Issue #367 – December 20, 2021

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

NACC

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. We are deeply grateful to those of you who were able to give to our 2021 Annual Member Campaign! One week left if you would still like to give!
3. Answering the Call to Certification Interviewing Webinar, January 13, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
4. In Vision: Spiritual direction points toward deeper relationship with God and others
5. In Vision: Patient learns that friendship means accepting as well as giving
6. NACC Networking Calls for January 2022 – All are welcome to participate!
7. The Member Listening Call for January will be Tuesday, January 18, 2022!
8. Listening Hearts are available
9. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
10. Follow us on Social Media! Please look at, like, and follow our NACC Social Media meme graphics and Instagram!
11. We need you to promote chaplaincy as a ministry and profession in the Church!!
12. Great resources for those who want to learn of Chaplaincy! Stories From Chaplaincy & Paths to Chaplaincy

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR OUR NACC 2022 NATIONAL CONFERENCE!
BUFFALO, NEW YORK ~ FRIDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH MONDAY MARCH, 2022.

13. Health & Safety Requirements to Attend the Conference
14. 2022 Conference – Registration is now OPEN!

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. Special CPMC Educational Packet to explore the issue of mass incarceration for Lenten program for parishes and faith communities!
16. Other Resources from Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC)
17. Update on a research study from 2020. Thank you for your support and contribution!
18. Recent job postings

 

1. Executive Director’s Reflection
Our little granddaughter, Violet, who just turned four years old yesterday, was at our home last week and viewing our collection of crèches. In one of them carved from wood with more abstract figures she picked up the object and said to Jackie. This is a cross! Jackie replied, “No, that’s baby Jesus.” Violet quickly responded, “Is it a cross and baby Jesus?”

Out of the mouths of babes! For so many this Christmas it certainly feels that way. Suffering in so many forms has touched our lives and the loves of our lives. Each of us has a long list of people to pray for. People who count on us to be the people of compassion and hope we have been called to be.

I was struck differently this time as I reflected on yesterday’s Gospel of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. I read, “where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Lk. 1:40-42) I began to think about all the ways you walk into rooms and lives and greet people. Your voices so often bring comfort and joy just by your greeting and visiting. I think of all the ways faith leaps within them, as their hearts and their yearnings recognize you and the Lord’s presence in you. Blessed are you and blessed is your ministry of healing as you imitate Mary’s visit to Elizabeth every day!

When the cross of suffering and the experience of the Christmas are so entwined, you are hope and joy to so many. I am so grateful.

Blessings of this Christmas season and our 2022!

David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director

 

2. We are deeply grateful to those of you who were able to give to our 2021 Annual Member Campaign! One week left if you would still like to give!
Our 2021 Annual Campaign will soon be completed! We are deeply grateful to all those who have been able to give to the Campaign this year! We have exceeded our 2021 Goal of $57,000 with 476 gifts totaling $61,489. With just a little less than two weeks left in this year, we certainly welcome your year-end gift if you would like to do so! Thank you!

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.

 

3. Answering the Call to Certification Interviewing Webinar, January 13, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. CT
Interested in Serving as an Interviewer for Certification Interviews in 2022? If you are board certified and have never served as an Interviewer for our Initial Certification Interviews and are wondering what this service looks like, please join us for our free webinar on January 13, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time to learn about this role and discern if you would like to be part of a team for the spring interviews. Please register here to receive the link to join this webinar.

 

4. In Vision: Spiritual direction points toward deeper relationship with God and others
A good relationship with a spiritual director can help develop other relationships, both with God and with other people in our life. To read more from spiritual director Amelia Stratton-Smith in Vision, click below.
Spiritual direction points toward deeper relationships with God and others

 

5. In Vision: Patient learns that friendship means accepting as well as giving
When someone who’s accustomed to caring for other people needs care himself, will he be able to ask for it? In our newest Vision article, Jennifer Paquette remembers the case of a patient who struggled with that reality before he learned to reverse the situation in his mind. To read more, click below.
Patient learns that friendship means accepting as well as giving

 

6. NACC Networking Calls for January 2022 – All are welcome to participate!
Monday, January 10; 1 p.m. MT Colorado State Networking Call
Thursday, January 13; 12 p.m. CT NACC Palliative/Hospice Networking Call
Friday, January 14; 11 a.m. CT NACC Directors of Spiritual Care Networking Call
Tuesday, January 18; 3 p.m. CT NACC Member Listening Call
Thursday, January 20; 3:30 p.m. ET Kentucky State 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. When you reply, you will receive a ZOOM link to connect either by computer or 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!

