Pastoral Care and

Counseling Newsletter

Pastoral Care and Neumann College Counseling Newsletter October, 2008 Neumann College, Visitors to Campus One Neumann Drive, Aston, PA 19014-1298 February, 2008 Bring Perspectives on Hope, ______The Pastoral Care and Counseling Newsletter is Homelessness and Forgiveness a department publication issued several times dur- ing the academic year. Since the opening of the Written by and for the school term in August, five highly re- members of the Pastoral garded persons have visited the Neu- Care and Counseling De- mann campus in response to invita- partment, it contains ar- tions from the Pastoral Care and ticles, reviews, inter- Counseling program. Two of these views and forms of re- five have been singular speakers at flective material of inter- events in the PCC Lecture series. est to these members sub- The other three served as a panel to mitted in advance to the provide input for the Fall Evening of editor of the publication. The streets of North Philadelphia to Enrichment. Editor: Suzanne Mayer, which Suzanne Neisser’s, rsm, minis- On Wednesday evening, Sep- try took her [upper] contrasts greatly ihm, Ph.D. tember 10 as is traditional, the three with Cranaleith, the Center to which Photography: Len Di- evenings of classes collapsed into one she took her retreatants [lower]. Paul, Ed.D. to allow all students in whatever Contributors: Eileen courses or programs to attend the Fall program, all of whom work with the Flanagan , Ph.D. Jim Evening of Enrichment. The focus of severely mentally ill and/or homeless Houck, Ph.D. this year’s gathering was an arti- spoke of their involvement in this cle that appeared in a recent ministry. Ranging from how they got Inside this issue: issue of the journal Spiritual involved, to their current engage- Life on “Spirituality Down ment, to the life, heart and hope they Advisory Board Decides on AdHoc 2 Here Between the Cracks.” hold for their special people, all S. Redemptrix Greets All from Rome 3 In the writing a writer, Aldo called for a spirit of compassion. Gallo, at times both home- Mark Diffenbaugh, the most recent Trio of Interns Shares On Current 4 less and mentally ill, pleads graduate — May, 08, told of sitting at Placements for an acceptance that goes length on a parking lot holding a cli- List of Upcoming Programs, Lectures 5 beyond understanding, espe- ent who just endured a schizophrenic cially on the part of those in break until the man could stand and Faculty Feats 6 church communities and return to the day center. Suzanne New Look in Spring Schedule 7 helping ministries. As a rein- Neisser, rsm, a spiritual director who forcement to the article, has taken courses in the supervisors’ CHS Program Involves Reflection 8 three graduates of the PCC program, told of ministering to the Continued on page 3

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Advisory Board welcomes — Advocate for Homeless as Goals Are Formulated

Dr. Len DiPaul writes: The students to the spiritual and emotional world of the newly assembled Pastoral homeless. Care and Counseling Advi- Rev Mr. Joe Cella, a graduate of Spiritual sory Board met for their bi- Direction, has volunteered to coordinate a task annual meeting this past force which will work to put traction to a proposi- October 6. The meeting tion focusing on this particular topic. A meeting will opened with a brief expla- be convened to establish objectives along with nation and discussion on time commitments to move this initiative forward. the purpose of an Advisory Anyone interested in finding out more about this Council and how it can ad- project or being part of this group can contact Len vance the mission of the DiPaul at [email protected] or call at 610- PCC programs. The focus then shifted to discuss 361-5225. an initiative established last April; that is, sharing One point of discussion centered on ex- the gifts of Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Di- ploring the struggles of parents in passing on their rection with a sometimes invisible community: the faith values and their difficulty in understanding poor, the homeless and the mentally ill. their children’s divergent journeys. In addition, sur- Tony Medwid, Director of Community Life veying the role and needs of the spiritual journey for Bethesda Project in Philadelphia, shared his of the wives of deacons was raised as a topic. personal journey of working with homeless per- Much was discussed in the two hour pe- sons and also the stories of many of the guests riod. In closing, Dr. DiPaul notes, “The meeting at Bethesda Project. Mr. Medwid invited mem- was energizing and life-giving. The Council dem- bers in the PCC programs to join in his mission onstrated tremendous care and concern for all which he described as “in nomadic times, carry- who can and should benefit from the mission of ing the fire from one encampment to the next, Neumann College and the PCC program. These keeping the spirit alive by seeing the guests of ideas and conversations will serve as catalyst for our homes as hurting humans.” Mr. Medwid’s new courses, workshops, seminars and lectures sharing opened up points for discussion that re- presented by PCC in the future.” sulted in ideas for introducing past and current

