Issue #202 – July 20, 2015
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection
2. Please nominate candidates for the three NACC awards!
3. Please tell us: How is CPE and Your Approach to Ongoing Professional Development Changing?
4. Progress in the “Ambassador Project”
5. July-August Issue of Vision now available on the NACC website
6. Please contribute to the NACC 2015 50th Anniversary Annual Member Campaign!
7. Please read about NACC’s new member card process and distribution.
8. Have you read this notice regarding your NACC membership renewal process?
NACC – 50 YEARS OF CONTINUING THE HEALING MINISTRY
9. A Key Moment in NACC Recent History: lay men and women called “chaplains”
10. Reflecting on the ministry: The power of persistence, by Mary Jo Zacher
2016 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 22-25, 2016
11. Mark your calendar for April 22-25, 2016, for the NACC 2016 National Conference!
12. 2016 NACC Conference Theme
13. 2016 NACC Conference Logo
14. 2016 NACC Conference call for workshop proposals
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
15. Valuable August NACC Webinars for those planning to be certified or renew certification.
16. NACC 2015 Webinars
17. NACC Local Gatherings
18. Other Educational Offerings
19. Healing Tree: a request for prayers
20. Recent job postings
Executive Director’s Reflection
His heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd. So we heard in yesterday’s gospel of Mark 6:30-34. It seems one of the key moments of grace in chaplaincy is when we are able to help someone identify and tap into their deepest spiritual resources through listening with tenderness and respect. Whether that deepest source is the Buddha nature, Allah, YWH, Vishnu, God Mother or Father, or the Spirit of the Risen Christ, what relief and joy we feel when we see peace come over the person as he or she is able to rest in the Light and Life of the Mystery that enfolds him or her. How privileged we are when we are taken into that moment, whether it provides the person with new meaning and energy or allows the person to breathe the last breath of release to the next life. What a grace and blessing.
We also know what anguish we can feel as we are with others who never seem to reach that peace, at least it is not evident to our human sight and intuition. How we pray for that person, and seek God’s mercy and love for that person as their spirit seems to be cruelly flailed by some inner torment that does not yield to whatever or whoever the inner “shepherd” desires to be for them! How painful those moments are for them and how challenging yet important for us to be with them! The Greek word for “moved with pity” in Mark’s gospel is splagchnizomai that literally means to be moved as to one’s bowels, as the bowels were consider to be the source of love and compassion. Maybe we could play on the words of the classic rock song by the Bee Gees, “How deep is your love?” So when we are with those individuals who seem to be “without a shepherd,” how deep is our love? How deeply are we moved to compassion? How much to we resemble Jesus in yesterday’s Gospel? How much does our just “being there” and being a courageous, and hopeful human witness to their suffering offer them solace? I wonder…
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
Please nominate candidates for the three NACC awards!
It is the time of year when we invite NACC members to nominate an NACC member who exemplifies the award criteria for the Distinguished Service Award. Also, we invite you to nominate a non-NACC member professional colleague who embodies the award criteria for the Distinguished Colleague Award. Finally, in 2015 we introduced a new Emergent Leader Award for an NACC member 50 years of age or younger who is serving NACC in some leadership capacity.
These awards will be presented at our 2016 Annual Conference. Criteria and nomination forms can be found here. Please send in your nominations by Wednesday, September 9.
Please tell us: How is CPE and Your Approach to Ongoing Professional Development Changing?
The theme of the September-October issue of Vision will be “CPE and Beyond: Professional competencies in a changing environment.” We are asking our members to share articles on how CPE and continuing education have been changing over the past few years. How are you growing in your professional competencies? What new skills are you learning, how and in what setting? How do certified chaplains stay current? Some topics that we have raised as possibilities include: business and managerial skills, outpatient ministry, behavioral health, comparative religion, spiritual wellness and prevention, and distance ministry. If you have other ideas, we would be happy to hear them. Please respond to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The deadline is August 10.
Progress in the “Ambassador Project”
In April we asked our members to consider becoming “ambassadors” by sharing the profession of chaplaincy with those who might not know of it, and to plant and nourish the seeds of chaplaincy in another generation for them to consider this vocation and profession. We are happy to report that ten of our members stepped forward to help us, and we had two conference calls in June. The initial steps included reflection on one’s own personal journey to chaplaincy, as well brainstorming new ways of evangelizing the ministry of chaplaincy. We also held a special conference call with our newer members and the “45 and under” members. The group provided enthusiasm, energy, and new ideas. We are looking to explore connections with parishes, dioceses, colleges/universities, religious and civic groups, medical institutions and associations. Have you ever been asked to share your journey to chaplaincy? Has anyone ever approached you to inquire about becoming a chaplain? Were you able to help them? Do you have a desire to call and nurture more chaplains for service? If any of these questions touch you, please consider joining the “Ambassador Project.” We are still a work in progress. Please contact Tim Charek (tcharek@nacc.org) to have your email address put on our roster for news and notifications of future conference calls.
