Coronavirus Resources

Resources

Resources may be submitted to [email protected].

• NACC Member Listening Sessions (2022)

NACC COVID-19 Resources and Listening Session Highlights – 01/18/2022
NACC COVID-19 Resources and Listening Session Highlights – 02/16/2022
NACC COVID-19 Resources and Listening Session Highlights – 03/16/2022
NACC COVID-19 Resources and Listening Session Highlights – 04/12/2022
NACC COVID-19 Resources and Listening Session Highlights – 05/18/2022
NACC COVID-19 Resources and Listening Session Highlights – 06/14/2022

• Sacraments and Sacramentals

Ash Wednesday 2021 Instructions from the Vatican (published 1-12-21)

Ash Wednesday resources from the Catholic Health Association (CHA):
Addendum: Ash Wednesday Guidelines for Sacramental Celebrations in a Health Care Setting
2021 Ash Wednesday Reflection Prayer

June 25, 2020: The Pastoral Care Advisory Committee of the Catholic Health Association, in partnership with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), offer the following guidelines for the provision of sacraments in a health care setting with attention to public health concerns.
Guidelines for Sacramental Celebrations in a Health Care Setting During Covid-19 (updated Jan. 2021)

2020 May Sacramental Practices Survey Results – shows how our priest members responded to the recent survey regarding Sacramental Practices in the COVID-19 environment.

Reminder of the Fundamentals for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick -This document provides basic information on the Sacrament of Anointing from Canon Law and the Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, as well as the March 20, 2020 Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on Plenary Indulgences. This document was reviewed by the USCCB Office of Divine Worship.

Questions and Answers regarding sacramental practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic – This document was prepared in partnership with CHA and covers a variety of questions on sacramental practices. It was reviewed by both Bishop Hying, NACC Episcopal Liaison, and the USCCB Office of Divine Worship. We will continue to add to it as needed, it was last updated 3/31/20.

Commendation Of The Dying

Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on the granting of special Indulgences to the faithful in the current pandemic (Holy See Press Office)

• System/hospital protocols

RETURNING TO SACRED SPACES AMID COVID-19: A Cleveland Clinic Guide

Should the Older Adults Remain in Quarantine as States Relax Stay-at-Home Restrictions? – by Thomas S. Klitzner, MD-PhD

Interprofessional Spiritual Care in the Time of COVID-19

Allocation of Scarce Life-Saving Resources – from Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Tim Serban from Providence St. Joseph Health shared two resources:
Quick Reference Guide for Spiritual Support in Disasters / Covid-19
Spiritual Health Guidance on Ritual Modifications

Rev. Lawrence X. Chellian shared the following sample of some general guidelines for spiritual care responses to the COVID-19 circumstances: Spiritual Care Response To COVID 19

Deacon Charles Stump, MS, MPM, Director of Pastoral Services for the Diocese of Dallas shared this document:
Clarifications on Decrees Cancelling Public Masses and Dispensing Catholics of Sunday Obligation

Chaplaincy Innovation Lab shares resources for chaplains encountering coronavirus

• Spiritual Care Rituals/Services

A ritual during COVID times — Annual Day of Remembrance at Santa Clara Medical Center, San Jose, CA – by Sr. Donna Maria J. Moses OP, BCC, Los Altos, CA

Deborah A. Scionti BCC shared this Act of Spiritual Communion document for use while Sacrament cannot be received physically:
Act Of Spiritual Communion

What To Do With No Confession: Forgiveness In The Time Of Coronavirus

From NACC member Michele A. Boccia:

I would like to share the At- Home, Virtual Service of Remembrance I have created. I have also attached the cover letter. This way, families of residents who died in a nursing home and unable to see them or have a funeral can have some type of closure.

Service At Home
Service cover letter

• Ethics

CHA: Coronavirus Resources – Ethics

“You Can See Your Loved One Now.” Can Visitor Restrictions During Covid Unduly Influence End-of-Life Decisions? – Hastings Bioethics Forum, June 18, 2020

National Catholic Bioethics Center: NCBC Resources for COVID-19

• Self-Care

Well-being – Body, Mind and Spirit – is essential for every person working in health care regardless of their role. This page brings together a carefully curated collection of wellness resources identified in collaboration with CHA-member mission, spiritual care and physician leaders in addition to insights from the Veteran’s Administration and national well-being experts.
WELL-BEING (CHA website)

Humility and Self Care: Outline of a Short Presentation for NACC Covid Listening Session, July 29, 2020 – Prepared by listening session co-facilitator Mary Bomba, BCC

NACC members ministering to others in this challenging time are invited to reach out for CHAPLAIN HEROES: We are your Listening Heart

Dr. Ilse R. Wefers BCC shared with us this Serenity Meditation and also this walking meditation resource.

