Issue #328 – June 22, 2020

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. What did we learn from the recent survey of our new members? *
3. What did we learn from the recent survey of those who participated on our Coronavirus Listening/Resource Sharing Sessions? *
4. Congratulations to the following NACC members who were approved for Chaplain Board Certification following their interviews in May 2020. *
5. Need to learn more about becoming certified with NACC? This Thursday’s Webinar can help you! *
6. Vision blog: Now chaplains, and everyone, need to work through disillusionment *
7. Vision seeks articles about grief
8. NACC continues to hold COVID-19 listening/resource sharing ZOOM sessions this week
9. Do you need a Listening Heart?
10. Would you like to meet with other chaplains to process your experience during these times?
11. Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition and the NACC are in a new partnership.
12. NACC Members in the news *
13. NACC Networking Call for June 2020 – All are welcome to participate! *
14. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. Don’t miss this special two-part NACC Webinar in July! *
16. Please participate in this important international survey on chaplains during COVID-19!
17. Would you be interested in a second-class relic of Mother Cabrini? *
18. Special opportunity for a virtual training on interprofessional spiritual care!
19. Recent job postings *

 

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
Yesterday’s Gospel reading from Matthew (10:26-33) was a timely and piercing one. “Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” The passage addresses the disciple’s reluctance to speak up out of fear.

This is timely because of these days marked by the voices who are speaking out against racism as it is manifested in actions, attitudes, and messages. The urgency is now.

It is piercing because my wife, Jackie, and I continue our journey of self-examination, and self-reform. For me, it’s especially challenging when I fear speaking out against or responding to racially laden comments neighbors might voice, as well as just being able to dialogue with relatives and friends about such issues.

I appreciated learning these past weeks that:

• The USCCB and Church leaders have provided several statements and resources to combat racism (http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/index.cfm)
• ACPE has provided numerous resources and is planning a series of workshops on anti-racism. https://www.acpe.edu/ACPE/News/Stories/2020/LetSadnessBecomeDetermination06022020.aspx
• Our NACC Board of Directors decided at its June 10th meeting to determine actionable steps.
• Our NACC Certification Commission and Interview Team Educators are providing anti-bias training for our interviewers.
• Our Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC) has racism resources, especially regarding racism and incarceration. https://www.catholicprisonministries.org/racism
• We received recently very helpful resources from our participants in our CPMC Prison Ministry Formation Pilot Project with the Archdioceses of Santa Fe and New Orleans. You can access them here.

I personally realize that I can do all the reading and reflecting, self-examination and development, but it still comes down to “What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.” When and where will I be invited to speak and proclaim where and when there is darkness? How will I respond?

What does this passage say to you today, in these days, in these times?

Blessings,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

 

2. What did we learn from the recent survey of our new members? *
We very much appreciated the 43 percent response rate of our new members who joined us in the past three years. Please note that the percentages do not add up to 100% in each as not everyone answered all questions. The survey sought to learn from our newer members how they heard about NACC:

• 26% CPE Programs
• 22% NACC Member
• 20% Graduate Program
• 17% CPE Educator
• 12% Spiritual Care Department/Supervisor
• 11% Web search
• 11% Priest/Religious Spiritual Director
• 6% Parish/Diocese
• 3% Hospital Administration (requirement for employment)

Since the prior survey in 2017, CPE Educators and programs remain the primary source of learning of NACC. However, both NACC member and Graduate program percentages went up. Thank you!

Of those who joined the past three years, 86% plan to become board certified. Thank you!

This information helps to focus our marketing efforts. We continue to rely on you, our members, to promote NACC and share with others why it’s valuable and important to you to be part of our community and mission.

