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Monday, October 22, 2012

Pastoral Care Week: October 21-27

Dear Friends,

If the season is a hint of the work of chaplains and pastoral caregivers, it provides a perfect metaphor. When the mercury of our lives drop, we often find ourselves walking through cold and dark valleys of visible and invisible pain and suffering. Faith can then be tested and many questions arise about the meaning of our lives, the meaning of suffering and the meaning of death. We struggle. Yet, the season also teaches us, when the mercury drops, there is a grand transformation and glorious display of beautiful autumn leaves, as if to tell us that the autumn days of our lives are not without their own gifts….as if to tell us that there’s beauty in the dark valley of life. We too will emerge transformed if we are willing to persevere in our struggles.

The work of chaplains is just that. Chaplains - through the eyes of faith - help individuals in their struggles to move toward transformation. Chaplains empower individuals to draw on their own faith traditions and teachings for comfort and guidance as they walk through the dark valley. Chaplains believe that “FAITH OPENS OUR EYES TO HUMAN LIFE IN ALL ITS GRANDEUR AND BEAUTY,” even when we are facing the dead winter days. Following the Divine Master Himself, Chaplains empower individuals to see hope in a confusion, joy in sadness, light in darkness, faith in doubt, and life in death.

October 21-27 is Pastoral Care Week. Please join me in honoring and celebrating the dedication of our Franciscan Alliance Chaplains and Spiritual Care Staff. To quote the late Sister Corita Last, OSF, “Spiritual Care is the heart of who we are.”

In prayerful appreciation,

Mission & Spiritual Care Services

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Video: Living Miracles - Stories of Healing & Hope

Miracles do happen. Check out four heartfelt stories of people who have seen them and lived them...all touched by a Franciscan Alliance miracle at our hospitals.

 

Monday, October 8, 2012

The Flu and You

It's that time of year again. Sick children, ill adults and the never ending attempt to prevent yourself from getting the flu. Influenza, known as "flu" for short, is back in season. Remember that you can greatly decrease your risk of getting the flu through a vaccination within the Franciscan Alliance.

Influenza, while common, is a serious and contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. Flu strains are constantly changing, creating the need for an annual vaccination to help the body resist new strains.

Cover your mouth and wash your hands! Experts believe that the flu virus is spread mainly through droplets when people cough, sneeze or talk. People can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest a three step approach to preventing the flu, with the first step being vaccination.

Second, take everyday actions to help prevent the spread of germs that can cause respiratory illnesses. Do this by:
  • Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • Washing your hands with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand rub
  • Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose
  • Avoid close contact with sick individuals
  • Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the virus to others
Third, the CDC recommends that you take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them. Antiviral drugs work best if taken within the first two days of symptoms to treat those who are very sick. Be sure to see a doctor if you begin to have symptoms reflective of influenza.


To find the closest Franciscan Alliance flu vaccination provider,  call (800)931-3322.








Thursday, October 4, 2012

Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis

“FAITH OPENS OUR EYES TO HUMAN LIFE IN ALL ITS GRANDEUR AND BEAUTY.”

Dear Friends,

October 4th is the feast day of the world’s best known and most recognized saint, Francis of Assisi. G. K. Chesterton called him the “first hero of humanism,” and Sir Kenneth Clark called him Europe’s greatest religious genius. According to the Smithsonian bibliography, more lives have been written about him than any other person in history. Even in his lifetime, Francis exerted a magnetic attractiveness, not because of money, good looks and success, but because of his willingness to fully accept the gift we often hesitate to take.

Imprinted in the core of our being is the sense that we are not just accidental, anonymous chips of dust in the universe, destined to flicker for an instant and then disappear forever. We know we are more. We literally feel timelessness, eternity and immortal meaning inside of ourselves. We are special. Faith tells us: We are, all of us, made in God’s image and likeness, blessed. That’s the gift. Our private secret that we are special is in fact the deepest truth.

That isn’t always easy to believe especially in a world in which billions of others are also trying to do the same. Can billions be infinitely precious and utterly unique? Life and circumstances often tire us in ways that tempt us to believe its opposite. American Idols, NFL, Miss Universe, and White Sox tell us that there will be only one special winner. In the end mediocrity, anonymity and mortality overwhelm us.

Saint Francis also faced these challenges. He stepped out into a world being recast by the emerging market economy. His father – thanks to competition – was moving quickly into the new entrepreneurial class with all its positive and negative influences. Francis, however, trusted a deeper voice and a bigger truth. Not only did he see himself as made in God’s image and likeness, but he also saw God’s fingerprints in everything. He saw God in creation, Jesus in the leper, a new church in the ruin, hope in a confusing time, perfect joy in sadness, light in darkness, faith in doubt and peace in the most unexpected places.

Please join us in celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.