|
CATHOLIC NURSE JOURNALS AND NEWSLETTERS 2009/2010
*
CATHOLIC NURSE JOURNAL WINTER 2010
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS JOURNAL IN PDF FORMAT
|
Fr Michael Stack National Ecclesiastical Adviser with Association of Catholic Nurses members at Walsingham 2010
|
National Ecclesiastical Adviser Fr Michael Stack St Osburg's Priory, Barras Lane, Coventry CV1 4AQ Tel 024 76 220402 /07724078905 Email michael.stack3@gmail.com |
National Chaplain Fr Eric Mead St Anne's Presbytery Devonshire Gardens, Cliftonville, CT9 3AF
|
|
National President Janet MuchengwaFlat 3 Centre View Appartments , 4 Whitgift Street , Croydon CR0 1EX Tel 02086499941 catholicnurses@live.co.uk |
National Vice-President Gerry Yates Laurel House , 35 Seaview Road , Herne Bay , Kent CT6 6JB |
|
National Secretary Mary Farnan 26Charnwood Rd,Great Barr,Birmingham B42 1JR Tel 0121 251 8515/ 07956527435 Email catholicnurses@msn.com |
National Treasurer Elizabeth Cooney 5Shefford Rd.,Seabridge, Newcastle under Lyme,Staffs,ST5 3LE. Tel 0178 261 7872 Email johncooney260@btinternet.com |
|
CICIAMS International Representative Jacqueline Hall |
Catholic Medical Association Representative Nora Mc Carthy |
1 |
|
The Association of Catholic Nurses of England and Wales
Contents -Catholic Nurse Journal Winter 2010- Contents
|
Page 2 |
Welcome Fr Michael Stack |
|
Page 3 |
National President’s Report- Janet Muchengwa |
|
Page 4-6 |
What do we mean by Care- Pat Hanrahan /Ethel Corduff |
|
Page 6 |
National Secretary’s Report- Mary Farnan |
|
Page 7 |
The Papal Visit 2010 in Pictures – Members’ Experiences |
|
Page 8 |
Membership Form to pass on and Diary Dates |
|
WELCOME FR MICHAEL STACK
Our New Ecclesiastical Adviser appointed by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales |
|
| I was born in Hartlepool Co Durham ,of parents Cecile and Maurice Stack. I have an elder sister and younger brother. We moved to the West Midlands in 1962 because of my father’s job as a draughtsman. I spent 6 years at St Mary’s College Oscott and was ordained a Priest by Bishop Leo McCartie in Lichfield 1987.I was an assistant priest at St Patrick’s Wolverhampton where I became chaplain to New Cross Hospital for three years.
I was assistant priest at St Rose of Lima Weoley Castle in 1990 for three years and chaplain to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital , Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital and the Birmingham Maternity Hospital. As Parish Priest in Nuneaton (St Anne’s) I was Chaplain to the George Eliot Hospital for five years.
At present I am whole time chaplain to the University Hospital Coventry and Warwick (UHCW) Warwick. I am also Chaplain to the Calunden Centre and also input to the New Myton Hospice in Coventry . I am beginning my fourth year in Coventry.
As a Catholic Priest I find my ministry very challenging and rewarding in providing the sacraments and time with the sick , the dying, relatives ,staff and all who care for the sick in any way. I am generously supported by a loyal team who help me in my ministry. Without them I could not exist. We all rely on others in order to care for the many in need. |
2 |
|
|
|
NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT
FROM JANET MUCHENGWA |
2010 |
|
This year has really gone by very quickly and thanks for all of your contributions in one way or another and it has been a blessed year in that we were privileged with the visit of Pope Benedict the XVI among us. I was able to represent you all at the Hyde Park and the prayer vigil was sensational and I am sure you have seen from the pictures on the web site and thanks for all the other picture contributions from members who attended in other areas.
I was also able to attend the Faith in Health Conference in Liverpool last June for which Jacqui Hall was one of the main speakers. A wide range of topics were covered, one being the Liverpool Care Pathways which is a tool which helps people to die well and better with dignity by reinforcing good communication, pain control, symptom control and spiritual care and we as catholic nurses should be leading especially in Palliative care. The LCP has raised a lot of criticism with regard to hydration and ageing population framework and a point to remember is the LCP is only as good the people who are using it. The question we have to ask ourselves is, if we stop using the LCP what do we use?
I haven’t been able to attend the meetings at the Bishops conference as most meetings in the year were on the preparation for the conference in Liverpool. I look forward to representing you more in the next meetings.