July-August Issue of Vision now available on the NACC website
Please access the July-August issue of Vision now available on the NACC website. This issue is dedicated to articles on how to approach quality improvement in our electronic medical record (EMR) spiritual assessments, including our narrative charting. We are deeply grateful to all of our member authors who contributed to this issue.
Please contribute to the NACC 2015 50th Anniversary Annual Member Campaign!
We are deeply grateful to those who have already given to the 2015 50th Anniversary Annual Member Campaign! Thank you! If you have not yet contributed, please do so as soon as you can either by sending your gift in the donation envelope provided to you, or you can go right now to our NACC website and contribute online at https://nationalcatholicwiassoc.wliinc32.com/forms/donation. If you are not an NACC member (more than 1,600 non-NACC members subscribe to NACC Now), we also invite and encourage you to contribute to this special 50th Anniversary Campaign, by going to: https://nationalcatholicwiassoc.wliinc32.com/forms/donation. Your contribution helps us provide what we do, including this NACC Now and all NACC resources. Thank you in advance for your commitment and generosity!
Please read about NACC’s new member card process and distribution.
With the implementation of our new database we have been working on a new Membership Card that is compatible with the system. The card has been designed and is now ready to be emailed to you after your membership dues payment is processed. Please watch for the email as it will contain not only your receipt of payment but also the Membership Card on the bottom of the receipt which can be cut off and saved. If needed a Membership Card Receipt may be mailed to you upon request.
Have you read this notice regarding your NACC membership renewal process?
We want to remind our members that since our conversion to the new NACC database last fall (that made possible your ability to enter your profile information and make membership payments via the NACC website), we needed to change the membership expiration date to the first day of your renewal month. So we now are sending via email your first membership renewal notice two months prior to your renewal month, and indicate that your dues are to be paid by the first day of your renewal month. Our second notice is sent to you via email, the beginning of the month prior to when your dues are expected to be paid. Please note that we are still providing you with two months in which to remit payment. However, we are providing you with two months prior to your due date in which payment should be received. We do apologize for any inconvenience this might initially cause you the first time around with this process, and ask for your prayer and patience with the implementation of our new system. Thank you.
NACC – 50 YEARS OF CONTINUING THE HEALING MINISTRY
A Key Moment in NACC Recent History: lay men and women called “chaplains”
From the later 1990’s until 2004, NACC leaders, especially USCCB Episcopal Liaison, Bishop Dale Melczek, and President and CEO Rev. Joseph Driscoll, worked conscientiously to dialogue with Vatican leaders and the USCCB leadership to find a way of understanding and agreement on how our lay men and women would continue to be embraced as board certified chaplains. Please read Bishop Melczek’s May 7, 2004, letter to his brother bishops and his July 2004 Vision article that explains how ordinaries will endorse our NACC lay men and women as lay ecclesial healthcare ministers and the NACC will certify them for the profession as board certified chaplains.
Reflecting on the ministry: The power of persistence, by Mary Jo Zacher
During my incredible ministry as a hospice director of pastoral care, I met two very special people I will call Dick and Kay. Dick was a hospice patient being cared for by his loving wife, Kay in their own home. Dick had a stroke sometime before, and had great difficulty speaking.
During my initial spiritual assessment, his wife told me (in his presence) that he was Catholic as a little boy, but his entire family stopped practicing their faith when he was about eight years old. Dick’s grandfather’s hobby was to make wine, and he generously provided all of the altar wine to the local Catholic church. One Sunday, the priest apparently preached about sins of drunkenness and excess. Dick’s grandfather felt that the priest was talking specifically about him, and from that day forward, none of the family ever went back to church.
After listening carefully to Dick’s story, I paused for a while, and very reverently responded, “Oh, my … that must have been so painful.” After another pause, I asked, “You know, Dick, you are 86 years old and you are in hospice. It seems like you will be meeting God within the next few months. Do you suppose it would be a good time to make peace with Him?” Dick, who had difficulty speaking, answered very clearly, “NO.”
“OK,” I said. “Is it OK if I keep you in my prayers?” And he and his wife agreed. Interestingly enough, they loved my visits, and I saw them weekly for many months. About every six weeks I would say, “Dick, do you think it’s time to make peace with God yet?” And he would again respond, “NO.”
Fast forward about eight months, and one day I arrived at their home and Kay had a huge smile on her face. “Dick is waiting to see you,” she said. When I went into Dick’s room, he was also smiling and said very clearly, “I’m ready.”