 

3. What did we learn from the recent survey of those who participated on our Coronavirus Listening/Resource Sharing Sessions? *
We very much appreciated the 36 percent response rate of those who participated in the Coronavirus Listening/Resource Sharing Sessions. Please note that the percentages do not add up to 100% in each as not everyone answered all questions. Your feedback was very helpful. We learned that:

• Participation included:
  • 35% once in these sessions
  • 41% 3-5 times
  • 9% 5-10 times
  • 10% weekly
• The sessions participated in were:
  • 62% general
  • 29% long term care
  • 22% COVID-19 intensive
• Afternoon was the most frequented (66%), with 22% late afternoon and 14% morning
• If we were to continue these sessions, 61% thought once-a-week, while 23% thought we should keep one general and one LTC session.
• If we were to continue, 66% answered “Participate once in a while, as needed or when I am available to do so”
• The responses to this question, “Besides these Listening/Resource Sharing Sessions, NACC Could consider providing Listening/Resource Sharing Sessions on particular topics such as
  • 66% affirmed self/staff care
  • 57% affirmed grief

In light of these responses, the NACC will offer this week one general session, and the following week one general session and one session focused on grief. We will address in future sessions both self-care and staff care, as well as more on grief. Also, you might find helpful the eBook, Grief: the New Normal, resource on the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab website (chaplaincyinnovation.org/resources/ebook-grief-new-normal).

 

4. Congratulations to the following NACC members who were approved for Chaplain Board Certification following their interviews in May 2020. *

Sr. Audrey J. Abbata BCC (Girard, OH)
Deacon Martin Ahiaba BCC (Marshall, TX)
Sr. Maria Eleanor A. Caisido CVI, BCC (Houston, TX)
Miss Debra S. Chenault BCC (Santa Fe, NM)
Sr. Mary P. Dabrera BCC (Brentwood, NY)
Dr. Michael W. Dixon BCC (Phoenix, AZ)
Rev. Norbert DSouza OFM CAP BCC(Hewlett, NY)
Rev. Joshua G. Dyachim BCC (Temple Terrace, FL)
Rev. Kenneth O. Ekekwe BCC (Chicago, IL)
Mrs. Jill E. Fishman BCC (Sylvania, OH)
Rev. Jose Luis Hernandez Rios BCC (Spokane, WA)
Ms. Connolly M. Huddleston BCC (Bellingham, WA)
Sr. Linda R. Hunt OP BCC (Spokane, WA)
Kathryn A. Johnson BCC (Hixson, TN)
Sr. Philomina Jose DHM BCC (Mt. Prospect, IL)
Ms. Patty C. Lee BCC(Cambridge, MA)
Dr. Veronica L. Marchese BCC (Ventura, CA)
Mr. Christopher P. Morgan BCC (Denver, CO)
Mr. Patrick J. Murray BCC (Sacramento, CA)
Rev. Adolfo G. Occeno BCC (Fishkill, NY)
Rev. Emmanuel I. Ochigbo BCC (San Diego, CA)
Sr. Monica G. Okon HHCJ BCC (Flushing, NY)
Mrs. Mary Pink BCC (West Des Moines, IA)
Mr. Justin T.S. Rowan BCC (Depew, NY)
Rev. Henry Richard Vas OFM BCC (Port Jefferson, NY)

Congratulations to the following NACC members who were approved for Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification (PCHAC) in 2020.

Mrs. Allison S. DeLaney BCC-PCHAC (Williamsburg, VA)
Rev. Casmir Dike MSP BCC-PCHAC (San Antonio, TX)

 

5. Need to learn more about becoming certified with NACC? This Thursday’s Webinar can help you! *

Certification by the NACC, Presented by NACC Certification Commissioners Sr. Anne K. Breitag OP, BCC and Bro. Kenney Gorman CFX, BCC, Thursday, June 25, 2020 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Program Summary
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of the NACC certification process, with special attention to the revised NACC competencies and procedures. We will present key information about certification and provide a forum for answering questions about certification with the NACC. This free webinar will be presented by members of the NACC Certification Commission. This webinar will be repeated in November.