The Walsingham retreat this year was very disappointing as very few members managed to attend. We were blessed by having Fr Michael Stack our Ecclesiastical adviser who joined us for the first time in Walsingham. I pray and hope that next year more members will be able to make it, as this is the time we can use to reflect on our lives and work as catholic nurses. Finally, I urge every one of us to encourage other nurses to join the association before we become engulfed by other bigger and stronger associations. |
 |
 |
| Kath McCourt RCN Fellow and Dean of Northumbria University at the Faith in Health Conference in Liverpool with Mary Farnan , Jacqui Hall and Janet Muchengwa |
National Executive Meeting 2010 -in photo :Gerry Yates,Chris Bentley,Nora McCarthy,Janet Muchengwa and Fr Michael Stack hidden behind Liz Cooney |
3 |
|
STUDY DAY AT ST VINCENTS CENTRE , CARLISLE PLACE ,LONDON MARCH 2010
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY CARE ?
NOTES BY PAT HANRAHAN AND ETHEL CORDUFF
|
This excellent study day was held at the St. Vincent Centre, Victoria, London on 20th March 2010 and was extremely well organised by Teresa Lynch of Nurses Against Euthanasia.
'Compassion and Caring in Nursing’ Claire Chambers and Elaine Ryder of Oxford Brookes University. It started off with a talk by the authors of the book . They described compassionate care as mutual acceptance, seeing the patient as an individual, building a trusting relationship, getting to know people. More than just being ‘nice’.This includes empathy, dignity and respect, listening and responding, also choice, empowerment and diversity and cultural correctness. Having a general awareness of the emotional needs of the patient and genuine warmth and an accepting nature to the patient. Not to stereotype patients, for instance those who have overdosed or self-harmed. Be sensitive of their needs especially when vulnerable.Nurses are losing the art of compassion. Too much scientific and high tech treatment, limits care. There is too much focus on physical care detrimental to emotional care. There are too many targets to be met. It would be helpful to the patient to offer a gentle suggestion. E.g. ‘Have you tried this?’
Compassion fatigue is not giving care, as you should.
Explaining the roles of the culture of organisation, teamwork or challenge. Challenge people appropriately. Consider decision making to solve problems. People are living longer, there are limited resources. ‘Doctors are now chosen for their humanity’. This is a good thing.
Patients need emotional comfort but not over comfort, caring about not just caring for.
Challenges to compassionate care include resources and culture of organisations, nurse attitudes.
What can be done? Every intervention should be an opportunity and patient centred
There should be clarity in different roles. Work in partnership with patients.
Challenge accepted norms and values. Act as an advocate. Give feedback as appropriate.
Liverpool Care Pathway Critical-Analysis and Scenarios presented by retired Consultant Geriatrician Gillian Craig Author of the book.’ No water no life’, Doctor Craig has been involved in the hydration debate, which is ignored by the group of Liverpool people who produced the pathway in 2006. Dr Craig considers it dangerous, mainly due to continuous sedation without hydration. Delirium can be reduced by 60% with hydration. It is difficult to judge how long a patient has to live. The pathway should only be used as a last resort at the point of death and should not be a legal document. It is used as a cloak for euthanasia for those often blocking a bed. In the Netherlands it is used to hasten death.
The Geriatrician’s role has been diluted. If a geriatrician does not see a patient, the full gamut of treatable diagnoses will not be highlighted. Compassion for patients should never kill.
Now the pathway is being abused because of the scarcity of beds and greedy relatives. Many relatives are keen for sedation to be used. In The Liverpool Care Pathway if one is asked where one wants to die, if one agrees to die at home then agencies are informed of this and when a crisis occurs they will not take that person to hospital. As a result the Pathway reduces the number of admissions going into hospital. If unsure about using the Liverpool Care Pathway talk to colleagues first.
Spiritual Care is often called too late; there is a problem with the data protection act. One can only call a chaplain with the patient’s permission. The chaplain needs to be called much earlier while the patient is lucid. There are no community chaplains. It is important to find out patients faith. Buddhists hate to be sedated. Muslims will want an imam.
McMillan nurses patrol cares homes. Dr Craig cited an example of bad palliative care- a patient died after 30 days without hydration; her husband who is a doctor believed she died of dehydration. It was very distressing. He is trying to write up the case for a medical journal.Recommendations: |
4 |
|
| Delirium can be reduced by 60% if hydrated. It is good to explain to patient and relatives to get their consent.
Government End of Life Strategy; Open to Misinterpretation? By Teresa Lynch Nurse Specialist/ Oncology.Nurses in every hospital are promoting it. It is an amazing feat of organisation. It is not meant to be questioning, God of our creation been pushed too one side. It is totally sterile.
National standard is of low care such as no subcutaneous fluid. The G.M.C has published guidelines in oral feeding. Provision of food and fluids is a basic necessity of life. Doctors do not have the right to overdose and dehydrate the patient. Some relatives do not object. The public is deceived if they are unaware that the Mental Capacity Act 2005 opens the way to voluntary and involuntary euthanasia.
It is vital how palliative care is carried out. Assisted suicide is illegal. Euthanasia lobby promotes voluntary removal of food and drink. In one care home every patient was questioned about what they want at end of life. The conscientious objection clause has been omitted from the nurses’ code of conduct since 2002. Teresa has asked RCN about it, they are contacting the NMC.
