15:320 Catholic Sexual and Medical Ethics
Dr. Shawn McCauley Welch
February 1 – April 30, 2021

This introductory course in Catholic Sexual and Medical Ethics builds on the introduction to Roman Catholic fundamental moral theology and considers both the main principles as well as contemporary debates and applications within the areas of sexual and especially biomedical ethics. It seeks to prepare students for pastoral practice related to sexual and bioethical areas of human life, and it engages issues such as the meaning and purpose of human sexuality, natural family planning and artificial contraception, abortion, reproductive technologies, extent of medical treatments, and euthanasia.

Those not currently enrolled in a program at Saint Meinrad may apply to take the course in non-degree study; the application is available here. Registration for the spring term will open November 2, and is due by January 1. More information is available on the website: https://saintmeinrad.edu/graduate-theology/how-to-apply/ or with director of admissions John Schlachter, jschlachter@saintmeinrad.edu.

For those considering further theological study, we will be hosting an Online Open House for Prospective Students next Wednesday, October 14, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm Central Time. Registration is available here: https://saintmeinrad.edu/graduate-theology/open-house/.

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
812-357-6721
www.saintmeinrad.edu

“Honoring Grief—Intending to Heal” is a grief support companion training program for those who are new to companioning the bereaved and/or for those who are currently supporting the bereaved in various capacities and want to hone their skills.

The companioning model can be integrated into—and can greatly enhance—any modality of support to the bereaved, be it as a counselor, support group facilitator, minister, social worker, hospice worker, chaplain, funeral home employee, nurse, physician, spiritual director, friend, or family member.

This approach to supporting the bereaved makes a clear distinction between other models that focus on treating, fixing, curing, analyzing, and resolving another’s grief. Instead, the companioning model is about “being authentically present to the mourner, allowing the mourner to teach and guide you, and even being a temporary guardian of the person’s soul” (Alan Wolfelt).

The art of being a grief support companion is deceptively simple but most find it challenging as it demands personal accountability of—and tending to—one’s own losses, as well as allowing oneself to be vulnerable. It is a model that is counter-intuitive, counter-intellectual and counter-western-cultural. This training program’s approach and contents includes a healthy balance of head and heart.

Components of the Companion Training Program include:

• in-depth exploration of the companioning philosophy (with sensitivity to serving differing ages, cultures, ethnicities, and spiritual backgrounds)
• basic understanding of grief and its significance
• connecting spirituality and grief
• basic understanding of healing in grief
• surveying the necessity of being with difficult emotions and feelings
• clarifying the necessity of purposeful and intentional healing
• learning and practicing companioning skills with particular emphasis on:

1. real presence
2. creating and holding safe spaces
3. the art of curiosity through an appreciation and integration of “beginners
   mind”
4. developing listening and questioning skills

• practical implications of using the companion model in various grief support modalities.

Gatherings will include:

• presentation and educational activities
• small and large group interaction
• meditation and griever-friendly rituals
• opportunities to practice skills
• opportunities for personal integration.

Program Requirements:

• Attendance at all five Saturday gatherings
• A space of 1.5 years since a significant loss is preferred
• Reading, intentional reflection, integration and other assignments prior to the first gathering and between gatherings.

Participants who complete the program will receive:

• four grief related books
• practical handouts
• certificate of completion of four Continuing Education Units.

Honoring Grief is approved for four CEUs (40 Contact Hours) through the University of Wisconsin—Parkside Continuing Education.

Registration and Application Process:

1. Complete and submit the registration form and the non-refundable deposit.
2. Once your registration is received, you will be emailed a biographical application form which is required to be completed and submitted for review by the training program team.
3. You will be notified regarding your acceptance into the program and mailed the assignment for the initial gathering. You must apply by by Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

Saturdays, January 25, February 22, March 21, April 25, and July 11, 2020. (Snow date May 9)
8:30am—4:30pm

Cost of $475 includes $50 non-refundable deposit, all five training days, four books, handouts and materials, meals, and CEUs.

www.sienaretreatcenter.org/events/honoring-grief%E2%80%A6intending-heal

Transformative Power of Love

Three Online Workshop Series
Presented by Richard Groves & the Sacred Art of Living Center

Among life’s most painful experiences is losing someone we love. Grief silences the soul. It shakes our solid ground and turns it into unstable footing with no clear path ahead. When grieving, we also face questions which contain healing and transformative potential:

• Who am I without my loved one?
• How will I function under the weight of grief?
• Where can I find a sense of wholeness?

Richard Groves will explore this important topic in three five-week online courses. His teachings are shaped by forty-years of experience in the field of end-of-life care and his new book “Alchemy of Grief” (co-authored with his late wife, Mary). This series is supported with video instruction by grief experts Tom Golden, MSW, and Wendy Howard, PhD. Each series begins with a live three-hour webinar presented by Richard Groves. There will be an opportunity to explore the many facets of grief through lecture, discuss topics in small groups, and ask Richard one-on-one questions. Over a five week period, you will receive our resource packet – filled with readings, journaling questions, book suggestions, and relevant videos by Wendy Howard and Tom Golden. All participants will be encouraged to look at their relationship with grieving, since we all experience loss. Grief has the power to deeply transform your life. “The Alchemy of Grief” teaches how to use that transformation for growth and healing.

