Issue #341 – December 21, 2020
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
Blessings on your Christmas and 2021!
NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. Thank you to those of you who have given to our 2020 Annual Member Campaign! One week yet to give this year! Please join them!
3. Thank you to our NACC members who have completed their leadership terms on our Board, Commissions, and Panels!
4. NACC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the NACC 2021 Distinguished Service, Emergent Leader, and Outstanding Colleague Awards!
5. In Vision: Virtual rituals help families cope with loss
6. Seeking your COVID vaccination stories
7. NACC Networking Calls for January 2021 – All are welcome to participate!
8. Do you need a Listening Heart?
9. “Sharing of Feelings for Chaplains in the Field”
10. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
2021 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 1, 2021
11. Friday, October 29, to Monday, November 1, 2021, for NACC National Conference!
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
12. Don’t forget to check the NACC Anti-Racism page for resources!
13. Don’t forget to check the NACC Coronavirus page for resources!
14. Your participant requested: Research study about administering Sacraments
15. Recent job postings
1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38) How often have I read this verse over the years? Most often I heard the emphasis on “handmaid” as if Mary was reminding Gabriel of how she views herself as one who desired to stay near to be of service, however, that service might look. It seemed to me to be one of many identity points for Mary, as if she were saying in this case, I can be the handmaid responding to God’s invite.
However, this time I heard the emphasis on I, as in I am the handmaid of the Lord. I now hear it as if this was Mary’s main identity. Her purpose in life was to be near at hand to respond to the Lord’s prompting, whatever it might be. I can only imagine up to this point, she lived daily in anticipation of what she might be asked. I reflect on the many people who embody this heightened awareness of their loved one and readily anticipate and respond to that person’s need at hand. It’s almost a moment-by-moment rhythmic dance moving with a responsiveness honed by nearness, attentiveness and love, to the indications of need.
This makes the “May it be done to me” all the more remarkable because my imagination was taking me to the various ways a handmaid might be responding with service, actively. Here the response is allowing something to be done to her. It makes me reflect on the ministry moments when it’s not a responsiveness on our part in the form of an active gesture of compassion, but rather a ministry of allowing, letting be, a “may it happen, be done.” How much more difficult is this for me than finding some active responding. I think of Mother Theresa’s prayer of not letting herself get in the way of what God wants to do.
As we enter this Christmas week in 2020 and look to 2021, I reflect on the disorientation of this past year, and how I sought to find ways to listen to what was needed, and to respond with services, programs, phone calls, ZOOM sessions, and other ways. How often I heard among you how draining and exhausting it was to find ways to live in the uncertainties and unknowns that marked these past months. “How shall I respond today?” “What will this day ask of me?”
If I believe God has pitched his tent among us and dwells with us and within us, how might the dual dynamic of being a “near at hand” servant of God be my moniker? How can I continue to be ready to readily respond to the needs about me, as well as be ready to allow, let be, and let it unfold before me?
I am so grateful to you, our NACC members, for the many ways I have heard and witnessed your own ministry of allowing as you shared stories of being with families and their loved ones in new ways during these Covid-19 times. Thank you for showing me what Mary might have been like in that moment, by your own acceptance in ministry of the times where just your being present in compassion allowed something to take place.
Also, my wife, Jackie, recently shared with me this Instagram photo and its message from Lindsey Fairchild. We were struck by its power and poignancy. Below the photo, it read: Lindsey, a critical care nurse photographed her father, Wayne Oney’s final moments from behind glass at an Ohio hospital before he died of Covid-19. “It’s a painful reflection in a piece of glass,” she wrote in a Facebook post where she shared the photo. “It’s a husband, and a father, and a grandfather, and a friend crossing over without his family surrounding him as he does. It’s nurses holding the cold hands of dying patients over and over again. It’s machines that have been shut off because the virus beat them at their own game. It’s a daughter capturing her father’s last moments on a phone so people can see it in its rawest form. This picture is Covid-19.”
The photo “in a piece of glass” reminded us of many nativity scenes that reflect that similar chiaro scuro (light/dark) mystery effect as many birth of Christ scenes were painted over the years like the one below by the Italian painter Correggio which we also used at the top of this newsletter.
It had us reflecting on the many incarnation scenes of the past year, God made flesh among us, as in the above photo of the final breath of Wayne Oney to the “I can’t breathe” horrific final moments of George Floyd. The dual pandemic of COVID-19 and racism haunted this year, as we still lived our lives within our ministries and our families and sought to stay connected to one another and the hurting world.
