May, 2010 Pastoral Care and

Counseling Newsletter Saint of 9/11: Franciscan Hero Provides Focus for Opening Lecture Series

“Lord, take me where you want me to go; Let me meet who you want me to meet; Tell me what you want me to say; And keep me out of your way.” This prayer, simple in form and spirit, was daily on the lips of Father Mychal Judge, known for the past nine years as the “Saint of 9/11.” The first official casualty of the collapse of the Twin Towers on that fateful day, Father Judge was struck with falling debris as he stood among his fellow fire fighters, anointing one of the injured. Called “God’s Spirit in Sandals,” “An Authentic American Hero,” “The Fireman’s Friar,” perhaps the name he loved and lived most was Franciscan priest. In the biography borrowed from the Holy Name Prov- ince of which he was a member, he is described as “a busy Franciscan priest who dedicated his life to serv- ing God’s people. He is known for his work with the homeless, recovering addicts, AIDS patients, and his work as chaplain to the New York City Fire Depart- ment . . . He found God in the hurting, the broken, the Inside this issue: suffering and the poor.” On September 25, the Opening of the Lecture Series to honor the Twentieth Anniversary of the Spiri- PC Graduates Honored for Accomplishments 2 tual Direction program, will feature a day whose inspi- ration is drawn from the life, ministry, struggles and SD Students Share on Recent Involvements 3 service of Father Judge. Developed through the as- sistance of Frederick Pratt, PC ‘11, an award-winning Recent Faculty Achievements Noted 4 teacher at dedicated to social justice initiatives, the day will open with special Lecture Series Opens with Saint of 911 5 prayer, welcoming PCC students, past and present, to the keynote presentation by a pair of experts whose Community Learning Outcomes Revealed 6 work and dedication has been informed and trans- formed by Judge’s Franciscan ideals. Four break-out Generation to Generation Summer Seminar 7 sessions on related themes will follow a lunch and social gathering. Congratulations to Graduates in PC, SD 8 For information on Presentation see page 5.

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Some notable graduates in PC share — Veni, Vidi, Verto: They Came, They Saw, They Tranformed

Father Sanjai Devis, CM, winner of the St. Francis Award for Pastoral Counseling, 2010, reflects on God’s providence in his life. Born in India and raised as a Catholic, I was ordained to the priesthood in 1997. After my ordination, I traveled through a winding road, considering each yield sign to indicate stop. Difficult as they were, those experiences were priceless. As a young priest, I was in a mission province in India for seven years, where I worked both as a teacher and a principal in two schools, with orphan children, and in social work programs empowering and educating the socially deprived. I loved these ministries - but God had other plans. Ronaldo Tello- Despite my resistance, I was assigned as an Assistant Director of a retreat cen- Marzol, PC ‘10, ter, and there I discovered my true calling for I had the great privilege of assisting featured in the hundreds of people in their spiritual journey and personal and interpersonal relationships. I became con- last PCC vinced that I was being called to a ministry of counseling and more importantly, my clients and superiors rec- Newsletter, is ognized it. Therefore, my Vincentian order recommended that I pursue further training in counseling, bringing being presented me to the USA in 2004. Three years of hospital chaplaincy led me to a deeper conviction of this calling and to with the S. Neumann University. In my first course, I found what I was looking for. Au & Cannon state: “Neither a spiritu- Madonna Marie ality that ignores the dynamics of psychological growth nor a psychology that denies the spiritual nature of the Cunningham human person can serve as an adequate guide today for people who seek to live with greater harmony and Award for integration.” My seminary training provided me with a strong foundation in holiness and God centeredness. Service at the The PCC program at Neumann gave me a contemplative spirit, better self-knowledge and professional train- May 11 ing, and allowed me to integrate my spirituality and psychology for a fruitful ministry, both as a priest and a Graduation counselor. Now my journey continues to create sacred spaces in a covenantal relationship with my fellow Celebration. travelers holding their hands; leading to better health, wholeness and holiness. Presently, I am the Associate Pastor of a 3700 family parish in the Camden Diocese and provide counseling services to the candidates of the Diaconate program in the Diocese. I also have a passion for working with the grieving and I facilitate grief support groups and provide individual counseling. I plan to pursue my Doctoral studies in Psychology. Afterwards, I plan to re- turn to India to teach in the seminary and provide the seminarians, priests and religious with psycho-spiritual counseling.

