Issue #353 – June 7, 2021

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
2. A warm welcome to our new NACC members who joined us in May! *
3. Death of NACC members Sister Dorothy Ann Kline and Deacon John Rankin *
4. Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification
5. In Vision: Twenty years in correctional chaplaincy: Sharing humanity, setting boundaries *
6. In Vision: Effective prison ministry depends on minister’s approach *
7. Vision seeks contributors for prison ministry theme *
8. NACC Networking Calls for May and June 2021 – All are welcome to participate!
9. Member COVID Listening Calls will continue in June on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. *
10. Healing Tree: a request for prayers: (6/7/21) *
11. NACC Choose Chaplaincy Marketing materials are available
12. Stories from Chaplaincy & Paths to Chaplaincy

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR OUR NACC 2022 NATIONAL CONFERENCE!

13. Save a new date for our Buffalo National Conference! Friday, March 25 through Monday, March 28, 2022!

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

14. Register today for our June 17 NACC Webinar, “Closing the Gap: Cultivating a Racially Equitable Mental Health Practice, and Implications for Spiritual Care,” by Amittia Parker, PhDc, LMSW, MPA! June 17, 2021 ~ 12pm – 1:30pm Central Time *
15. Don’t miss our next extended virtual learning event, “The Challenges of Resiliency During a Pandemic,” on Saturday, June 26, 2021 *
16. Request: Invitation to participate in a research project on care for deceased patients *
17. Don’t forget to check the NACC Anti-Racism page for resources!
18. Don’t forget to check the NACC Coronavirus page for resources!
19. Other Education Offerings *
20. Recent job postings *

1. Executive Director’s Reflection *
Yesterday was the feast of The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. I appreciated all three readings emphasizing the word Covenant, the unbreakable bond of God to us, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you.” (Exodus 24:8) Jesus was the “mediator of a new covenant.” (Heb. 9:15) In the Gospel we read Jesus saying, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” (Mk.14:24) God initiated it and will not break it.

This covenant concept had me wondering how I embody this in my life and ministry. How will people know through me that God’s unbreakable bond is for them, is already theirs? How do I show a covenantal caring? How do I, even when I have to leave a room or say goodbye, communicate “God and I are not going anywhere. We are here for you.” Or “Even if I am leaving a person’s life for the time being, God is not.” What does that look or sound like? Is it reassurance or firmness in my voice? Is it kind eyes and that look of love? Is it simply emanating the sacredness of being with them that will linger?

During the weeks we could not participate in person in the Eucharist and receive the Body and Blood of Christ, our parish Church chose this “spiritual communion” that one could read during the Communion rite of the streamed Mass. I appreciated it, as it expressed some of my own longings, and invited God’s “I am not going anywhere.”

I was struck by the prayer “let me be consumed by your complete desire for me.” And resonated with the sentence, “And on the day of my baptism you poured your love into my heart through the Holy Spirit who unites me eternally to you.” It’s a way of expressing “Covenant” – God desires me completely and is not going anywhere and is united forever to me.

So, thinking about “real presence” – God being with us in the Eucharist – had me thinking anew about “pastoral presence.” It seems to imply not just being with someone in a caring way but being with them in a way that our God, who desires us totally and is forever with and for us, is present in our being with another. Pastoral presence is a Covenantal care.

Does that make any sense to you? What does it look like in your and my life and ministry?

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

2. A warm welcome to our new NACC members who joined us in May! *
Please join us in welcoming our newest NACC members who joined us in May 2021!

