The National Association of Catholic Chaplains

Menu
  • Membership
      • Apply for Membership
      • Frequently-Asked Questions about Membership
      • Request Retired Membership
      • State Liaisons
      • Newest Members
      • Membership Directory
      • Member map
      • Celebrating Our Members’ 25-year Membership and Certification
      • In Memoriam: deceased NACC members
    • Close
  • Certification
    • Initial Board Certification
      • Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)
      • Certified Associate Chaplain (CAC)
      • Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification (PCHAC)
      • VA Initial Board Certification
      • Recognition of Strategic Partners Board Certification
      • Newly Certified Chaplains
      • Close
    • Renewal of Certification
    • Certification Competencies & Procedures
      • Certification Competencies & Procedures
      • Important Background on NACC Certification Competencies
      • Professional Code of Ethics for Spiritual Care Professionals
      • Certification Commission
      • Certification Appeals Panel
      • Ethics Appeals Panel
      • Close
    • Mentors
    • Recognition of Strategic Partners Board Certification
    • Verifying Certification
    • Maintaining Certification in Retirement
    • Graduate Theological Programs
    • Close
  • Education Resources
      • 2023 Retreat
      • 2023 Webinar Series
      • Recorded webinars (2009-2022)
      • Calendar of Events
      • Graduate Theological Programs
      • CPE Programs
      • NACC Professional Networking Calls
      • Continuing Education Hour Requests – Guidelines and Forms
      • Ongoing Educational Opportunities
      • Local/Regional Gatherings & Events
      • Past Conferences (2004 – 2022)
      • Vision
    • Close
  • Resources
    • Antiracism Resources
    • Administrator Resources
    • Awareness Resources
    • Chaplaincy Care Resources
    • Coronavirus Resources & Updates
    • Job Listings
    • The Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling
    • Partners in Pastoral Care
    • Research
    • Specialty Care Resources
    • Spirituality and Prayer Resources
    • Spiritual Care Department Resources
    • Vision
    • Close
  • About NACC
    • About the NACC
      • Mission/Vision/Values
      • Constitution and ByLaws
      • Strategic Plan
      • History
      • Close
    • Annual Awards
    • Association Leadership
      • NACC Board of Directors
      • Committees, Commissions, and Panels
      • National Office Staff
      • Episcopal Advisory Council
      • Close
    • Catholic Prison Ministries Coalition (CPMC)
    • Choose Chaplaincy
    • Health Care Collaborators
    • NACC Merchandise
    • NACC Publications and Documents
      • Vision
      • NACC Now
      • Annual Reports & Financial Reviews
      • Documents and publications
      • NACC Blog
      • Close
    • Partners in Pastoral Care
    • Partners for Professional Excellence in Spiritual Care
    • Vision
    • Close
  • Choose Chaplaincy
  • Contact Us
      • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    • Close
  • Donate Now
  • Member Login
Home » Vision » July-August 2018 » Newly certified chaplain finds conference is where she was meant to be

Newly certified chaplain finds conference is where she was meant to be

By Nancy Many

Last year, after much patient coaching from my NACC mentor, I passed my board certification. In the months that followed, my mentor, Kelly Bigler, coached me on attending the conference. She told me that the commissioning ceremony alone was worth it, to say nothing of the CEUs.

I registered for the conference, but the date seemed to come so quickly. On my early morning flight, I wondered what chaplains I might run into. I had worked with both APC and NACC chaplains in New England, California, and now Nevada. I entered the hotel and, as if by magic, sitting directly in front of the doors was Father Ken. We had worked together in Southern California at St. Joe’s. In fact, I had taken over his night-shift position for two hospitals when he switched to days. I was greeted with his bright smile and warm hug. In that moment, I knew Kelly had been right; this was perfect. I needed to do this.

I spent Thursday morning volunteering at the registration desk, where I met up with a fellow NACC chaplain and a past CPE supervisor of mine — Wilson, from New England. I also made friends with several volunteers working at our station. So many chaplains. It felt both strange and natural at the same time. When I lived in Los Angeles, I would overhear conversations regarding the entertainment industry. In Washington, politics and political jargon were normal over coffee. For the first time in my life, I found myself among strangers having conversations about CAPH scores and POLSTs.

For the first time in my life I find myself among strangers who are having conversations about CAPH scores and POLSTs.

I got my own registration bag and had a chance to see more of what was in store. I knew there would be a rehearsal for the ceremony, and I checked to see when and where. There were two and a half hours of rehearsal! Is this correct? I asked a fellow volunteer. Yes, she nodded. Chaplain that she was, she had me in a more accepting mood in no time. But, darn, two and a half hours.

I spent Friday afternoon in rehearsal, first for those of us in NACC who were being missioned and blessed. The time went by quickly as everywhere I turned there was another chaplain to meet. That recognition and easy banter continued with the APC/NACC joint rehearsal. I had a 30-minute briefing for those of us who were attending for the first time. Then I visited the labyrinth, the reflective space, and the exhibit hall.

Our conference opening and speaker were wonderful. In fact I was moved by all our speakers. They gave me food for thought and broadened my understanding in areas of chaplaincy, as well as the tough societal issues we deal with daily.

The NACC missioning was done as part of the celebration of the Eucharist with the bishop presiding. This was very moving for me personally and reminded me of how I felt when I was commissioned as a Eucharistic minister. I felt it was a sacred confirmation of the calling that God had given me. I felt blessed to be there among so many others who had also received the calling to the vocation of chaplaincy.

I was also excited to see Charity, who took over the St. Joseph and Tarzana night-shift position after I left and is still there. Charity and I can share both the challenges and joys of what that work is like. We sat together for the grand banquet and enjoyed every minute of it.

Our NACC missioning was quite a counterpoint to the APC ceremony. I had heard the APC “dances.” I got my first clue when we found a plastic bag filled with noise makers, confetti, and tambourines at our banquet table. It took a while to get through all the newly certified and recertified members of both the APC and the NACC. And yes, there was music and dancing, a very large celebration. I felt as if I received the best of both worlds — the calm, sacred Eucharist and blessing and then the celebration of the achievement. I felt blessed to be receiving my certification during a joint APC/NACC conference. The joining was a collaboration that benefited us all.

Nancy Many, BCC, is volunteer coordinator and chaplain at Seasons Hospice in Las Vegas, NV.

The National Association of Catholic Chaplains
Become a Member Would you like to get Certified?

Free Publications

Don’t miss the latest news, subscribe to our newsletter today! You don’t have to be a member to subscribe.

National Association of Catholic Chaplains
4915 S. Howell Avenue, Suite 501
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Get Directions

Phone: (414) 483-4898
Fax: (414) 483-6712
Email: info@nacc.org

Our office hours
Mon-Thur 8:00am – 5:00pm Central Time
Friday 8:00am – 12 Noon
Sat-Sun closed

Job Listings

Current job opportunities for chaplains, priests, CPE residents, supervisors, directors of pastoral care, managers, mission directors, and more.

Job Listings

Free Publications

Don’t miss the latest news, subscribe to our newsletter today! You don’t have to be a member to subscribe.

Donate Now

Learn more about making a tax-deductible donation to NACC.

Donate Now

Connect with us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
© 1997 - 2023 National Association of Catholic Chaplains - Sitemap

Built by Westwords