Three years ago, the PC program instituted a new certificate program for Pastoral Care Special- ists (PCSC), a membership category of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Following her taking Loss and Grief in the Summer 1 semester, Maureen Fleagle will be the first student to complete the 18 credits toward this credential. She shares a little about the pursuit of this. Yearning to be in a helping profession, I pursued physical therapy (PT) for my undergraduate studies. Many years of working with individuals with disabilities and dysfunction resulted in a calling to do more. I have often depended on my spirituality to guide my path, and so, I prayed for direction. It wasn’t until tragedy struck my family in 2002 that my eyes were open to real suffering. My 17- year old son passed away in December of that year leaving me stripped of all I had to give. I won- dered if I would ever be able to minister to others as I had in the past. With much prayer, faith, and support, I decided to enter the PCSC program. My intention was partially for my own healing; however, I expected to learn the appropriate skills to treat those who would enter the PT clinic everyday. Among my patients are individuals suffering with chronic pain, cancer, lymphe- dema, and women’s health issues. I found that studying Pastoral Counseling assisted me to listen with empathy and compas- sion. This held true not only for my patients but with fellow staff and my family as well.

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Spiritual Direction Graduates — Extend Their Gifts of Presence, Peace to Others

As a part of the ongoing outreach inspired by last year’s commitment to Bethesda Project, graduates of the Spiritual Direction program, have dedicated time and talents to its residents. Here two share of their time in this special place among these special women. Every other Tuesday, four to five members of the Spruce Street Residence, which is part of the Bethesda Project community, gather for prayer and faith sharing. These are formerly homeless women who have found a home at the Residence. What a privilege for me to listen to their experi- ences of daily life, and also learn how their journey brought them to Bethesda! Tony Medwid, a long-time member of the Bethesda Project Staff, also arranges for one-on-one conversations between me and some of the residents. One wonderful woman told her story of her childhood in the area, the circumstances of losing her job, being abused by a boyfriend, caring for children in an extraordinary situation, and eventually arriving at home in the Spruce Street Residence. She consistently spoke of God’s care for her and her growing trust in the presence of Jesus in her life. I pray in thanksgiving for the “hospitality of heart” these women share with me and look forward to our evolving relationship. Suzy Eyler, SD ‘03 For some time, I had been aware of a desire to become involved with those on the margins of soci- ety, to somehow share the gift of spiritual direction there. In January, I began participating in small, bi- weekly prayer meetings at the North Broad Street shelter of Bethesda Project, a ministry to the home- less in Philadelphia. This was the very gentle introduction of me to the residents suggested by Tony Medwid, Bethesda’s Community Life Director. I have also begun meeting individually with some of the women who live at the shelter. We talk about their experience of homelessness and how God has been present with them on this journey. I am very grateful for the open and gracious reception ex- tended to me by the community at North Broad. I look forward to deepening the relationships formed through this mutual sharing of gifts. Mary Chris Lindsey, SD ‘07 My passion since graduating in 1995 from the Spiritual Direction program has been to tie what I learned here about spiritual development and spiritual direction back into my own Mennonite tradition and into my local congre- gation’s life. Courses by Joann Conn were valuable to me because she taught a theology that connected human and spiritual development well, two areas not well connected in my own tradition. I also needed the role modeling of women thinkers like Eileen Flanagan and Joann Conn as well as a Christian theology of the development and full humanness of women, in order to move on into my own vocation in life. In 1998 I started a Doctor of Ministry degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary with the purpose of relating what I’d learned about spiritual development in Catholic settings (having lived for 12 years in Catholic Ireland) back into my own Mennonite spiritual language and tradition. I began by interviewing my 90 year-old grandmother [see photo on left of Dawn and Grandmother, 1954]. My D. Min. thesis eventually became a book, called A Mennonite Woman: Exploring Spiritual Life and Identity which was just released (available from Amazon.com and cascadiapublishinghouse.com ) In A Mennonite Woman , part narrative, part theology, part spiritual memoir, I ask my readers to wake up to what is shaping all spiritually as contemporary Christians in North American culture. I go from my grandmother’s life in Men- nonite community through my years of peace work in Ireland and my engagement with the Catholic tradi- tion to six themes of the spiritual life that are important for all Christians. Dawn Ruth Nelson, SD ‘97