A Reflection By Mary Heintzkill, National Director of Spiritual Care and Mission Integration, Ascension Health. from the May 2020 Ascension Health Spiritual Care Newsletter

Patty Harrison shared this interesting chart: Fear & Covid-19 Experience: Who do I want to be during Covid-19?

Anita Fischer shared these handouts from St. Cloud Hospital in Minnesota:

I wanted to share these documents with handouts that I have created for staff and patients/families here at CentraCare Saint Cloud Hospital.
The first document for staff contains handouts/posters that are intended to be placed in staff lounges or on units as helpful reminders for self-care. Some of the activities are very short and can be done while working and some activities take more time and can be focused on outside work.
The second document has the same activities but the focus is for patients and families. These can be given in a packet to patients who would like some resources for self-care.

COVID Self Care Staff
COVID Self Care Patients Families

How Nurses Can Combat Compassion Fatigue

• Sample statements shared with staff/families

Father Greg Boyle, Founder of Homeboy Industries, shares his inspirational message to the nonprofit staff at the organization

COVIBOOK is a child-friendly explanation Of Coronavirus by Manuela Molina Cruz

• Prayer and Reflection Resources

Please click here for prayers, poems, and reflections related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pandemic Prayer Cards from Our Sunday Visitor – in English and Spanish

• Prison Ministry

Statement of Solidarity: A Catholic Response to COVID-19 Behind Bars

COVID 19 Policy Suggestions (Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition)

• Free Webinars from APC

From the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) website:
In our continuing effort to help support our members during this difficult time, APC is now offering our members select webinar recordings to view for free. These webinars have been selected by the Chair of BCCI for their relevance to staff care, spiritual care, and self-care during the pandemic.

Members of APC and partners (ACPE, CASC, NACC & NAJC) can view the webinars below. Each recording is also eligible for 1.5 hours of Continuing Education for the 2020 C.E. year.

Currently featuring The Effects of Trauma Exposure on Chaplains, Presented by Alexandra Zareth MDiv BCC

• Coronavirus and chaplaincy in the news

Radiating Christ:: Hospital Chaplains

The Experience of Chaplains during COVID-19 – Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, May 4, 2021

Hospital chaplains embrace new role during the pandemic: caring for caregivers, Los Angeles Times, March 22, 2021

Chaplains and the rise of on-demand spiritual support – Boston Globe, March 9, 2021

‘We were here’ — health care chaplains reflect on COVID-19 ministry – Catholic News Service, February 25, 2021

Health care chaplains embrace self-care in COVID-19 work – Catholic News Service, February 25, 2021

‘We need to get in the room’: Hospital chaplains struggle to balance Covid safety with patients’ spiritual needs – STAT news, February 25, 2021

COVID-19 dampens hospital pastoral care – Catholic News Service, February 25, 2021

Hospital chaplains in a pandemic – Catholic News Service, February 25, 2021

Death, Through a Nurse’s Eyes A short film offering a firsthand perspective of the brutality of the pandemic inside a Covid-19 I.C.U. – New York Times , February 24, 2021

Clergy On The Pandemic Front Lines: ‘How Do We Really Grieve?’ – “All Things Considered” (NPR), February 22, 2021

Hospital chaplains face faith and fear in COVID-19 Unit on Treasure Coast – CBS12 News, February 4, 2021

9 retired nuns in Michigan die of COVID-19 in January – Associated Press, January 28, 2021

‘Smiling Through Our Eyes:’ Mercy Chaplains Share COVID-19 Experiences – eMissourian, January 28, 2021

Exhausted hospital chaplains bring solace to lonely, dying – Stars and Stripes, January 19, 2021

Hospital chaplains bridge gap between faith and fear amid the pandemic – The Rebound Tampa Bay (abcactionnews.com), January 8, 2021

‘Saturated with grief’: Hospital chaplains had a trying 2020 – The Philadelphia Tribune, January 8, 2021

Chaplains, Care Home Staff Coping With COVID-19 Protocols – The Tablet (Diocese of Brooklyn), December 17, 2020

How Catholics are carrying out prison ministry during the pandemic – Catholic San Francisco, December 15, 2020

Hospital chaplains on the frontlines – OzarksFirst.com (KOLR News), October 8, 2020

How Catholic chaplains are serving the Latino community during Covid-19 – America, September 14, 2020

Baltimore-area hospitals begin to ease visitor restrictions amid coronavirus – Baltimore Sun, August 22, 2020

Coronavirus interrupting last rites for Catholics – Austin American-Statesman, July 25, 2020

