August/September 2008 Volume 20, No. 4

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1 August/September 2008 Volume 20, No. 4 Dear Colleagues, The readings for the nineteenth Sunday of ordinary time really struck me. Jesus is walking on the water toward the disciples in the middle of the night in very rough seas; I can understand why they are frightened. I have spent many a night at sea on watch in the wee hours of the morning. As beautiful as it can be, every little noise sends shivers up your spine. But Jesus tells them to take courage it is I, do not be afraid. Then Peter challenges Jesus. Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. Jesus replies; come Peter begins to walk on the water, but when he saw how strong the wind was and how heavy the seas were, he becomes frightened and starts to sink. In a panic he cries out; Lord save me. Immediately Jesus stretches out his hand to Peter. As I read this, I immediately thought of you. The moment your pager goes off or the phone rings your hand is stretched out to those in need. There are many times in our lives when we find ourselves in the dark, we have questions. Our first few steps are on firm ground and then things change and we slowly lose confidence, just as Peter did. It could be with a new job, or the first time we step into a hospital room and say hello. This summer I had the wonderful opportunity to take eleven people from my parish to World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia. We had been preparing for the trip for two years. But I have to be honest with you, as I walked into Logan Airport I felt a little like Peter. Here I am taking eleven people to the other side of the world and I am responsible for them. I think the water was about waste deep at this point. After more than a day of travel and delays on every flight, the water was getting deeper. Then we got of the plane and met Cherie, our tour guide. She is a wonderful person; she reached her hand out to us and got us safely to the hotel. We spent the next eight days walking on the water. There were over four hundred thousand people at the mass with Pope Benedict. All of them were there for one reason, Jesus Christ. There were many moments each day when Jesus said to me; O you of little faith, why did you doubt? The love the young people had for Jesus and each other was palpable. They reached their hands out to the people of Sydney and said I want you to meet my friend Jesus Christ. I was talking to a few of the police officers that were working and I asked them how things were going. They said; This is the first time anyone has come up to us and said thank you. The youth from around the world were thanking them for keeping them safe. Jesus reached his hand out to them through the youth of the world, just as you reach out to each patient and family you visit. We brought with us a book of petitions that we offered up at every Mass we attended. I placed in the book all of the intentions you have been praying for, and that the Holy Spirit will strengthen your ministry in a special way. The Theme of World Youth Day was: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses. Acts 1:8 You are his witnesses! Jim 1

2 Transitions William Sweeney has accepted the position of Director of Spiritual Care Services and Mission at Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. Bill, who has completed 3 units of CPE and will be pursuing certification after completing a 4th unit, most recently worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua, NH. Arlene Larsen, a certified Chaplain, has accepted the position of Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services at Lawrence General Hospital. Arlene has previously served in this capacity at Whidden Hospital in Everett and was most recently employed at West River Care Hospice. Chaplain News Happy Birthday, Lucien! Fr. Lucien Sawyer, OMI, Priest Chaplain at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge and former Director of Health Care Ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston, celebrated his 84th birthday recently. He is pictured below with Mary Harrison, Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services at Mt. Auburn. Looking great, Lucien! Sr. Barbara Harrington, OP has accepted the position of Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services at Brockton Hospital. Sister Barbara, who has an M.Div. from Weston School of Theology and 2 CPE units has worked in a variety of ministries. Her most recent position was as Chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. John Kwiatek has accepted the position of Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services at Beverly Hospital. John formerly worked as a Chaplain at Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell. Please keep Judy LoGerfo, former Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services at Milton and Mt. Auburn Hospitals, in your prayers. Her father, Daniel Molnar, died on August 3 at the age of 92. LISTEN is a newletter for Catholic Pastoral Health Ministers published by Office of Health Care Ministry 66 Brooks Drive Braintree, MA (617) fax: (617) DeaconJames_Greer@rcab.org Joanne_Gaffney@rcab.org Editors: Deacon James Greer Joanne Gaffney This newsletter and other recent editions may be downloaded from our website: Open Offices/Ministries link; Select Health Care on scroll down list; select Publications; Click on Listen. Georgia Gojmerac Leiner was featured in an article in the May/June 2008 edition of Everything Emerson, the Emerson Hospital s newsletter. She was featured in the Question and Answer section regarding her chaplaincy. Following is an excerpt of her response to the request to describe an average day: Mostly I come to work with the attitude of being open to whatever happens. I allow the Holy Spirit to lead me. I can experience deep sorrow and high elation within short spans of time by praying for the dying person in one visit and then blessing a healthy newborn in the next. Anna Matturro, NACC Chaplain, wrote the following article regarding her ministry at Holy Family Parish in Gloucester. Health Care Ministry Often overlooked in our ailing health care system is the spiritual component which impacts the physical, mental and emotional state of a person. Body, mind and spirit need to work together and be in balance for total well being no matter what age. Holy Family is one of only a few parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston to provide regular, ongoing spiritual care for those confined to home especially the elderly and terminally ill. Our current volunteers, trained as Eucharistic Ministers and Pastoral Visitors, 2

