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"Last Rites" or The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

1/30/2021

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I recently had the privilege of joining a virtual discussion with Dr. Kristin Collier and Dr. Wes Ely along with about 60 others.  Many of these participants were physicians, therapists, and others engaged in the medical field.  I was out of my league in regard to medical knowledge, but I did have the experience of being a cancer survivor for 34 years and an ordained minister for over 20 years serving the sick and suffering.

Dr. Kristin Collier wrote an interesting article as a follow-up and referenced the original discussion.  I was inspired after the original virtual gathering, and reading this article renewed my zeal for getting back to visiting people in the hospitals and nursing homes.

I invite you to read the article before finishing my post.
www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2021/01/29/covid-19-health-care-medicine-elderly-ethics-239835

I can understand the initial knee-jerk reaction at the beginning of the pandemic.  However, we are now ten months into this crisis and protocols at the hospitals with which I am familiar have changed very little in regard to the unreasonable and harmful restrictions for visitors.  It is understandable why someone would just choose to die at home rather than seek treatment at a hospital and risk being alone and isolated up until the point of death.

After ten months, have we not yet realized the mental and emotional trauma we have inflicted on families by the oppressive measures put in place for restricting visitors? After reading Dr. Collier's article, it has made me reflect upon some serious issues within the Catholic hospital networks.  The leadership team at a Catholic hospital has not just been educated in medical expertise; they have been formed in Christian values.  Most Catholic hospitals have a "Mission Effectiveness Office" of some kind or another.  It may have another name, but somewhere in the institution there should be people with knowledge of moral theology and ethics, pastoral care, and community service.  Where has this team been for the last ten months?

As a deacon, I have not been allowed to visit people in the hospital.  Some priests have told me they have struggled to gain access as well.  It seems they are allowed to come in and anoint someone when they are approaching death.  Wow!  All the years since Vatican II we have been trying to get people to look upon the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick as a healing sacrament.  It is not just "Extreme Unction" or the "Last Rites".  Thanks to COVID, are we back to "Last Rites"?

Has the cure has been worse than the illness? We will never know the full impact of COVID on our physical and mental health.  Statistics will eventually tell part of the story, but even that story will have the potential of being manipulated to fit a preconceived narrative.

In the past ten months I have had people accuse me of wanting people to die because of my stance on COVID.  I know the illness can be bad.  I have had family members hospitalized because of COVID.  However, I have also walked with people who have struggled because a loved one was in the hospital and they could not visit.  Several families I know have buried loved ones due to suicide.  It is a fine line to walk for the medical community.  Keeping people as safe as possible while in a hospital is a laudable goal. Unfortunately, there has been too little consideration given to the psychological and emotional trauma being imposed by overzealous visitor restrictions.

I want to thank Dr. Kristin Collier and Dr. Wes Ely for at least opening up the discussion to consider alternatives to procedures currently in place at many hospitals across the country.  Their knowledge and wisdom should be welcomed by the wider medical community.

May the Divine Physician bring us healing and peace!


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Deep, Philosophical Questions Being Asked

1/29/2021

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Amanda Softstar (@ASoftstar) posed an interesting question this afternoon on Twitter.  "Have you ever had those days where you're holding a stick and everybody looks like a piñata?"
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The reality is that we all have tough days.  The manner in which we cope with these rough days varies from person to person.  Stress, grief, and hardships of any kind impact our day-to-day lives.  Being a person of faith, and staying rooted in prayer, can certainly provide strength to overcome the challenges that confront us on a regular basis. 
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Although my mom has been deceased for five years now, I still quietly celebrated her birthday yesterday in my mind.  Another meal at Steak-n-Shake with her would be nice.
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Our trip to EWTN the year before she died is a highlight in my memory bank.

There are people that want to steal our inner peace.  There are issues that arise which disturb us greatly.  Whatever troubles your heart today, place it at the foot of the cross. Jesus will meet you at the point of your need.
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What Is Your Conversion Story?

1/25/2021

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Today, the Church celebrates the conversion of St. Paul.  We may not get knocked off of a horse on the way to Damascus, but we are invited to conversion.  We may never travel to the Holy Land, but we are invited to conversion.  The conversion experience for most of us is probably a slow transformative process rather than a single dramatic event.  Either way, God's grace moves within us and lights our hearts on fire.

Are you closer to God today than you were a year ago?  Why, or why not? 
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Where Would You Like To Go On Vacation?

1/25/2021

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Two years ago today I had the privilege of driving to Key West, Florida.  It was the first time I had ever been to the Florida Keys.  I love warm weather, and I love to travel.  Going to the Florida Keys in January was awesome.
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I love how they just open all the doors on the sides of the church to let the breeze flow through.  Even though the guard in front of the church pictured above was wearing a jacket, it was warm enough after the morning Mass to open everything up.  (Remember, this was on January 25.)
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The Basilica and surrounding campus is a place of serenity.
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I may recognize a few of the people in this photo.
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What are your favorite vacation memories?
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Will Our World Ever Be Protective Of Human Life?