This Christmas season may you savor our God made flesh about us, your own sacredness, the sacredness of those whom you love and serve, and your generous ministry of allowing, letting be, and “may it happen, be done.”
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
2. Thank you to those of you who have given to our 2020 Annual Member Campaign! One week yet to give this year! Please join them! *
Thank you to all have been able to give to this year’s Annual Member Campaign. We have received 482 gifts totaling $57,142.10. We reached our $57,000 goal and are nearing the $64,549 amount of our 2019 Campaign donations! If you would still like to give, please do! If not, we understand and appreciate your prayers for a successful Campaign.
Please note: You can also make your donation online RIGHT NOW by going to the Annual Campaign webpage (www.nacc.org/donate) or just click here to donate.
Please give as you can! Blessings!
3. Thank you to our NACC members who have completed their leadership terms on our Board, Commissions, and Panels! *
We are very grateful to our many NACC members who have completed their terms of service. We deeply appreciate their generosity and wisdom.
| NACC Board of Directors: | Jim Letourneau Mary Heintzkill Brian Yanofchick |
| Competencies Commission: | Marilyn Williams Jennifer Paquette Gary Weisbrick |
| Certification Commission: | Austine Duru Bonnie McCulley |
| Certification Appeals Panel: | Joseph Bozzelli |
| Ethics Commission: | Kathy Mullane Allen Siegel Leszek Baczkura |
| Annual Awards Panel: | Hugo Gonzalez Fr. Lawrence Chellaian Bridget Deegan-Krause |
| Marketing Advisory Panel: | Bill Kramer Catherine Valeriote |
| Nominations Panel | Cathi Ruiz Patrick Bolton |
Please consider applying for volunteer leadership roles! Learn more about them at: www.nacc.org/about-nacc/leadership
4. NACC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the NACC 2021 Distinguished Service, Emergent Leader, and Outstanding Colleague Awards! *
The NACC Board of Directors, upon the recommendations of the NACC Annual Awards Panel, is very pleased to announce the recipients of the Distinguished Service Award, Emergent Leader Award, and Outstanding Colleague Awards. Recipients who will be honored at our 2021 National Conferenced schedule for Friday, October 29, to Monday, November 1, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel in Buffalo, NY.
Emergent Leader Award – Mrs. Allison S. DeLaney BCC-PCHAC serves as a chaplain for the Pediatric, Neonatal and Women’s Health units in the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and as an Instructor in the Department of Patient Counseling of the College of Health Professions in Richmond, Virginia. Nominated by Ms. Bridget Deegan-Krause MDiv, BCC.
Emergent Leader Award – Ms. Moira C. Reilly BCC serves as a chaplain for the Children’s Hospital at West Virginia University Medical Center where she specializes in maternal and infant care, neonatal palliative care. Nominated by Edward Horvat, BCC.
Distinguished Service Award – Rev. John T. Crabb SJ, BCC-E serves as Clinical Pastoral Educator at the Catholic Health Services in Long Island New York. Jack Crabb has served the mission, vision, and values of NACC for the past 23 years with skill, dedication, and great heart. He is sensitive to the person on the margins and ensures inclusion. Nominated by Dr. Caterina Mako ThM, DMin, BCC.
Outstanding Colleague Award – Ms. Wendy Cadge PhD is Professor of Sociology and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies at Brandeis University, where she is also Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives. She is an expert in contemporary American religion, especially related to religion in public institutions, religious diversity, religion and immigration, and religious and moral aspects in healthcare. Among her publications is Paging God: Religion in the Halls of Medicine, which explores how doctors, nurses and hospitals address religion and spirituality. She founded and co-directed the Transforming Chaplaincy Project from 2015 to 2019, and in 2018 launched the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. Nominated by Mr. James P. Letourneau BCC.
5. In Vision: Virtual rituals help families cope with loss *
The pandemic has taken away our ability to gather in groups, but we still need rituals and the comfort of other people. In our newest Vision article, Sr. Monica Okon describes how her hospital has held online bereavement services for families who have lost a relative and for parents who have experienced perinatal loss – and how the electronic format can encourage greater sharing. To read more, click here.
6. Seeking your COVID vaccination stories *
As the first waves of the COVID vaccine roll out to healthcare institutions around the country, the NACC is wondering if our members have stories to share. Have any of you received the vaccine yet? What about workers on your floor or in your institution? How did it feel, and what have others told you about the emotions they are processing? Please send your experiences, whether brief or detailed, to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org.
7. NACC Networking Calls for January 2021 – All are welcome to participate! *
NACC is offering these Networking calls in January:
Wednesday, January 13, 2021; 12:00 p.m. CT NACC Palliative Care/Hospice Network Call
Thursday, January 14, 2021; 2:00 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 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.
