Issue #323 – April 13, 2020

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. Welcome to our new NACC members who joined us in March! *
3. NACC continues to hold COVID-19 listening/resource sharing ZOOM sessions this week *
4. An invitation from our retired NACC members to NACC members who need a Listening Heart. *
5. An invitation to our retired members to be Listening Hearts *
6. Vision seeks coronavirus contributors *
7. In Vision: Advance Directives make ideal time to plan organ donation *
8. Thank you to our many members who are contributing to the Spring Virtual Certification Interviews! *
9. Would you contribute your story to our “Paths to Chaplaincy” short videos?
10. Four NACC Chaplains share their experiences
11. ATTENTION WEBMASTERS!

20/20 VISION CONFERENCE NEWS

12. Just a reminder of your follow-ups to our 2020 Conference cancellation

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

13. Don’t miss our next webinar of our 2020 series! Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services; Implications for Spiritual Care Decision-Making, Presented by Nathaniel Blanton Hibner, PhD, Thursday, April 30, 2020 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time
14. Request for participation in the project ‘Disaster Chaplaincy: Spiritual Care in the Earthquake Region Groningen’ conducted by Dr. Hanneke Muthert from the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Groningen.
15. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
16. Recent job postings *

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
A blessed Easter to all of you!

Having been part of our member listening/resource sessions for the second half of our Lenten season, I am so aware of how our current experiences of living and ministering within the COVID pandemic has put all of us in a daily reflective mode, from not only how do I stay safe, and keep my loved ones safe (checking all the safety boxes and remaining attentive) to what does this all mean and will this mean for us as people of the Earth? In the midst of our moments of pause we remain people of faith. I was deeply struck last week especially coming to learn of all the ways communities of faith creatively marked the solemnity of Holy Week virtually. The NACC staff held all of you in prayer, as well.

So, how can reflect on this Easter mystery in this midst of the pandemic? I would be delighted to learn from you your insights as well. I have been trying to reflect on how all creation, our world, has been affected by the Resurrection. Robin Ryan, in his book, God and the Mystery of Human Suffering, devoted a section of his book on the writing of Elizabeth Johnson. He noted that “Johnson likes to quote a statement of Karl Rahner on the resurrection in which Rahner said that in the Risen Jesus ‘a piece of this world, real to the core’ is now with God in glory. She also cites Ambrose of Milan’s reflection on Jesus’ resurrection: ‘In Christ’s resurrection the earth itself arose.’” (p.282) Of course, these theologians rooted these reflections in the Christological hymn of Colossians 1:15-20,

As the earth aches in these times, we, as part of a global community, seek to discover the ways to contain and tame this COVID-19 pandemic. We look ahead still with uncertainty. We seem to take comfort in the past success with other epidemics, such as influenza and SARS, and this too will pass. However, on the Easter Monday, I find myself reflecting on the Resurrection in light of these two quotes, “a piece of this world, real to the core” and “In Christ’s resurrection the earth itself arose.”

I realize how vital it is for each of us to embrace our responsibility to ensure the care of the earth. Yes, it’s a Mystery filled with hope that our earth also been reconciled through Him and rose with Him. What does this Mystery hold for me? Maybe it’s just the comfort of the song, “He’s got the whole world in His Hands.” However, it’s also a redeemed and reconciled world. We can see our world through the eyes of hope. It’s not just a human hope because we are all trying to do our best to “conquer” COVID; it’s also an Easter hope based in the assurance of this Paschal Mystery and how we view our world through it.

How do you view our world on this Easter Monday?

Blessings on your Easter Season,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. Welcome to our new NACC members who joined us in March! *

Please join us in welcoming our new NACC members who joined us in March. Welcome all, and blessings on your ministry!

Affiliate
Felix O. Ikeanyionwu
Rev. Paul B. Kubista

Members
Rev. Ravi K. Dasari
Ms. Rebecca C.M. Ing
Rev. Jude E. Okonkwo
Diane M. Dragon

Ministry Volunteer
Edward M. Torres

Students
Katherine A. Case
Martha G. Garza

3. NACC continues to hold COVID-19 listening/resource sharing ZOOM sessions this week *
This message from our Executive Director went out to our members this past Friday, Good Friday, regarding ZOOM sessions this week to discuss spiritual care in the context of COVID-19:

4. An invitation from our retired NACC members to NACC members who need a Listening Heart. *

We recognize that these are unusual and uncertain times. You are being stretched in new ways and faced with challenging choices. We have a resource called, “Listening Hearts,” to provide you one on one support.

