Issue #347 – March 15, 2021
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. Requesting nominations for two member-elected seats on the NACC Board of Directors
3. NACC holds an extended learning session on “Just(ice) Listening: A Pathway toward Healing
4. In Vision: Through a year of quarantine, hope has remained constant
5. Request for Vision writers: One year of pandemic
6. Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification
7. NACC Networking Calls for March/April 2021 – All are welcome to participate!
8. Member COVID Listening Calls will continue in March
9. Do you need a Listening Heart?
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. Register today for our NACC upcoming March webinar
15. Learn about our 2021 NACC Education/Formation programming approach
16. Other educational offerings
17. Recent job postings
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Two verses hit me from yesterday’s readings from the 4th Sunday of Lent. “Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers, send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets,…” (2 Chronicle 36:15-16) “And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil.” (John 3:19)
These were tough for me as I have searched for greater understanding of and my commitment to having my own role in the Church’s role for racial equality. The phrase, “it’s complex,” is apt, but also the phrase, “it’s compelling.”
It’s complex as there are so many competing voices in the social arena, and labels and posturing can overtake the pursuit of further understanding of this complex issue. I have appreciated the voices of several bishops who have spoken and written in recent times.
Bishops, such as Bishop Braxton gave voice to this racial divide. (www.ilcatholic.org/bishop-braxton-of-belleville-explores-racial-divide-in-pastoral-letters)
Bishop Sheldon Fabre has posted videos speaking on racism, and the need for each of us to have a spirit of determined conversion in this area. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfQvYelF_9k, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5OnMJeAOE) As chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, Bishop Fabre urged on August 27, 2020 a day of prayer and fasting in response to racial and societal unrest in the country after the Kenosha (my hometown) racial violence, and ended his comments with, “We must continue to engage the battle against the current evils of our society and in the words of Dr. King, refuse to believe ‘that the bank of justice is bankrupt.’ Dr. King’s dream, as he himself said, is deeply rooted in the American Dream. Let us not forget the price that he and so many courageous witnesses of all faiths and creeds paid to bring us to this moment.” www.usccb.org/news/2020/wake-kenosha-violence-us-bishops-chairman-committee-against-racism-urges-day-prayer-and
Wilton Cardinal Gregory has initiated in the Archdiocese of Washington a new initiative, “Made in God’s Image: Pray and Work to End the Sin of Racism (CCC 1935).” This initiative includes pastoral activities and outreach including prayer, listening sessions, faith formation opportunities and social justice work. (adw.org/living-the-faith/our-cultures/anti-racism-initiative)
The list of the many voices, other than only our bishops, calling us to conversion is long, and it goes on and on. Then I hear again, “Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers, send his messengers to them, for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.” I hear the words “spirit of determined conversion” this Lenten season.
I also was very grateful to find and read a reflection on Black Lives Matter by Andrea Marissa Auguster Consultant, USCCB Subcommittee on African American Affairs, where she reminded me of St. Paul’s image of the body and its parts.
She ends by writing:
(www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/african-american/resources/upload/andrea-auguster-blm-reflection-final-copy-website.pdf)
I appreciated NACC offering this past Saturday the event, “Just(-ice) Listening: A Pathway toward Healing.” In preparing for this gathering, I went back to “We Are Charleston: Tragedy and Triumph at Mother Emmanuel” that our colleague, Mark Dickson, BCC, gave me when I went to Roper St. Francis to give a presentation. The book opened my eyes and heart as portraits of the victims of that tragedy helped me understand the senseless horror and the grace of oppressed.
I also turned to Fr. Bryan Massingale’s book, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, where he justifiably identifies the strengths, slowness, and limitations of the Catholic Church’s responses to Racism. I particularly appreciated where he wrote:
This made me reflect further on the “early and often” prophets and “the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light.” To whom do I listen and take to heart? Where do I prefer darkness to light? How do I continue to seek the Light in this area of racism and myself as an older white male?
I was further grateful where he shared Joe Feagin’s research on developing “authentic cross-racial identification and solidarity, noting that white Americans pass through three stages of development: sympathy, empathy, and autopathy. We understand pretty well when we are sympathetic and empathetic. He notes Feagin describes autopathy as “transformative love” when I as white person place myself, “if only partially, into the racist world of the oppressed and thereby not only receive racist hostility from whites but also personally feel some pain that comes from being enmeshed in the racist conditions central to the lived of the oppressed others.” (pg. 118 quoting Feagin) I have a long way to go before having and experiencing that type of transformative love.
However, as complicated as this journey is, it is also compelling; both from the vantage point of having the call to conversion coming from voices I highly respect and from personal family members who live this culture of racism daily. I know I have growing to do. This prayer on the USCCB website has become for me a daily prayer now.