Have you seen the new website? Live and in living color, you can explore the meanings of spiritual direc- tion and pastoral counseling. You can probe where graduates can work. You can link into professional organizations. You can read about the SD code of ethics or about LPC licensure in the tri-state area . Where is this wealth of information? On the new, improved, expanded PCC website. Just click into GRADUATE STUDIES on the Neumann site. This opens up your choice of PC [in purple print] or SD [in green]. From there the world of PCC is yours. Kudos go to Webmaster, Lisa Cadorette along with Eileen Flanagan and Jim Houck!

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S. Trixie, Winnie, Redemptrix — Whatever Name You Called Her, Sends Greetings from Rome Last year, when my Community elected me to serve in the General Governance team, even before I completed the Spiritual Direction track, I was apprehensive and felt inadequate for the task. But now, having been a year in the team I certainly realize that the Pastoral Care and Counseling program prepared me for this ministry. My responsibility as a General councilor is pri- marily to visit the communities in countries in which we work. I use the skills I learned from PCC, for example, contemplative listening, empathy, unconditional positive regard, acceptance, and genuineness to hear my Sisters’ voice their concerns. In many cases there are no solutions,; for example, at present there is a much suffering in my country Zimbabwe For the Sisters there, I simply put myself into their shoes and experience life with them as I listen to them. With the grace of God, I am gradually adjusting to my work and new environment. It does take time, so I need a lot of patience and lots of prayers. I did an Italian language course in July and am grateful to have this opportunity. Though rather short to learn the language thoroughly; nonetheless, it gave me some fundamental grammatical knowledge. One disadvantage is the fact that in our house we use English and a bit of German for communication, so I do not get sufficient opportunity to practice my Italian, slowing down my capacity to learn. Please remember me, in a week I am going to South Africa for three months, first to visit our sisters in E Cape, then to go for an international workshop for our temporary professed for a month and half and finally, to conclude with a retreat. It is a very big challenge ahead and I need showers of blessings. I really weep to know that the people in Zimbabwe continue to suf- fer want and seemingly there is no light as yet at the end of the tunnel! May all your supportive prayer be a source of strength for the many who are helpless. [Dr. Flanagan writes: Returning to Rome after my week's retreat in Assisi during the summer, I met Trixie for lunch after her Italian class. She is learning the language to increase her ability to communicate locally and within her community. Her leadership respon- sibilities also will take her to South Africa where her pastoral counseling background will serve her and her sisters well . ]

Continued from page one that took place in the morning of September 27 poor women of “one of the most hard-pressed ar- saw Dr. Joretta Marshall, Methodist minister, theo- eas of North Philadelphia” (Gesu Home web- logian and professor at Brite Divinity School in page). She told of taking these women, who had Texas, speak on forgiveness. She emphasized never seen a blade of grass that did not grow from how this process engages aspects of both the between a cracked sidewalk, to Cranaleith [from spiritual and psychological. With her humor, years “sanctuary of trees”], a spirituality and retreat cen- of experience, depth of theological training and ter in the Somerton section of the city. insight, Joretta was able to take what many con- The third panelist, Marcy Perkins, an early sider such a uniquely personal experience to the graduate of pastoral counseling (1988), directs a heart of the human condition. shelter for women in Wilmington, DE called Finally, on the weekend of October 10 and Friendship House. Speaking with great care of 11, renowned theological Dr. Wendy Wright spoke “her ladies,” their many obstacles and enduring on “traditional Catholic devotions” and their place courage to overcome them, Marcy emphasized in contemporary spirituality. Known for her many that service in such centers is not for the faint of articles books, Dr. Wright wondered with her audi- heart. Noting the demands on the heart, mind and ence how such long regarded prayers as those to spirit of the minister, she stressed how the helper the or the Rosary resonate with needs as much care as the persons in the shelter. spiritual persons drawn to seek God through the The Homecoming lecture and breakfast Enneagram or labyrinth.