Issues from it are - Europe, emergency, social theories, UK developments and consequences.
Dr Philip Howard co author of ‘Medical Law and Ethics’ presented the DPP Policy of Assisted Suicide and Possible Implication for Practitioners. Prior to 1961 suicide was a criminal offence. It was decriminalised and created a new offence of assisted suicide. The DPP Policy softens attitudes to euthanasia. Suicide should not involve a health-care professional at any time. Over 85% suicide victims were known to be depressed. Vulnerable patients and those with personality disorders were the likely ones to commit suicide. In some cases there is lethal drugs supplied to suicidal patients. Doctors should keep to their Hippocratic Oath. Suicide is always wrong. Decisions are rarely clear, fixed and informed. Health-care workers may be indirectly involved but should not be involved.
Mr James Boggle, Barrister, also co-author of’ ’Medical Law and Ethics’ spoke on Conscientious Objection. Mr. Boggle was involved with the Diane Pretty case. Religion, morals or breach of code are main issues. He wants every trained nurse to get a copy of the nurses code of conduct and he suggested that one of the codes had been removed from it!
It is unlawful to take the life of the individual. We should be acting as advocates. Patients have rights. Food and fluids delivered is caring. Patients who have no capacity are clinically assisted by giving them artificial hydration. Decision-making and code of conduct are important. Nurses can refuse to remove tubes. Nurses must be vigilant about decision making. They must involve the conscientious objection and write to the NMC. The NMC has only a broad clause on clause 9.61 code of practice conscientious objection, this needs to be rectified, the GMC website is much more detailed, nurses need similar. Giving unwanted treatment can be an assault. A doctor could be accused of murder
End of Life- questions should be asked, if they have mental capacity, personal welfare, power of attorney, living will status and what do they want. It would need to be established if the patient had mental capacity.
This was a very progressive study day on caring, dealing with major issues so important to nursing today and in the future. We heard from experts about compassion which is essential to caring, the Liverpool Care Pathway used widely but often wrongly implemented and misinterpretation of the Government's end of life strategy. Fortified by an excellent lunch, we heard of the horrendous implications of assisted suicide and finally how nurses can voice their conscientious objection when necessary. |
5 |
|
NATIONAL SECRETARY’S REPORT 2010 FROM MARY FARNAN |
|
| I would like to congratulate Janet on how well she has managed the presidency over the last 12 months having taken it on with some reluctance at the start .I would also like to express thanks to Archbishop Vincent on finding us a national ecclesiastical adviser in response to our written request and to Fr Michael Stack for bravely taking up the post .
The Association over the last few years has taken part in a few NICE consultations on a range of health issues . Last year I participated in their Delphi online survey for their consultation on Identifying Maltreatment in Children and we were listed in the full document published December 2009 that was circulated to all NHS Safeguarding Children Depts in the UK .In March I attended a NICE stakeholder conference in Manchester , expenses paid by NICE , on Promoting Wellbeing in Children . Members are urged to log on to NICE in order to view current consultations and to inform us if they do see anything they have an expertise in and would like to work with the Executive Committee on so that we can participate in more of these . Walsingham was low in numbers this year but In June I also attended the final day of the Catholics in Healthcare Conference in Liverpool .A welcome opportunity to meet Kath McCourt Dean of Northumbria University an RCN Fellow who has had keen involvement in policy development at the RCN . In October I attended the LIFE conference in Kenilworth to update on what is happening there. On November 7th I will be attending a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley at St Chad’s Cathedral Birmingham with other nurses and doctors including members Liz and Eric Dray who assisted in caring for the sick at the Papal Mass at Cofton Park – The lack of complaints from the sick and elderly who experienced severe cold weather and had to be wrapped in foil blankets to prevent hypothermia was an experience to learn from – starting at 3am and leaving at 5pm was another experience in itself .
The Association of Catholic Nurses and CICIAMS websites continue and CICIAMS are exploring the possibility of us adding European pages to the International site we manage for them to complement the link the CICIAMS Asia website. The Paypal facility started for membership subscriptions June 2009 has proved successful so will continue . Also we now have an email list of 40 members through which we can circulate information of interest or coming events very quickly to members. If any member not on our list has an email address or has something of interest to share please forward it to us at catholicnurses@msn.com |
 |
 |
| AGM Coolock Convent Newcastle under Lyme October 2010 –Members gather for AGM . Patricia Agisafe seated at the front. |
AGM Coolock Convent Newcastle under Lyme October 2010 –A group of members gather for a photograph before parting. |
6 |
|
7 |
|
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER -IF SO PASS THIS FORM ON TO THEM
|
APPLICATION FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP OR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Please complete in block capitals
|
PERSONAL DETAILS
Mr /Mrs /Ms/Miss Sr/Fr/Br
Surname………………………………………………………..………………….….
First Name(s)……………………………………………………….……….…………..
Address……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Post Code……………………………… Tel Nos …………….......................................................