Chaplaincy Ministry
Mr. Philip B. Engle (Coupeville, WA)
Ms. Mary Ellen Herx (Mansfield, MA)
Rev. Paul Ifeadi (Cambria Heights, NY)
Mr. Roderick C. Laviste (Woodridge, IL)
Rev. Emmanuel T. Mensah (Suffolk, VA)
Ms. Deborah A. Nelis (Indianapolis, IN)
Tammy J. Reiser (West Chester, OH)

Student
Mrs. Theresa A. Abbott (Omaha, NE)
Ms. Janice L. Burns-Watson (Lima, OH)
Rev. Mark D. McGregor (Sioux Falls, SD)
Dr. Charles (“Charlie”) R. Noel (Andover, MN)
Mr. Steven H. Payne (Portland, OR)
Mr. Eric M. Watts (Atlanta, GA)

Volunteer Ministry
Mr. Paul Arrigo (Deer Park, TX)
Ms. Cheryl A. Bachand (Southbridge, MA)
Ms. Nancy Samantha Boyd (Simpsonville, SC)
Mr. John Chick (St. John’s, FL)
Mr. Michael Cory Hendrick (Bryan, TX)

3. Death of NACC members Sister Dorothy Ann Kline and Deacon John Rankin *
We recently learned of the death of two of our NACC members. May our gentle God grant them the fullness of Life they provided others in their ministries.

• Deacon John (Jack) Rankin died May 12, 2021. Jack joined NACC in 1988 and was certified in 1989. In the days of the NACC regions, Jack was a certification interviewer. www.shaw-davis.com/obituary/DeaconJohn-Rankin
• Sister Dorothy Ann Kline, SM, BCC, died May 30, 2021. She joined NACC in 1981 and was certified in 1982. Her pastoral care ministry included a clown ministry!

4. Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification
NACC in collaboration with APC offers Advanced Certification in Palliative Care and Hospice. This level of certification is available to all full members who have been Board Certified for at least on 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). Deadline for this application process is July 15, 2021 for an interview on Sunday, September 26, 2021. Please contact Lisa Sarenac at lisasarenac@nacc.org for more information.

5. In Vision: Twenty years in correctional chaplaincy: Sharing humanity, setting boundaries *
In our newest Vision post, Sr. Patricia Weidman reflects on her career in correctional chaplaincy, including the need to set boundaries, to minister to all faiths, and to share empathy about the impact of violence. To read more, click below.
Twenty years in correctional chaplaincy: Sharing humanity and setting boundaries

6. In Vision: Effective prison ministry depends on minister’s approach *
Chaplains considering a vocation to prison ministry will appreciate our Vision review of two books by Anne Windholz. The authors approach the topic from different angles, but both agree that ministry must be about relationships, not about controlling behavior. To read more, click below.
Effective prison ministry depends on minister’s approach

7. Vision seeks contributors for prison ministry theme *
Our May-June issue of Vision focused on ministry in prisons, a setting that is growing in numbers within our NACC membership. If you have experience in prison ministry and want to share best practices with colleagues, or to explain your work to chaplains in other settings, we want to hear from you. Please send a summary of your idea to Vision Editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org.

8. NACC Networking Calls for June 2021 – All are welcome to participate! *

Wednesday, June 9; 12 p.m. CT NACC Palliative Hospice Networking Call
Monday, June 14; 1 p.m. CT NACC CPE-E Community of Practice
Tuesday, June 15; 11 a.m. CT (or) NACC State Liaison Networking Call
Wednesday, June 16; 4 p.m. CT NACC COVID Listening Call
Thursday, June 17; 3 p.m. CT NACC State Liaison 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, you will receive a 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!

9. Member COVID Listening Calls will continue in June on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. *
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 to share their thoughts and experiences. We continue to have good participation for our COVID Listening. Thank you. NACC will offer a listening session on June 16. This is a general listening session asking for you to bring what is on your heart. Our topics vary to address what is important to you in the moment.

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.

10. Healing Tree: a request for prayers: (6/7/21) *
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 ask that you please include members and their families who have been affected by the COVID pandemic in your prayers

We continue to pray for our members: Sr. Ann M. Regan SC, BCC, Lee Carol S. Hollendonner, Sr. Leonie T. Iweh DMMM, Mary Beth Moran, Sr. Ellen Moore, Rev. Samuel O. Nkansah, Fr. Jim Radde SJ, Martiza Ramos-Pratt, Deacon Thomas J. Rea, and Sr. Louise F. Zaplitny SC.

