Issue #369 – January 24, 2022
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
NACC
1. A Member’s Reflection
2. Invitation to share reflections of your ministry
3. 2022 World Day of the Sick, invitation to share your prayer with membership.
4. Remembering our recently deceased member. May she rest in God’s peace
5. Consider 2022 volunteer leadership with NACC’s Board, Commissions, Committees, and Panels!
6. Remember DEADLINE is Tuesday, February 15, 2022 for Initial Certification Applications!
7. In Vision: Vision wants to hear about your first career
8. NACC Networking Calls for February 2022 – All are welcome to participate!
9. The Member Listening Call for February will be Wednesday, February 16, 2022!
10. Listening Hearts are available for chaplain support
11. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
12. Follow us on Social Media! Please look at, like, and follow our NACC Social Media meme graphics and Instagram!
13. We need you to promote chaplaincy as a ministry and profession in the Church!!
14. Great resources for those who want to learn of Chaplaincy! Stories from Chaplaincy & Paths to Chaplaincy15.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR OUR
NACC 2022 NATIONAL CONFERENCE!
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
FRIDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH MONDAY MARCH, 2022.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH MONDAY MARCH, 2022.
15. Save this date for our Buffalo National Conference! Friday, March 25 through Monday, March 28, 2022!
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
16. 2022 Webinar Series
17. Invitation to chaplains living or working in New Jersey
18. Live streamed Mass for Healthcare Professionals and Caregivers; February 19; 5:30pm PT (3:30pm CT) St. James Cathedral (Seattle, WA)
19. Called Into Healing ~ A Retreat for Ministers, March 4-6, 2022
20. Special CPMC Educational Packet to explore the issue of mass incarceration for Lenten programs for parishes and faith communities!
21. Other Resources from Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC)
22. Recent job postings
The Feast of St. Francis De Sales
In 1923, Pope Pius XI named St. Francis de Sales the patron saint of Catholic writers and the Catholic press because of the tracts and books he wrote. He is also the patron saint of the deaf, journalists, adult education, and the Sisters of St. Joseph.
1. A Member’s Reflection
It was years ago when we were on a trip in the winter with my in laws. We took a sightseeing trip on an old road out into the wilderness in Utah. My father-in-law’s pickup had a camper on it. It had become stuck in the mud when the temperature dropped suddenly. As it started snowing heavily, my father-in-law left and got his old Jeep to pull it and us out. He told me to get in the Jeep, stay ahead of him and plow through the snowbanks; he would follow me in the pickup. He said, “Whatever you do – do not stop, or I will plow right into you.”
The snow began falling even heavier as I started down the dirt road. Snow drifts were starting to develop. After about a quarter mile, I hit the first snowdrift with the Jeep. The Jeep went airborne. As the wheels sought to find the road again, I looked in the rear-view mirror to see the lights of the truck growing ever bigger as the truck neared me. Time seemed to stop. It seemed as if the wheels were never going to find the ground, and I felt my body starting to tense for the inevitable impact.
As the lights on the pickup grew larger, I could hear its engine roaring behind me. Finally, in what seemed like forever, the wheels caught the road and I lurched forward through the snowbank and on forward, with the pickup close behind. I floored the pedal and gained some ground.
About every quarter mile a new snowbank would appear. Each time the same thing happened – the lights grew bigger, the engine roared, and somehow, by the grace of God, we made it to the highway and finally found a level road with no more snowbanks.
The other night I had a dream about something chasing me, and it reminded me of the snow and the pickup incident. I know that COVID is chasing me, chasing us. It seems to be charging down upon us some days more than others. It seems right upon us. We continue to plow through, and plow through, and plow through.
But the advice my father-in-law provided is still relevant, “Whatever you do – DO NOT STOP” Taking each day as it comes, our tires will grab the road, we will do what we can and together we must remain in the belief that we will indeed make it to a much safer highway at the end of the COVID road – DO NOT STOP. Keep the faith.
Dn. Jack Conrad BCC
Chair-elect NACC Board of Director
Manager of Spiritual Care
Christus St. Vincent, Santa Fe, NM
2. Invitation to share reflections of your ministry
NACC would like to offer the opportunity for our members to share thoughtful reflections of their ministry throughout the year. Please offer your thoughts that would inspire your colleagues by sending your reflection to Ramune Franitza rfranitza@nacc.org. We may also post previous reflections from our former Executive Directors.
3. 2022 World Day of the Sick, invitation to share your prayer with membership.
2021 has been a year that has stretched our ministry. Many of you have reached out with prayers of your own, from your heart and from your deepest thoughts.
