Issue #326 – May 26, 2020
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition and the NACC are in a new partnership. *
3. NACC continues to hold COVID-19 listening/resource sharing ZOOM sessions this week *
4. Do you need a Listening Heart?
5. Would you like to meet with other chaplains to process your experience during these times?
6. In Vision: Healers, not heroes *
7. Vision seeks coronavirus contributors *
8. Thanks to all who helped with our virtual interviews for certification! *
9. Certified Chaplain Educational Requirements for Renewal of Certification
10. Support of the 2020 Vision Conference
11. NACC Members in the news *
12. NACC Networking Call for May and June 2020 – All are welcome to participate! *
13. NACC 2019 Annual Report available on the NACC website
14. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
15. Please participate in this important international survey on chaplains during COVID-19! *
16. Sign up today for our next NACC timely webinar on Post Traumatic Growth! *
17. Chaplaincy Innovation Lab offers new resource on Grief *
18. A “thank you” from Chaplaincy Innovation Lab *
19. Recent job postings *
1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
Sunday’s readings were for the Feast of the Ascension. The Gospel was the last verses of Matthew (28:16-20), ending with Jesus’ instruction: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Go and make disciples, it is quite a command. What am I to do?
When I think of the New Evangelization that has been written about for many years now, I have to first face my private nature and family culture. We were private people. While Mom was a very social person, Dad was a quieter, reserved person; a good farmer who wanted to mind his own and his family’s own business. We were a very Catholic family, but our religion was a personal, familial one.
I always found myself more reticent to claim the “Go and make disciples.” Set a good example; be a good man; be a loving, faith-filled person. Don’t get preachy. Probably the only line in scripture I found myself at home with, as far as evangelization goes, was 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” If I appear to be a hopeful person, and someone asks why, then I will share something about my faith. That was good enough.
Then, there was Pope Francis making the message more personal and compelling. At a talk he gave last September to an International Meeting of Academic Centers and Schools of New Evangelization, he talked about how sharing God was not talking about God or trying to explain His existence, but witnessing the joy inside of knowing Him and living that joy. As you would expect, the heart of message is, “God is love. Jesus Christ loves you, He gave His life to save you, and now He is alive at your side every day.” I hear the final verse of Matthew, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
However, he emphasized that our encounters with others help faith grow, so we need to approach those in need, tend to those who suffer, build bridges where there are divides, comfort the discouraged, and forgive those who harm us. “In this way, we become living signs of the Love we proclaim.” https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-09/pope-francis-evangelization-love.html
This is not new to me or to you. So do I envision my evangelizing in this way? Do you? I guess I could speak with the One who is at my side about this again. I am told again, “He is alive at your side every day.”
Blessings on your final days before Pentecost. Come, Holy Spirit.
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
2. Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition and the NACC are in a new partnership. *
Over the past couple of years the NACC has shared news about and the webinars of the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC). The NACC has also been partnering with the CPMC in the development of formation and credentialing for those serving in diverse prison ministries, from those who provide volunteer service to those who oversee prison ministries in their dioceses. This formation and credentialing is a work in progress receiving the support of the USCCB Subcommittee on the Certification of Ecclesial Ministry and Service. As Executive Director of NACC, I have served on the CPMC Steering Committee with the endorsement of our NACC Board of Directors.
In March, the NACC Board of Directors approved NACC becoming the Fiscal Sponsor of the CPMC. This new relationship became effective May 1st. Along with a growing partnership on many levels, CPMC is now a project of NACC and CPMC will seek funding and support as a project of the NACC, and its future employees will be employees of NACC. I also now serve on CPMC’s Executive Committee. Although 75 percent of our NACC members serve in some health care facility, we do have members who work in correctional settings, and we look forward to having many more of our members serve the imprisoned and their families, and the victims of violence.
Just this past week, NACC’s partnership also included us joining several Catholic organizations to endorse on May 19TH A Statement of Solidarity: A Catholic Response to COVID-19 Behind Bars. We invite you to both read the Statement and the many Catholic organizations that endorsed it, but also encourage, if you are called to do so, to endorse the Statement as well which you can do on the CPMC website. The Statement begins with:
As a Catholic community we wish to convey a message of solidarity to currently and formerly incarcerated and detained individuals, their loved ones, as well as those who are charged with their care and well-being. We urge our fellow Catholics to join us in standing in solidarity with our all too often forgotten brothers and sisters who are affected by incarceration and detention.