Date of Birth……………………………
Email address……………………………………………………………………….
|
|
Please Tick type of membership
FULL MEMBERSHIP (CURRENTLY EMPLOYED/NMC REGISTERED) £30
ASSOCIATE MEMBER £15 STUDENT MEMBER £15
RETIRED MEMBER £15 |
|
Professional Qualifications……………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Brief details of Employment –(Position and Place of Work optional)
……………………………………………………………………………......................…………………
………………………………………………………………..............................………..…………………
Diocese to which you belong………………………………………………..................................................
BRANCH MEMBER NATIONAL MEMBER (NO LOCAL BRANCH)
|
|
Bankers mandate forms for direct debit can be supplied on request | This form should be completed, detached and sent together with the appropriate subscription to:The diocesan or local branch secretary for branch members or return to Mary Farnan National Secretary Association of Catholic Nurses 26 Charnwood Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B42 1JR Tel 0121 251 8515 Please make cheques payable to “The Association of Catholic Nurses of England and Wales” |
NEW MEMBERS CAN ALSO JOIN ONLINE-SEE MEMBERSHIP PAGE ON WEBSITE
DIARY DATES 2011
8 |
*
CATHOLIC NURSE JOURNAL SPRING 2010
CLICK HERE FOR CATHOLIC NURSE JOURNAL SPRING 2010 IN PDF FORMAT
|
ACN Executive Officers at work in St Vincent‟s Convent, London .
Front row Nora McCarthy, Liz Cooney, Jacqui Hall, Fr Eric Mead, President Janet Muchengwa Back row Esther Mensah, Mary Farnan and Vice-President Gerry Yates.
|
NATIONAL OFFICERS As elected at AGM 2009 |
National President Janet Muchengwa
National Vice-President Gerry Yates |
| National Chaplain Fr Eric Mead
National Ecclesiastical Adviser |
CICIAMS International Representative Jacqueline Hall
Catholic Medical Association Representative Nora Mc Carthy |
|
National Secretary/Website Mary Farnan
National Treasurer Liz Cooney
|
Catholic Nurse Journals and Newsletters Jacqui Hall/ Nora McCarthy/ Christine Bentley Mary Farnan
Printing Liz Cooney
|
1 |
|
Association of Catholic Nurses of England and Wales
Contents
Page
2 Contents and Editorial.
3 The National President’s Report.
4-5 CICIAMS and the Pontifical Council for Health and Pastoral Care.
6 Catholic Bishops’ Conference -Health Care Reference Group.
7 The Order of St Camillus and the founding of the International Red Cross
8 Dates for Diary 2010 .
RCN Assisted suicide / Caritas Social Care Network DVD raising awareness
of spiritual needs of people with dementia.
Editorial
In March 2009 the CICIAMS World Congress was held in Mexico . On May 22nd 2009 Archbishop Vincent Nichols was installed as Archbishop of Westminster.
As the then President of ACN I was privileged to attend both of these events as your representative at these very auspicious occasions.
The consultation by the RCN regarding assisted suicide brought some interesting results. The RCN have taken a neutral stance, although there were some adverse sentiments by patients who considered that the RCN had failed the public in not being more forthright in proclaiming that they were against assisted suicide.
We have a new Pontifical Council President as Cardinal Lozano Barrigan retires from his position. He has been a very close friend to Catholic Nurses throughout the world and appeared to thoroughly enjoy his last attendance at the CICIAMS World Congress in Monterrey, Mexico, (his home town). His Eminence Archbishop Zimowski is to replace Cardinal Barrigan as the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers.
With the ACN elections held in December 2009 the new Executive Board has a new President, Mrs Janet Muchengwa.
Jacqui Hall.
2 |
|
|
NATIONAL
PRESIDENT’S
REPORT
I really feel honoured and privileged to be taking up office as the President of the Association of Catholic Nurses for England and Wales.
I am originally from Zambia, a land locked country in Southern Africa. I am currently working as a Junior Sister at Mayday University Hospital in Croydon. I qualified with a diploma in General Nursing from the University Teaching Hospital School of Nursing in Lusaka, Zambia and did a bachelors degree in Nursing Science, qualifying as a Nurse Educator and Health Services Manager from the University of South Africa.
I first joined the Catholic Nurses Guild in Botswana and upon arrival to this country, in 2002, I joined the St. Andrews branch in Thornton Heath, Croydon.
As Catholic nurses, I would urge every one of us to be conscientious and work within the teaching of the Catholic Church, be responsible and sensitive to our patients problems and the society at large. We have to display commitment and self application to peoples’ needs.
I would also take this opportunity for us to revisit our association objectives as follows:
- To promote the spiritual well-being of its members and inspire the whole practice of Nursing with Christian principles.
To promote activities designed to increase the knowledge of the teachings of the Catholic Church
|
* |
- Provide guidance on medico-moral problems thus enabling us to fulfill
- our specific vocation as Catholic Nurses.