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Dr. Eileen Flanagan reviewed S. Lynn Patrice Lavin, OSF , PhD will be The Search for Spirituality : Our Quest for the facilitator for the 2010 Franciscan Federation a Spiritual Life by Ursula King for Hori- Conference being held in Buffalo, NY from July 28 zons – the Journal of the College Theol- – 31, 2010. This conference is the annual gathering ogy Society, upcoming. Also, this past January, Ei- of members of the Third Order Regular of the Sis- leen presented a program on the “Impact of Bishops ters and Brothers of the United States. The theme on the Establishment of the Poor Clares in the United for the conference is Passionately Embracing Gos- States 1875-1876” for the Poor Clares of Chester- pel Living with keynote presenters, Brother William field, and Langhorne, on Short, OFM and Sister Claire Andre’ Gagliardi, the occasion of the Hundredth Anniversary of the OSC. Bordentown/Chesterfield foundation. In recent weeks, Suzanne Mayer, ihm, has In honor of the thirtieth year Anniversary of learned of a number of recent and/or soon to be Clinical Pastoral Education at Trenton Psychiatric published articles appearing. Along with “Freud, Hospital, Dr. Wally Fletcher lectured on “The Role Francis and the Wolf,” published in the most recent of Spirituality in Mental Health Care: The Passionate Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universi- Conversation between Professor Freud and Pastor ties Journal , her article entitled “Theological reflec- Oscar Ffister and its Legacy” this past March. tion: Praying out of the stuff of our lives” was part Redeeming the bereaved: A spiritual model of a themed issue of Counselling and Spirituality, for healing our woundedness (Xulon Press) is Dr. the journal of the Universiite Saint-Paul, Toronto, Jim Houck’s second book. Currently “in press,” the Canada. Also, a series of four reflections on the book will be available to the public this summer. Dr. Pastoral Implications of post Easter Sundays was Houck describes his work: “Certainly, as we are ex- published in Lectionary Homilectics, May/June posed to the losses and pain of others, we get in 2010. She also presented at the national confer- touch with our wounds. Of course, this is also key to ence of American Association of Pastoral Counsel- redeeming others from their pain. We are able to ors with alum Lyn Werner on counseling the model Christ’s redemption to the wounded, since we “Nouveau Pavre,” those clients impacted by the acknowledge that we have been redeemed, both economic downturn. She will also be a part of the from our sins and from the on-going wounds and on-campus series of workshops this month on scars we sustain as we are engaged in life and “Story, Sport and Spirit” addressing psycho- death.” spiritual issues of “The Athlete Narrator: Mystic or Mountaineer” on May 19.

● Looking ahead to 2011

● Save the date for Brother Mickey McGrath , OSFS who will be the main presenter at our Homecoming Lecture , October 15, 2011 . To get a look ahead at Mickey’s art go to his online stu- dio at beestill.com.