Listening Hearts is available for individuals seeking a listening presence from an NACC retired chaplain colleague. You may be experiencing and feeling the cumulative impact of the present global Pandemic. For those providing support for others and navigating the new normal without the opportunity to gather with extended family/friends, visit a favorite restaurant or workout at the gym, we invite you to share the load by reaching out for a listening heart of an experienced and compassionate retired chaplain. If you wish to have someone call you, so you can share your journey, please contact Ramune Franitza, rfranitza@nacc.org, at the NACC National Office . With your permission, she will send your contact information to Linda Bronersky, who will help facilitate having one of our Listening Heart Volunteers give you a phone call at a time that works for you. Click here to learn more.

5. An invitation to our retired members to be Listening Hearts *
You have spent many hours and even perhaps years listening to the stories of strangers who found a way into your heart. There comes a time in each of our life journeys when we may find it healing to have a chaplain colleague hold with us our personal sacred stories. As a chaplain, clinical educator or spiritual care companion, you may find yourself wishing to speak with a chaplain. If you are a retired chaplain, educator or spiritual companion and wish to be part of the “Team of Listening Hearts” for those on the front line, please contact Ramune Franitza, rfranitza@nacc.org, at the NACC National Office. Click here to learn more.

6. Vision seeks coronavirus contributors *
To deal with the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the next issue of Vision will appear in blog form on the NACC website, with articles posted as we receive them. We are looking for experiences, resources, and best practices for spiritual care in this moment. Possible topics include telechaplaincy; moral distress; ministry to families; ministry to staff; personal protective equipment; ministry without touch; and more. Today, NACC member John Gillman shares an Easter Monday reflection on how the coronavirus has forced us all to consider death in a new way. Check back this week for more posts at www.nacc.org/nacc-blog. And please email David Lewellen at dlewellen@nacc.org with your own contributions.

7. In Vision: Advance Directives make ideal time to plan organ donation *
Talking about organ donation as a part of advance care planning is both a low-pressure way to make decisions and a relief to family members at the time of death. In the current issue of Vision, James Robinson describes how to help patients make the decision when time is on their side.
www.nacc.org/vision/march-april-2020/advance-directives-make-ideal-time-to-plan-organ-donation

8. Thank you to our many members who are contributing to the Spring Virtual Certification Interviews! *
The National Office and many volunteers have been busy completing preparations for Virtual Interviews which replaced the face to face interviews in the wake of the pandemic. We keep the interviewer and interview team in prayer for this new form of interview initiative. 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 these weekends a success, in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for interviews.

9. Would you contribute your story to our “Paths to Chaplaincy” short videos?
As you know, with the help of Westwords Consulting we have developed an array of inspiring materials (Brochures, Flyers, Posters, Bulletin Ads
Website Graphics, Social Media Graphics) for our Choose Chaplaincy marketing efforts. Visit the Choose Chaplaincy webpage to view and use them all! We have also begun a series of “Paths to Chaplaincy” brief videos. View this one by Elizabeth Kitamura on our NACC Facebook and LinkedIn sites. Would you consider submitting your 60-90 second “Path” video, and possibly be featured in a future episode of Paths to Chaplaincy? It’s easy to do! Go to https://www.nacc.org/about-nacc/choose-chaplaincy/paths-to-chaplaincy-submission/ and follow the instructions. We look forward to viewing your path!

10. Four NACC Chaplains share their experiences
Four NACC members share experiences from early in their careers, and what excites them about chaplaincy. #choosechaplaincy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6LvvB-RrU8

11. ATTENTION WEBMASTERS! – If you have been involved in website creation and maintenance, NACC would appreciate your support in creating visibility to some our current initiatives for our Partners in Pastoral Care and the Catholic Prison Ministry Coalition. Please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) if you have an interest in this.

20/20 VISION CONFERENCE NEWS

12. Just a reminder of your follow-ups to our 2020 Conference cancellation
As you know, we officially cancelled the 20/20 Vision: The Future of Spiritual Care conference due to the ongoing healthcare crisis and COVID-19.

