On Mission Podcast: Self-Care
In this episode of On Mission, Kate, Chris, and Fr. Frank discuss self-care with special guest, Dr. Kristin Witte.
Resources for Self-Care During COVID-19 from SLIConnect
Spiritual Growth in Times of Crisis
Managing Coronavirus Anxiety |
How to Pray in Times of Crisis |
Participating in the Sacraments during Social Distancing
Webinars on Self Care in collaboration with SLIconnect
Overview
Charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit to build up the Body of Christ for its mission of salvation. The men and women who serve the Church as lay ecclesial ministers have a unique calling, informed by the particular way God invites them to give their lives for others. Rev. David Songy, O.F.M.Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., discusses the lay charism and how it is expressed in lay ministry.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Reflection Questions
Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.
Charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit to build up the Body of Christ for its mission of salvation. The men and women who serve the Church as lay ecclesial ministers have a unique calling, informed by the particular way God invites them to give their lives for others. Rev. David Songy, O.F.M.Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., discusses the lay charism and how it is expressed in lay ministry.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Explore the theological basis of the lay charism;
- Discover spiritual practices for maturing in one’s charism; and
- Identify ways to express the lay charism through ministry.
Reflection Questions
Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.
- What is my understanding of charism, both theologically and personally?
- In what ways have I struggled with my identity as a minister?
- How does my spiritual life cultivate my personal commitment to serve the Church?
Overview
Ministry life revolves around interpersonal relationships, and even the most challenging people deserve care and attention. Some personality types, however, require so much energy that we are left feeling depleted and even defeated. Developing key emotional intelligence skills and putting healthy boundaries in place can help you stay afloat when navigating complicated ministry relationships.
Emily R. Cash, Psy.D., offers emotional intelligence and self-care tools for ministering to people with difficult personalities.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Reflection Questions
Ministry life revolves around interpersonal relationships, and even the most challenging people deserve care and attention. Some personality types, however, require so much energy that we are left feeling depleted and even defeated. Developing key emotional intelligence skills and putting healthy boundaries in place can help you stay afloat when navigating complicated ministry relationships.
Emily R. Cash, Psy.D., offers emotional intelligence and self-care tools for ministering to people with difficult personalities.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Explore challenging personality types commonly encountered in ministry life;
- Learn skills for setting healthy boundaries and ensuring appropriate self-care; and
- Identify strategies for intervention and support through case study scenarios.
Reflection Questions
- What are my “triggers” when dealing with a difficult person? What tends to make me the most angry or upset?
- Do I have healthy boundaries in my ministry relationships?
- What are the limits for difficult behavior? At what point should I ask for outside help?
Overview
Stress in ministry life is part of the job, but we can learn healthier, more proactive ways to respond to daily challenges. Becoming more aware of stressors and developing specific strategies for handling them as they arise positively impacts mental health and wellness and helps us minister more effectively to others.
Emily Cash, Psy.D., identifies healthy ways to manage our response to stressful situations. Part of the Self Care for Healthy Ministry webinar series for lay ministers, sponsored by the Catholic Apostolate Center.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Reflection Questions
Stress in ministry life is part of the job, but we can learn healthier, more proactive ways to respond to daily challenges. Becoming more aware of stressors and developing specific strategies for handling them as they arise positively impacts mental health and wellness and helps us minister more effectively to others.
Emily Cash, Psy.D., identifies healthy ways to manage our response to stressful situations. Part of the Self Care for Healthy Ministry webinar series for lay ministers, sponsored by the Catholic Apostolate Center.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Discuss common stressors and their impact on emotional and physical health;
- Conduct a personal stress self-assessment; and
- Learn practical strategies for responding to everyday stress in a healthy way.
Reflection Questions
- What chronic stressors do I experience now? What types of stressors may occur in the future?
- What are some of the healthy and unhealthy ways that I cope with stress?
- Do I know anyone who is a good model for stress management? What characteristics does that person have?
While some people are naturally resilient, the ability to bounce back from adversity is also a skill that we can learn over time. Building your personal resilience and learning to model resilience for others are essential tools for avoiding burnout and finding fulfillment in your ministry.
Taryn Millar, Psy.D., offers skills for building personal resilience and preventing ministry burnout. Part of the Self Care for Healthy Ministry webinar series for lay ministers, in collaboration with SLIconnect.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Reflection Questions
Do I have the ability to face adversity without falling apart physically or emotionally?
Are there habits or behaviors that consistently keep me from bouncing back from difficult circumstances?
How can I model resilience for others?
Taryn Millar, Psy.D., offers skills for building personal resilience and preventing ministry burnout. Part of the Self Care for Healthy Ministry webinar series for lay ministers, in collaboration with SLIconnect.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Learn the characteristics of a resilient mindset;
- Explore the connection between resilience and avoiding ministry burnout; and
- Identify strategies for building your personal resilience and encouraging it in others.
Reflection Questions
Do I have the ability to face adversity without falling apart physically or emotionally?
Are there habits or behaviors that consistently keep me from bouncing back from difficult circumstances?
How can I model resilience for others?
While focusing on yourself may seem overly indulgent or impossible in the midst of hectic ministry life, Jesus taught important lessons of self-care through his own example. Taking time to pray and to rest is essential for ministering to others.