Registration and information on our 2020 Webinar Series page: www.nacc.org/education-resources/nacc-webinars-and-audio-conferences/2020-webinar-series-overview-and-registration/

 

6. Vision blog: Now chaplains, and everyone, need to work through disillusionment *
Now that the first wave of coronavirus has passed in many cities, healthcare workers may be grappling with a new set of feelings. In our newest Vision post, Keith Bitner urges us to recognize our own disillusionment, and to sit with it before moving to the next phase. https://www.nacc.org/nacc-blog

 

7. Vision seeks articles about grief
The first adrenaline rush of the pandemic has faded. COVID-19 has not gone away, but it feels like we have shifted from the acute phase to the chronic phase. And we are going to do a shift of emphasis on our NACC Vision blog. We have heard from our members that they like the format of one or two short articles per week, and for the time being we will continue that format. But as the effects of the virus continue to ripple through our society, we have a new question: How is grief showing up for you? In your personal life and in your interactions at work, what are you seeing and hearing? What are people grieving, and how? What coping techniques are helping? Please send your thoughts to Vision Editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org.

 

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

 

9. 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. For more info, click here.

Listening Hearts is available for NACC members seeking a listening presence from a 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.

 

10. 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:

1. Minimum number of 3 and maximum of 6 persons in each group.
2. Open group – must register through NACC and can participate in one or many sessions.
3. Group members are expected to stay with the 50-minute session once it has started.
4. Commitment to strictest confidentiality,
5. Free expression of feelings, with acceptance, support and understanding from each group member to be facilitated by an experienced retired chaplain.
6. There will be no notes or recordings.
7. 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.

 

11. 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. NACC’s Executive Director, David Lichter, has served on the CPMC Steering Committee and chairs the CPMC Formation 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. David now also serves on CPMC’s Executive Committee. While 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.
Please go to the newly revised NACC home page to view the placement of both our Partners in Pastoral Care and the CPMC partnership and to the new CPMC webpage on our website at www.nacc.org/cpmc to read more about this partnership.

 

12. 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. You can see the entire extensive list of articles here. Blessings on all of your ministries.

Hospital chaplains care for souls of sick – Arkansas Democrat Gazette, June 6, 2020

‘Our patients are not dying alone’: Hospital chaplains take on tough role during COVID-19 pandemic – Arizona Republic, June 2, 2020

Finding God amidst COVID-19 – Grosse Pointe News, May 13, 2020

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

 

13. NACC Networking Call for June 2020 – All are welcome to participate! *
In addition to the COVID-19 Listening Calls, NACC is offering these two remaining networking calls in June.

Tuesday, June 23 at 10 a.m. CT — NACC African Chaplain Networking Call
Wednesday, June 24 at 3 p.m. CT — NACC Nurse Chaplain 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!

 

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: Denice Foose, Susan Balling, Isabelita Boquiren, Fr. Jim Radde SJ, Kathy Ponce, Autumn Vaughn (great-niece of member Linda Bronersky), Cosmas Ahiarakwem (deceased brother of member Fr. Gabriel Ahiarakwem), Sr. Mary I. Powers DC, and Joe Keegan (brother of Sr. Betty Keegan).

 

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. Don’t miss this special two-part NACC Webinar in July! *

Part 1:
Spiritual Care Relevance in an Environment Which Champions Revenue Producers
Presented by Jennifer Wilroy Paquette, DMin, BCC
Thursday, July 16, 2020 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Program Summary
Chaplains advocate for patients. Theirs is more than a role; it is substantively who they are. Yet, chaplains are less confident and adept at advocating for themselves. They become frustrated by how little their contribution is understood by senior executive leadership. The language of relevance is institutionally obvious, but we rarely know where to look and what the resulting actions should be. In this webinar, we reveal the sources of institutional language, its meaning and opportunities for Spiritual Care to become more fully integrated into the larger institution, in a common purpose.