 

7. The Member Listening Call for January will be Tuesday, January 18, 2022!
It’s a strenuous time on health care staff and chaplains. Weariness, fatigue, changes in staffing and uncertainties continue to be with us. We continue to offer our listening sessions and remain grateful for the participation and sharing that is happening during these virtual communities. The NACC strives to support those who have found it helpful and healing to share their thoughts and experiences in these gatherings, as well to be there for one another.

We continue to have good participation for our Member Listening. Thank you. NACC will offer a listening session on January 18. We ask 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.

 

8. Listening Hearts are available
The holidays can be stressful. Listening Hearts are available for NACC members who may be experiencing and feeling the cumulative impact of frustration, grief, and anger. We recognize that these are unusual and uncertain times. You are continually stretched in new ways and faced with challenging choices. Allowing an experienced retired chaplain to provide the support you provide for others may help in navigating the new normal. We invite you to share your burden by reaching out for the 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. (Spanish speaking chaplain available)

 

9. 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 also 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: Rev. William Blum CSC, Sr. Madeline Cipriano, Sr. Andre Dembowski RSM, Mary Espitia, Denice Foose, M. Elizabeth Heffernan, Fr. George Henninger LMHC, Sr. Ellen Moore, Fr. Jim Radde SJ, Maritza Ramos-Pratt, Sr. Paula M. Tinlin SND, Rev. Henry M. Williams, and Sr. Louise F. Zaplitny SC.

For the intentions of: Robert Legato (for wife Claudia Legato), and Nicholas Perkins (for mother Pearl Marie Perkins).

For loved ones: Autumn Vaughn (great-niece of Linda Bronersky), Eleanor Morgan (mother of M. Kelly Catone), Larry DuPlain (brother of Sr. Mary A. DuPlain SJSM), Brian Grasmick (husband of Victoria Grasmick), Fred Leas (husband of Charlotte Leas), Kathi Peot and family (sister-in-law of Mary Heintzkill), and Natalie (cousin of Sue Walker).

For the families of: Rev. Marc Angelo (on the death of his mother Felita Malave), Deborah Bradley (on the death of her father-in-law Jack Bradley), Nancy Cook (on the death of her husband Randy Heydenberg), Sr. Emily Demuth CSC (on the death of her sister Bernice Wagner), the family of Tamara Durand on her death, Rev. John O. Ekeocha (on the death of his mother Catherine Ekeocha), Marga A. Halala on her death, Sr. Margaret Oettinger (on the death of her godson John Consigli), and Michael Onuoha (on the death of his aunt Kuma Okonkwo).

There are those members for whom their needs are personal, so please remember our members whose journey needs the support of your prayer.

If you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing, email 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.

 

10. Follow us on Social Media! Please look at, like, and follow our NACC Social Media meme graphics and Instagram!
We continue our new series of popular social media meme graphics. The themes for this campaign are Chaplain Wisdom and Join NACC. They will post each Tuesday morning, and we would love for you to share them on your own personal social media channels, as you feel moved. Please make sure to like and follow us on Facebook (@choosechaplaincy), LinkedIn (@National Association of Catholic Chaplains) and on our new Instagram (@NACC_Chaplains). If you would like to be a part of NACC’s Instagram story, please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) to speak with someone from the NACC Marketing Panel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Catholic Chaplains (@nacc_chaplains)

 

11. We need you to promote chaplaincy as a ministry and profession in the Church!!
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 or email Ramune Franitza rfranitza@nacc.org.

 

12. Great resources for those who want to learn of Chaplaincy! Stories from Chaplaincy & Paths to Chaplaincy
NACC’s most recent marketing effort is promoting chaplaincy videos on Facebook. 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. www.facebook.com/choosechaplaincy.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR
OUR NACC 2022 NATIONAL CONFERENCE!

