Issue #210 – November 9, 2015
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(Items marked with a * are new or updated items)
NACC
1. Executive Director’s Reflection*
2. NACC Board of Directors’ Priorities*
3. NACC announces recipients of Distinguished Service, Outstanding Colleague, Emergent Leader Awards*
4. Welcome new NACC members who joined us in October!*
5. November 30 is the deadline for submitting prayers for the World Day of the Sick cards*
6. Vision seeks writers on palliative care*
7. What do you think of the “Chaplains” documentary?*
8. Pastoral Care Week News: Bishop Hying, USCCB Liaison to NACC speaks at Pastoral Care Week event*
9. Please help us reach our NACC 2015 Annual Member Campaign goal!*
10. Upcoming NACC networking calls*
NACC – 50 YEARS OF CONTINUING THE HEALING MINISTRY
11. A Moment in NACC History: NACC Now 210 Issues and counting.*
12. Reflecting on the ministry: Holding my Lord in my arms, by Susan Crowley*
2016 NATIONAL CONFERENCE APRIL 22-25, 2016
13. Mark your calendar for April 22-25, 2016, for the NACC 2016 National Conference!
14. Registration for the NACC 2016 Conference coming soon!*
15. Preconference Day of Reflection will provide time for reflection and renewal.*
16. What do you know about NACC 2016 Conference plenary speaker Carol Taylor, PhD, MSN, RN, who is delivering the Monday, April 25, 2016, Rev. Richard Tessmer Leadership Lecture?
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
17. Have you ever considered chaplaincy research? Fellowships are available now!!!*
18. Request: professional liability insurance for chaplaincy practice.*
19. Request: What are you using as your screening tool/training for referrals?*
20. One remaining NACC 2015 Webinar*
21. Upcoming intensive bioethics course to be held in Houston, Texas*
22. Final 2016 NACC Local Gatherings *
23. Healing Tree: a request for prayers*
24. Recent job postings*
Executive Director’s Reflection*
I found myself asking the question, “What do I learn from widows?” Yesterday’s Gospel of Mark 12:41-44 is the familiar reading often referred to as the widow’s mite. Jesus remarks, “For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
Much biblical scholarship has been done about the widow of biblical times: from the loss of financial security at the death of her husband and being the recipient or subject of many miracles to demonstrate God’s care for the widow or the widow’s faith and generosity. Three miracles involve the restoring to life or stopping the death of the son of a widow so that financial care can continue (1 Kings 17:17–24; 2 Kings 4:1–7; Luke 7:11–17).
Then I was thinking about the loss suffered by the death of a spouse, whether in the time of Jesus or our own time. Most of us have probably been with someone when the spouse died, or journeyed and supported someone who dealt with the loss of their loved one, for many the sacramental way of salvation. I reflected on how life dramatically changes for one in that loss, and how what matters becomes redefined. What you hold on to and what you can let go of changes also.
So, does someone, like a widow, have a different perspective on giving? Is “contributed all she had” understood as an extreme generosity and faith in God’s providence, or could it also be understood as a radical reframing of what is important in life? When who helped me define love and commitment in my life is now gone, am I reordering the way I see myself? Am I giving and not counting the cost, or might I also be giving because I have experienced and lived through the cost of living? When I have lost my “everything and all” in death, and still live on, do I then redefine what is my “all”?
So I find myself asking, what are losses I (we) have recovered from that help me (us) be even a greater giver? I wonder…
David Lichter, D.Min.
Executive Director
NACC Board of Directors’ Priorities*
The NACC Board of Directors met in Milwaukee October 14 and 15. The following is a brief report of some of the highlights of this meeting:
Member dues will be maintained at the current level for the next calendar year in honor of the 50th Anniversary and in gratitude for the commitment of those who serve as Catholic chaplains and supervisors.
The Board’s reflection on current initiatives, the financial state and projections for the future of the NACC contributed to its charge to David Lichter to focus strategically in order to grow and sustain this organization. This change in focus is also a result of the changing healthcare landscape which is impacting chaplains in traditional and nontraditional settings. The board felt strongly that David’s gifts can be best utilized in developing a vision that responds to the emerging organizational and external factors confronting the NACC and its members. David will seek consultation, explore grant funding and develop goals to facilitate this process. In order to accomplish these priorities, David will delegate some of his current commitments, such as member calls/local gatherings.
Bishop Hying, the NACC’s USCCB Episcopal Advisor, identified opportunities to enhance communication with the bishops. Those include presentations by chaplains at regional meetings of the bishops designed to provide education on the role and function of Catholic chaplains.