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This year’s class: Where are they interning?

In the last two semesters of clinical work, students enter into their internship, doing ther- apy with six to eight clients a week in some community setting. This year 12 members of the Pas- toral Counseling program are completing their clinical training. Here three share where and what they are doing, showing the diversity in PC student practices.

Alice O’Brien reflects on her site, no small trip from Delaware home. “Now in its twenty-sixth year of operation, Father Martin's Ashley is a residential rehab located in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Its stately limestone buildings, once Gover- nor Tydings’ estate, intimate chapel and tranquil bayside setting offer patients an unparalleled recovery and self-discovery environment. Relapse and primary care 28-day programs for men and women suffering with alcoholism and drug addic- tion are offered in addition to non-residential DUI/DWI treatment and education programs. Three-day family wellness programs for patients' spouses and children are also available.”

Monica Starrett, who hails from the Lancaster area, is currently at Community Services Group (CSG) in Lancaster, PA. She notes, “As part of its extensive programs, CSG provides a variety of services for adults with mental health disorders. Services range from treating individuals with mental health condi- tions requiring rehabilitation and assistance programs to outpatient and inpatient treatment programs and vocational training.” Monica describers her practice, stating, “I am serving my Practicum in the Op- tions Program, a Partial Hospitalization for adults with psychiatric disorders that require more intensive counseling than outpatient services can provide. As an intern I am able to lead group goal setting ses- sions, conduct one on one counseling sessions, group process sessions and educational groups involv- ing Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It is fascinating work!”

Susan Osmola, osf shares about her four semesters at Vineland Counseling Services in Vineland, New Jersey. “As stated in their Mission Statement, VCS was established in 1972 as an expression of the love of God to a hurting world. The staff, which consists of two psychiatrists for medication, 15 therapists, an office staff of four, and a Program Manager, assists in personal growth, provides help in times of stress, and teaches ways to strengthen relationships. VCS pro- vides a full range of counseling and psychiatric services to families, couples, groups and individuals through a holistic approach that respects all the re- sources an individual has – physical, social, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional. The clientele is diverse and multicultural with a large percentage of Hispanics,” “A typical day for me at VCS consists of seeing five to seven clients. I work with both Medicaid and charity care. I have become more aware that meeting basic human needs is essential to good men- tal health. Initially, all I might be able to do is listen. The staff, from the secretary/receptionist to the pro- gram manager, is more than supportive. This support extends from offering help with a difficult or com- plex client, to extending kudos when a previously sad or sullen client leaves smiling. I have found that being at Vineland Counseling Services is another one of those gifts that is part of my journey through the Pastoral Counseling program at Neumann College.”

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Networking for Spiritual Directors Evening seminar on October 20, 6:00 — 8:30 p.m. Eileen Flanagan, Cait Kokolus, Sheri Magness Brown Bag Supper — Admission free

Approaches to Adlerian Counseling: “Living in the Realm of Meaning” Saturdays, November 1 and 8, 9:30 a.m. James Houck CEUs = 14 contact hours CREDITS = 1.5

Review of Licensure/Credentialing Saturday, November 22, 9:30 — 11:00 a.m. Suzanne Mayer, ihm CEUs = 2 contact hours [$25] Audit = Free

For information contact Mary Anne Stewart at [email protected].

Some Important Announcements

Clinical Orientation : Upcoming Conferences

Tuesday, January 13 at 5:00 p.m. AAPC Atlantic Region Annual Conference: Nov 7-9 Focused on the theme of Clinical Wisdom and the He- If you are planning to begin your clinical brew Bible: Possibilities and Pitfalls, the Fall retreat placement either in the Spring or Fall semesters features Denise Hopkins and Michael Koppel looking at the intersection of human and scriptural stories. The of 2009, you are required to attend the Clinical pre-conference workshop on Friday, Nov. 7, will see Orientation. In this session, Dr. Houck our own Bryan Bass Riley present on “When Men explains the sequence of the clinical experi- Grieve.” Registration deadline: October 31!

ence, as well as assists student in securing ACA Annual Conference & Exposition : March 19-23

appropriate clinical sites. Students can Make your plans early to attend the 2009 ACA Annual download the updated Clinical Policy online Conference and Exposition from March 19-23 in Char- at www.neumann.edu/academics/grad/pastoral/ lotte, NC. There will be over 500 educational seminars pastoral_counseling/forms.asp . Please contact and presentations from which to choose. ACA Student Dr. Houck ([email protected] ) if you Memberships receive special discounted rates for the conference. For more information check out: want to begin your clinical placement. www.counseling.org .