Pope Francis offers his thoughts for the World Day of the Sick. This day is being remembered on February 11, 2022.
www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/sick/documents/20211210_30-giornata-malato.html.
Please consider sharing your personally composed prayer(s) with our membership by submitting a prayer for the Sick and/or a prayer for the Caregiver. Previous cards can be found here: www.nacc.org/resources/spirituality-and-prayer-resources/world-day-of-the-sick/archives
Your prayers may be sent to Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org no later than January 28, 2022.
NACC Vision editors will choose a Prayer for the Sick and a Prayer for the Caregiver for translation and design. All prayers will be made a resource to our members.
4. Remembering our recently deceased member. May she rest in God’s peace
Please remember in prayers Sr. Jenny Ricci, CND, former NACC Chaplain first certified in 1979, who passed away on October 20, 2021. In the late 1990s at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago (now part of the Amita system and called Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center.) Her obituary may be viewed at this link: www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mary-ricci-cnd-obituary?id=31096142
5. Consider 2022 volunteer leadership with NACC’s Board, Commissions, Committees, and Panels!
NACC is grateful for all those called to leadership in our Association. Prayerfully consider offering your gifts and talents in your areas of interest and expertise. If you feel called to join our leadership team, please take a look at opportunities available here or contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) to speak with someone from the NACC Nominations Panel. NACC will hold elections this summer for 2 Board vacancies.
6. Remember DEADLINE is Tuesday, February 15, 2022 for Initial Certification Applications!
Application portfolios for initial certification need to be mailed to the office or uploaded on our website at www.nacc.org/certification/certification-submission-form by Tuesday, February 15, 2022! 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: Vision wants to hear about your first career
The majority of NACC members came to chaplaincy after spending years or decades in some other field. For the new issue of Vision, we are seeking your stories about what you did before chaplaincy, and how those experiences influence your ministry today. Please send a summary of your idea to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org.
In Vision: Ethics Commission can offer informal help with difficult situations
If NACC members have an ethics concern, our Ethics Commission can offer support long before the drastic step of a formal hearing. In our newest Vision article, Ethics Commission Chair Fr. Jim Huth describes how an unofficial listener may help to resolve some situations. To read more, click below.
www.nacc.org/vision/nacc/ethics-commission-can-offer-informal-help-with-difficult-situations
In Vision: USCCB and NACC enjoy decades of mutual resourcing and support
Last fall, the NACC completed its recertification with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, required every seven years. In our newest Vision article, the USCCB’s Marc DelMonico describes how the two organizations have helped each other for decades. To read more, click below.
www.nacc.org/vision/nacc/usccb-and-nacc-enjoy-decades-of-mutual-resourcing-and-support
8. NACC Networking Calls for February 2022 – All are welcome to participate!
Thursday, February 3; 12 p.m. CT – NACC Purposeful Retirement Networking Call
https://web.nacc.org/events/NACC-Purposeful-Retirement-Networking-Call-1285/details
Thursday, February 10; 12 p.m. CT – NACC Palliative/Hospice Networking Call
https://web.nacc.org/events/NACC-Palliative-Hospice-Networking-Call-2-10-1292/details
Wednesday, February 16; 3 p.m. CT – NACC Member Listening Call
https://web.nacc.org/events/NACC-Member-Listening-Session-2-16–1286/details
To sign up use the links above or for more information, questions, comments, concerns or to receive notes contact Ramune Franitza at rfranitza@nacc.org.
You will receive a ZOOM link in your Registration Confirmation. You must register to participate and receive the ZOOM link for the call. Even if you are unable to participate, please register so that notes can be forwarded.
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. The Member Listening Call for February will be Wednesday, February 16, 2022!
Spiritual Care continues to support patients and staff during the Omicron surge. Often, it is helpful to spend an hour with those who understand, our colleagues. We continue to offer our listening sessions and remain grateful for the participation and sharing that is happening during these virtual communities. Sharing is confidential to the group.
NACC will offer one listening session on Wednesday, February 16; 4pm ET, 3pm CT, 2pm MT, 1pm PT (11am HI).
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 the ZOOM information automatically to access this session. If you have trouble registering please let us know at info@nacc.org.
Notes from previous sessions can be found here. Sharing is confidential to the group. Notes do not reflect the names of the speakers.
For more resources and blog updates, be sure to read the latest updates on our Coronavirus resources page.
10. Listening Hearts are available for chaplain support
A Listening Heart is always available for one-on-one conversation (Spanish speaker available).
This ministry is provided by NACC retired chaplains. Please contact Ramune Franitza (rfranitza@nacc.org) if you would like to speak with a Listening Heart or have questions.