BUFFALO, NEW YORK
FRIDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH MONDAY MARCH, 2022

13. Health & Safety Requirements to Attend the Conference
For the protection of all attending the 2022 Conference, the Conference Planning Task Force with the support of the NACC Board of Directors has established specific requirements in order to attend the conference. We recognize that the requirements may exclude some members of the NACC from attending the conference in-person. Even considering this, we have determined that the only way that we feel safe to proceed with an in-person Conference would be to minimize the health risks in these ways.

14. REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! How to Register for the Conference.
Conference registration opens today, December 20, 2021. In the spirit of serving the members of the NACC, the Board of Directors has thoughtfully considered to offer all NACC members a reduced rate to attend the March conference. The past eighteen months have been difficult to say the least both emotionally and for many financially. It is the hope of the board members that offering the reduced rates will help members afford the cost of the conference.

Please note that a “conference flyer” will not be mailed. Instead, we invite our members to browse the conference website pages to learn all about the conference. Check out the schedule, plenary speakers, workshops, and the liturgical experiences we will be offering. We hope you will consider joining us in Buffalo.

The NACC provides three (3) options to register for the NACC Conference:

1. Register online and pay with Visa, MasterCard, America Express, or Discover.
2. Register online and indicate you will send a check or money order.
3. Print a registration form, complete, and mail to the NACC National Office with your check or money order.

NACC Members – To receive the discounted Member rate for registration, you must log into the registration portal with your NACC username and password. The username is your NACC member number OR your primary email address (as noted in our membership database). If you do not remember your password, you can simply reset it.

Conference Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships will be available from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains for registration fees for the 2022 NACC Conference. Applicants must apply no later than Thursday, January 6, 2022. Visit the NACC website for more information.

 

CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS

15. Special CPMC Educational Packet to explore the issue of mass incarceration for Lenten program for parishes and faith communities!
On behalf of the Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition, we would like to provide your faith community with Who Do You Say That I Am?, (www.catholicprisonministries.org/lenten-series), a Lenten educational packet that can be used to explore the issue of mass incarceration in America through the lens of our Catholic faith.

We are delighted to provide you with the convenience of a downloadable packet and facilitator’s PowerPoint, which includes an outline for facilitating three group sessions and other related materials. We invite you to use these materials to journey with your community this Lent, such that people’s hearts may be softened, and outreach efforts might increase. CPMC is available to help you implement these important reflections. In fact, our January 12th webinar is devoted to walking facilitators through the implementation of this series. Register here. Please join us!

We wish you many blessings as you discern participation in this meaningful and fruitful process. We would also like to invite you to share this resource with colleagues and community members. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or needs. (info@catholicprisonministries.org)

In Christ, The CPMC Education Committee

 

16. Other Resources from Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC)

• Holding Still, Centering Prayer and the Spiritual Journey, is a riveting, candid and insightful documentary film about practicing centering prayer while incarcerated in Folsom Prison. You can view the film and download a reflection guide at www.catholicprisonministries.org/holding-still-2
• The PBS series, Searching for Justice explores criminal justice reform unfolding across the country, as leaders from both sides of the political aisle attempt to end mass incarceration by rethinking laws that some say have become barriers to work, housing, and economic stability. www.pbs.org/newshour/tag/searching-for-justice
• CPMC continues to host town halls and offer webinars monthly on topics vital to prison ministry, but many pertain to all chaplaincy ministry. These are all available without cost. Browse the titles at: www.catholicprisonministries.org/webinars

 

17. Update on a research study from 2020. Thank you for your support and contribution!

One year ago, in our December 7, 2020 issue, we posted a request for participation in a research study conducted by doctoral student James H. Bunch. We received this message from James early this morning:

 

18. 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 – PASTORAL CARE
Everett, Washington – Providence Regional Medical Center

MANAGER of SPIRITUAL CARE
Baltimore, Maryland – Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital

ACPE CERTIFIED EDUCATOR
Eau Claire, WI – Mayo Clinic

MANAGER of MISSION SERVICES and SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Riverside, CT – St. Catherine of Siena Parish

DIOCESAN PRIEST
Hastings, MN – Benedictine Living Community of Regina

WOMEN & INFANTS STAFF CHAPLAIN
Milwaukee, WI — Ascension Wisconsin Spiritual Care

STAFF CHAPLAIN
Jacksonville, FL – Mayo Clinic

CHAPLAIN
Quincy, IL – Blessing Health System

Click here to browse all job listings.