Bishop Blase Cupich, Monday May 21 Plenary Speaker

Most Rev. Blase J. Cupich, STD, Bishop of Spokane, Washington, joined us on Monday on the topic of "A Reconciling Church:  Recapturing Our Mission and Our Future".  After a very thought-provoking talk, members of the NACC engaged in table conversation around this topic and around the following questions:  "What gifts and skills do we, as chaplains, bring to the table that can help to reclaim the focus of our Catholic mission for those who follow?" and "Within the Catholic Church, how can chaplains model reconciliation as prophetic and visionary?"  Even if you were not at the conference, please spend some of your own time reflecting on those questions.  You can see from the pictures below, that these were very engaging questions for our attendees as well.

Celebration of the Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick

On Monday morning, we were graced with a beautiful celebration of the Eucharist along with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  Presider Rev. Agustin Orosa, MI, NACC certified CPE Supervisor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was our celebrant.  Each year when we gather at this Liturgy, we invite those who are presently struggling with serious illness to come forward and through the laying on of hands, anointing with oil, and prayer of faith, receive this rich Sacrament.  After a beautiful homily from Fr. Jojo, we gathered with our community and participated in this moving and grace-filled moment.  If we close our eyes, we can still hear the beautiful sound of Pedro Rubalcava's song O Jesus, Healer of Wounded Souls, echo in our hearts.  "O Jesus, healer of wounded souls, come heal us.  Touch us and make us whole; heal our world.  Raise your people to life."

NACC Conference Charity

Our NACC Conference Charity this year was the Dominican Center for Women Inc.   Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Dominican Center for Women partners with the community to maintain and enhance a beautiful, stable, healthy and safe neighborhood consisting of residents who are community-minded and are striving to be meaningfully educated and employed. At our Sunday evening banquet, co-founder Sr. Ann Halloran, OP (pictured) and Kathleen Callan Brady, Director of Development, joined us for dinner and a short presentation.  The Center's website is http://www.dominican-center.com. We are happy to report we collected $3183.75 at the banquet as a donation for the Dominican Center for Women, Inc. Thank you to all of our generous conference attendees!

Fr. Cyprian and NACC member Jane Smith

NACC member Jane Smith speaking with Fr. Cyprian

Conference photos!

Plenary speaker C. Vanessa White, D.Min with Rev. Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam.

Conference Committee members confer with plenary speaker (L to R: Conference Chair Kathy Ponce, C. Vanessa White, D.Min, Hugo Gonzalez)

Attentive audience

NACC Board Chair Alan Bowman, M.Div, M.B.A., BCC (left) with 2012 Outstanding Colleague Award  recipient Rev. Gerard T. Broccolo, S.T.D. (right)

2012 Distinguished Service Award recipient Chaplain Timothy G. Serban, M.A., BCC.
(L to R): Rabbi Stephan Roberts, Chaplain Serban, D.W. Donovan.

Participants in the American Red Cross Spiritual Care Response Team (SRT) Disaster Training

Holy Exchange

I recall an experience at a pilgrimage a few years ago while visiting a rather grand and majestic old church. The structures were amazing, the decoration and details in the interior were breathtaking. As I stood beneath the high roof and towering pillars you could feel a certain awareness that you are standing in a holy ground. The grand scale of the structures reinforce the feeling that you are suddenly in the presence of a majesty. I certainly felt a mix of emotions, I felt little and unworthy in the presence of the sacred. At the same time, I felt that I am part of something much larger and bigger than I am.
    Witnessing and celebrating the missioning of the newly certified chaplains today had the same effect on me as did the grand church. We attain a deeper awareness of Church when we are in communion with God and each other. At this level of relationship, we "move from apprentices to partners." As these new chaplains take up the task of being co-companions, we are each strengthened by the rich gifts they bring to their and our collective ministry.

--Austine Duru

Church tour photos!

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

Islamic Society of Milwaukee

Thanks to Cathy Connelly for the photos! More coming soon...