For the intentions of: Donald L. Brown (for Beth Ann Scannell and her husband Bob), and Sr. Mary A. DuPlain SJSM (for brother Larry and Sr. Edwardine of her congregation who passed away).

For loved ones: Chuck Adcock (husband of Sandra Adcock), Rhonda Glennon (daughter of Anita Glennon), Fred Leas (husband of Charlotte Leas), Bill Ruiz (husband of Cathi Ruiz), Richard Valeriote (father of Catherine Valeriote), and Autumn Vaughn (great-niece of Linda Bronersky).

For the families of: Timothy Duff (on the death of his wife Theresa), Cindy Dwyer (on the death of her mother Judith Dwyer), Mary Fiegel (on the death of her husband Lee Fiegel), Linda Freeman (on the death of her husband Joseph Freeman), Kathleen Mattone (on the death of family member Nathan Burnett), Mary T. O’Neill (on the death of her brother Liam), Judi Pasino (on the death of a family member and Terry and Michael James Quatrani), Sr. Charlene A. Schaaf CDP (on the death of her mother Eva Scalzitti Schaaf) and Catherine Valeriote (on the death of her mother).

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 leave the name on longer.

11. NACC Choose Chaplaincy Marketing materials are available
With church activity returning, remember that you can represent NACC and chaplaincy with materials for the narthex, Youth Groups, or other organizations within and outside of your church community. Check out our Choose Chaplaincy videos, Q& A, and materials on our website: www.nacc.org/about-nacc/choose-chaplaincy and www.nacc.org/about-nacc/choose-chaplaincy/materials

12. Stories from Chaplaincy & Paths to Chaplaincy
NACC’s most recent marketing efforts are posting chaplaincy videos on Facebook. These are posted every 2 weeks beginning on April 7th and will continue into September. Please view and like and share to make others aware of the gifts and talents chaplains share and their stories of how their journey happened. https://www.facebook.com/choosechaplaincy

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR OUR NACC 2022 NATIONAL CONFERENCE!

13. Save a new date for our Buffalo National Conference!
Our NACC members recently received a special notice that we changed the date of our next annual National Conference from end of October 2021 to Friday, March 25, 2022 through Monday, March 28, 2022. https://www.nacc.org/conference/ While we are disappointed that we needed to change the date again, the NACC Board of Directors appreciated the recent survey of our members that gave us convincing data that a fall 2021 date would not provide the attendance needed to make a National Conference successful. So, mark your calendars for 2022! We will meet in 2022!

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

14. Register today for our June 17 NACC Webinar, “Closing the Gap: Cultivating a Racially Equitable Mental Health Practice, and Implications for Spiritual Care,” by Amittia Parker, PhDc, LMSW, MPA! June 17, 2021 ~ 12pm – 1:30pm Central Time *
While many helping professionals are now more aware of racial disparities in mental health, the field is predominantly White and there is a gap in understanding and subsequently, action. This interactive workshop will focus on increasing awareness of racism within the continuum of mental health care, building skills for managing emotions in conversations about race/racism, and intentional action for racial equity and justice.

By the end of this presentation participants will be able to:

• Describe racial disparities in mental health
• Conduct a self-assessment, with particular attention to their knowledge, skills, and actions for racial equity and justice
• Identify at least two intentional actions to move towards using a racially sensitive approach in their ministry and the provision of emotional and spiritual support

NACC Certification Competencies: PIC6, PPS3

Presenter: Amittia Parker, LMSW, MPA, PhDc, has worked for a decade as a mental health consultant across a variety of settings in Kansas City, including home-based services, childcare centers, school-based services, and health clinics. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and engaged in research, teaching, and service. Her research agenda is focused on promoting minority mental health, with a particular interest in Black and Latinx families with young children. Her current research projects focus on mental health among Black mothers and social work students, natural helping spaces, and behavioral health service availability and delivery. Amittia promotes racially sensitive practice both within the courses she teaches and in guest lectures. Amittia also provides training and consultation services focused on racial equity and mental health. She serves in leadership roles in local, state, and national venues focused on infant and early childhood, the African American community, and Black social workers.

