Issue #343 – January 18, 2021

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

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
I remember the first day of my freshman year of seminary high school back in 1962. As I entered the chapel for morning mass, what caught my attention right away was the altar cloth inscribed in Latin, Ecce Adsum Quia Vocasti Me. Since I had not yet had my first Latin class, I was curious what the phrase meant. I soon learned the translation: “Behold, I am here because you called me.” (As my Latin improved I learned that vocasti was the perfect active indicative of the verb vocare.)

Yesterday’s first reading from I Samuel chapter 3 narrates the exchange of Samuel with Eli. When Samuel was sleeping in the Temple, he heard his name called in the night, and he went to Eli saying, “Here I am, you called me.” After being awakened three times by Samuel, Eli instructed Samuel to reply the next time to the Lord’s promptings with “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

So many of us now use this simple mantra when quieting ourselves so that our heart can listen to what God wants to say to us in the midst of our distractions, many emotions and concerns, and drifting minds we often find inhabiting our reflections! (Or maybe it’s just my prayer!)

One line from that reading had not struck me before as much as it did this time. It was “At that time Samuel was not familiar with the LORD, because the LORD had not revealed anything to him as yet.” It had me reflecting on my familiarity (or lack of familiarity) with the way God wants to communicate with me. Even after six plus decades, I still struggle with recognizing God’s voice, and seek to express with heartfelt sincerity, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

I had to think about whether or not my listening is most often from the posture of desiring to be a servant. I think too often my listening is about wanting answers, worrying too much, or asking for a disposition of heart, rather than desiring to be of service. So, as I try to listen to God in the midst of my prayer time’s many distractions, a drifting mind, and a myriad of emotions and concerns, I need to ask again for the disposition of being God’s servant.

I pray God gives each of you in this 2021 a servant’s listening disposition as you hear God calling your name lovingly in your prayer. May you also reply, Ecce Adsum Quia Vocasti Me.

With deep gratitude for you, your faith, your ministries, and blessings on your 2021,

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. Honoring this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2021
On this 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day we honor Dr. King’s legacy by reflecting on our own commitments to non-violence, the dignity of the human person, and racial equality. As you know, this first quarter of 2021 the NACC is devoting our formation and professional development to racial justice. Our three webinar presenters are noted below. We will also dedicate Saturday, March 13, 2021 (save the date!) to an extended session for NACC members to reflect together on this theme.
In honor of Dr. King this week is the 2021 Week of Non-Violence for Christians. Rhonda Miska, a twin-cities friend and colleague of our NACC member Bridget Deegan-Krause, has developed a toolkit for this week with excellent open-sourced materials for daily reflection, dialogue and action, that speak to the anti-racism work we desire to be about. You can click here to access the free toolkit.

3. Here is our final sum for our 2020 Annual Member Campaign! We are so grateful!
After totaling the final donations for our 2020 Annual Member Campaign, we gratefully acknowledge that 515 gifts were received for a total of $65,855.10 which compared to 515 gifts for $64,549 in 2019 and 493 gifts for $59,877 in 2018. Thanks to all of you who were able to participate in 2020! Thank you also to all you who prayerfully supported NACC!

4. New NACC Membership names and new online membership application capability!
Our NACC members were alerted last week to the new NACC membership page on our website www.nacc.org/membership/apply-for-membership and the new names for two individual member categories. The former “Member” category is now Chaplaincy Ministry, and the former “Affiliate” category is now Professional Ministry. These are intended to better represent our members’ ministry versus the former generic names. The online application capability makes it easier for potential members to join. Please share our membership page web link with anyone you want to encourage to become a member of the NACC!

5. Death of two of our NACC members, Sr. Christine Riley CSJ, and Fr. Art Schute
We recently learned of the deaths of two of our members:

Sr. Christine Reilly, CSJ who died on January 13, 2021. Sr. Christine joined NACC in 1981 and was certified the same year. Read the beautiful tribute to her at: www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/sister-christine-riley-csj
Fr. Arthur Schute BCC died on December 5, 2020 Fr. Art joined NACC in 1984 and was board certified in 1986. He was the Region III Director from September 1990 to September 1996, and was very engaged in, greatly loved, and supported NACC over his years as a member, attending every NACC Conference. May the Lord grant him the fullness of Peace. www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/port-charlotte-fl/arthur-schute-9933570
Here is a fun photo of Fr. Art in the October 1990 Camillian.

6. Remember DEADLINE is Monday, February 15, 2021 for Initial Certification Applications!
Application portfolios for initial certification need to be mailed to the office or uploaded on our website www.nacc.org/certification/certification-submission-form by Monday, February 15, 2021! If you have any questions or would like informational materials on initial certification please contact Lisa Sarenac at lisasarenac@nacc.org or call (414) 483-4898, Ext. 304. Please keep our applicants and those considering Board Certification in your prayers.