Wake me up Lord, so that the evil of racism
finds no home within me.
Keep watch over my heart Lord,
and remove from me any barriers to your grace,
that may oppress and offend my brothers and sisters.
Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give
services of justice and peace.
Clear my mind Lord, and use it for your glory.
And finally, remind us Lord that you said,
“blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.”
Amen.
This prayer is from For the Love of One Another (1989), a special message from the Bishops’ Committee on Black Catholics of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the Pastoral Letter, Brothers and Sisters to Us, the U.S. Catholic bishops’ Pastoral Letter on Racism (1979). www.usccb.org/resources/prayer-service-racial-healing-our-land
I pray for the Spirit of determined conversion this Lent and beyond. I pray I prefer the light to darkness and do not resist the Light. I am deeply grateful to and for my NACC brothers and sisters who take this journey together in the Community of Compassion I know as NACC. I believe we are committed to living the NACC Vision.
- forming life-giving relationships with individuals, families, colleagues, and organizations;
- advancing compassionate care through creative educational and spiritual growth opportunities;
- promoting the dignity of persons of every age, culture, and state in life.
NACC is a light of hope, whose members are persistently advocating for those dedicated to the spiritual care of people experiencing pain, vulnerability, joy, and hope.
Beloved, blessings on your Lenten Journey!
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
2. Requesting nominations for two member-elected seats on the NACC Board of Directors
The NACC Board of Directors will have for 2022 two open member-elected seats on the Board. The responsibilities of the Board of Directors can be found on NACC website. The NACC Nominations Panel is requesting applicants for these two positions. The Board application can be accessed here. Please consider applying or encouraging a member who you believe would be a valuable member of the Board to apply. Applications will be open until April 15, 2021. Please keep this leadership discernment process in your prayer.
3. NACC holds an extended learning session on “Just(ice) Listening: A Pathway toward Healing
More than one hundred NACC members registered for this past Saturday’s (3/13/21) three-hour NACC Members Only Virtual Event: Just(-ice) Listening: A Pathway toward Healing. This event was part of NACC’s on-going strategy towards racial justice. The event was planned and facilitated entirely by NACC members. Special thanks go to Jim Letourneau, Bridget Deegan-Krause, Brian Ballantine, Jeanine Annunziato, along with deep gratitude to Sr. Xiomara Mendez-Hernandez and the other NACC member panelists who identify from various racial backgrounds, who shared their personal experiences in their ministries, their communities, the Catholic Church, and the NACC. All participants were also able to share their experience and ongoing learning with one another in small groups. The recording of this virtual event along with the resource offered will be made available on the NACC website for members unable to attend the live presentation.
4. In Vision: Through a year of quarantine, hope has remained constant
It was a year ago last week that the reality of a pandemic hit every American hard. To begin our new Vision theme of where we have been and what we have learned, NACC Executive Director David Lichter reflects on how hope has carried us — not looking to the future for better things, but seeing the good things that always abide. To read more, click below.
Through a year of quarantine, hope has remained constant
5. Request for Vision writers: One year of pandemic
The March-April theme for our weekly Vision articles will be “Holding Hope: Lessons learned from one year of pandemic.” As we mark the strangest 12 months of our lives, it is also an opportunity to reflect, to remember, and to assess what we have lost and gained and what looks different now. If your institution has worked to build greater system-wide resilience, if your department is planning to memorialize the one-year mark since your first COVID case, if you have found a new way to extend your healing hands – we would like to hear from you. Please send a summary of your idea to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org
6. Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification
NACC in collaboration with APC offers Advanced Certification in Palliative Care and Hospice. This is available to all full members who have been Board Certified for at least one year, have over 3 years or 520 hours per year of direct clinical palliative care and/or hospice work experience and have completed an intensive palliative care and/or hospice course equivalent to three (3) credit hours (45 hours). If you feel that you meet these criteria, please contact Lisa Sarenac at lisasarenac@nacc.org for more information on how to apply.
7. NACC Networking Calls for March/April 2021 – All are welcome to participate!
Thursday, March 25, 2021; 6 p.m. CT – Member COVID Listening Call
Monday, April 12, 2021; 11 a.m. CT – Purposeful Retirement Networking Call
Wednesday, April 14, 2021; 12 p.m. CT – Palliative/Hospice Networking Call
Thursday, April 15, 2021; 3 p.m. CT – Nurse/Chaplain Networking Call
To sign up or for more information, questions, comments, or concerns contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org.
You must sign up 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 placed in a waiting room. Please be patient until the host joins the call and allows you access. THANK YOU!
8. Member COVID Listening Calls will continue in March
We are grateful for the participation and sharing that is happening during these calls. The NACC continues to look for ways to support those who have found this space as a way to share their thoughts and experiences. We continue to have good participation for our COVID Listening. Thank you. NACC will offer one general listening session on Thursday March 25, 2021. This is a general listening session asking for you to bring what is on your heart.