“Ready for what, Dick?” I asked. And he chuckled and said, “I’m ready to make peace with God.” I rejoiced! Kay said, “He doesn’t know for sure if he was ever baptized.” So I told him that I could take care of that immediately! Kay and I went to the kitchen and got a little dish of water. I prayed with Dick and went through the Apostles’ Creed line by line. To each question, Dick responded emphatically, “YES.” I then had the privilege of baptizing Dick.
As I left their home, I asked if I could contact the local priest to come and celebrate the other sacraments, and they agreed. From that day forward, Dick had no more anxiety or fear regarding death. Two months later, he died peacefully. One year later, I received a phone call from Kay inviting me to Easter Vigil; she had entered the Church. May God be praised!
Mary Jo Zacher, BCC, is director of pastoral care at OSF Home Care and Hospice in Peoria, IL.
In each NACC Now, during this 50th jubilee year, we are featuring a reflection by one of our NACC chaplains on his or her ministry and an experience of a gift of that ministry. Please allow Mary Jo’s reflection to inspire you in writing this year one of your “gifts” of ministry. Your own reflection is welcomed! If you want to share a reflection, please contact David Lewellen (dlewellen@nacc.org).
2016 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 22-25, 2016
Mark your calendar for April 22-25, 2016, for the NACC 2016 National Conference!
Please mark your calendars for our 2016 NACC National Conference to be held Friday, April 22nd, to Monday, April 25th, 2016, at the Chicago Marriott (www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/chiap-chicago-marriott-ohare/) near Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The Conference Planning Task Force is pleased to announce the theme for the 2016 National Conference is “Making All Things New: Co-creation, Transformation, Resilience and Hope”
As we gather together as a community of chaplains at our annual conference, we will hear the words in sacred scripture proclaim, “Behold, I make all things new!” May our hearts be inflamed by the words of St. Francis and Pope Francis, “Praise to you, my Lord!” as we recognize that we are co-creators, responsible, passionate partners in the care of our common home and future.
Promoting evidenced-based spiritual care outcomes is transforming healthcare chaplaincy. As we wade through the waters of research literacy, may our eyes be opened to better understand, summarize and explain research studies in light of our pastoral practice.
Every day chaplains enter the world of personal and social crises. We seek to breathe with the breath of God as we explore spiritual well-being that leads to enhanced resilience for those we serve as well as for ourselves.
Our ministry takes place at the intersections of the secular and sacred, the medical and moral; may we deepen our theological understanding of what it means to be hopeful human beings able to make ethical, dignified choices in the midst of vulnerability, suffering and affliction.
Join us and your chaplain colleagues in Chicago as we engage these timely topics of Co-creation, Transformation, Resilience and Hope and explore new paths to Making All Things New!
Here’s a first look at the 2016 Conference Logo!
2016 NACC Conference call for workshop proposals
On behalf of the NACC, you are invited to submit an application to lead a workshop for the upcoming 2016 NACC Conference. This conference promises to be rich and memorable, with the gift of presence of friends, mentors and colleagues old and new. We welcome the addition of the gift of your presence as a workshop presenter.
visit the NACC website today to view the Submission Guidelines and download an application form.
Workshop applications will be accepted through Friday, August 21, 2015.
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
Valuable August NACC Webinars for those planning to be certified or renew certification.
We remind our NACC members of the upcoming August webinars.
August 13 (12:00 p.m. CDT): Renewal of Certification with NACC
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of the renewal of certification process and documentation and provide a forum for answering questions about the NACC renewal of certification. This free webinar will be presented by members of the NACC Certification Commission.
August 20 (12:00 p.m. CDT): Certification with NACC
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of the NACC Certification Process, with special attention to the revised NACC standards and procedures. We will present key information about certification and provide a forum for answering questions about certification with the NACC. This free webinar will be presented by the members of the NACC Certification Commission.
Board certified members looking to renew their certification, and those seeking certification for the first time, are particularly encouraged to register for the appropriate webinar. Registration can be submitted online by clicking on this link: REGISTER or by completing a paper registration form (click on link): FORM.
The NACC webinars for 2015 are in full swing. They address often-requested topics by our members. All are scheduled, as in past years, on Thursdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central Time. For these webinars we offer the option of registering (and paying by credit card) online: ONLINE REGISTRATION. The registration form may be accessed by clicking on this link: REGISTRATION FORM. Mark your calendars now, and stay tuned for the special invitation to register online coming later this week!
August 13
Renewal of Certification with the NACC
August 20
Certification with the NACC
September 10 & 17
Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying: Theology and Practice of the Rites
Presented by Bruce T. Morrill, SJ
October 15 & 22
The Journey of Mental Illness for Chaplains, Family Members, & Caretakers.