7. In Vision: Chaplains can help families work through grief.
Dying during a pandemic often imposes a greater burden of grief upon surviving family and friends than dying in “normal” times. In our newest Vision article, NACC webinar presenter Adriana Rengifo discusses how chaplains can help families through grief and mourning at the present moment. To read more, click below.
www.nacc.org/nacc-blog

8. Our next Vision theme: Divisions and social healing.
The day before the attack upon the United States Capitol, the NACC’s Editorial Advisory Panel had decided that the next theme for Vision will be “Standing in the Breach: Navigating Distrust, Division, and Prejudice at Work and in the World.” But even before that, we knew that we were a house divided, and chaplains often find themselves in the middle of those divisions. Perhaps we cannot heal them — but how do we maintain a calm, loving presence? How do we stand in the middle of an angry family? How do we maintain our own moral center? What can we offer to our workplaces or communities? We are looking for articles on all of these topics, and more, about your own experience, programs that might be duplicated, or other ideas for social healing. Please send a summary of your idea to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org.

9. NEW TIME – Member COVID Listening Call – our next call for 2021 will be Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. CT.
Please register here for the ZOOM information.
For more resources and blog updates, be sure to read the latest update on our Coronavirus resources page.

10. 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.

11. 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, Sr. Theresa Chiappa SSC, Rev. Richard J. O’Donnell MI, Robert Lopez, Victoria Lucas, Mary Fiegel (and husband Lee Fiegel), Liam O’Neill (brother of Mary T O’Neill), Russell Butler (husband of Carole Butler), Kathy Ponce (on the death of her sister Marilyn Silkey), Sr. Emily Demuth CSC (on the death of her sister Marietta Ricke), Sr. Betty Keegan (on the death of her brother Joe Keegan), Sr. Mary Brigid and her family (on the death of her brother John Riley), Autumn Vaughn (great-niece of Linda Bronersky), Edward M. Torres requests prayers for Walter Marston, Jorge Bermudez, Michelle Torres, and Danielle Picchi, 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.

12. 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!

13. 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

14. 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.

15. Vatican publishes Ash Wednesday Guidelines
Here is a link to the Ash Wednesday 2021 Instructions from the Vatican published 1.12.21.
www.cultodivino.va/content/cultodivino/it/documenti/note/nota-mercoledi-delle-cenere/english.html

16. Sign up today for this Thursday’s NACC Webinar on Social Justice and Chaplaincy!

Social Justice and Chaplaincy, Presented by Barbara Sheehan SP
January 21, 2021 ~ 12pm – 1:30pm CT

This webinar will explore the intersectionality of social justice and chaplaincy. It identifies the dynamics of those whose primary crisis is social and reflects on the areas of spiritual assessment and effective responses by a chaplain/ caring practitioner.
As a result of this webinar, participants will:

Increase their awareness of chaplaincy needs today within and beyond institutional facilities where one is ministering.
Acquire helpful assessment tools in caring with those challenged with today’s social crises.
Enhance their practice of care of the whole person.
Deepen the connection of actions and faith in the healing ministry of care for today’s needs.

www.nacc.org/2021-webinar-program-information

17. Learn more about our 2021 NACC Education/Formation programming approach
NACC members learned this past week about our plans for our 2021 Education Program, as we take a thematic approach to each quarter that will include webinars, days of reflection, and an extended learning experience. The February and March webinar presenters will be:

February 18, 12:00 pm central, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry who is also the Postulator for Cause for Fr. Augustine Tolton, the first Black priest in the United States, will address “Holiness and Prejudice: the Black Catholic Legacy.”
March 18, 12:00 pm central, Ms. Danielle M. Brown, Esq. Associate Director, Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, will address “USCCB US Bishops, Racism, and Implications for the Pastoral Care Healing Ministry.”

Watch for more detail at www.nacc.org/education-resources/nacc-webinars-and-audio-conferences/2021-webinar-series-overview-and-registration.

18. CPMC’s recent webinar on racism
Last Wednesday, January 13, the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, offered a webinar, “Addressing Racism: A Time for Gospel Change,” by Chris Pramuk, PhD. He offered pre-reads for the webinar that can be found at drive.google.com/file/d/1Z47GvC3OTiOe5sT9g8VnVcJiifvGylaa/view. A recording of the webinar can be viewed at www.catholicprisonministries.org/webinar/addressing-racism-a-call-to-gospel-courage.

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

ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN
Indianapolis, IN – Franciscan Health

CHAPLAIN
Springfield, MO – Mercy Hospital

STAFF CHAPLAIN, HOSPICE
La Crosse, WI – Gunderson Lutheran

CHAPLAIN – CATHOLIC PRIEST
Tampa, FL – BayCare/St. Joseph’s Hospital

CATHOLIC PRIEST, Part-time
Los Angeles, CA – Cedars-Sinai

SPIRITUAL CARE MANAGER – BCC
Pontiac, Michigan – St. Joseph Mercy Oakland

Issue #343 – January 18, 2021

NACC

2021 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 1, 2021

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

Issue #343 – January 18, 2021

NACC

2021 NATIONAL CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 29 – NOVEMBER 1, 2021

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

Job Listings

Free Publications

Donate Now

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