NACC announces recipients of Distinguished Service, Outstanding Colleague, Emergent Leader Awards
The NACC Board of Directors is very pleased to announce that the 2016 recipients of the NACC awards are:
Distinguished Service: Sr. Mary R. Skopal, SSJ, BCC
Emergent Leader: Ms. Kay I. Gorka BCC
Outstanding Colleague: Supportive Care Coalition
Please watch for details in the next NACC Now.
Welcome new NACC members who joined us in October!*
We warmly welcome our new NACC members who joined us in October!
Member
Nirmala Antony
Ikechi Korie
Tommy Sebastian
Benoit Thibault
Student
Amy Coleman
Matthew Etzkorn
Gregory Kahrs
Associate
David Neff
November 30 is the deadline for submitting prayers for the World Day of the Sick cards*
Every year, the NACC prints prayer cards for World Day of the Sick, for use in hospitals, hospices, long-term care facilities, parishes, and anyone else interested in the spiritual needs of sick persons and caregivers. February 11, 2016, World Day of the Sick, seems like a long way off, doesn’t it? However, we invite our members to consider writing a prayer to be used on the prayer cards for 2016. We will again publish two cards: Prayer for Sick Persons and Prayer for the Caregiver. You may submit prayers for either or both. Prayers may be written in any style or format you like, but they should be no more than 32 lines long, with an average line length of not more than 10 syllables. To see examples of past prayers, click here. All submissions must be received at the NACC office by Monday, November 30. We will notify the person(s) whose prayers will be used by December 7. We are not able to offer payment, but the authors will be credited. We will share a total of two prayers in print, although some honorary selections may be featured on our website later in the year. Please send your submissions to Tim Charek (tcharek@nacc.org). Thank you in advance for sharing your gifts.
Vision seeks writers on palliative care*
The theme for the January-February issue of Vision will be new developments in palliative care. If you are working in a palliative setting and watching the field grow or change, we’d like to hear your idea for an article. Please send your thoughts to Vision editor David Lewellen, dlewellen@nacc.org. The deadline for the issue is Dec. 7.
What do you think of the “Chaplains” documentary?*
Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier’s new documentary, “Chaplains,” is scheduled to begin airing on PBS this month: journeyfilms.com/chaplains/ We know that some of our members have scheduled group viewings, and we would like to hear reports of who gathered, what was said, and what reactions the film inspired. Also, even if you watched the film on your own and have thoughts you want to share with others, please let us know; we would like to assemble a range of reactions for inclusion in the next Vision. Please write to editor David Lewellen at dlewellen@nacc.org
Pastoral Care Week News: Bishop Hying, USCCB Liaison to NACC speaks at Pastoral Care Week event*
Please share with your colleagues news of your events during Pastoral Care Week. Here is a news item about Bishop Donald Hying, NACC’s USCCB Episcopal Liaison: www.laportecountylife.com/community/worship/56680-franciscan-st-margaret-health-celebrates-pastoral-care-week
Please help us reach our NACC 2015 Annual Member Campaign goal!*
We are deeply appreciative to our members who have been able to contribute to our 2015 Annual Member Campaign. Our 2015 goal is $52,000, and we are at $48,569. In the past two years we have been able to raise $52,040 in 2013 and $51,278 in 2014. If you have not yet contributed, and can do so, please help us reach our 50th Anniversary goal!
Upcoming NACC networking calls*
We have scheduled the following NACC networking calls this week and next.
If you would like to participate, please contact Tim Charek (tcharek@nacc.org).
- Tuesday, November 10, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time – 45 and under
- Friday, December 4, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time – CPE Supervisors
NACC – 50 YEARS OF CONTINUING THE HEALING MINISTRY
A Moment in NACC History: NACC Now 210 Issues and counting.*
The first issue of this e-newsletter was September 10, 2007. In that issue it was introduced as: Our newest way to stay in touch
You are reading the inaugural issue of NACC Now, our new biweekly electronic newsletter to membership. We hope that communicating with you by e-mail will keep you more abreast of timely chaplaincy news; encourage you to share your talents, ideas and concerns with the national office; and promote dialogue with other members and build a sense of connection. Consider this to be a new membership benefit made possible by the widespread availability of e-mail.
NACC Now is a supplement to Vision, not a replacement for it. Vision will continue to offer in-depth articles about chaplains and supervisors at work, theological reflections, pastoral-care research, and other significant topics. But NACC Now will let us communicate with you more quickly and more often.
www.nacc.org/nacc-now/nn_issue_1.asp
Now 210 issues later, many members have found this e-newsletter to provide timely and helpful information, and a way for members to request of other members and share with other members their professional wisdom and practices.