11. 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, Susan DeLongis, Sr. Andre Dembowski RSM, Denice Foose, M. Elizabeth Heffernan, Fr. George Henninger LMHC, Sr. Ellen Moore, Fr. Jim Radde SJ, Martiza Ramos-Pratt, Sr. Paula M. Tinlin SND, Wanda Walker, 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), Kathi Peot and family (sister-in-law of Mary Heintzkill), and Natalie (cousin of Sue Walker).
For the families of: Bev Beltramo (on the death of her niece Jessica Grassmick, [her parents Carol & Jim Grassmick and her three young children]), Deborah Bradley (on the death of her father-in-law Jack Bradley), Bonnie Burnett (on the death of her brother Terence Burnett), the family of Tamara Durand on her death, Rev. John O. Ekeocha (on the death of his mother Catherine Ekeocha), and Marga A. Halala on her death.
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.
12. 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.
13. We need you to promote chaplaincy as a ministry and profession in the Church!!
NEW BROCHURES!
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.
14. 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.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25 THROUGH MONDAY MARCH, 2022.
15. Save this date for our Buffalo National Conference! Friday, March 25 through Monday, March 28, 2022!
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.
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:
- Register online and pay with Visa, MasterCard, America Express, or Discover.
- Register online and indicate you will send a check or money order.
- 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.
16. 2022 Webinar Series
The NACC will be offering professional development Webinars in 2022. Unlike prior years, our programming will not begin until the second quarter of the year. First quarter will be spent planning our program to ensure we are able to provide quality education to our members and those serving in spiritual care. Our goal is to still provide the same number of webinars in 2022, however given the later start, there may be some months that we host more than one webinar. As information is available it will be disseminated to our members through NACC Now, our website, and direct email campaigns. If you have any questions, please contact NACC directly (education@nacc.org).
17. Invitation to chaplains living or working in New Jersey
The Chaplaincy Innovation Lab invites all chaplains working or living in New Jersey, including our members, to a half day conference to close our project with Drew University and the Russell Berrie Foundation. The conference will be January 28 and is currently planned with both in-person and virtual options, although we may resort to all-virtual pending COVID developments.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Betsy Stone of Hebrew Union College as our keynote speaker. We will also have breakout / networking groups.
Please forward this on to members of your organizations and colleagues living or working in the state of New Jersey.
We look forward to being with you!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Michael Skaggs, PhD, Director of Programs, mskaggs@brandeis.edu; Chaplaincy Innovation Lab // Visiting Scholar, Brandeis University
18. Live streamed Mass for Healthcare Professionals and Caregivers; February 19; 5:30pm PT (3:30pm CT) St. James Cathedral (Seattle, WA)
Archbishop Etienne invites you to this Mass celebrating members of the healthcare community including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, nursing aids, caregivers, first responders, chaplains and all other members of the healthcare profession. This Mass is held in February to coincide with the World Day of Prayer for the Sick, instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1992 as “a special time of prayer and sharing,..and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ”.
Join us in person or livestream @ArchdioceseofSeattle
19. Called Into Healing ~ A Retreat for Ministers, March 4-6, 2022
You are invited to gift yourself a weekend immersion into YOU at the beautiful spiritual retreat center at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ. This experiential retreat will provide a safe place to heal and transform the mind, body and spirit. This retreat will be facilitated by NACC Member, Bonnie McCulley. For more program and registration information, visit: https://www.nacc.org/event/36418/
20. Special CPMC Educational Packet to explore the issue of mass incarceration for Lenten programs for parishes and faith communities!
Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition 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. CPMC is available to help you implement these important reflections. You may view our recent webinar which was devoted to walking facilitators through the implementation of this series.
Please share this resource with colleagues and community members and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or needs at info@catholicprisonministries.org.
21. Other Resources from Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC)
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
22. 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
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
DIRECTOR – PASTORAL CARE
Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Children’s
HOSPITAL STAFF CHAPLAIN
Rochester, MN – Mayo Clinic
CERTIFIED CHAPLAIN II – Full-Time
Texarkana, TX – CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System
CERTIFIED CHAPLAIN – Full-time, salaried position
Lima, Ohio – Mercy Health
CHAPLAIN INTERN – Paid Intern Position
Lima, Ohio – Mercy Health
FULL-TIME MANAGER, SPIRITUAL CARE
Bellingham, WA – PeaceHealth
DIRECTOR of PASTORAL CARE
Edgewood, KY – St. Elizabeth Healthcare
CHAPLAIN
Stevens County, WA – Providence Inland Northwest Washington Stevens County Ministries
MANAGER of SPIRITUAL CARE
Springfield, MA – Trinity Health, Mercy Medical Center
ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
Indianapolis, IN – Franciscan Health-Indianapolis