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Eileen Flanagan tells of Research at Notre Dame My interest in the events surrounding the establishment of the Poor Clare Nuns in America led me to Notre Dame Univer- Jim Houck travels to sity this summer. Thanks to a Research Travel Grant from the North Carolina Cushwa Center for American Catholic Studies, I spent a week working in the University’s Archives, investigating the significant On October 3-4, Dr. Jim Houck attended the influence of Silas M. Chatard, Vice-Rector and Rector of the IANDS Conference in Raleigh/Durham, NC. This confer- American College in Rome (1863-1878) and Bishop of Vincennes/ ence explores various aspects of research in the field of Indianapolis, Indiana (1878 – 1918). Without a doubt, Catholic Near-Death Experiences (NDEs). Typically, NDEs are cate- bishops impacted the emerging spirituality of the first American gorized by one of the following characteristics: people who Poor Clares. report having a lucid experience associated with having Issues that confronted several bishops during the late been pronounced clinically dead but then resuscitated; peo- nineteenth and early twentieth century America are embedded in and shaped the Poor Clare venture, paralleling what I describe as ple who actually die, but were able to describe their experi- three waves of momentum. The First Wave of 1875-1876 in- ences in their final moments;; and people who, in the course volved “rejections” and included rejections received by the sisters’ of a crisis, had a close brush with death, and feared they from Cardinal John McCloskey of , from were near-death. In this condition, many people report hav- John Baptist Purcell of and from Archbishop James ing undergone an out-of-body experience; floating above Frederic Wood of Philadelphia. At that time, Silas their body and seeing the surrounding area; moving up- Chatard had been present in Rome and offered his endorsement wards through a tunnel or narrow passage; having pleasant when Pius IX commissioned Mother Maddalena Bentivoglio feelings, calm, and an overwhelming sense of love and and her Poor Clare blood sister, Mother Constanza, to bring the peace; encountering beings of light, (possibly religious/ Poor Clare life to America. divine); being engulfed in a warm light; meeting deceased The Second Wave of 1877-1888, characterized by “acceptance but problems and misunderstandings,” involved ac- relatives or spiritual figures; experiencing their life review; ceptances by Archbishop Napoleon J. Perche of New Orleans reaching a border or boundary (silver cord); and feeling be- and Bishop of Cleveland but short-lived stays in ing returned to the body, often accompanied by reluctance those two cities after being accepted. Acceptance by Archbishop to return. James O’Connor of Omaha was clouded by internal and external “One seminar , The Clinical Needs of Iraq/ conflicts that led to scandal, ecclesiastical investigations and, Afghanistan Combat Veterans Who Experience Near-Death , later, vindication. presented by Ret. Army Colonel Diane Corcoran, was par- The Third Wave of 1888-1916 included “acceptance and ticularly intriguing to me,” says Dr. Houck. Colonel Cor- endorsement,” culminating in welcome to Evansville, Indiana, by their long time supporter and, now, Archbishop of Indianapolis coran, who has been studying NDEs in combat veterans Chatard. He later provided recommendations to Archbishop John since the Vietnam War, notes that combat veterans who J. Williams of Boston and James A. McFaul of Trenton. These have been critically wounded are often reluctant to share if resulted in foundations in those cities and in Philadelphia. they had an NDE because of the stigma attached. Most fear The ecclesiastical and historical context of nineteenth being labeled as ‘crazy.’ Some fear being past-over for century America governed bishops’ rejection or promotions, transferred out of their units, or even medically acceptance of the Poor Clares. Differing priori- discharged due to a mental illness. Corcoran’s research ties, especially in relationship to finance and also indicates that the reaction of the first person who hears jurisdiction, caused prolonged the veteran’s account plays a critical role in the course of the conflict between the bishops NDE after-effect; namely, how veterans integrate their ex- and the nuns. Confronting these challenges, however, perience into the rest of their lives. During the Q&A session, shaped the sisters’ discern- Dr. Houck suggested that “near-death experiencers” inter- ment regarding adaptation of ested in working with veterans and their families should reg- the Primitive Rule of St. Clare ister with the “Give One Hour” website: of Assisi they sought to follow.