1/22/2021

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January 22, 1973 is the day our United States Supreme Court forever changed the landscape of protecting human rights.  The most vulnerable among us had their right to life taken away from them.  Our country has continued its downward spiral from there. 
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How many decades will we allow this injustice to continue?
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How will you help promote a culture of life in our society?
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If abortion has impacted your life in a very direct manner, please know of God's healing.  The Church prays with you, and for you, that God's grace made flood you with healing and peace.
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How Did Our Nation Get To This Point In Time?

1/20/2021

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The last fifty to sixty years have revealed much about our society.  The broken political system is only a symptom of a much deeper illness rooted in spiritual apathy.  When faith in God disappears, it is not surprising to see our homes, our communities, our educational institutions, and our government entities go off track.  With the media and tech giants intentionally pushing our country off the tracks by pursuing their own agenda, while censoring opposing viewpoints, we begin to see how we got to this moment in time.

As I reflect upon the founding principles of our nation and the devastating spiritual collapse we have witnessed in our society, my heart is heavy today.  Without spiritual renewal, there is no hope for our nation.  The vile nature of political discourse these last four years clearly revealed that most politicians have one goal in mind--power and control.  Of course, this typically leads to their personal enrichment as well.  Apparently, it is a good job.  Once in office, they stay for decades.

​Here are a few reminders about the fragile nature of our republic.

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
~John Adams

"The strength of our country is the strength of its religious convictions.  The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country."
~ Calvin Coolidge (30th President)

"We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has occupied in shaping the advances of the Republic.  Where we have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its precepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment and prosperity."
~ Franklin Roosevelt (32nd President)

"The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount.  The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and Saint Matthew, from Isaiah and Saint Paul....  If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State!"
~ Harry Truman (33rd President)

"It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ."
~ Attributed to Patrick Henry (Governor of Virginia)

"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure....are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments."
​~ Charles Carroll (Signer of the Declaration of Independence) 
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"Help Me See The Person In The Patient"~Dr. Wes Ely

1/15/2021

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I was treated for cancer in 1986 at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, Missouri.  I am still kicking today because of the expertise and compassion of the people who worked in this building at the time.  It was a very difficult time in my life, but my ministry and my whole life has been shaped by that experience.

It has been my privilege to walk with others in their personal journey of suffering. I had the opportunity to work with a support group for families coping with a life-threatening illness for ten years back in the 80's and 90's. Through the years I have learned about medical procedures, medications, insurance claims and codes, and so much more.  Most importantly, I learned the value of hope.

Today, I had the privilege of being on a ZOOM call with some talented doctors and other professionals to discuss a couple of topics.  I am grateful to Dr. Kristin Collier for her work in this field and for alerting me to this event.  Dr. Collier is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Michigan, but what really caught my eye was another title she holds.  She is the Director of the University of Michigan Medical School Program on Health, Spirituality, & Religion.  Now that is exciting news to know that this topic is being addressed in medical school.

The main presenter (facilitator) today was Dr. Wes Ely.  His Twitter account labels him as Husband and Dad first.  However, his role today came from his experience as an Intensive Care Unit Doctor at Vanderbilt University and the Nashville Veterans Administration.  This was my first encounter with Dr. Ely.  Wow!  I learned so much from him today, and walked away with some good sound bites too.

How does Dr. Ely stay focused on the whole person?  Foam in, foam out.  As he walks into a patient's room and sanitizes his hands he offers a brief prayer. "Help me see the person in the patient."  Simple--but very profound.  Another brief prayer as he sanitizes his hands on the way out keeps him centered.

The nuances of the way Dr. Ely forms questions also sets the tone.  Instead of, "What's the matter?" he will ask something like, "What matters to you today?"  He realizes the answer to that question may come with much more than a description of an ache or a pain the patient is experiencing at the moment.  It will provide a broader context in many circumstances.  That is important to Dr. Ely.  He says it plainly, "I am not a technician or a provider.  I am a physician."  It was so refreshing to listen to a doctor who understands the necessity of seeing "the person in the patient."

The first topic covered today was entitled, "Dehumanization During COVID-19: Resurrection of the Family as Part of the Patient's Healing Plan."  It has personally broken my heart to watch people in hospitals and nursing homes sit in isolation for the last nine months (and counting).  We have done irreparable harm to many families with such restrictive rules that have been in place through COVID.  From a clergy perspective, it was bad enough that we allowed the government to shut down our churches.  However, not allowing clergy to have regular visits with the hospitalized and those in nursing homes took it to an even more serious level for me.  As someone who has been a patient in a hospital more times than I care to count, how can anyone think it is a good idea to deprive people of family support and the spiritual care of their pastors and clergy?

