bamesberger), Jennifer Luse, Sr. Theresa Chiappa SSC, Debra (Debbie) Shea and her family (for healing after the death of her husband, Danny.), Kathy Eldridge (for healing after the death of her son, Kurt), 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.

22. 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.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTER
Flourtown, PA – Saint Joseph Villa

CHAPLAIN
Lincoln, NE – Bryan Health

CPE RESIDENCY and SUMMER PROGRAM
La Crosse, WI – Gundersen Health System

CHAPLAIN – CATHOLIC PRIEST
Lutz, Florida – BayCare

MANAGER of PASTORAL CARE
Texarkana, TX – CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System

CHAPLAIN MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY FOR RELIGIOUS SISTER
Cedar Grove NJ – St. Joseph’s Healthcare and Rehab Center (formerly known as St. Vincent’s Nursing Home)

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