Due to ZOOM Security requirements, you may be place in a waiting room. Do not disconnect. Please be patient until the host joins the call and allows you access. If you have difficulty in joining calls using ZOOM please let Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) know so that we can address the difficulty. THANK YOU!
For more resources and blog updates, be sure to read the latest update on our Coronavirus resources page.
8. 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 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.
9. “Sharing of Feelings for Chaplains in the Field”
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.
10. Healing Tree: a request for prayers *
We continue to pray for: the special intentions of Maritza Ramos-Pratt BCC, Sr. Mary A. DuPlain SJSM, Susan Balling, Isabelita Boquiren, Fr. Jim Radde SJ, Denice Foose, Fr. Jose Hernandez, Barbara McKee, Mary Lou O’Gorman, Sr. Ellen Moore, Liam O’Neill (brother of Mary T O’Neill), Sr. Emily Demuth CSC (on the death of her sister Patricia), Sr. Theresa Chiappa, Mary Fiegel and her husband Lee Fiegel, Sr. Betty Keegan (on the death of her brother Joe Keegan), Sr. Mary Brigid Riley and her family (on the death of her brother John Riley). Autumn Vaughn (great-niece of member Linda Bronersky), and Nolan (grandson of Br. Dale Recinella, in gratitude for healing).
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.
2021 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 1, 2021
11. Friday, October 29, to Monday, November 1, 2021, for NACC National Conference!
Mark your calendars for the NACC Conference in 2021! This conference will be held Friday, October 29 through Monday, November 1, 2021, at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo Hotel in Buffalo, NY. It will be preceded by preconference workshops and our NACC retreat. Plan to join us!
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
12. Don’t forget to check the NACC Anti-Racism page for resources!
Please continue to check our NACC Anti-Racism page for resources.
www.nacc.org/resources/antiracism-resources
13. Don’t forget to check the NACC Coronavirus page for resources!
Please continue to check our NACC Coronavirus page for resources.
www.nacc.org/resources/coronavirus-resources.
14. Your participant requested: Research study about administering Sacraments
James H. Bunch, a post-graduate student at Regent University, is conducting a research study to examine Catholic Chaplains and non-Catholic Chaplains administering Sacraments. This project is a part of the dissertation requirement for the completion of his Doctoral Degree.
The purpose of this research is not to negate religious traditions nor undermine religious authority, but rather to explore resolves to maneuvering through religious and spiritual diversity when trying to care for the Sacramental needs of those represented. The questionnaire will focus only on three Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, and Anointing of the Sick. This online survey consist of multiple-choice questions with space to share personal comments and personal experiences that may be helpful to this study. Completing the survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes. There is also the options to not answer any questions you choose and to discontinue participation at any time.
The results of the survey will be written in the dissertation, and careful attention will be taken to ensure the anonymity of the shared data. An option to provide an e-mail is at the end of the survey, should you agree to be considered to examine these issues in greater depths if further research opportunities for this project and subject matter arise. By providing your e-mail address, you will no longer be completely anonymous; however, analyzing and recording your responses will remain confidential and anonymous. I alone will have access to your e-mail address, which will only be used to select participants to continue with this study. If the research continues and you are invited to participate, you are not obligated and have total freedom to decide at any time whether you want to take part.
As a reminder, participation is voluntary, risks are minimal, the collected data will remain confidential, and the reported data will maintain anonymity so your identities will not be known or connected to any published responses. Your uncoerced willingness to participate in this survey will serve as your consent as well as your understanding of the objectives, goals, and risks connected to your participation. Thank you for considering.
Please choose the appropriate questionnaire/survey:
Catholic Chaplains choose this Survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/gbdYwiPZu
Non-Catholic Chaplains choose this Survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/OCcnFFwnP
If there are any questions, please contact:
James H. Bunch, D.Min., BCC
jamebun@mail.regent.edu
Researcher
Mark A. Jumper, PhD, Associate Professor
mjumper@regent.eduDissertation Committee Chair
15. 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, SPIRITUAL CARE
Camp Hill, PA – Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center
SPIRITUAL CARE MINISTER (two openings)
Green Bay, WI and Eau Claire, WI – HSHS St. Vincent’s Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital
ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN
Indianapolis, IN – Franciscan Health
CHAPLAIN – CATHOLIC PRIEST
Tampa, FL – BayCare
STAFF CHAPLAIN, HOSPICE
La Crosse, WI – Gundersen Lutheran
CHAPLAIN
Springfield, MO – Mercy Hospital