REGISTER HERE

15. Don’t miss our next extended virtual learning event, “The Challenges of Resiliency During a Pandemic,” on Saturday, June 26, 2021 *
Our second extended virtual learning event will be on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Join us! We had over a hundred participants in the first one. This will be a very rich experience. For full details, go to: www.nacc.org/education-resources/june-virtualevent.
The virtual event will be held utilizing ZOOM and recorded and posted on the NACC website for registrants unable to attend the live presentation.
Pacific: 9:00 am -12:00 pm
Mountain: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Central: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Eastern: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Overview and Objectives
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges around the globe that will undoubtedly be experienced for years. For those who work in health care settings, the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll has been immense. Chaplains have been challenged to minister in new and creative ways while supporting staff resiliency. A chaplain’s attention and dedication to self-care can easily be overlooked or not given priority amidst so many demands. Join us for this three-hour webinar to learn, to be reminded, and to be inspired with the importance of resiliency in spiritual care.

The featured presenter will be Adam Gonzalez who has taught, researched, and written extensively on mental health.

As a result of the virtual event, participants will be able to:

• Identify how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the condition of health care workers (ITP3)
• Develop tools within one’s ministry setting to support staff resiliency (PPS2, OL1, OL2.1)
• List examples to support a chaplain’s self-care (PIC3, PIC3.1, PIC3.2, PIC3.3)

REGISTER HERE

16. Request: Invitation to participate in a research project on care for deceased patients *
My name is Keiji Ozu, and I am a 2nd year CCBD (Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders) resident at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, TX. As part of our curriculum for our 4th unit of CPE, I am conducting a research project inquiring best practices to patients and their families. I would like to collect data for a consensus approach included with a literature review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Regarding best practice for deceased patients:

• What type of gurney and/or device is used to transport the deceased patient to the morgue?
• At CMC Dallas, we use a roller gurney with a navy-blue cover that we would like to replace
• How are deceased patients transported at your hospital?
• Are there policies in place for standard practice? Are chaplains involved with leadership in writing policy?
• Who is responsible for transporting the deceased patient to the morgue?
• If possible, please attach a photo of your gurney and/or device that is used to transport the deceased

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Please send your responses to my email, keiji.ozu@childrens.com. If interested, I can provide you the findings that I collect.

17. 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/

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/.

19. Other Education Offerings *

• June 18th deadline to register for The Interprofessional Communication Curriculum
  (ICC) Course, funded by grants from the National Cancer Institute that provides interprofessional communication training to adult oncology nurses, chaplains and socials workers. The curriculum focuses on the 8 domains of quality palliative care defined by the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. For more information visit the ICC website at www.cityofhope.org/ICC.
• Little Sisters of the Poor Prayer Hour to pray for the end of the Pandemic, Saturday, June 12, 2021, 4:00 pm central time littlesistersofthepoor.org

20. 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

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
National Association of Catholic Chaplains

MISSION CONSULTANT
Zanesville, OH – Genesis HealthCare System

CHAPLAIN
Zanesville, OH – Genesis HealthCare System

PRIEST/CHAPLAIN – FT
Camden, NJ – Virtua Health

CHAPLAIN
West Michigan – Mercy Health

SPIRITUAL CARE ASSOCIATE/CHAPLAIN
Norfolk, NE – Faith Regional Health Services

DIRECTOR SPIRITUAL CARE – EAST
Trinity Health

CHAPLAIN
Camp Hill, PA – Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center

CLINICAL CHAPLAIN
Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital

ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS
Archdiocese of New York