3 reach between 60 and 75 homebound and over 150 nursing home residents monthly. They also minister to patients at Addison Gilbert Hospital, several senior housing complexes in Rockport and Gloucester and Day by Day Senior Care at Blackburn Circle. These volunteers are commissioned to go forth at our Eucharistic Celebrations from daily and Sunday Masses. They give generously of their time by bringing Holy Communion to our 'shut-ins'. They serve as Jesus' 'vessels' by ministry in the form of care, compassion and listening presence. They witness to all Jesus in our midst. Yes, they preach by what they do. The question one may ask or wonder is why would a financially struggling parish keep a Health Care Minister on staff? Our faithful elderly need not feel isolated nor abandoned by their faith community. They are continually reminded of God's caring, healing presence in Eucharist and pastoral visits in the midst of aging problems, situations and end of life. Our homebound actively participate in the life of the parish first and foremost through their prayer ministry. No doubt, too, since ministry is mutual, they freely share their gifts with those who visit them. They do, indeed, enrich the life of the parish and bless each one of us. They are treasures not to be overlooked. As coordinator of this team ministry, it is my role to identify and assess spiritual needs of our elderly/ homebound; train, support, assign and supervise volunteers; serve as liaison with our co-pastors; schedule Masses, the Sacrament of Anointing (Healing of the Sick) and Communion services at various facilities; assist families with funeral planning, wakes and internments when appropriate; offer bereavement follow-up and referrals to ongoing community support groups. I am grateful to our co-pastors and staff for their commitment in this parish outreach ministry, for the support of our parish community, for our gifted volunteers on the team and most of all for the people we serve who allow us into their lives. It is a privilege for me to serve in this capacity. Anna Matturro, Chaplain NACC Coordinator of Pastoral Health Care Ministry Erin O Donnell, Chaplain at Sherrill House in Boston, was married on June 21 to Graham Keane, who is originally from County Cork, Ireland. Congratulations to Erin and Graham Keane! SAVE THE DATE Tuesday, October 14, :15 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Caritas Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA Please join the Caritas Holy Family Hospital Spiritual Care Services Department as we sponsor the Rev. Gerald G. Wyras Ministry Seminar CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER How to Avoid Burnout and Keep Healthy Boundaries Speaker: Paul J. Ashtonk Psy.D., D.Min. National speaker, trainer, author, and psychologist Fee: $30 without CEU s; $35 with CEU s Registration material will be sent at a later date. If you know anyone who would like to receive material, please call: , ext Day of Prayer October 4, :30 AM 4:30 PM St. Joseph Retreat Center, Cohasset ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND BOUNDARIES IN MINISTRY Maureen Casey, SND and Joan M. McCarthy, CSJ This is an excellent opportunity to deepen one's awareness of essential attitudes and behaviors pertaining to healthy ministerial relationships. Information: Please note that we have a new fax number Please call us at to let us know if you intend to send a fax. It is a shared fax and is not in our office. Thank you. 3