- To further our knowledge on professional matters.
- To co-operate with others who share our ideals.
- I would also urge members to take part in the national pilgrimage to Walsingham which takes place every year in June to reinforce our commitments to our faith and the association, through prayer and spiritual support to the many health and social problems in our society. We also have to keep our prayer book handy and pray every day.
Finally, to echo what my predecessors have said, I would like to encourage as many Catholic Nurses as possible to join the association as we need the voice to continue on topical and professional issues and it’s my hope and prayer that through your support and co-operation, I will serve you as best as I can.
Thank you
God Bless
Janet Nsofwa Muchengwa
|
Archbishop Vincent Nichols Mass for the Sick Westminster February 2010 |
‘A culture of true compassion and healing fosters a deep respect and attentive care of the whole person, it promotes genuine care characterised by a sense of humility, a profound respect for others, and a refusal to see them as no more than a medical or behavioural problem to be tackled and resolved’ | |
3 |
|
|
|
|
CICIAMS The CICIAMS international congress March 2009 ‘PROFESSIONAL NURSING: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS EXCELLENCE’ was hosted by Mexico and attended by Jacqui Hall CICIAMS international representative for the Association of Catholic Nurses in England and Wales . Marylee Meehan international President of CICIAMS in Congress report congratulated ‘the collaboration of the dynamic leadership of Mary Vilchez, President of the Movement of Nurses of Catholic Action (MEAC), Carolina Vessic,MEAC’s Chairperson of the World Congress Planning Committee, the members of Mexico Catholic Action (ACM), CICIAMS Executive Board members plus the vigilance of pastoral care and guidance overseen by Fr. Fernandez and Fr. Valdivia, Ecclesiastical Advisors to MEAC and ACM respectively’ .The Congress was a huge success. Attended by representatives of twenty-four countries. The full report of and photographs of the Congress can be viewed on www.ciciams.org / |
|
 |
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH PASTORAL CARE
Archbishop Zimowski replaces Cardinal Barrigan as the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. |
 |
|
|
http://www.healthpastoral.org/
In 2009 The pope selected Bishop Zygmunt Zimowski of Radom to replace Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan, who retired as council president at the age of 76. With the appointment, the Polish prelate was also named an archbishop. The Catholic News Agency October 13th 2009 produced the following article
‘Writing in the context of the Year for Priests Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski, has sent a letter to those who are sick and suffering, asking them to pray for priests and the beatification of Pope John Paul II. The purpose of the Year is to call the whole Christian community to “rediscover the beauty of the priestly vocation and thus to pray for
|
* |
priests,” the archbishop said, noting that this includes the sick.
Archbishop Zimowski reminded sick people in his 1 October 2009 letter that priests play an important role in their lives. “A priest at the bedside of a sick person represents Christ himself, the Divine Physician, who is not indifferent to the fate of those who suffer. Indeed, through the sacraments of the Church, administered by a priest, Jesus Christ offers to a sick person healing through reconciliation and the forgiveness of sins, through anointing with holy oil and lastly in the Eucharist, in the viaticum in which Christ himself becomes, as Giovanni Leonardi used to say, ‘the medicine of immortality’ by which ‘we are comforted, nourished, transformed into God, and participants in the divine nature,” he wrote.
|
4 |
|
The head of the Council for Health Care Workers also pointed out that the conclusion of the Year for Priests coincides with the 25th anniversary of the founding of Pontifical Council. Pope John Paul II, he recalled, founded the Council on the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes to demonstrate the Church's care for the sick.
“Because of this providential anniversary,” Archbishop Zimowski wrote, “I am near to each one of you and I invite you, dear sick brothers and sisters, to unceasingly address your prayers and the offering up of your sufferings to the Lord of life for the holiness of your well loved priests, so that they can with devotion and pastoral charity perform the ministry that is entrusted to them by Christ, the physician of bodies and souls.”
During the Year for Priests, he encouraged the faithful who are sick and suffering to “rediscover the beauty of the prayer of the Holy Rosary for the spiritual benefit of priests, in a special way during the month of October.” He also exhorted the sick to participate in Mass and adoration of the Eucharist, “every first Thursday and every first Friday of the month, which are respectively dedicated to devotion to the Eucharist and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.“I would like to remind you that in praying for priests one can obtain special indulgences this year,” the archbishop added. Looking ahead to April 2010, the Polish archbishop asked for their prayers for the pilgrimage of hospital chaplains that is being first in the French towns of Lourdes and Ars to mark the Pontifical Council's anniversary.
Archbishop Zimowski summed up his prayer requests by saying, To you, therefore, dear sick and suffering brothers and sisters, I entrust the Church which needs your prayers and sufferings, the person of the Holy Father
|
* |
Pope Benedict XVI, and all the bishops and priests in the world, who strive every day for your sanctification. I ask from you a special prayer for priests who are sick and afflicted in their bodies who every day experience, like you, the weight of pain, together with the force of saving grace which comforts and heals the soul.”