Priests find ways to manage stress, pastoral duties amid virus resurgence – Our Sunday Visitor, July 22, 2020

Hospital chaplains fill role of surrogate family members during times of isolation, depression, death – Orange County Register, July 9, 2020

UCLA end-of-life program adapts during pandemic to help dying patients and their families – Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2020

Hospital Chaplains Grapple With COVID-19’s ‘Tsunami’ Of Grief – HuffPost, June 23, 2020

Ministering on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic – Rhode Island Catholic, June 11, 2020

The Last Anointing – The New York Times, June 6, 2020

Hospital chaplains care for souls of sick – Arkansas Democrat Gazette, June 6, 2020

‘Our patients are not dying alone’: Hospital chaplains take on tough role during COVID-19 pandemic – Arizona Republic, June 2, 2020

Finding God amidst COVID-19 – Grosse Pointe News, May 13, 2020, by the Rev. Rich Bartoszek BCC

US Catholic leaders express solidarity with those affected by Covid-19 behind bars – Independent Catholic News (ICN), May 20th, 2020

‘These patients are not alone’: Md. hospital chaplain calls pandemic ‘difficult time’ – WTOP News, May 19, 2020

In midst of pandemic, chaplain lends listening ear to the caregivers – National Catholic Reporter, May 12, 2020

Unsung Heroes Help Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic at L.A. County-USC Medical Center – U.S. News & World Report, May 7, 2020

Compassion Fatigue: the Hidden Cost of Caregiving – U.S. News & World Report, May 4, 2020

Now and at the Hour of Our Death – CLOnline.org, May 7, 2020

Sacred Heart hospital chaplain offers patients, staff ‘life-giving moments’ in hard and hectic circumstances – Spokesman-Review, May 7, 2020

‘It Feels Heavy,” a Hospital Chaplain Sees Death After Death – U.S. News & World Report, May 6, 2020

Hospital chaplains offer solace from the sidelines, as patients ask them: ‘Am I going to die alone in here?’ – Business Insider, May 5, 2020

Facing unprecedented COVID-19 restrictions, Minnesota chaplains still comforting others – MPR News, May 6, 2020

Outside patient’s room, hospital chaplain navigates COVID-19 –The Day, May 05. 2020

Through glass or from a distance, Orlando Health chaplains comfort COVID-19 patients – Orlando Sentinel, April 24, 2020

Catholic Chaplains Change Normal Routines – Rockford Diocese Observer, May 1, 2020

Spiritual Care at the Front Lines of the Pandemic – Sojourners, May 6, 2020

Hospital Chaplains Spend Final Moments With COVID-19 Patients: ‘I Just Stayed And Held Her Hand’ – CBS Boston, May 4, 2020

Always on the front lines, Tampa Bay chaplains find new ways to connect – Tampa Bay Times, April 27, 2020

‘Grace comes through’: Three bishops on ministering during a pandemic – National Catholic Reporter, Apr 24, 2020

For Hospital Chaplains, Coronavirus Has Shifted Spiritual Care – U.S. News & World Report, April 22, 2020

LA chaplains look to create ‘bridges’ with isolated coronavirus patients – Angelus News, Apr 22, 2020

Elderly and disabled have same right to treatment as others amid pandemic, say UK bishopsCatholic Sentinel, April 21, 2020

Vulnerable people around the world aided by rapid COVID-19 response – Catholic News Service, April 20, 2020

A test of faith and love: Hospital chaplains’ work during the pandemic – Catholic Sentinel, April 20, 2020

Amid coronavirus deaths, Michigan hospital chaplains struggle to carry on – Bridge – April 18, 2020

The Men and Women Who Run Toward the Dying – New York Times, April 3, 2020

San Diego hospital chaplains ministering to coronavirus patients — from afar – 10News San Diego, April 2, 2020

