InterACT Online ACTheals: Where God and Healthcare Meet Summer Issue 2015 President’s Letter by Denise Dolff, M.A. “Who do you say that I am?” In posing tion: “Who do you say that I am?” in much this question to His apostles (Matthew the same manner as Peter, declaring, “Yes 16: 14-17), Jesus was not merely seeking Jesus, You are the Messiah, the Healer of to discover if His closest companions all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit.” recognized Him as the Messiah. More im- portantly, Jesus was asking them to search But the gospel story does not end there, deep within themselves to determine if for Peter and the Apostles were called to they were willing to allow the truth about persevere in their faith in Jesus despite His identity to penetrate the very core of many difficulties and struggles. They their being and become the foundation continued Jesus’ mission on earth under of their lives. Peter responded in the af- the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and we firmative, and in so doing, demonstrated exist as church today because of their his listening heart and submissiveness to perseverance. If this was true for those the Holy Spirit. Have we, the members of first followers of Jesus, so, too, is it true ACTheals, been willing to do the same? for ACTheals. We have been formed for Denise Dolff, ACT President a purpose, and we equally need to stand of us can fulfill ACT’s vision and mission. Forty years ago ACTheals was called into fast, not distracted by difficulties we en- This is a group project, so to speak, and being. counter in fulfilling our mission, but firm it takes each one of us contributing at in our belief that what God has begun, whatever level we are capable in order to “Redeem My people in your hospitals, in your God will see through to completion. The be successful. Therefore, when there is a clinics, in your offices. Make them MY hospitals, foundational word that we received forty need for service within the organization, MY clinics, MY offices; let ME care for them, years ago is still relevant today, and per- please take that seriously; discern if you and bring them health beyond healing; let Me care haps even more so. If God has called us, are being called, and respond accordingly. for YOU, and bring YOU to health, to whole- then God will continue to equip us, day ness, to holiness. Give Me your professional skills, by day, with all that we need to fulfill this But working side by side is not the only your credentials; yield them to MY authorization, mission. What God requires of us is our reason God has gathered us as an or- consecrate them to MY name, for MY glory, and on-going “yes,” hearts open and yielding ganization. In Genesis we read that it is I will be glorified in your healing work.” to God’s Holy Spirit, that same persever- not good that one would be alone. In ance that God demanded of the Apostles. wisdom, God knew that to labor in the This was the foundational call for ACT, vineyard of healing, we would need sup- and each of us who has become a mem- In responding to Jesus’ question as he did, port and encouragement, so God gave ber of this organization has also accepted Peter was called “the rock,” but he did not us each other. This is the importance of this call as foundational to our lives and build the church alone. All the Apostles our SEW (Support, Empower, Witness) professional practices or ministries. In so were involved in the great commission. doing, we have responded to Jesus’ ques- So, too, with ACTheals – no single one continued on page 2 ACTHeals Members Recently Passed ..........................2 On Being One ...............................................................11 Remembering Father Joe ...............................................4 2015 International Conference ...................................12 Inside: ACTHeals Social Media Update ...................................5 Her Favorite Prophet ....................................................14 Holy Spirit in Clinical Practice ......................................7 Wholistic Massage .........................................................15 Region Reports ................................................................8 Submission Guidelines for InterACT .........................17 More About Word Gifts ................................................9 InterACT l 1 InterACT continued from previous page groups, our regional events, and our inter- Published Quarterly by Actheals (ACT) national conference. These are not simply ACTheals An Interdisciplinary Fellowship of Christian opportunities for us to grow together as Healthcare Professionals and Associates an organization, they are also invitations to learn from each other, to be nourished Members Actheals P.O. Box 4961 at the level of personal need, and to be Louisville, KY 40204 