Also, you are invited to read the specific call to action to help educate Catholics and people of good faith. These suggested actions can be tailored to meet the needs of their local jurisdictions. https://www.catholicprisonministries.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/COVID-19-Policy-Suggestions-2.pdf
We are redesigning the NACC website to showcase the ministry of CPMC. Stay tuned for more information.
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, regarding ZOOM sessions this week to discuss spiritual care in the context of COVID-19.
A blessed Memorial weekend to you! We hold in prayer all families affected by members who have died in service of our country, including all the veterans who have recently died due to COVID-19.
Over these past weeks, we have tried to listen to what you, as members, most need from us to support you in these challenging times. We deeply appreciate all your feedback… (read more)
4. Do you 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 NACC members 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. Please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) if you would like to speak with a Listening Heart.
5. Would you like to meet with other chaplains to process your experience during these times?
“Sharing of Feelings for Chaplains in the Field” will be a 50-minute bi-weekly group ZOOM session offering an opportunity for our members to express personal feelings and stresses related to ministry in this era of dramatic health care crisis.
Guidelines:
- Minimum number of 3 and maximum of 6 persons in each group.
- Open group – must register through NACC and can participate in one or many sessions.
- Group members are expected to stay with the 50-minute session once it has started.
- Commitment to strictest confidentiality,
- Free expression of feelings, with acceptance, support and understanding from each group member to be facilitated by an experienced retired chaplain.
- There will be no notes or recordings.
- More groups available, if more than 6 people apply.
We invite you to be a part of this intimate sharing group. Please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) to express your interest and to set up a mutually convenient time for these sessions.
6. In Vision: Healers, not heroes *
By now, most of us have seen the sign “Heroes Work Here” outside healthcare facilities. But what does heroism mean in contemporary American culture? In the newest Vision blog post, John Mastalski reflects that the caregivers to COVID patients are “wounded healers,” aware of their own struggles and their own vulnerability. To read it, visit https://www.nacc.org/nacc-blog. Also, scroll down for a description of what prison ministry is like during the pandemic.
7. Vision seeks coronavirus contributors *
To deal with the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the next issue of Vision is appearing 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. Please email Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org, with your own contributions.
8. Thanks to all who helped with our virtual interviews for certification! *
On May 16th, we hosted the final successful session for certification interviews. These interviews replaced the face to face interviews due to the requirements of Covid-19 in many states. Overall, during the three weekends, there were 9 ITE’s, (1 ITE served as support on two weekends), 3 Commissioners on Call, 36 interviewers, 1 Spiritual Support (who served all three weekends) and 30 applicants. Thank you to the volunteers who served as interviewers, ITE’s and Commissioners. Your hard work and dedication to the process during the pandemic is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to all newly recommended chaplains.
9. Certified Chaplain Educational Requirements for Renewal of Certification
Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have heard from members who are concerned with the potential challenge in viewing sufficient in-person or live offerings this year to meet the educational requirements for maintenance of certification. Please know that the Certification Commission is aware of your concerns and have scheduled time at the Certification Commission meeting in early June to discuss this issue. Look for more information coming from the Certification Commission this summer after that meeting. If you have questions specifically related to renewal of certification, please reach out to Jeanine Annunziato (jannunziato@nacc.org or 414-483-4898 ext 303)
10. Support of the 2020 Vision Conference
While the 2020 Vision Conference has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Partners for Professional Excellence in Spiritual Care recognize those who supported the Conference efforts. From the Association representatives who have been planning the event, to the healthcare institutions who have provided financial support, we appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for contributions and continued support of the profession.
Conference Steering Committee and Subcommittees
Conference Donors
Conference Supporters
Conference Vendors
11. NACC Members in the news *
During this COVID-19 Pandemic, several news agencies have sought to provide articles on the profession of chaplaincy. On our Coronavirus resource page, we have posted articles as we learn of them. Here is a sampling of articles that included one or more of our NACC members. Blessings on all of your ministries.