Program Objectives
As a result of this webinar, participants will:

1. Discover and name the institutionally relevant requirements for Spiritual Care in their unique settings.
2. Discover the language of success imbedded in the language of the institution.
3. Explore opportunities for alignment of Spiritual Care with institutional relevance.

Part 2:
Spiritual Care Relevance, from the Patient’s Perspective, in an Environment of Revenue Producers –
Thursday, July 23, 2020 – 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Central Time

Program Summary
Chaplains advocate for patients. Theirs is more than a role; it is substantively who they are. But who, exactly, is the person for whom the advocacy occurs? Soul searching questions are asked. Spiritual histories are gathered and assessments made to reveal the source and depth of spiritual pain and suffering of the patient. The hope is that these will yield insights to the functioning of the patient’s spirituality as it complements the clinical healing modalities. The institution envisions patient centeredness in all patient touchpoints. What would the patient say? What is relevant?

Program Objectives
As a result of this webinar, participants will:

1. Discover what patients have said about the “patient centeredness,” i.e., the relevance of who they are, within the care they received.
2. Discover the criticality of understanding the “who” of the patient in order to understand the functioning of the patient’s spirituality.
3. Learn techniques to discover the “who” of the patient, techniques rarely found in spiritual assessments or spiritual histories.

About the Presenter
Dr. Paquette is dedicated to the experience of patients and those who serve them. Her employment with a large technology corporation, first as a Systems Engineer (software) and later as a Services Solutions Manager (consulting), led to the study of the traits of successful business units, that is, what made one relevant and not another. Leaving that world to enter the world of Chaplaincy, she understood immediately how important that knowledge could be when applied to Spiritual Care departments. She received her doctorate, jointly, from San Francisco Theological Seminary and Seattle University. Before her recent return to Seattle, she was Director of Mission services for the seven St. Joseph’s Hospitals in Tampa, Florida.

NACC Certification Competencies Covered by the Webinar: ITP5, ITP6, PIC2, PIC5, PIC5.1, PPS1, OL1, OL2, OL2.1, OL3

 

16. 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.

 

17. Would you be interested in a second-class relic of Mother Cabrini? *
The St. Frances Cabrini Shrine would like to send second-class relics of Mother Cabrini to any hospital chaplain. Please send your request to: .
Julia Attaway, Executive Director, St. Frances Cabrini Shrine, New York, NY 10040, jattaway@cabrinishrinenyc.org; 212-923-3536

 

18. Special opportunity for a virtual training on interprofessional spiritual care!

The George Washington Institute for Spirituality & Health announces
ISPEC 2020 – Interprofessional Spiritual Care Education Curriculum
* New Virtual Format! * July 6-7, 2020
Applications for virtual ISPEC are open!

The Train-the-Trainer program with a mission of improving spiritual care for patients with serious and chronic illness.

Who May Apply
Clinicians from diverse professional backgrounds (e.g. MD, RN, NP, PA, Social work, Psychologists, PT/OT) and chaplains/spiritual care professionals. We encourage the application of clinician-chaplain pairs from the same settings, but individual participants also are welcome to apply.

Registration Information
The registration fee for the 2020 virtual ISPEC Train-the-Trainer course is $320 USD per person. Course registration includes:

• Complimentary online access to ISPEC online teaching modules on Relias Learning for a full year. An excellent resource for training your colleagues!
• Virtual lectures, facilitated discussions, case study reviews, and resources.
• One-year mentorship from faculty thought leaders.
• Continuing education credits (CME or CEU credits).

Scholarships are available for international applicants: please indicate on your application that you are interested in applying for a scholarship.

 

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

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

CATHOLIC PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Stony Brook, NY – Stony Brook Medicine

PASTORAL CARE CHAPLAIN
Farmingdale, NY – Good Shepherd Hospice/Catholic Health Services of Long Island

DIRECTOR of SPIRITUAL CARE
Zanesville, OH – Genesis Healthcare System