Reflecting on the ministry: Holding my Lord in my arms, by Susan Crowley*
Today I held my Lord in my arms, for the creator of all life was present in the spirit of this girl born too early, just shy of 23 weeks gestation. After I was paged to the “fetal demise,” I learned that her parents had been informed that their baby would not survive, due to maternal complications and extreme prematurity.
The baby’s mother was still in the operating room, while the father, of a different culture from mine, sat outside, choosing not to see his daughter but asking for a blessing. The child lay in an open isolette under a warming light in the corner of the recovery room. The nurse was across the room, entering data into the electronic medical record. My heart immediately went out to this little one as I saw she was still alive, taking a breath now and again. I asked the nurse if I could hold her and I tenderly wrapped her in a blanket and cradled her in my arms, welcoming her into the world. As I began the prayers of blessing and baptism, the nurse came over to join me; together we were witnesses to the sacredness of the moment.
The nurse’s eyes filled with tears as the ritual concluded. She checked and told me that the heart was still beating. It was then that I decided to remain, holding this precious life until she was ready to say goodbye. Her father did not know what name his wife had decided upon, so I called her Michelle, after Saint Michael the Archangel, because I felt the strength and courage in this heart that went on beating. Later, Mom arrived in the recovery room, but emotionally, she was unable to hold her little one; she could only briefly look at her. While Mom slept, baby and I sat quietly in the corner of the room. I looked upon her tiny face, a face so perfect, so beautiful. We sat together, one soul touching another, one heart beating in tandem with the other.
Since my spiritual grounding undergirds my ministry as a pediatric chaplain, I understood that I was holding far more than a dying infant; I was holding Emmanuel, “God is with us.” The words from Luke’s gospel rang in my ears, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” This little soul far greater than mine who came from God would soon return to him. I spoke tender words and softly sang to her, but mostly I sat holding her quietly. During her remaining two hours of life, I knew I stood on holy ground. My emotions were high, sitting there in the mystery of life and death.
My heart was breaking for the parents, for this would be their third loss. Thoughts passed through my mind: Did I really need to stay? Was I intruding? Yet I stayed, knowing that I was doing God’s work in providing human touch, comfort, and expression of love. I honored the sanctity of this precious life, bearing witness to the value of this child of God. Today I was gifted, gifted indeed, for I held my Lord in my arms!
Susan Crowley, BCC, is a chaplain at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, FL.
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 Susan’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 22, to Monday, April 25, 2016, at the Chicago Marriott near Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Registration for the NACC 2016 Conference coming soon!*
Have your calendars marked! The 2016 Conference registration flyer will be mailed on November 18. The NACC has a new format for the registration brochure. Rather than the traditional full registration brochure, we have moved to a streamlined registration flyer. This flyer contains much of the key information regarding our 2015 conference, and all other detailed information (like workshop descriptions) will be found on the NACC website. The conference webpages are a “one-stop shop” for all conference-related information. Can’t find something you are looking for? Email us at conference@nacc.org and we will be happy to help.
Preconference Day of Reflection will provide time for reflection and renewal.*
On Thursday, April 21, 2016, the preconference Day of Reflection will take place at the Techny Towers Conference and Retreat Center in Techny, IL. The theme will be In the Making: A Spirituality of Creation, Call, and Engagement and will be led by Monica Meagher, MDiv. Please plan on joining your colleagues for this day. For more information go to: www.nacc.org/conference/default#reflect
Carol Taylor, PhD, MSN, RN, is a senior clinical scholar in the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University and a Professor of Medicine and Nursing. Experienced in caring for patients who are chronically and critically ill and their families, Carol chose doctoral work in philosophy with a concentration in bioethics because of a passion to “make healthcare work” for those who need it.
At Georgetown, Carol directs an innovative ethics curriculum grounded in a rich notion of moral agency for advanced practice nurses. Her research interests include clinical and professional ethics, and organizational integrity. She works closely with healthcare professionals and leaders who are exploring the ethical dimensions of their practice. She lectures internationally and writes on various issues in healthcare ethics and serves as an ethics consultant to systems and professional organizations. She is the author of Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins’ Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Nursing Care, which is now in its 8th edition, and co-editor of Health and Human Flourishing: Religion, Medicine and Moral Anthropology and the 4th edition of Case Studies in Nursing Ethics. Here is a link to a YouTube presentation on the ethics of waiting uploaded from Providence Health Services just this past month.
CHAPLAINCY NEWS, EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORTS
Have you ever considered chaplaincy research? Fellowships are available now!!!*
In recent past NACC Now’s we have alerted you to the new website on research for chaplaincy www.researchliteratechaplaincy.org. Please give special attention to the fellowships being offered to study research! Applications for (8) Round 1 fellowships are now being accepted. Find the online application here. Application deadline is January 6, 2016, with award decisions on March 15, 2016. The NACC hopes that NACC members will consider applying for this fellowship! It will be very helpful to the profession to have NACC also represented among the fellows!
