The National Association of Catholic Chaplains



Refer to NACC website New things are being posted daily, with many new resources that can be used in your changing ministry.Refer to the CHA website for resources. New things are being posted daily.CHA website. – front page is a link to Corona Virus resources and Spiritual Care resources and a series of short podcasts.Chaplaincy Innovative lab Prayers from USCCB: ; Review your diocesan websites for local resources and support including on-line Masses, rosaries, and prayers. Listening Hearts are available: Grief the new normal – I feel so overwhelmed () _______________________________________12/30/20 3pm CT General Session Opening Prayer – We come together to take a moment to silence the many voices that are in our minds and hearts and spirits… Looking back on the year unlike any other… Expressions of needs for support and community.. please share what is challenging you at this time.Connected to our Albany Province, we’ve lost 20 sister to COVID. Many of the sisters who died were my mentors, colleagues, and my heart feels very heavy after loosing so many so quickly. Today a very good friend would have celebrated her birthday today. I’ve retired after 40 years in chaplaincy with the NACC. Every Province lost sisters, but Albany lost so many.My heart goes out to you, we had sisters with your Province.Our Provincial House, no one can leave their room.We went through this, we had 5 die suddenly, there are only 40 of us. We weren’t allowed to support them in their dying. There are no words for how awful this is. The pain is there, you bear the pain because we love.We are getting our vaccines soon, the state is giving the shot to everyone 70+.How are you grieving when you can’t have funerals?I am able to walk an outdoor labyrinth, leaving my heart in the center.We’ve been so conscious of families who have lost members, someone, some many. Our communities are also our families, to lose so many. We are still tested twice a week at the nursing home. We are getting our vaccines on January 6th, busy getting the paperwork sone for us and our patients. If someone gets COVID, the unit goes n lockdown. We have a rapid test, have been dealing with some of my issues.I was struck by working in a community hospital, in our prayer today, I was struck by what is impeding our ministry. In my position, they wanted everything done in 20 hours (40-hour position). I did train volunteers. I was burned out in March last year, then COVID happened. My volunteers were side lined and my responsibilities were pared down. I’m lonely in ministry now. The expectations are crazy. 40% of our beds are COVID related and we have many in the nursing home. My heart goes out to all those who have shared. I wanted to share where I am, doing my best, it does concern me how things will be down the road. I will be going on medical leave; I was told they would hire a substitute but my job is not guaranteed. I did get my first vaccine, there has been delayed pain as a result of the initial shot.How are you caring for yourself with all your issues?Last spring I changed my schedule to every other day. That was helpful. I can arrange my own hours, but I do keep a schedule. A community hospital is different. My support system, my main support died previously, so its been hard. I can visit in Palliative care, the requests for referrals, I’ve kept a list for Long Term care, so I try to get out and help as much as I can. I enjoy being the chaplain instead of the manager.When someone speaks I find similarities to my experiences. I feel so much compassion for what you are feeling. We are a part of Covenant. I am a one-person dept. Need to find volunteers and to find priests for Mass. Its been a long time. I’ve been trying to be useful. I go to work every day. I was part of the team that moved people, I helped with virtual visits, outdoor visits, I thought I was invincible, but I did miss having volunteers. I did find a new ministry with the families. (100 beds) we lost a lot to COVID. We have a second round going through the place, more are affected. It seems like there are fewer deaths. We are isolating again.I did come down with COVID, so I won’t be back at work until next week. I do want to reconnect with volunteers and priests. I will appreciate getting back. I’ve been asymptomatic.I’m at a level one trauma center. We did have a break, but we are back in death mode. There seems to be more despair. The patients know their outcomes can be back. This is especially with couples, one dies, one loses the will to live. With myself and staff, there is less energy and a greater indifference, its becomes routine. It seems nurses are not as emotional as they were. I find myself there too. What has helped me is watching midnight Mass from Ireland. There was a lovely message. It helped me emotionally.I did start reading a funny book, so the laughter was helpful to me. I would like to go to the gym but am afraid. Will be vaccinated on Sunday.Maria – Worked 3 days in hospital, I am sponsored by Brooklyn diocese. I call families of deceased making condolence calls. My community is small, I try to be careful. I am afraid to expose myself.We connect about 10 in my family to pray the rosary together. I do pray for my family, my sister was very sick, I did travel to Puerto Rico to see her.I do pray more now, I watch mass on TV, including a Spanish one. Southern central PA, our journey has been similar and different. We have a census of 256 with 80-90 COVID+. Much more than earlier. It’s been a long haul for the nurses. I do care for my staff so they remain balanced. It’s the nurses in 6 units who have COVID. We’ve been doing so much support. They want our presence. We’ve been trained to be with dying patients. There are no visitors allowed. Nurses are tired and exhausted. Its important to feel us.10 of our 14 sisters had COVID. They are all better now.I talk to a dear friend, take some time to get out to walk, listening to soft music and reading.My situation is most like hers. WE have 3 hospitals, I’ve oversee them, but am onsite at the largest. WE have a mix, but also have entire COVID units. I work full-time and there are 5 per diem and 3 priests for sacraments. I go where I’m called. I check in and listen. Its to be with the nurses so they are not alone. We provide phone support; volunteers call everyone listed. Priests offer sacraments outside the room, mass communion. This isn’t going to end soon. We don’t have room for more patients. We are maxed out, we are triaging for getting beds, etc.I received the vaccine and will get the booster next week. I’ve had no reaction.We have 125 sisters; our motherhouse is in quarantine because staff tested positive. Many of the Jesuits here have tested positive, many have died.Its very sad to attend a funeral on ZOOM, you can feel the sadness, especially as the priests were elderly.I found the Shalom TV has Irish masses. We’ve also been dream sharing, its been bringing us close. We also walk, to be outside.Northwell staff prayer for the administration of the vaccine:A BlessingHoly one who has given us lifeAs I receive this vaccine, I ask for your blessing.May your grace be ever present.Bless me with wisdom to use my gifts with skill,To have a strong body, generous heart, and a keen mind.Support and strengthen me as I reach out in love and concernTo comfort those in fear and pain.When despair numbs my soul, give me hope.Guide me to act with courageSheltered by the wings of peace and kept in safety and health.Amen.From CHAT: This YouTube was our offering in "Chaplain Seed" for our staff. So, we offer it to each of you. Will try to play it when it's our turn. Even though only medical persons are shown in the 1-minute video, each one of us are responders. So, cheers to each of you!!!Closing Prayer: Blessings of 2020. Individuals who have made or deepened commitmentsFor all the new babiesFor all goals achieved, discoveries made (like vaccine) that will benefit millionsFamily and friends who have grown in appreciationFor those who helped total strangers and checked on familyFor those who worked on the frontline with determination and expertise ................
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