A Prayer for These Times with Honesty and a bit of Humor

For the layers of comfort and convenience that surrounded our lives and
that we never considered a blessing but always just took for granted, forgive us.
For we who must grieve in isolation and not in community, comfort us.
For we whose hearts break when families are separated from those they love most, help us.
For we whose loved ones scatter when we come near, embrace us.
For we who care for the sick, protect us.
For we who wonder if every breath is contaminated, whether every sneeze is the plague, calm us.
For the wisdom to provide soothing care with the bare minimum of touch, without the gift of showing our smile to others, teach us.
For we who weigh each visit whether the good we might do outweighs the danger we could bring, give us wisdom.
For we who volunteer to step forward to serve the neediest, embolden us, watch over us and keep us safe.
For we who find new ways to support by phone and behind the scenes, assure us that we are enough.
For the ability to turn off the fear-mongering and unhelpful commentary and worst-case scenario click bait, strengthen us.
For those moments when we follow down the rabbit holes of fear and uncertainty, soothe us.
For we who live in the calm before the storm, not knowing what lies ahead tomorrow, help us to take one moment at a time.
For we who are now cutting our own bangs at home, guide us.
For we who treat an N95 mask like a winning lottery ticket, help us.
For we who feel alone, companion us, brighten us with the warmth of a phone call or text, a pet’s cuddle, a child’s laughter, the kind, understanding sparkle of a stranger’s eyes to remind us that we are not alone.
For we who miss the comfort of touch, grant us the balm of warm showers, delicious treats, a good workout, the escape of a great TV show, game or book, a good night’s sleep.
For we who can’t embrace in person, zoom us into community.
For the times when we are all out of creative ideas for how to get through this, inspire us.
After the exhaustion of seemingly unending days, grant us laughter, rest, and renewal.
For we who suffocate on the warm breath inside a mask, grant us fresh air, sunshine, and spring flowers.
For we who feel hopeless, and discouraged, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to feel the blessings around us.

— by Rev. Nadia Bolz Weber, Lutheran pastor, Denver, CO (with adaptations by Chaplain Melissa Kreider)

Amid distancing, Maryland priests find ways to comfort the sick and dying – Baltimore Sun, April 12, 2020

How a Hospital Chaplain Brings Comfort to Patients, Without Hugs or Holding Hands – KQED, April 11, 2020

Holy oil, masks and FaceTime: The coronavirus forces Catholics to adapt last rites – Los Angeles Times, April 11, 2020

Undeterred during COVID-19, hospital chaplains transform delivery of spiritual care – Internal Medicine News, April 27, 2020

Hospital chaplains are bridging the gap between patients and grieving families who can’t stay by their bedside during the coronavirus pandemic – Jackson Progress-Argus, – April 26, 2020

My Rewarding and Sacred Work as a Chaplain – by Mary Beth Moran, The Boston Pilot, April 10, 2020

What it’s like to be a hospital chaplain during Covid-19 – America magazine, March 27, 2020

NYC hospital chaplains detail emotional toll of new coronavirus reality – New York Post, April 2, 2020

Coronavirus Resources from the Catholic Health Association (CHA)

Understanding Grief: A Very Challenging Journey – by Chaplain Patricia Harrison, MA, BCC, DSC

Resources for Undocumented Immigrants and their Families During COVID-19

The Demand for Inpatient and ICU Beds for COVID-19 in the US: Lessons From Chinese Cities – from Harvard Library

Socially Distant: Technology is a powerful tool, but it can’t replace our humanity – The Blade, March 26, 2020

Poet-theologian says isolation can bring gain as well as loss – John L. Allen Jr., Crux, Apr 3, 2020

Staying spiritually close but physically far apart – The Catholic Star Herald, April 9, 2020

Risking bodies to pray for souls, priests answer the call amid coronavirus – Crosscut, April 8, 2020

COVID-19 and Italy: what next? – from The Lancet

Facing Covid-19 in Italy — Ethics, Logistics, and Therapeutics on the Epidemic’s Front Line – from The New England Journal of Medicine

April 7, 7pm CDT – “The Catholic Moral Tradition Speaks to COVID-19” with CTU professors Dick Benson, CM, Maria Cimperman, RSCJ, and Dawn Nothwehr, OSF (Catholic Theological Union online event). Join at: https://zoom.us/j/596326834

Seven ways to manage ‘COVID Stress Syndrome’ – Our Sunday Visitor, March 19, 2020

Bishop Donald J. Hying: “God will get us through this”

SCA’s Spiritual Care Grand Rounds is offering webinars on coronavirus.

Survival ethos marks New Orleans, now an epicenter of COVID-19 – National Catholic Reporter, Mar 19, 2020

For chaplains, COVID-19 forces distance, fear, introspection – The Houston Chronicle, March 20, 2020

Church grants special indulgence to coronavirus patients and caregivers Vatican News, March 20, 2020

Here is a recent article discussing the special indulgence from the Apostolic Penitentiary: Coronavirus indulgences evoke Francis’ ‘ridiculously-pardoning’ church – National Catholic Reporter, Mar 26, 2020

A Grateful Day – by Br. David Steindl-Rast. From the website: “This short video meditation awakens us to the wonders of our world, reminds us about what truly matters, and invites us to notice the everyday gifts of our lives.”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patroness of the Quarantine

• Other news and links

Yes, there’s actually a St. Corona! And her remains are in Northern Italy