The Polish prelate also urged the sick to pray for “the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God John Paul II” recommending that they offer a prayer for the needs of the Church, authored by the late Pontiff.'
| 10 New Year’s Resolutions to think about for next year |
 |
|
1.Don’t miss the boat.
2.Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3.Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.
4Stay fit. When you are 600 years old you might get asked to do something big.
5.Don’t listen to critics. Get on with the job.
6.Build your hopes and future on high ground.
7.For safety travel in pairs.
8.Speed isn’t always an advantage . Snails boarded the ark .
9When you’re stressed let things float. 10.Remember the ark was built by amateurs. The Titanic was built by experts. | |
5 |
|
|
CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE ENGLAND AND WALES
Health Care Reference Group |
 |
The Health Care Reference Group have been meeting both at St Vincent’s Centre and via Teleconferencing to organise their latest offering of guidance and support to Health care workers and Chaplains. The next Conference is planned to be delivered at Liverpool Hope University 24-26 June 2010. Full residential conference fee £260. Details and application forms will be on the HCRG website. The conference is open to all health and social care professionals, of all faiths or none. This is the second of the National Conferences ‘Faith in Health’ organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and is supported by the Conference of Religious and the Catholic Medical Association. Plenary speakers include Archbishop Vincent Nichols Baroness Flora Finlay, Mr Martin Lupton, Sister Margaret Atkins , Professor Kath McCourt head of Policy RCN , and James Hanvey SJ.and Mrs Jacqui Hall Association of Catholic Nurses speaking about her experiences of serving in a military hospital in Afghanistan. Delegates are able to choose from 14 workshops led by experts in a range of related topics. CPD accreditation is being sought.
|
THINK AGAIN AGAIN!!!!!!
A preacher and his wife are very very poor. They already have 14 kids. She finds out she is pregnant with a 15th. They are living in tremendous poverty. Considering their poverty and the excessive world population would you consider recommending an abortion?
A father is sick and the mother has TB. They have 4 children . The first is blind, the 2nd has died, the 3rd is deaf and the 4th has TB. She is pregnant again. Given the extreme situation would you consider recommending an abortion?
A white man raped a 13 year old black girl and she became pregnant. Would you consider recommending an abortion ?
|
* |
A teenage girl is pregnant. She is not married. Her fiancé is not the father of the baby and wants to break from the relationship . Would you consider recommending an abortion?
Would you ???????
In the first case you would have killed John Wesley 19th century evangelist . In the 2nd case you would have killed Beethoven. In the 3rd case you would have killed Ethel Waters the famous American blues singer . In the 4th case you have just killed Jesus Christ , Our Lord.
|
6 |
|
|
THE ORDER OF ST CAMILLUS (CAMILLIANS) AND THE ORIGINS OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
The order of St Camillus (Camillians) describe themselves as an ‘international Religious community of both Brothers and Priests whose ministry is to care for the sick , suffering , dying , marginalized and the poor. They were founded in the 16th century in Italy and currently have Brothers and Priests working in 32 countries. It is believed St Camillus’s mother experienced a vision at the time of his birth of a cross on his chest. At the age of 25,in Rome, following a leg wound sustained during military service that resulted in frequent hospitalizations ,Camillus experienced a vocation to dedicate himself to God and to the service of the sick and to call others to religious life and to serve the sick. Rome was infested with plague and other diseases. A red cross later worn on the black cassocks of the Camillian order became recognized as the symbol of the order .St Camillus died in 1614 and was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746.
|
* |
The article below contains extracts of an interesting journal item supplied to us by Fr Eric Mead our national chaplain.