NOTE later time and time zone: Thursday March 25, 2021 – 7pm ET, 6pm CT, 5pm MT, 4pm PT
ATTENTION: You will need to register HERE for this call. You will be sent automatically the ZOOM information to access this session. If you have trouble registering please let us know at info@nacc.org.
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.
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. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
The NACC holds the Healing Tree as a place for members to seek the supporting prayers of their colleagues. We prayerfully support and publish the names submitted by our membership for themselves or their family members.
We continue to pray for our members: Marjorie A. Ackerman, Susan Balling, Sr. Theresa Chiappa, Fr. Jose Hernandez, Lee Carol S. Hollendonner, Robert Lopez, Sr. Ellen Moore, Rev. Richard J. O’Donnell, Fr. Jim Radde, Maritza Ramos, and Daniel Retelle.
For the intentions of: Sr. Mary A. DuPlain SJSM (for brother and a Sr. Edwardine of her congregation who passed away) and Edward M. Torres (for Walter Marston, Jorge Bermudez, Michelle Torres, Danielle Picchi).
For loved ones: Chuck Adcock (husband of Sandra Adcock), Russell Butler (husband of Carole Butler), Anne Eason (mother of Eve Kelly Corcoran), Liam O’Neill (brother of Mary T O’Neill), Hernando Salazar (father of Sr. Sandra Salazar), and Autumn Vaughn (great-niece of Linda Bronersky).
For the families of: Sr. Emily Demuth CSC (on the death of her sisters Patricia and Marietta), Mary Fiegel (on the death of her husband Lee Fiegel), Kathy Ponce (on the death of her sister Marilyn Silkey), Sr. Mary Brigid Riley (on the death of her brother John Riley), and Sr. Charlene A. Schaaf CDP (on the death of her mother Eva Scalzitti Schaaf).
Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing by emailing Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org). We will leave the person’s name on the Healing Tree list for three months unless you ask us to remove the name earlier. You can always request us to continue to list your name or intention.
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.
13. Don’t forget to check the NACC Coronavirus page for resources!
Please continue to check our NACC Coronavirus page for resources.
14. Register today for our NACC upcoming March webinar
The March webinar will be on March 18, 12:00 pm central, with Ms. Danielle M. Brown, Esq. Associate Director, Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism, addressing “USCCB US Bishops, Racism, and Implications for the Pastoral Care Healing Ministry.” Info/registration here
15. Learn about our 2021 NACC Education/Formation programming approach
As shared earlier with you, our 2021 Education Program is offering a thematic approach to each quarter that will include webinars, days of reflection, and an extended learning experience.
The second quarter is devoted to Behavioral/Mental Health. Here are the presenters for our April, May, and June Webinars!
- April 15 – Thomas Rea, BCC; Cory Mitchell, D Bioethics, MA; Anne Dohrenwend, PhD: The Mental Health / Behavioral Health toll on Chaplaincy Ministry During a Pandemic
- May 20 – Sarah Cledwyn, MA: Self-Care: Body, Mind, Spirit
- June 17 – Amittia Parker, PhDc, LMSW, MPA: Closing the Gap: Cultivating a Racially Equitable Mental Health Practice, and Implications for Spiritual Care[RF1]
Watch for more detail at https://www.nacc.org/education-resources/nacc-webinars-and-audio-conferences/2021-webinar-series-overview-and-registration/.
16. Other educational offerings
- Professional Chaplaincy Strategies for Building Value and Promoting Well-being, Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 1:30-3:00 pm Central Time – Register by Thursday, March 18, 2021
- A free USCCB webinar, “Co-Workers: Bishops and Lay Ecclesial Ministers in Conversation with Bishop William Wack, C.S.C.,” March 24 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
‘Co-Workers: Bishops and Lay Ecclesial Ministers in Conversation’ is an initiative of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. This free series of webinars and videos will feature conversations with bishops and lay collaborators about the landscape of lay ecclesial ministry today. Register here
17. 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
FT PRIEST CHAPLAIN + PT PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Paterson, NJ – St. Joseph’s Health
ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN
Indianapolis, IN – Franciscan Health
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE
Farmingdale, NY – Good Shepherd Hospice
DIRECTOR of PASTORAL CARE
Bangor, ME – St. Joseph Healthcare
CHAPLAIN
Canton, OH – Canton Mercy Medical Center
HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN PDM
Denver, CO – St. Joseph’s Hospital
CPE RESIDENCY
Corpus Christi, TX – CHRISTUS SPOHN Health System
CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN
Williamstown, MA – Williams College
CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN
Los Angeles, CA – Cedars-Sinai