Page 5 Lecture Series Opens with “Saint of 911” September 25: Identity, Diversity, Resiliency: The Making of The Saint of 9/11 with Break-out Sessions Celebrating His Life The 2010 Annual Lecture Series opens in great style with a morning presentation on the life, spirit and memorializing of Father Mychal Judge, OFM, the man who has come to be called the Saint of 9/11. The day begins with a pair of Franciscan spirited gentlemen sharing their understanding of this iconic New York priest and his heritage as represented in the movie entitled Saint of 9/11. In- sider highlights and experience from Rev. Francis Gunn, a post 9/11 chaplain for New York fire- fighters and long-time Trauma Specialist, and Brian Carroll, M.Div, LCSW, a close friend of Fa- ther Judge featured in the documentary, will unfold a depth of understanding of this focal figure. Following a luncheon to commemorate the 20 years of the Spiritual Direction program , break-out sessions will be available with four options that evolve from the life and work of the Franciscan priest. A: Where We Come From and Who We Are: The One and the Many: Cultural diver- sity invites each of us to examine and name the many selves that form who we are. In this workshop, Dolores McAdams, Neumann graduate in Spiritual Direction, will draw from the riches of her studies with the work of Robert Kegan and Palmer Parker, to allow each person to capture the truth about him/herself in a way that draws on personal memories, artifacts and life- styles. B: Who Am I? Coming to Terms with the Self: Studies have shown that between the ages of eight and 10, sexual identity issues contribute to shaping how adolescents and adults understand themselves. This identity can be a source of inner conflict as well as of freedom. In this session, Dr. James Houck, Associate Professor in the Pastoral Counseling program, will explore psycho-spiritual ramifications of helping others come to terms with their sexual identity. Other topics include: gender identity, sexual orientation and gender-role identity. C: Hidden in Plain Sight: Discovering the Spiritual Depth of the First Responder . This workshop will allow First Responders — fire fighters, law enforcers and members of EMT units, and others — to take time to explore how that which they do and who they are carries on the spirit of Fr. Mychal Judge. The life and commitment of the Responders is spirituality in ac- tion. The workshop will provide opportunities to learn the value of reflection in exploring the un- familiar depths that make them do that which they do. This discovery can also assist the Re- sponder and his/her family in getting through some of the more difficult times and tragedies that are part of the life of the responders. The exploration can be valuable to both responders, those who care for them, as well as those who care about them. D. Franciscan Spirit Alive in Narrative: Story and its path to spirituality is central to Franciscan spirit. This session will provide reflective sharing on the parallels in the lives of the Poor Man of Assisi and the contemporary Man among the Poor, drawing on such Franciscan virtues as the reverence for the person, especially in brokenness; willingness to reach out to touch the most abandoned; and an Incarnational vision among all. Lynn Patrice Lavin, OSF, Ph.D. and Eileen Flanagan, Ph.D. will draw from their Franciscan roots to facilitate this sharing. To register or for questions, contact Mary Anne Stewart, 610-558-5572 or [email protected].

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Mary Beth Ingham, csj Each semester, in keeping with the communal nature of the PCC programs, the Department schedules an eve- ning for Community Learning. On March 10, S. Pat Hutchison, Director for the Neumann Institute for Francis- can Studies, came to share on “The Dignity of the Human Person” as informed by the Franciscan Theological Tradition in God’s Extravagant Love. The outcomes of that night are seen in reflections by those who heard S. Pat. Move among those downtrodden; they have no faith in humanity, I was so moved by the Community Evening of Reflection on God’s those abandoned and discarded. Extravagant Love . As I shared with the person next to me especially Show them reverence. on the book On the Night You Were Born [Nancy Tillman], I began to Teach them to remember think first of my children and how special they are to me. Then I that in them lies the hope of humanity thought of the women that I have been working with from two transi- For in the least of these, I AM, tional homeless shelters. As the words rang out during the evening, For they provide you with the opportunity “His love, he had to share it with us …for you are fearfully and won- to expand your love without recourse, derfully made…you and I in each of our brothers and sisters…every without hope of reward, life has value…measure our life in love….loved beyond measure…the For they have no-thing to give. seed allowed to grow and pour forth into others…open my eyes, Lord” Can the light be nurtured — all I could think of was sharing this love with the women from the from the depth of despair? shelters. I am happy to say that on June 18 and 19, Sr. Christa Marie Can the light of kindness Thompson from the Franciscan Spiritual Center will be bringing these transform such a soul? words to our women during a special retreat at Jesus House in Wil- Spark those who surround you mington, DE. Cindy Mooney, PC ‘13 to their highest grace, Even if it is no grace at all. Sister Pat Hutchison’s presentation of the Dignity of the Human And this is where God’s Grace shines. Person clearly articulated the essence of Franciscan spirituality. The Who among you can measure this moment, dignity that is ours by virtue of our creation by God we share with all this unification of time and space our brothers and sisters throughout the universe. What better way to of you as the point of God and humanity. celebrate our oneness with all that is! Incarnation surrounds us—God Who can measure the drops of rain continually amazes! Sue Vadas, SD ‘10 that flood the earth, turning a barren desert into a field of grain? In regard to the wind chime illustration that S. Pat used in the talk, For does not the desert exist this is a great analogy! Freedom requires truth, acknowledging our in part to be transformed by the rain? true desires before God while seeking to serve him and others. I am And the rain rejoices in its creation reminded of the internal respectful posture of Jesus in the Garden of and its own transformation? Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-46). Here Jesus modeled balance when it So too, does humanity represent the desert, the comes to desires and the will of God. It is always concluded, “Not my rain and the bloom, will but yours be done.” . . . Harmony — like wind chimes — under For we are all of the form of each presentation: God’s command — spelled with His word — in the Bible — not our The choice of being in each moment is yours own traditions. Derrick T. Busch, PC ‘12 through grace . Colleen Paraboschi , PC’13