In midst of pandemic, chaplain lends listening ear to the caregivers – National Catholic Reporter, May 12, 2020
Unsung Heroes Help Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic at L.A. County-USC Medical Center – U.S. News & World Report, May 7, 2020
Compassion Fatigue: the Hidden Cost of Caregiving – U.S. News & World Report, May 4, 2020
Sacred Heart hospital chaplain offers patients, staff ‘life-giving moments’ in hard and hectic circumstances – Spokesman-Review, May 7, 2020
Hospital chaplains offer solace from the sidelines, as patients ask them: ‘Am I going to die alone in here?’ – Business Insider, May 5, 2020
Through glass or from a distance, Orlando Health chaplains comfort COVID-19 patients – Orlando Sentinel, April 24, 2020
Catholic Chaplains Change Normal Routines – Rockford Diocese Observer, May 1, 2020
Hospital Chaplains Spend Final Moments With COVID-19 Patients: ‘I Just Stayed And Held Her Hand’ – CBS Boston, May 4, 2020
Chaplains Minister Amidst Changes Brought by Pandemic – Health Progress
LA chaplains look to create ‘bridges’ with isolated coronavirus patients – Angelus News, Apr 22, 2020
Amid distancing, Maryland priests find ways to comfort the sick and dying – Baltimore Sun, April 12, 2020
How a Hospital Chaplain Brings Comfort to Patients, Without Hugs or Holding Hands – KQED, April 11, 2020
Holy oil, masks and FaceTime: The coronavirus forces Catholics to adapt last rites – Los Angeles Times, April 11, 2020
What it’s like to be a hospital chaplain during Covid-19 – America magazine, March 27, 2020
Undeterred during COVID-19, hospital chaplains transform delivery of spiritual care – Internal Medicine News, April 27, 2020
12. NACC Networking Call for May and June 2020 – All are welcome to participate! *
In addition to the COVID-19 Listening Calls, NACC is offering this Networking call in May and June.
Tuesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. CT – NACC State Liaison Call
Monday, June 8 at 1 p.m. CT – NACC CPE-E Community of Practice Call
Wednesday, June 10 at 12 p.m. CT – NACC Palliative Care/Hospice Networking Call
To sign up or for more information, questions, comments or concerns contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org.
You must reply to participate and receive the ZOOM code for the call. If you replied, we will forward the ZOOM passcodes for a video connection via internet or you may still call in using your phone. Registering for the call, even if you cannot participate, will allow you to receive notes of the conversation and resources shared.
Calls with less than 5 participants may be postponed.
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!
13. NACC 2019 Annual Report available on the NACC website
The NACC Board of Directors, volunteer leaders, Executive Director, and staff provide our members the NACC 2019 Annual Report for our review. It is one way our leaders provide to our members transparency and accountability. The report includes summaries of Board, committee, commission, panel, certification interview activities, the 2019 financial review, and the recognition and gratitude for the many volunteer contribution and donations. We are grateful to all who help us advance and fulfill our NACC mission and strategic priorities. Here is a link to the report.
14. 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: Autumn (niece of member Linda Bronersky), Eugenia Lai, Br. Kenney Gorman, Marybeth Harmon, Nolan (grandson of member Dale Recinella), Susan Balling, Isabelita Boquiren, and Fr. Jim Radde SJ.
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
15. Please participate in this important international survey on chaplains during COVID-19! *
This important international survey is being conducted by teams in Europe, USA and Australia, led by the European Research Institute for Chaplains in Health Care (ERICH www.chaplaincyresearch.eu). Please read this invitation that explains the purpose of the survey, then participate. We are hoping for over 2,000 participants.
The worldwide pandemic has influenced the way spiritual care has been delivered in health care. Some even say that spiritual care will never be the same after we have been forced to find other ways to connect with people, to do rituals, to support staff, and so on.
With your help, we would like to get better insight in how the pandemic influenced you and your spiritual care. Having a better understanding of this will help us better advocate for chaplaincy and spiritual care during future pandemics or other crises. It will also help us keep new practices that may have been beneficial in the ‘new normal’.
This survey was put together by teams in Europe, USA and Australia, led by the European Research Institute for Chaplains in Health Care (ERICH www.chaplaincyresearch.eu). Thanks also to our colleagues from professional associations and research organizations around the world who have been happy to promote and disseminate this survey as widely as possible. It is open for chaplains of all continents.
We have the approval of the university ethics committee of KU Leuven, Belgium to conduct this research. The survey doesn’t ask for any personal data, and your anonymity is guaranteed. You should know that the data from the surveys will be held securely, but that it will also be analyzed by the teams in Europe, USA, Australia. This is so we can maximize our understanding of what we sincerely hope will be a very large dataset.