‘A Swiss Protestant ,Henri Dunant (1828-1910) was an eye witness of the Camillion Brothers in action at the Battle of Solferino in June 1859 , where nearly 40,000 casualties were cared for by the Red Cross Brothers.He went on to write his bookUn Souvenir de Solferino (1862) , in which he proposed the formation in all countries of voluntary relief societies , for the prevention and alleviation of suffering in war and peace without distinction of race and creed. This led to the formation of the international Red Cross Association, which has since used the emblem of the Camillian Brothers , slightly foreshortened as in the Swiss flag, and adopting of the same tradition of neutrality and service to all. However , nowhere in Henri Dunant’s book does he mention the source of his inspiration…
After 144 years the Red Cross has established a worldwide organization in which the red cross emblem has become recognized as a symbol of humanitarian neutrality. However , it was first used in 1691 as a distinctly Christian symbol’
PRAYER TO ST CAMILLUS
God ,Our Father, You chose St Camillus to bear witness in a special way to the love that Your Son Jesus Christ had for the sick and the dying. We pray, that through the loving intercession of St Camillus, You would send Your Spirit of consolation, encouragement strength and faith upon those who are burdened by illness , to heal them in mind, body and spirit. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our loving and healing saviour. Amen |
7 |
|
|
On July 24th 2009 the RCN chose to adopt a stance of neutrality on assisted suicide following a 3 month consultation of members February – May 2009. Earlier in July the BMA had reaffirmed its 2006 change of stance from neutral to one of opposing assisted suicide arguing that ‘legalized assisted suicide could put unreasonable pressure on the most vulnerable members of our society to accept it.' Whilst the consultation mostly conducted online had reached about 175,000 members out of a total of around 400,000 members the RCN decision was based on a response of only 1,200 members. 49% (588) of respondents had supported assisted suicide, 40% (480) opposed assisted suicide and the remaining opted for a neutral stance. There is too little evidence that the survey response accurately reflects the views of the majority of members of the RCN. The RCN Policy Briefing Document of April 2009 had already stated ‘Assisted suicide is illegal in England and Wales under the 1961 Suicide Act which makes it unlawful to aid , abet , counsel or procure the suicide of another’. In September 2009 Keir Starmer produced guidance on factors that could be taken into account when a decision to prosecute or not prosecute is made and pointed out assisted suicide remains illegal and carries a jail term of up to 14 years so there can be no guarantee that relatives assisting will not be prosecuted. As nurses we should be asking what drives individuals and their relatives to consider an option of assisted suicide? is there a lack of support or service provision that contributes to such a decision by people who may be worn out and unable to make a fully rational decision ? The Catholic agency Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) www.caritas-socialaction.org.uk has recently produced a DVD raising awareness of the spiritual needs of people with dementia. Relatives of mentally alert elderly , who through failing physical health find themselves unable to speak or fully communicate their needs might also find this DVD useful.
|
* |
|
DIARY DATES 2010
NATIONAL ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE AND RETREAT AT WALSINGHAM 2010
TUESDAY 8TH JUNE
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING 3.30PM
5.00PM RECEPTION MASS -CHAPEL OF RECONCILIATION
8.00PM PILGRIM SERVICE -CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION/RC PILGRIM BUREAU GROUNDS
WEDNESDAY 9TH JUNE
10.00AM PROCESSION TO THE RC SHRINE
12MD MASS CHAPEL OF RECONCILIATION
8.00PM EVENING PILGRIM SERVICE CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION (OPTIONAL)
NATIONAL AGM,MASS AND STUDY DAY
SATURDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2010
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETING 10.30AM
11.00AM-4.00PM
AGM /MASS/ TALK
COOLOCH CONVENT, LONDON ROAD
NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME
|
|
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS |
|
Membership subscriptions are due for those who have not yet paid for 2010 . Please forward to Mary Farnan National Secretary 26 Charnwood Road , Great Barr , Birmingham B42 1JR
£30 Full members NMC Registered
£15 Retired members, students , and associate members (part time or non NMC registered healthcare workers) |
|
8 |
*
CATHOLIC NURSE NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS 2009
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS 2009 IN PDF FORMAT
|
|
Newsletter
Welcome Janet Muchengwa our new National President –After many years of providing invaluable support to the Association of Catholic Nurses as National President Jacqui Hall has retired from her position as President and handed the badge of office over to Janet our newly elected and first African president in the UK at the AGM at St Vincents Centre, Carlisle Place London December 12th .
Jacqui represented the Association of Catholic Nurses at the inauguration of Archbishop Vincent Nichols at Westminster this year and continues to be our member representative to CICIAMS the International Catholic Committee of Nurses and Medico Social Assistants . As National Secretary I continue maintaining the CICIAMS website for the Association of Catholic Nurses England and Wales
 |
Jacqui Hall receives Holy Communion from Cardinal Brannigan at the recent CICIAMS international Congress in Mexico March 2009. |
Cardinal Brannigan has since been succeededby Cardinal Zimowski as president to the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care- more details on our website. |
| Christmas 2009 |
 |
| WEBSITE www.catholicnurses.org.uk EMAIL catholicnurses@msn.com |
| NATIONAL CHAPLAIN Fr Eric Mead ,St Anne's Presbytery ,DevonshireGardens, Cliftonville, CT9 3AF |
| NATIONAL PRESIDENT Janet Muchengwa ,290 Bensham Lane,Thornton Heath , Surrey CR7 7EP |
| NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Gerry Yates Laurel House, 35 Seaview Road , Heron Bay CT6 6JB |
| NATIONAL SECRETARY Mary Farnan ,26 Charnwood Road Great BarrBirmingham , B42 1JR |
| NATIONAL TREASURER Liz Cooney 5 Shefford Road ,Clayton , Newcastle Under Lyme,Staffs ,ST5 3LE |