The Fellowship will pay for all tuition and associated fees as well as a yearly stipend of $43,300. Some research funds as well as support to attend program conferences will also be provided. (The Kickoff Conference is scheduled for July 27-29, 2016, in Chicago, IL, and will include Cohort 1 Fellows and the Transforming Chaplaincy Advisory Committee. It will be designed to orient Fellows to the program, research, and graduate-level studies. Further details will be posted as they become available.) For further questions, please contact Catarina Mako (Caterina.Mako@chsli.org), the NACC representative on the Project Advisory Committee.
Request: professional liability insurance for chaplaincy practice.*
One of our board certified members has requested information on the need and type of professional liability insurance that might be needed if one offers chaplaincy services outside of an employee situation. If any of our members or readers of NACC Now has professional liability insurance or knows of a board certified chaplain who does, would you please contact David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org) and he will put you in contact with the person requesting this information. We are appreciative of any help that can be provided.
Request: What are you using as your screening tool/training for referrals?*
Several systems are testing different screening tools to help nurses and physicians identify those needing to be referred to spiritual care. Several have requested networking and sharing tools for screening. If you would like to participate and/or would be willing to share your screening tool, please contact David Lichter (dlichter@nacc.org). Thank you.
One remaining NACC 2015 Webinar*
Join us as we complete NACC’s 50th Jubilee year with the December 17th webinar, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Central Time. You can register for this webinar (and pay by credit card) online: ONLINE REGISTRATION. The paper registration form may be accessed by clicking on this link: REGISTRATION. Mark your calendars now!
December 17
90 minutes – Please note time of 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Central time
“Honoring the Gift: NACC and Chaplaincy Going Forward”
Presented by David A. Lichter, DMin, and Mary Lou O’Gorman, BCC
Upcoming intensive bioethics course to be held in Houston, Texas
The Houston Methodist Research Institute at Baylor College of Medicine is organizing an intensive bioethics course which will be held in Houston, Texas on April 11-15, 2016. A large portion of participants in the previous course last year were associated with chaplaincy, so this may be of interest to our members.
For more information, please click on the link provided in the flyer, or for direct access, please click HERE.
Final 2016 NACC Local Gatherings*
Please see the local gatherings scheduled for 2015. 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)
- November 17, 2015, Washington, DC area, see details
- December 12, 2015, Seattle, WA, details to follow
Visit our event calendar for more information.
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: Maritza Ramos-Pratt, Jane Chiamaka Onuoha (very young baby of our NACC member Michael Onuoha), Kathleen (Kate) Sullivan, Sandy Tiefenbrun (spouse of Anita Barni), Marie Coglianese, Nancy and Sheila Amrich (nieces-in-law of NACC member Sr. Paracleta Amrich), Isabelita Boquiren, 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, Susan Balling, Maria Meneses, Chaplain Julia Mary Sweeney (mourning the death of her sister, Margaret Maureen Lewis, BA Honors), Sr. Sheila Prendeville, CPPS, Sister M. Dianna Hell, Sister Maria Theresa Hronec, Betty and Louis Skonieczny, Jim Castello, 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, 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.
COORDINATOR, SPIRITUAL CARE
Grand Rapids, MI – Mercy Health
PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Ann Arbor, MI – University of Michigan Hospital and Health Systems
HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN
Appleton and Neenah, WI – ThedaCare Regional Medical Centers
PRIEST CHAPLAIN
Hastings, MN – Regina senior Living
FULL-TIME STAFF CHAPLAIN – 35-hr Flexible-Shift (Tue-Sat. 1p-9p)
Valhalla, NY – WMCHealth
PER DIEM CATHOLIC PRIEST (Thur.-Fri. 9a-5p; Thur.-Fri. On-call 5p-9a/Priest vacation coverage)
Valhalla, NY – WMCHealth
FULL-TIME CHAPLAIN OPPORTUNITY
Rockford, IL – SwedishAmerican Health System
CPE RESIDENCY
La Crosse, WI – Gundersen Health System
CHAPLAIN
Warwick, NY – Bon Secours St. Anthony’s Community Hospital
CHAPLAIN
Ketchikan, Alaska – PeaceHealth’s Ketchikan Medical Center
CHAPLAIN
Fond du Lac, WI – Agnesian HealthCare
CHAPLAIN
St. Petersburg, FL – Bon Secours Maria Manor
BOARD-CERTIFIED CHAPLAINS
Nashville, TN – Saint Thomas Health
ON-CALL NIGHT PDM CHAPLAIN
Lafayette, CO – Good Samaritan Medical Center