Please take some time to fill in the survey which you can find at: https://survey.napier.ac.uk/TakeSurveyPage.aspx?s=cd42aff53a474b888b91b868e415cd5c&tsid=252c307a20a0478296d6d9c723cfb858&c=en-GB
It will take you 20 to 30 min. If you wish, you can answer the open questions in your own language.
Finally, we would like to thank you for all you did and are doing for patients, their loved ones and staff.
With respect and gratitude,
Professor Anne Vandenhoeck, KU Leuven, Belgium director of ERICH
Professor Austyn Snowden, Napier University, Scotland, senior researcher ERICH
Joost Verhoef, chaplain OLVG Amsterdam, Netherlands, coordinator ERICH
16. Sign up today for our next NACC timely webinar on Post Traumatic Growth! *
Our next NACC 2020 webinar will be Post Traumatic Growth Tools for Spiritual Care, Presented by M. Therese Lysaught, PhD and Beth Reece, MDiv, BCC, Thursday, June 18, 2020 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time.
Trauma from illness affects patients physically, spiritually and emotionally. Chaplains enter this chaos and devastation of trauma, called to provide patients with spiritual care. Research shows that Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), positive change that can follow traumatic events, is possible, even for many suffering with PTSD. PTG tools of story-telling, community, hope, creativity, and faith may provide personal strength, closer relationships, greater appreciation of life, acceptance of new possibilities, and spiritual development for 50 to 80% of trauma survivors despite physical impairment. In this workshop, chaplains will actively explore theology, definition, and facilitation of these tools in order to enhance pastoral care interventions.
Program Objectives
As a result of this webinar, participants will:
- Understand the definition and potential outcomes of Post-Traumatic Growth.
- Explore Post-Traumatic Growth tools that encourage resilience, strengthen faith, and provide transformation, and how these align with spiritual care.
- Interactively explore how chaplains can facilitate these tools in a variety of patient-care settings.
About the Presenters
M. Therese Lysaught, PhD, is Professor of Catholic moral theology and health care ethics at the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Healthcare Leadership at Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine, with a secondary appointment at Loyola’s Institute of Pastoral Studies. In addition to consulting with health care systems on issues surrounding mission, theology, and ethics, her major research foci have included global health, the anointing of the sick, genetics, gene therapy, human embryonic stem cell research, and issues at the end-of-life. Her most recent book is Catholic Bioethics and Social Justice: The Praxis of US Health Care in a Globalized World (Liturgical Press, 2018). In addition, she is the author of Caritas in Communion: Theological Foundations of Catholic Health Care (Catholic Health Association, 2014), and co-editor of On Moral Medicine: Theological Perspectives in Medical Ethics, 3rd edition (Eerdmans, 2012) and Gathered for the Journey: Moral Theology in Catholic Perspective (Eerdmans, 2007).
Beth Reece is Manager of Spiritual Care at the Shirley Ryan Abilitylab in downtown Chicago. It is the first-ever “translational” research hospital, where all staff work together in the same space, applying research in real time to physical and spiritual rehabilitation. Beth’s research has centered on self-care for staff and most recently, chaplain use of post traumatic growth tools for patients. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from Loyola Institute of Pastoral Studies and is certified through the Association of Professional Chaplains.
To register online for 2020 Webinars, please click on this LINK. Student members who are eligible for the special, reduced rates are asked to use the following link: STUDENTS. Alternatively, complete the registration form and send with your check, made payable to NACC, to: Pamela Jones, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, 4915 S. Howell Avenue, Suite 501, Milwaukee, WI 53207. Registration will not be considered complete until the NACC receives your registration form and fee. Access information and presentation materials will be made available to participants a few days before the webinar session. When you register for the live sessions, you will automatically be eligible for a copy of the recordings.
17. Chaplaincy Innovation Lab offers new resource on Grief *
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab has launched a free e-book on grief. While it is of particular value during the COVID pandemic, it can be put to good use at any time and in a variety of settings. You can access it at chaplaincyinnovation.org/resources/e-books.
18. A “thank you” from Chaplaincy Innovation Lab *
Chaplaincy Innovation Lab sends a special thank you video to all chaplains for their service. You can access that video at chaplaincyinnovation.org
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
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
CHAPLAIN DIRECTOR
West Point, NY – U.S. Military Academy
SUPERVISOR, CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION
Toledo, OH – Mercy Health St. Vincent
SPIRITUAL CARE PRACTITIONER – ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST (2 Full-time Positions)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Unity Health Toronto