Facing Grief – Live Webinar March 2, presented by Richard Groves: $75

Living with Grief – Live Webinar April 6, presented by Richard Groves: $75

Transforming Grief – Live Webinar May 18, presented by Richard Groves: $75

Register or get more information here.

Transforming Chaplaincy sponsors and publicizes chaplaincy webinars, which are hosted by ACPE: The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education. These are designed to help leaders and early-career professionals strategize on advancing chaplaincy, both within their own institutions and as a profession. After their conclusion, webinars and their ancillary materials are made available in Transforming Chaplaincy’s fully searchable database.

Click here for more information!

The Institute of Pastoral Studies (IPS) educates adults for professional ministry, spiritual development and faith-based leadership in other professions. Through their course of study and their spiritual formation, students develop real-world knowledge and skills in theological reflection, in ministerial practice and in ethical judgment.

For more information go to luc.edu/ips/continuing-education

Author and Facilitator: Nina Marie Corona, D.Min.

We Thirst (Christian Reflections on Addiction) is a popular inspirational series that educates about the topic of addiction from a Christian perspective.

This comprehensive program (now available online) thoroughly explores the nature of addiction and our responsibility as followers of Christ in responding to those who are suffering. This series is designed to educate and spread awareness, but it is beautifully unique. Unlike most other programs that simply inform, this program encourages: Hope, empathy, courage, prudence, community, mercy, faith, love, and action!

The National Association of Catholic Chaplains has approved this program for 2.0 Continuing Education Hours per session.

For more information on earning CEs online, click HERE. To watch the video trailer and learn more about the series, click here.

The University of Washington is now offering a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care. This innovative, post-graduate interprofessional curriculum is designed for working healthcare professionals and is one of the few programs nationally where all professions learn together to provide team based, patient and family centered care. Past participants include individuals from nursing, medicine, social work, spiritual care, patient advocacy and administration and range in experience from those just finishing training, to those with decades of work experience.

Jointly offered through the UW Schools of Medicine and Nursing, the certificate is ideal for professionals who want specialty training to join a palliative care team, become a palliative care champion within their specialty, be change agents for their organization, or purely want to improve their individual skill set.

During this 9-month graduate certificate, our world-renowned faculty use weekly interactive distance learning, peer and faculty mentoring and quarterly in-person workshops to help participants develop their expertise in three key areas of palliative care practice: person-centered communication, interprofessional team training, and program development/system integration. In addition, the certificate course includes VitalTalk® training, which is a highly regarded national model for simulation training in serious illness communication.

CORE FACULTY
Ardith Doorenbos PhD, RN, FAAN
Caroline Hurd MD
Helene Starks PhD, MPH

EXPERT FACULTY
Anthony Back, MD
Heather Coats, PhD, ARNP
J. Randall Curtis, MD, MPH
Jim Fausto, MD
Sharmon Figenshaw, ARNP, ACHPN
Carol Kummet, LICSW, MTS
Taryn Lindhorst, PhD, LCSW
Lucille Marchand, MD, BSN, FAAHPM
Sean Doll O’Mahoney, M. Div, BCC
Grady Paden, MD
Elizabeth Perry, MSW
Kathryn Schlenker, DO
Joan Teno, MD, MS
Lisa Vig, MD

Please visit www.uwpctc.org for more information.

“Everyday Creativity” is about making the ordinary, extraordinary. Each of us is faced with creatively coming up with the next solution, the next answer to our problems. And this means in our businesses, our communities, or our families. Creativity is often thought of as a phenomenon that is larger-than-life, or out of the ordinary. Something reserved for a few “artistic” types. Dewitt Jones challenges such thinking and shows us how creativity is something much more accessible. Using his own photos as the basis for memorable stories, Dewitt shows us how an open mind, a solid understanding of our craft, and the willingness to venture beyond what is expected, can change our ability to live more creatively, everyday.

Approved by the NACC for 12 Continuing Education Hours

Contact Information:
Eilene Wisniewski
Star Thrower Distribution
26 E. Exchange Street, #600
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 800-561-0291
Email: eilene@starthrower.com
Web: http://www.starthrower.com/p-62-everyday-creativity.aspx

This website presents a framework for a self-guided retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. The retreat will consist of 32 Steps divided in four Phases (plus the “Contemplation to Attain the Love of God” leading to the aftermath of the retreat). Each Step is built up so that with the help of the given material you can do one or more sessions consisting of prayer, meditation, reflection, and sharing if more than one person does the retreat together. Whatever from this material is more significant for you, stay with it as long as you feel, do repetitions if you wish so to get the more fruit that is possible out of each Step.

www.stepbystepretreats.webs.com