4 Resources The Office has the following CD s from the NACC conference in Indianapolis which will be available for loan upon request. Celebrating our Sacramental Life (Kenan B. Osborne, OFM, D.Theol.) Celebrating the Biblical Groundedness of our Calling (Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Th,D.) Naming our Present Realities and Celebrating our Vision (Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, OP, Ph.D.) Zen Practice, Christian Practice (Georgia Gojrnerac-Leiner, S.T. M., BCC) The Value of Chaplaincy: Metrics, Measurement, and Performance (Rev. Dean V. Marek, BA.,) Prescriptive Bedside Harp Music as a Complementary/AlternativeModality of Palliative Spiritual Care (Donna G. Dickerson, MA., BCC) Naming, Claiming, and Sustaining the Role of Chaplain on an Interdisciplinary Palliative Care Service (Chaplain Linda F. Piotrowski, M.T.S., BCC) Spiritual Assessment: A Manager-Friendly Framework (Gordon J. Hilsman, D.Min. Rose Shandrow, M.Div) Professional Career Development in Pastoral Care: Chaplain, Director of Pastoral Care Mission Leader (Barbara Brumleve, SSND, Ph.D.) Renewing Breaths: Recovering Your Life Balance (Adrienne Zervos, M.P.S.) Compassion Fatigue: Supporting Professional Caregivers Cheryl M. Amrich, M.A. Increasing the Capacity for Workplace Spirituality: Spiritual journeying with Splendid Varied Gifts (Rodger Accardi, D.Min., BCC) Creating a Diversity Manual for Your Institution Linda M. Arnold, Ph.D., BCC) Advocating for Clinical Excellence: The Program, The Process, The Call (Chaplain Linda Piotrowski, M.T.S.) The Body as Sacramental Gift (Marty Meyer-Gad, M.A., BCC) End of Life: Soul and Body (Deacon 1. Patrick Bradley, MA., L.A.T.) SIGNCHIDO/The Art of Moving Prayer (Anne Borik, D.O.) And You Visited Me Using Our Gifts to Empower Others: The Art of Creating and Presenting Workshops for Pastoral Visitors ((Judith M. LoGerfo, M.A., M.T.S Betty Couble, MA, LMHC.) Managing Spiritual Care: Relationships that Empower Strategic and Operational Effectiveness (Alan E. Bowman, M.B.A., M.Div.,) Accompanying Children Living With Illness: Stories and Reflections from One Pediatric Chaplain (Jim Manzardo ) Book available for loan: The Christ Chaplain: The Way to a Deeper, More Effective Hospital Ministry - Robert Pennington This book is an instructive guidebook for health care chaplains who struggle with the high levels of stress that have become commonplace in modern medicine as they work longer hours for lower wages-yet get to spend less time with patients. This unique book from Father M. Basil (Robert) Pennington, who passed away in 2005, cuts to the real heart of the matter-job burnout-by emphasizing not what a chaplain does, but what a chaplain is. This powerful guide teaches chaplains how to achieve better spiritual health by practicing spiritual self-care through centering prayer. Peer Consultation Groups Peer consultation groups are a semi-structured form of professional peer support. They offer chaplains an opportunity to meet once a month with a group of colleagues to give and receive support; to discuss patient cases and other topics of particular concern of interest. Caritas Holy Family Medical Center, Methuen Facilitator: Sr. Claudia Blanchette, SND, PhD, Certified ACPE and NACC CPE Supervisor Beginning Monday, September 29 4:00 6:00 PM. The participants will schedule the following meetings at their first meeting. Caritas St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Brighton Facilitator: Edna Lezotte, LICSW, D. Min. in Pastoral Psychology, certified Chaplain, Pastoral Counselor Beginning Tuesday, September 16 4:30 6:30 PM. Day of the week to be determined by group. Edna is willing to facilitate a support group in other locations within the diocese. Interested persons may call

