
Spotlight on Ministry
�Chaplaincy�
�
To me the world
seems like a giant hospital and I ask: "Where are the doctors?"� Our
Franciscan vocation makes us all�healers in a world home-sick for God,
His truths,�and His Church.�
One healing
apostolate is chaplaincy.� It�is very demanding�yet
immensely�rewarding.� "I was sick and you visited me" is�the call that
drives us�and it is also the�goal in caring for�the ill, the lonely, the
aged, the forgotten.�The highs and lows of emotions are with�us on a
daily basis.� Life and death are seen, smelled, and sensed throughout
the day.
Recently, I
attended the National Association of Catholic Chaplains Convention.�The
topics were� as varied as the chaplains attending the event.� For
accreditation in this professional association a certain amount of
conferences, credits, workshops and continuing education events�are
mandated.
To our joy and
surprise, Sr. Seton Marie was attending the same conference.� She is
Gerard Connolly�s sister.� An immediate bond was formed as we went
from plenary to plenary meeting.� Good-natured fun, lots of shared
snacks, amusing observations were all part of the days in Albuquerque.
We also�had the privilege to meet and chat with the� Archbishop of�Santa
Fe,�Michael Sheehan.
�It is timely
for all of us to remember the words of Saint Francis:� "May we consider
that our mission is to heal the wounded, unite the separated, convert
the wayward."
���� Happy
healing to all of you today!
Raphael
�
�� The National
Association of Catholic Chaplains Convention was held this year April
9-13. It was an opportunity for chaplains to gather from across the
country to discuss issues relevant to Pastoral Care.� Some of the topics
included: journeying with the dying and their families, and a chaplain�s
personal need for emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.
�� The
convention was also a time to renew old relationships and to begin new
ones. Throughout our gathering, I found a good spirit of support and
renewal among the chaplains. As people called to be ministers of
healing, it is important for us to receive the same ministry from our
peers. As one presenter said: �Our ministry is not built upon the dark
and challenging moments of our lives, but rather upon how well we stand
and persevere in those dark moments.�
�� The most
memorable part of the convention was the people who helped to make it an
enjoyable and prayerful experience. Raphael Eagle and I enjoyed good
fraternity as well as the sights and sounds of Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Raphael and I attended the seminars with Sister Seton Marie, a chaplain
at Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington, DE.
�� I believe
that wherever our ministry and life�s journey take us, the opportunities
for building relationships are most important. I pray that all of you
may have those same opportunities as you continue your ministerial and
personal journeys.
Peace and every
good!
Brad
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