Page 7 New Schedule to Go into Effect in January, 2009

With Neumann College looking to establish itself as a university and to standardize inin---- class hours with other institutions of higher education, the Pastoral Care and Counseling department has developed a new schedule for Spring, 2009. Run in “block scheduling” format, the courses take place one per evening to run from 4:30 until 9:30 over a period of eight weeks. Another series of courses will start in the second eight weeks. This will allow students many advantages, among them: • the ability to concentrate on the work of one subject over the course of the night and over the extent of that session of weeks; • the potential, should they so desire, to take more than two courses a semester; • the possibility in the program to introduce some elective courses into timeframes other than weekends and summer weeks. A glimpse of the proposed schedule for Spring, 2009 is reflected in the table below: First Eight Weeks, Spring Semester, 2009 Second Eight Weeks, Spring Semester, 2009

Class Day/Time Course Class Day/Time Course

Tuesday, 4:30 Psych Foundations-A Tuesday, 4:30 Develop Models—B

Develop Models—A Psych Foundations-B

Career Counseling (for five weeks) Wednesday, 4:30 Psychopathology Wednesday, 4:30 Personality

Theory/Practice SD 2

Practicum SD Practicum SD

Clinical Case 2 Clinical Case 2

Thursday, 4:30 Interdisciplinary Sem A + B Thursday, 4:30 Interdisciplinary Sem A + B

Practicum Internship 2 Practicum Internship 2

The clinical courses printed in color run across all 16 weeks, meeting every other week.

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CHS Program Moves into Second Year, Cohort, Site for Class

CHS stands for Catholic Human Services, Caryl Johnson writes, the secretariat that oversees the agencies and having just begun her fa- programs in the archdiocese of Philadelphia cilitating: I have really en- which “respond to physical, emotional, spiritual joyed being with those in and material needs” of persons in the area (from our theological reflection CHS website). group. Listening to how Since August, 2007, the Pastoral Coun- God was present in their seling program has partnered with this branch of everyday work experi- the archdiocese to offer classes to a cohort of ences was a great gift. students who serve in the various sites under Their sharing was deep the auspices of this secretariat. Last year, 14 and focused, and God's presence was palpa- persons formed the first cohort, meeting ble. It was a great way to start the day! monthly for class at the archdiocesan offices. During the month, those taking the course for Sister Barbara Cook , who returns this year to credit also met in small theological reflection work with two groups, notes: I have been in- groups directed by facilitators in their areas and spired and enriched by my involvement with entered into threaded discussions on pertinent several theological reflection groups over the topics. past year. The goodness, sincerity and rever- This year seven of the for-credit members ence of the participants as we listened for the have gone into a second year, beginning by tak- “stirrings of the Spirit” in our own stories and ing the course Loss and Grief with Dr. Jim Houck those of others has deepened my faith and trust and continuing in the theological reflection proc- in God’s promise that “Where two or three are ess. At the archdiocesan office a new group gathered in my name, there am I in their comprised of 12 for-credit and nine non-credit midst” (Mt 18: 20). I feel graced and grateful! students have come together for a new cohort Cathy Johnson, who also began this semester, and a new exploration of the introductory course reflects: My experience of in Pastoral Care and Counseling. being with the TR group With new and continuing members all has been very positive. In supplementing their course work with the theo- only one meeting, even logical reflection process, the number of facilita- with a good amount of tors has grown. This year the persons directing time spent with introduc- the various small groups that meet each month tions, I sensed a desire in include: Patricia Bove, osf and Barbara Cook, each of the four women to ihm, returning from last year, and Rev. Michael fully enter into the proc- Hennelly, Caryl Johnson and Cathy Johnson, new ess. When they began to share a little bit about this semester. All are either current or past stu- experiences, I felt humbled and privileged to be with the group, as they started to reach deeper Know someone interested in Pastoral into themselves. For me it was an experience Counseling or Spiritual Direction. Invite of confirming how the Spirit is ever present. them to a Graduate “Come and See.” Where: Neumann College, RAB When: October 23, beginning at 6:00