5 Educational Opportunities for Pastoral Visitors & Eucharistic Ministers Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound workshops St. Tarcisius, Framingham Tuesday evenings, Sept. 23-Oct PM Instructor: Sr. Ursula Tisdall, OSF Blessed Sacrament, Walpole Thursday evenings, Oct. 23 Dec. 4 (No class on Thanksgiving) 7-9 PM Instructor: Betty Couble Youville Lifecare, Cambridge Cullinane Conference Center Tuesday evenings, Nov. 4 to Dec PM Instructor: Judy LoGerfo Included in this newsletter is a registration form that could be used for the different workshops. (Indicate which location on the registration form). Please encourage your Eucharistic ministers, who have not attended a workshop in the past, to take advantage of these wonderful opportunities. If you need more information regarding these workshops, please call Save the Dates! Annual Gathering for Chaplains September 11, 2008 Speaker: David Lichter, Executive Director, NACC Caritas St. Elizabeth s Medical Center Brighton RSVP Deadline: Sept. 4 Parish/Hospital Collaborative Chaplains Meeting October 9, :00 noon 3:00 PM Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, Braintree Autumn Retreat October 21, :00 AM to 3:00 PM St. Joseph Villa Retreat House Cohasset, MA (We have the ability to stay over the night before, the 20th of October, with an arrival time of 7 pm (supper not included) at the cost of $ However we must have a minimum number of three. Please let us know prior to October 14 if you intend to stay over so that we can confirm the accommodations.) Summit 09 Health and Hope: The Hard Reality of Living Intentionally in a Village of Care Orlando, FL Feb. 1-4, 2009 Information: Come to the Waters Do you know someone who is carrying grief and sorrow over past abortion? Project Rachel is the post-abortion ministry of the Catholic Church to help those dealing with the pain of abortion. Project Rachel will offer three Come to the Waters post-abortion healing retreats this fall. Saturday, September 6, October 18 or November 15. For more information and registration for the date of your choice, contact Project Rachel at or help@projectrachelboston.com. 5

6 World Youth Day Pictured: Deacon Jim Greer (second from left in the back row) and group of young people from his parish at World Youth Day. Jim distributing Communion at World Youth Day Sand Sculpture Deacon Frank & Joanne Gaffney in front of the sand sculpture of Joanne s father, well-known Revere artist Norman Gautreau, at the Revere Beach Sand Sculpture Contest Pastoral Care Week for 2008 October 20-26, 2008 "PASTORAL CARE: Listening Presence For Pastoral Care Week resources, including ways to celebrate, prayers, press releases, posters, merchandise, the history of Pastoral Care Week, and more, visit the official website at: 6

7 Discover your Divine Flame: Remember-Renew-Rejoice!! November 18, 2008 Rolling Ridge Center Andover, MA This full day workshop explores the holy spark within each of us: the flame that knows both sacred sorrow and divine joy. Participants are invited to reflect on how sorrow and joy are as inexorably linked as the thorns and the blooms of the rose. We invite participants to examine the essence of their own sacred spark. How did we receive it? How do we recognize it? And how do we share our holy gifts? We will Remember, Renew, and Rejoice as we discover our uniqueness, learn to appreciate and expand our light, and then help to illuminate the path for others. The Workshop offers presentation, discussion, and experiential activities including meditation, writing, art, and music. This day of reflection, introspection, and joy invites us to discover our highest purpose. Fred Buechner in his book Wishful Thinking... A Theology ABC says, The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world s deep hunger meet. Come to remember, renew, and rejoice and leave with gladness and intention to share your divine glow. Children Say the Cutest Things A father was at a beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him, grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand. Daddy, what happened to him? the son asked. He died and went to Heaven, the Dad replied. The boy though a moment and then said, Did God throw him back down? A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5 and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait. Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, Ryan, you be Jesus! Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally his big sister had had enough. You re not supposed to talk out loud in church. Why? Who s going to stop me? Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, See those two men standing at the door? They re hushers. Presenters Jane Korins Jane is the director of Pastoral Care for the North Shore Medical Center in Salem, MA. She graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Master of Theological Studies and is a trained spiritual director. Michele Tamaran Michele is a spiritual director, writer, presenter, and personal coach. She trained in spiritual direction at the Claritas Institute Interspiritual Mentor Training Program with Dr. Joan Borysenko, bestselling author and pioneer in the field of mind-body-spirit medicine. Michele taught special education for more than 25 years working with youngsters challenged by physical, learning, neurological, and behavioral disorders. She wrote the book, I Make A Difference: Building Self-Esteem and Sensitivity in the Inclusive Classroom. 7