Many thanks to Dr. Collier and Dr. Ely for bringing the topic out into the open today.  My anger over the last nine months at this situation has been palpable.  Domestic violence, depression, suicide attempts, and a laundry list of other issues have been exacerbated by the social isolation imposed upon our people.  It is good to know there are medical personnel seeking to suggest alternative methods with the increased knowledge we now have of the virus.  Blessings to each of you in those endeavors!

The second topic covered was entitled, "Barriers to Addressing the Spiritual and Religious Needs of Patients and Families in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study of Critical Care Physicians." 

Many thanks to the authors of this work:
Christian K. Alch, MD
Christina L. Wright, PhD
Kristin M. Collier, MD
Philip J. Choi, MD

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33143446/
 

www.ftracker.net/index.php/Home/Index/content/id/58088330

As I watch the political upheaval in our country and see all the turmoil that bombards our newsfeeds each day, today I find great joy in knowing that there are good people simply striving to make our world a better place by promoting wholistic health.  Many thanks to all of the physicians and therapists who took part in today's discussion.  I am humbled to have been just a small part of the discussion.  Thank you!

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We Need Solid Servant Leadership--We Need You!

1/14/2021

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The Master washed the feet of the disciples.  Give some serious thought to the significance of this gesture.  Put it into the context of your own life.  Whose feet would it be tough for you to wash?

What would happen if our politicians would wash one another's feet as they enter the house or senate chambers?  Would our political scene be  different?


“Leadership Is The Ability To Get Extraordinary Achievement From Ordinary People.”
~ Brian Tracy

“The Best Leaders Have A High Consideration Factor. They Really Care About Their People.”
~ Brian Tracy

“Leaders Think And Talk About The Solutions. Followers Think And Talk About The Problems.”
~ Brian Tracy

“Leadership Is More Who You Are Than What You Do.”
~ Brian Tracy

My dear readers, we need effective leaders in our homes, our churches, our places of employment, our communities, our state, and our nation.  How are you impacting the people in your circle of influence?  Are you a servant leader?

Now is the time to be holy.  Be a person of prayer.  Be a person who faithfully lives out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.  Be a saint!


"The unexamined life is not worth living."
~ Socrates
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Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton--Fort Collins, Colorado

1/10/2021

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The snow-covered streets, the cold, and the dark, overcast skies could not diminish my spirit this morning.  I went to all of the Masses this weekend at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) to be introduced to the parish community.  On Friday, January 15, I will officially be assigned as a deacon to SEAS.
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This will be only my second time being assigned to a parish where I do not work.  (Technically, I did not work for St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne, but since I worked across the alley for the chancery office, it felt like I was employed at the cathedral as well.  The bishop is closely attached to the cathedral so I spent a lot of time there as well.)  I now work for Catholic Charities in Greeley, Colorado, but I will be serving as a deacon at SEAS in Fort Collins, Colorado.  I am grateful to Archbishop Aquila for giving me this opportunity to serve.
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As we wrapped up the Christmas season today with the Baptism of the Lord, it seemed like the perfect time to be introduced to my new parish.  I had been to Mass a few times at SEAS through the years while we lived in Cheyenne.  Thus, I am not a complete stranger to the community.  I had even been a speaker at SEAS for the Northern Colorado Men's Forum.  One man approached me this morning and even mentioned that he was at my presentation.  I knew it had been quite a few years ago, but I could not remember exactly how long ago.  I looked it up on my blog and it was back in January of 2016.  This guy remembered me from five years ago.  Was I that good of a speaker, or was I so bad that he remembered how awful I was?  I'll go with option one.  Actually, he may have just remembered this tall dude who was a deacon.
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It was a great event five years ago.  I look forward to making many new memories at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.

For the men of the community who were at the forum five years ago, you can relive the memories here:  

​www.deaconvernon.com/deacon-vernons-blog/northern-colorado-mens-forum-was-awesome

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This was January 15, 2016.
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I Am Ready To Start Giving Retreats Again

1/5/2021

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My heart sank as I hung up a new calendar and pondered the fact that we had just begun the month of January.  There is still a great deal of winter to endure. (Sigh!)  A couple of days ago I drove past this small lake (pictured above) and realized that the cold temperatures were not my imagination.  It has been cold for so long that ice fishing is now a thing.

What warms my heart?  It would warm my heart to be able to go back into parishes to preach, teach, lead retreats and days of recollection.  How long has it been since I was able to preach a three night parish mission?  It seems like it has been forever.

I don't know when the pandemic restrictions will be relaxed to the point where we can once again do these things.  However, I want the pastors and parish leadership to know that I am available for the Lenten season if it is permissible by that point. 

"Our hearts are restless O Lord, until they rest in Thee."

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    This is my personal blog.  The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers.  This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

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