| CICIAMS REPRESENTATIVE Jacqui Hall 2 Heswall Road,Cramlington,Northumberland NE23 3UU |
| CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVE Nora McCarthy, 22 Smallmead,Horley,Surrey,RH6 9AX |
 |
|
Members preparing for the Holy Mile and later Mass at the Chapel of Reconciliation WALSINGHAM 2009 | |
ASSOCIATION OF CATHOLIC NURSES DIARY DATES FOR 2010
Walsingham Tues. 8th - Wed 9th June 2010
Room Bookings available through Walsingham website www.walsingham.org.uk
AGM Sat. 30th October 11am-4pm 2010
St Vincents Centre Carlisle Place London or Parish Church of the Holy Trinity , Newcastle Under Lyme – venue to be confirmed. | |
|
ASSISTED SUICIDE
On 15th December 2009 Keir Starmer QC ,the Director of Public Prosecutions, closed his public consultation on guidelines for prosecution in cases of assisted suicide . The new guidance is due to be published March 2010. An article in the Guardian printed to coincide with the closure of the consultation process informs us that the consultation document draws little distinction between a likelihood of prosecution for relatives supporting individuals through assisted suicide travelling abroad to places such as the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland , which has permitted assisted suicide since 1940 , and those choosing to remain in the UK . The document is also reported to go further in making assisted suicide available than Lord Falconer’s proposed amendment to the Coroners and Justice Act, rejected by Parliament earlier this year by making less distinction between the availability of assisted suicide for the terminally ill and the disabled. The Association of Catholic Nurses still has its 2004 statement in place that was submitted to the House of Lords Select Committee in response to the Joffe Bill acknowledging the pain and distress experienced by patients and carers in end of life situations , the right to adequate pain relief to relieve distress but that ultimately our care delivery should also be guided by our Christian beliefs that all human life is sacred and that no one has the right to intentionally take life. We congratulate Christine Bentley , who has served us for many years on the Executive as President and Vice President on being appointed Trustee of a hospice local to where she lives and works in Kent because of her interest in this area.
The Association of Catholic Nurses has already expressed its dismay through the Catholic press at the RCN decision to remain neutral on assisted suicide in July 2009 in spite of the fact that the BMA had , in the same month, reaffirmed its 2006 change of stance from neutral to opposing physician assisted suicide because of possible abuse through pressures on the most vulnerable members of our society to accept it . In 2007 we also submitted a response to the RCN expressing our concerns at RCN support of an expansion of nursing involvement with abortion .Most members of our Association are RCN members , some active as local representatives , and whilst we value the support of the RCN on employment rights and legal representation there is a danger if we cannot make our own Catholic and Christian beliefs known and understood when ethical decisions are made about our professional practice.
Nora McCarthy one of our long serving members on the Executive Committee has requested a special mention of the additional concerns recent legislation around mental health must raise through which an independent relative or friend can try to make a decision on behalf of an individual deemed to lack capacity since the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards published 2008 and implemented 2009 reinforce a legal right to remove freedom from somebody deemed to lack capacity but not detained under the sections of the current Mental Health Acts.
|
ITEMS OF INTEREST
E Learning - A fully online international Certificate in Spirituality ,Health and Healing from Cardinal Stritch Franciscan University USA for nurses accessible 24 hours a day 7 days a week but must be completed within 6 weeks . Current conversion price from US dollars is around £91- log on to the Homepage of our website for more details. We have approached Catholic institutions in the UK to see if something could be delivered through a UK Catholic Institution.
Executive Committee on Policy Review - For sometime the members of the Association of Catholic Nurses have had stakeholder involvement on NICE public consultations- I (Mary Farnan) have also had recent individual involvement in an online 3 month consultation process for the Recognising Child Maltreatment document sent out to PCTs and Safeguarding Boards June 2009. We now have a committee set up to try to expand some of our involvements in public policy consultations.
Healthcare Reference Group Jacqui Hall , as President of the Association of Catholic Nurses, has been representing the Association at Healthcare Reference Group Meetings in London . Jacqui, who was awarded the Afghanistan Medal last year has been invited to speak about her experiences of working in the military hospital in Afghanistan at their conference ‘ Beginnings and Endings’ June 24th – 26th 2010 at Hope Hospital , Liverpool
Catholic Medical Association The Guild of Catholic Doctors recently changed its name to the Catholic Medical Association and has moved to Eccleston Square – Nora continues to attend their meetings in London as our representative from the Association of Catholic Nurses
Year For Priests /Year of the Family The Church has designated a Year for Priests June 2009-2010 and our prayers are requested for support for priests in their work and for vocations to the priesthood. Many of us will have sons who have been altar servers , readers or involved in other Church group activities- with an increasing shortage of priests what can parents do better to support vocations.? During the Year of the Family the Natural Family Planning Teachers Association will be raising awareness in Catholic schools of Church teaching on and the health benefits of non invasive natural methods of birth control . The method which requires some discipline for accurate monitoring of fertility during the monthly cycle may be a first choice method or , as many couples now opt for sterilisation after the age of 35, may be an option for those experiencing problems with other methods. Details of courses for additional nurse or midwifery training in NFP are on the Events and Courses page of our website .
With best wishes for a happy and holy new year
from us all Mary Farnan National Secretary
|
|
|