Rev. David Songy, O.F.M.Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., explores strategies for spiritual and emotional self-care to support healthy, sustainable ministry. Part of the Self Care for Healthy Ministry webinar series for lay ministers, in collaboration with SLIconnect.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
Reflection Questions
Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.
Rev. David Songy, O.F.M.Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., explores strategies for spiritual and emotional self-care to support healthy, sustainable ministry. Part of the Self Care for Healthy Ministry webinar series for lay ministers, in collaboration with SLIconnect.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Identify Scriptures that refer to Jesus encouraging spiritual renewal;
- Learn a method for evaluating spiritual self-care; and
- Develop two concrete, attainable goals for improving your spiritual life.
Reflection Questions
Questions for reflection and discussion prior to the learning session are provided below.
- How much time to I spend in private prayer daily? What can get in the way?
- Do I bring the challenges and disappointments in my life, as well as the affirmations and joys, to prayer? Or do I bring them elsewhere?
- What activities are sources of joy and pleasure in my life? Are they consistent with my spiritual life?
Resources from SLIconnect, the Education Ministry of Saint Luke's Institute
Connections |
Renew and Reflect |
Trauma: Extraordinary Challenges and Opportunities
Tips on how to properly minister to those who experience Trauma in their lives and how to find help for those who need it. Tips for Managing Anxiety Michael Pollard, LCSW offers tips to battle panic and rising anxiety. Prayer and Spiritual Life in Times of Stress Sr. Pat Parachini, SNJM is a spiritual director and a member of the spiritual formation team for the St. Luke Institute. Here, she offers tips on different styles of prayer that help in stressful times. Self-Care Necessary for Healthy Ministry Deacon Steve DeMartino is the director of priest wellness for the Archdiocese of New York and helps over 600 priests through new assignments, health problems, retirement, and more. He writes about the challenges to and the importance of self-care in ministry. Successful Sleep Habits Dana Dowd, MSPT offers tips on maintaining good sleep habits, a challenge that can present itself in ministry. Spiritual Growth through Transition Fr. Joseph Chalmers, O.Carm discussing the importance of letting go and learning to accept God's plan in our lives during periods of transition. |
The Healing Charism
Grief video series with Fr. David Songy, O.F.M.Cap, S.T.D., Psy.D discussing coping and healing methods. The Importance of Self-Compassion When we so often hear about self-care it is easy to forget about self-compassion. This reflection examines what self-compassion is and how it is important. Humor: Health for You & Your Ministry Humor is important for not only you, but who you minister to as well, it can help you get your message across by creating laughter and lightening the mood. This reflection lists positive effects of humor,both individually and in a group setting. |
LukeNotes
Recognizing and Treating Trauma
Jeff Martens, PhD writes and explains methods of recognizing PTSD and Trauma in victims and how to increase awareness in signs.
Better Service Through Good Self-Care
Dr. Steve Alexander, Ph.D. explains the basics of good self-care, and Marge Pakulski, M.A., LCSW-C presents a case study of Fr. Tom.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
Dr. Sam Stodghill, Psy.D. explains creating good personal boundaries and the dangers of not having boundaries, while Margaret Crowley, SHCJ, LCSW-C presents a case study.
Holy Narcissism
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. explains how narcissism can be holy and presents the differences between healthy and unhealthy narcissism, and healthy narcissism and self-love.
Busyness
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. explains the different forms of busyness and the physical, emotional and spiritual consequences for individuals and those with whom they relate.
Attitudes and Skills for Co-Laboring
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. discusses the importance of finding balance in collaborating with others and some tips on finding ways to improve collaboration in ministry.
Hope Matters
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. examines hope, specifically through the theory of Dr. Anthony Scioli Ph.D who has created a theory of hope that focuses on balance and the social nature of hope.
Mindfulness: Living with the Lights on
Hetty Irmer, LGSW discusses the different types of mindfulness techniques as well as advantages it can serve in our ministries in the Church today.
Jeff Martens, PhD writes and explains methods of recognizing PTSD and Trauma in victims and how to increase awareness in signs.
Better Service Through Good Self-Care
Dr. Steve Alexander, Ph.D. explains the basics of good self-care, and Marge Pakulski, M.A., LCSW-C presents a case study of Fr. Tom.
Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
Dr. Sam Stodghill, Psy.D. explains creating good personal boundaries and the dangers of not having boundaries, while Margaret Crowley, SHCJ, LCSW-C presents a case study.
Holy Narcissism
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. explains how narcissism can be holy and presents the differences between healthy and unhealthy narcissism, and healthy narcissism and self-love.
Busyness
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. explains the different forms of busyness and the physical, emotional and spiritual consequences for individuals and those with whom they relate.
Attitudes and Skills for Co-Laboring
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. discusses the importance of finding balance in collaborating with others and some tips on finding ways to improve collaboration in ministry.
Hope Matters
Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. examines hope, specifically through the theory of Dr. Anthony Scioli Ph.D who has created a theory of hope that focuses on balance and the social nature of hope.
Mindfulness: Living with the Lights on
Hetty Irmer, LGSW discusses the different types of mindfulness techniques as well as advantages it can serve in our ministries in the Church today.