Presented by Kathleen Hagerty, CSJ, BCC
November 5 & 12
Practical Theology and Implications for Professional Ministry.
Presented by Kathleen A. Cahalan, MA, Ph.D
December 17
90 minutes
“Honoring the Gift: NACC and Chaplaincy Going Forward”
Presented by David A. Lichter, D.Min and Mary Lou O’Gorman, BCC
Several local gatherings are being scheduled for 2015. Some have registration details. For the others, please “hold the date,” as details will follow. If you would like to consider hosting and helping plan an NACC local event to mark our 50th Anniversary, please contact Andris Kursietis (akursietis@nacc.org).
- August 2015, Milwaukee, WI, details and exact date to follow
- September 14, 2015, St. Louis, MO, details to follow
- September 17-18, 2015, Alexandria, MN, see details
- October 29, 2015, Pontiac, MI, details to follow
- November 6, 2015, Buffalo, NY, details to follow
- November 17, 2015, Washington, DC area, details to follow
Fall 2015 special course offerings at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University—”Spiritual Paths in World Religions” and “Theology, Ethics, and Practice at the End of Life.” More information can be found here.
Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
Please let us know if you would like our membership to pray for your health and healing. Also please let us know when you want us to remove your name from our Healing Tree.
We continue to pray for: Michael, Nancy, and Sheila Amrich (brother and nieces-in-laws of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, Michael Harkay, Diana Annunziato (Mother-in-law of NACC staffer Jeanine Annunziato), Sister Patricia Watkins, GNSH, Rev. Gerald U. Onuoha, David Markiewicz (grandson of NACC member Roberta Markiewicz), Sister Stephanie Morales, FMI, Marybeth Harmon, Renato Fallico, Konstanty Pawicz (husband of former staff member Mary Pawicz), Pam Kimmel, Susan Balling, Maria Meneses, Chaplain Julia Mary Sweeney (mourning the death of her sister, Margaret Maureen Lewis, BA Honors), Sr. Sheila Prendeville, CPPS, AnaLisa Bischoff, Sr. M. Dianna Hell,
Sister Maria Theresa Hronec, Betty and Louis Skonieczny, Mary Theresa (niece of NACC Chaplain Sister Dorothy Kline), Jim Castello, Kelly Bigler (mourning the death of her father, Vernon),
Jeff Michel (brother-in-law of David Lichter), Thomas from Chicago (12 years old), Thomas Smiley (brother of member Diane Smiley),
Marga Halala, Donn Renfro (son-in-law of Karen Pugliese),
Amy in Atlanta (friend of NACC member Theresa Sullivan),
Thomas (grandson of NACC member Ginny Grimes Allen), Beth from Boston (friend of NACC member Dana Sandlin),
Sr. Janet Bielmann, Mary Potts (twin sister of Deacon Francis Potts), Elizabeth A. Walsh,
Francesco Marshall, Glenn and Pat Teske,
Susan Murphy, Fr. Jim Radde, SJ, Sr. Mary Clare Boland, SP,
Sr. Phyllis Ann DiRenzo, Kathy Brier (daughter of NACC member Theresa Brier),
Gloria Troxler, Fr. Kevin Ikpah, Lourdes B. Ruta (wife of Peter Ruta), and
Kelly Elizabeth Sexton (daughter of NACC member Melyssa Sexton).
The following positions have been posted recently on our Positions Available page. Please go to www.nacc.org/resources/positions/ for more information.
DIRECTOR of MISSION INTEGRATION / PASTORAL CARE
Lindenhurst, IL – The Village at Victory Lakes
PLAIN
Nashville, TN – Saint Thomas Health
BILINGUAL CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN
Dilley, TX – CCA’s South Texas Family Residential Center
DIRECTOR, PASTORAL CARE
Sanctuary at Holy Cross in Burtonsville, MD
CHAPLAIN
Lufkin, TX – CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial
CHAPLAIN
St. Petersburg, FL – Bon Secours Maria Manor
CHAPLAIN – FULL TIME (Evenings)
Edgewood, Kentucky – St. Elizabeth Healthcare
SUPERVISOR CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION
Buffalo, NY – Sisters of Charity Hospital
ACPE, CERTIFIED SUPERVISOR
Wynnewood, PA – Lankenau Medical Center
PASTORAL CARE CHAPLAIN
Adrian, MI – Dominican Life Center
STAFF PRIEST
Brevard County, FL – Health First Healthcare Systems
CLINICAL CHAPLAIN PRIEST
Portland, OR – Providence St. Vincent Medical Center
DIRECTOR MISSION & SPIRITUAL CARE
Lakewood, CO – Centura Health
