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 Chaplaincy Innovation Lab eBook on Grief - Prayers from USCCB: ; Review your diocesan websites for local resources and support including on-line Masses, rosaries, and prayers. Listening Hearts are available: _______________________________________6/9/20 Noon CT General Jan Richardson – Blessing in the Chaos At Mercy Philadelphia, continuing working from home, I don’t know when I’ll be returning. Philadelphia is in the yellow phase. Our community experienced protests, but the community came together. Appreciated watchingRace Rage and Healing on CBS as a Town Hall. It was excellent. World News Tonight last Tuesday had an hour special presentation America in Pain – very powerful, a longing for Justice.Returning to the hospital by end of summer, but with spike after the protests, there may be more people who become sick. I feel fortunate that I’m able to access the patient lists and room phone numbers. I also continue to write cards for families of deceased and to participate in webinars from CHA. Many are working from home, making yourself essential to support staff and patients. We want our chaplains to be visible.I am well known to the African American community I minister to, Hospital chaplains and hospice chaplains are returning work and community hospice. WA state is leveling, right now, we don’t have cases. Our ministry has shifted from iPad connectivity. We are noticing that there is less spiritual care for distress more for social. There is a move toward letting nursing use the tablets. We have an expanded visitor policy, allowing 1 support person for every patient. It’s a balance between patient/family centered care and safety. I’ve been able to replace two chaplains who retired. We have a tremendous reputation here, so I am grateful to have inherited a robust tradition for support for spiritual care ministry.Our protests have been mostly those carrying guns (locals). The community has tried to gently shut them out. It’s good to be known as Peace Health and supporting social change.Last week there was a very peaceful protest of white coats for black lives, hospital staff knelt for solidarity. Our CEO supported this. Many in the larger area of Philadelphia and New Jersey participatedWe did have our president lead a moment of prayerful silence leadership had a ZOOM meeting. Our president and Sr. leaders spoke about leading our teams, post traumatic resilience, supporting everyone, to invite conversations with teams.Our bishop invited black leaders to mass, also had a very powerful homily/reflection. Archbishop Wilton Gregory spoke up and out about this. There seems to be a divide among bishops, without a cohesive response against the violence. There is conflict in New York. There is a divide that sees to align politically.I also bring Harp Therapy to my patients.We do have 3 music therapist, unable to do this because of COVID. They may be doing it pro-bono, but it does ramp up tea for the soul. It’s amazingWe have someone who brings a harp instrument for patients to touch and use.I was doing training for harp therapy and chaplaincy at the same timeWe had a music therapist, a chaplain in so many ways to open conversations. Staff felt the power. In Long Island, we were struggling for fundsThis has been very energizing for me, thank you_______________________________________6/9/20 2pm CT General From Mother Theresa of Calcutta, for those affected by injustice.It’s hard to speak about loosing residence from our memory impaired unit, (my favorite) it was very hard not to be part of what is going on. Even if I were able to be there, I wouldn’t have been able to be there. It won’t hit me until I return to the unit, even if I do have names. I’m trying to figure out what God wants. We do ZOOM with the staff before I connect with families and staff. I am peaceful nowI do think of patients who died while I wasn’t available, my heart goes out to you. I would like to share over these weeks of isolation. Less than I month after having surgery on my knee, I was isolated. As things resume, I find it challenging to see what needs to be on my plate.. Shut-in seems to be our place right now.When I was getting these invitations, I hesitated about responding to these conversations because I was out of chaplaincy. I also realized that within the last weeks, I feel like my own disposition is less patient, also with family with who I had gotten together. It’s also the different places where we are at. Trying to find places to be able to dialogue out in a peaceful way to allow for the Spirit of God to enter.Having stayed at home for 3 months, as things are opening up, what do I reengage. I struggle with those not socially distancing on the beach. How much do I want to reengage in my life before the pandemic? Am I being responsible? What is the new normal?Going back isn’t the answer, but we are all looking at what can we do. Its hard to be peaceful in the unknown. Numbers are going back up, we are also dealing with racial issues, injustice and unjustice. I am grateful for the questions being raised, but it adds to the turmoil of the unknown.The current racial issues, so many people standing side by side gives me hope, seeing one of our bishops joining in, it gives me hope. There’s no getting away from it, the other piece is about the virus. There’s been movement that it will be longer, that I am more peaceful in myself.Just looking at my email, a classmate from chaplaincy and I became friends, we also did spiritual direction training at the same time. My friend is doing spiritual care, grief counseling and spiritual direction with her husband who is a counselor. She sent an email of a survey on cultural sensitivity. She shared that since the death in Atlanta, she and her family were doing a lot of processing, I felt hopeful about their approach for being culturally sensitive.You found nurture through the shared retreat experience. Ignatian Fr. Mark Thibodeaux SJ – 30-day retreat Ascending with Ignatius. has a lovely way of sharing the human experience._______________________________________6/9/20 1pm CT - LTC Grief over another death in her community. Her community is being hard hit, another is dying, 2 more have been diagnosed. The isolation is affecting everyone negatively.Edwina Gately – We tell our stories; we sit and listen… How have you heard God’s voice in what you are going through and what your patients have been going through?I work in a continuing care retirement community. God has said to be that its time for me to go back to work in a big way. We had 8 weeks of isolation. We are back to seeing people (with social distancing). The Lord said careful what you wish for. So many people are down for having been locked up for so long. A lot of listening and a lot of prayer. This will continue for a long time. We accommodate our residents by having visiting outside, but those in skilled and acute cannot. It’s hard because it will be over soon, no its not. A lot of prayers for our patients. I can’t overpromise and underdeliver. Try to be factual and patient. Not our time, not our call. Our governor is holding to his orders.How you are dealing with folks watching the news. Many want to talk about the news.It is comforting to know others in our position, trying to spread hope and peace. While working from home and office, I do a lot of phone calls. Those seeing the news are feeding on it. I ask, how are you now seeing God’s news? What are you feeding yourself? I let them talk their thoughts, fear, worries, their heart. Have you heard God’s heart? Can they journal? Can they find scripture to support their feeling? One patient works this well, asking her grand daughter to GOOGLE scripture, it connects the family.It’s great that you are taking them to their feelings. Its too easy to get caught up in their heads.The news, is out of control. After the riots, our governor and health department are concerned over the increase of more cases. So our seniors will be confined much longer. Its part of the vicious circle.How are you dealing: I walk and pray, talking prayer, talk on the phone which is so different. I get a sense of quiet peaceI encourage people not to dwell on the news, but we have lots of conversations about social justice. Where is our country going?We have strong family unity. Our participants have a heightened fear of their grandchildren participating in the protests. Their fears are moving from COVID to their families. What grandma/pa says is important. They need to reach out to their families, to concentrate on the blessing they hold, to give their grandkids their blessing, they have something to give. It helps people move forward.Everything is paused, and how do they move forward with this. We need to reach out and bless each other.We are hope dealers, not dope dealers. Do you allow visits, and do we suspend services for 14 days – these are the type of decisions being made. It’s very hard. Knowing what we have and using it is what we have right now.It’s reminding everyone that people have the power of prayer, the power of blessing, it really works.We can only reach our patients, but our patients can reach their families to carry the message. Young adults do tune into their grandparents. I will have an opportunity tomorrow afternoon. We will be able to do a committal service tomorrow afternoon. The blessing id to get people together again. Help them with closureI am new to this, I have found great support; I’m concerned about COVID calls possibly ending, especially with the increase of cases. ................
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