The Partners for Excellence in Spiritual Care partners are deeply saddened by the need to cancel this conference, and we have done so only after consulting with our Boards, the host city, conference center and hotels. With the ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and the indefinite ban on gatherings in Ohio, along with the recommendation from the CDC to limit meetings to less than 50 people, it is impossible for us to continue to prepare for this conference. The fallout from not having a conference this year will impact each of us, as members and as individual organizations, but this decision is the best one we can make at this time.

If you already registered for the conference, we ask that you please cancel your hotel rooms and flights if you have booked them (many airlines are offering accommodations to reschedule flights for other dates/locations).

Refunds for paid registrations will be processed by the organizing partners over the next several weeks. We ask that you be patient with us as we work through the process of refunding registrations, sponsorships, and vendors.

Please note the following items regarding how refunds are being issued.

1. Refunds will be issued in the same form of payment in which you registered. Please note that check orders may take longer to process and mail.
2. All registration fees for the 20/20 Vision conference, including the early cancellation fee ($100) that was previously retained from those that canceled prior to our announcement, will be refunded.
3. You will receive an email from APC/Joint Conference organizers once your refund has been processed.

If you have additional questions related to refunds, you may send them to conference@professionalchaplains.org.

Thank you again for your commitment to the profession and to each other. Be well and stay safe!

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

13. Don’t miss our next webinar of our 2020 series! Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services; Implications for Spiritual Care Decision-Making, Presented by Nathaniel Blanton Hibner, PhD, Thursday, April 30, 2020 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

To register online and pay by credit card for this webinar, or for any other NACC 2020 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.

14. Request for participation in the project ‘Disaster Chaplaincy: Spiritual Care in the Earthquake Region Groningen’ conducted by Dr. Hanneke Muthert from the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Groningen. *
Researcher, Monika Staszczyk, is conducting research on ‘The use of mindfulness as a self-care practice among spiritual caregivers serving in post-disaster care in the United States’ as a part of the above mentioned project. She is looking for three priests or spiritual care specialists from the US who served in disaster chaplaincy and used some kind of mindfulness techniques (mindfulness meditation, spiritual meditation, contemplative prayer, mindfulness-based therapies etc.) to interview them. She wants to ask questions about their experience with post-disaster care and focus mainly on their mental and emotional struggles which accompanied them during and after their work. She also wants to examine how mindfulness techniques they used influenced them. If any NACC members who have this experience and want to participate, please contact Monika Staszczyk (m.staszczyk@student.rug.nl).

15. 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: Polly and Richard Valeriote (Parents of member Catherine Valeriote); Jennifer Luse, Brother Kenny Gorman, Fr. Paul F. Merry, Eugenia Lai (on the death of her mother Monica Ho), Fr. Art Schute, Linda Bronersky (at the death of her husband, Russ), Marybeth Harmon, Nolan (4-year-old grandson of member Dale Recinella), Fr. Jim Radde SJ, Isabelita Boquiren, Susan Balling, Jim and Frances Castello.

16. 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.

MANAGER-PASTORAL/SPIRITUAL CARE & ACPE CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
Fond du Lac, WI – St. Agnes Hospital

SPIRITUAL CARE MANAGER
Albany, NY – St. Peter’s Health Partners

PEDIATRIC CHAPLAIN
San Antonio, TX – CHRISTUS Health

SPIRITUAL CARE MINISTER
Eau Claire, WI & Green Bay, WI – Sacred Heart Hospital

FULL-TIME PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Long Beach, CA – Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center

CHAPLAIN
Baltimore, MD – Mercy Health Services

PASTORAL CARE MANAGER
Charleston, SC – Roper St. Francis Healthcare

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION, Full Time Day Shift
Rockville Centre, NY – Catholic Health Services of Long Island (CHS)

DIRECTOR OF CHAPLAINCY SERVICES
West Reading, PA – Tower Health

SPIRITUAL CARE SERVICES REGIONAL MANAGER
Chicago, Illinois – AMITA Health

CPE RESIDENCY September 2020- September 2021
Corpus Christi, TX – CHRISTUS Spohn Health System