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PCC Advisory Board initiates — Program on Generations Grieving Emptying Churches

This coming June 9 the PCC department will be sponsoring a seminar that has been designed for those in a position within their faith community to assemble parents/grandparents who might want to dis- cuss an important issue. We will be providing those who attend with resources and a model to ap- proach the focus topic within a particular faith based setting. In order to allow full exploration of the issue, participation is limited to 30. See the flier below for all necessary information. Generation to Generation: Ministering to Parents Whose Sons and Daughters have stopped practicing the faith.

Neumann University Mirenda Center Wednesday, June 9, 8:30-3:00 Registration Fee: $40 (lunch included)

Workshop Goals:

♦ To equip participants to facilitate conversations among/with parents who are struggling with their adult children’s approach to religious faith.

♦ To propose some ways of being missionaries to our children

Parents have a deep emotional investment in their faith. When their sons and daughters seem to reject that faith, the parents often experience a number of emotions and feelings from frustration or anger to a sense of failure and sadness. Using cultural, ecclesial and biblical perspectives, the workshop will pro- vide the participants with a process to engage parents in a conversation about their experience and to help them iden- tify a hope-filled future for themselves and for their sons and daughters.

Persons Who Should Attend : Pastors, Deacons, Pastoral Associates, Adult Religious Educators, Parish Spiritual Di- rectors, Youth and Young Adult Ministers and Parish Direc- tors of Religious Education

Limit: The Workshop will be limited to 30 participants.

Co Sponsors : Office for Lifelong Formation—Diocese of Camden, Office for Religious Education-- Diocese of Wilmington

To Register or For More Information : Dr. Leonard DiPaul at [email protected] or 610-361- 5225.

Page 8 The Graduates of the Pastoral Care and Counseling Program from Neumann University 2010 will be recognized at a celebration of achievement to be held Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. in The Schmidt Room of The Living and Learning Center 1 across from the Main Campus and St. Circle. ______May all that is unlived in you Blossom into a future graced with love. John O’Donohue

Pastoral Counseling Elaine Madden Spiritual Direction Kevin Martin May, 2010 Godfrey Okyere- December, 2009 Susan Vadas Asiedu Rev. Bryan Bass-Riley Caryl Johnson Suzanne Zug Allen Reese Rev. Bernard Callahan Barbara Cook, IHM Certificate Denise Statham Rev. Sanjai Devis May, 2010 Gary Halstead Ronaldo Tello-Marzol Margaret Gutierrez Michael Dariano Dolores Sabisky, Joanne Huhn December, 2010 Mary K. Limbach IHM Maureen Gaughan-Joos Maureen Fleagle, Albert Laibinis CPCS In Memoriam ——— Anita Holland, CAS Michael Rawlings We remember in prayer

Pastoral Care and Counseling Newsletter Mrs. Margaret Hastings, Neumann University, One Neumann Drive, Mother of Dr. Ed Hastings Aston, PA 19014-1298, May, 2010 January 16, 2010 ______The Pastoral Care and Counseling Newsletter Mrs. Catherine Killoran is a department publication issued several Mother of Mary Killoran, OSF times during the academic year. Written by April 25, 2010

and for the members of the Pastoral Care and Mr. Alexander Lexi Runtu , Counseling Department, it contains articles, Father of Rev. Ronald Runtu’ reviews, interviews and forms of reflective In Indonesia, April 12, 2010 material of interest to members submitted in

advance to the editor of the publication. Mr. Louis J. Wisely Editor: Suzanne Mayer, ihm, Ph.D Father of William Wisely

April 23, 2010