healed and made whole. God has called www.actheals.org us for a great work, but God has also Recently ACT Email: [email protected] given us a great gift in ACTheals. As we Fax: 502-456-1821 prepare for the celebration of our fortieth Passed PUBLISHER anniversary at our International Confer- Father Robert Sears, S.J. ence in Orlando this September, let us (Editor’s Note: At the request of the Actheals Executive Committee, this column EDITOR rejoice together and be glad in it. And like Mike MacCarthy all great gifts, it is better when shared. will now become a regular feature of Inter- [email protected] ACT. Actheals wishes to take this opportuni- ty to thank these Christ-filled men and women CONTRIBUTORS Ginny Antaya, Ann Arcieri, Karen Cichon, Ping- for their years of invaluable service. May they Tah Peter Chow, Denise Dolff, Joe Duddie, Jean rest in the eternal peace of the Lord. Kirton, Vince Kirton, Kathy MacCarthy, Mike MacCarthy, Cheryl Marsh, Mary Jean Ricci, Douglas Info on the death and obit of an ACTheals Schoeninger, Father Robert Sears, Djohariah Toor, and the office staff of Degnon Associates, Inc. member should be sent to Francesca Franchina, C&PChair, [email protected] She will The vision of ACT is to be an international, ecumen- write/rewrite/edit as needed the information ical association of Christian healthcare professionals, clergy, and associates equipped and extending the sent her by the Regional Co-Ordinator or healing presence, heart, and mind of Jesus Christ whomever knew the ACTheals member best to their patients, clients, colleagues, and institutions, and forward it to InterACT at mmwrites@ under the power and guidance the Holy Spirit. san.rr.com). The mission of ACT is to provide resources and support to enable healthcare professionals, clergy, and associates to: 1) Personally experience the heal- Angele (Anita) Desrosiers ing power of Jesus Christ; 2) Integrate their profes- died January 11, 2015 sional skills, spiritual development, healing ministry, Current InterACT Display and theological understanding; and 3) Extend the healing presence, heart, and mind of Jesus Christ Advertising Rates: Therese (Teri) Banach through their work and ministry. died January 13, 2015 Rates for ACT Members: We invite your comments/suggestions, written 1 Issue (3 months) thoughts, or submissions. We reserve the right to 1/2 page: $200/Issue edit submitted articles without notice. Your name Elizabeth Alent Full page: $350/Issue can be withheld by request in InterACT, but must died January 30, 2015 be included with a contact phone or email when 2 Issues (6 months) your article is submitted. We also request that a 1/2 page: $175/Issue current digital “headshot” photo of you accompany Father Joseph M. Scerbo, SA Full page: $325/Issue your submission. February 14, 1944 - The next deadline for InterACT is July 15, 2015 4 Issues (12 months) March 19, 2015 (2015 Fall Issue). 1/2 page: $150/Issue Full page: $275/Issue Copyright © 2015 by InterAct and ACTheals. All Father Jim Wheeler rights reserved. Any reproduction without written Notes: permission is strictly prohibited. All past and cur- 1. Artwork for each ad is to be supplied by the died April 7, 2015 rent members of ACT are considered members- ACT member in a timely manner. at-large of InterACT staff. All photos provided by Reverend Martin Bradbury staff. 2. All fees are payable in advance (make checks payable to ACT and forward to the office in died April 7, 2015 Virginia). We accept credit cards. 3. Ad placement is at the discretion of the God bless. Editorial staff; preferred placement is not available at this time. InterACT l 2 Remembering Father Joe Scerbo O.F.M. (Part 1) by Djohariah Toor Father Joe was not just a spiritual men- how, no matter what we do in tor, brother, and friend to many. He was a our life, it’s what God calls us to. guide to wholeness and holiness in its most In order to be whole people, we spontaneous form. He said “Yes” to life must embrace what is broken in and lived it fully. As a priest, and a Ge- us. And embrace it wholeheart- stalt therapist, he could lead you into your edly. When I heard him say that worst fear, and bring you out the other side God can turn our weakness and cleansed, humbled, and with a new vision worst fears into a great strength, of the beauty inside. He could take you on once we embrace them, I knew a journey to what Merton calls the True this man was living someplace Self, and along the way, encourage you to close to the heart of Jesus. meet the False Self open-heartedly. No judgments, what ifs, no worries. “Just open After a while he invited us into Father Joe Scerbo, OFM the door and go in,” he would say. Learn a meditation into the depths of on the other side of it, His hand stretched to love your fears, hurts, failings, your the heart. We were asked to close out in welcome.