Healing the Healers

"Who will give refuge to my people?" (cf Isaiah 14:32, 25:4)

The challenge of human suffering is always with us. When we cherish life at its deepest levels, we want to do something to heal and nourish and deepen our lives and living. Who will help the helpers and heal the healers?

Sacred Heart Retreat is a Passionist residence in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1989 Father Francis Cusack, C.P., the superior of the Retreat, established a lay Board of Directors to serve as advisors in areas such as finances, upkeep of the physical plant, promotion of vocations, public relations, and programs. One of the early goals of this Board of Advisors was to form a local chapter of STAUROS, U.S.A. As vice-chair of the Board, I assumed responsibility for coordinating our initial investigation into the mission of STAUROS and exploring how we in Louisville could become involved in this effort.

Our first step in that fall of 1989 was to invite Father Flavian Dougherty, C.P., to visit us and to orient us to the history and activities of STAUROS, U.S.A. After his exciting and motivating time with us we began deliberating about the STAUROS/Louisville "fit." The Greater Louisville area is known as an international health care center. It has several large health care facilities, is the corporate home of Humana, Inc., and has a national model for dealing with child sexual abuse. As we discussed the various directions which our local chapter might take, we began to see the possibility that STAUROS and the Sacred Heart Retreat might serve this vast complex of service institutions in a unique way.

We then invited community leaders to several "Think Tank" sessions which centered on STAUROS, its mission and its activities, particularly in the U.S. Our goal was to identify an appropriate focus for our own community. Included in these early meetings were a social worker who works with missing and exploited children, a nurse family therapist, a physician specializing in intensive care of neonates and children, a campus minister, a retired person, a teacher and former principal, a philosopher, a judge, a public defender, and a specialist in the care of the elderly. As discussions evolved, it soon be-came evident that a common denominator in this group was that nearly all of them were, in some way or another, caregivers, all related to the role of being servant.

It then became clear that the caregivers, those who are most closely associated with persons who suffer physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, area themselves in need of care, of ministry; they experience a special kind of suffering. They represent a group who often suffer without recognition or help. These caregivers may be family members, they may be friends, they may be professionals. The one thing they all have in common is their sense of caring and dedication coupled with overwhelming expectations from society and often limited resources.

Our challenge was to find the right words which would appeal to a diverse audience; to serve as a place of respite (refugio) wherein the healer could find compassion; to address the meaning of suffering; to address what it means to work with those who suffer; to find a means of dealing with the suffering of the healer. We knew we needed to have a program which would appeal to diverse caregivers: lawyer, judges, chaplains, nurses, physicians, other health care professionals, police firefighters, teachers, pastors, as well as caregivers of parents, spouses, children.

After several meetings and decided that we would offer a day of Respite and Education at the Sacred Heart Retreat for various groups of caregivers.

We have consulted with a variety of individuals and are now ready to offer our first such program this summer. The day will be facilitated by a person who serves. The group will be heterogeneous so that there can be a richness and diversity in the shared experiences. We plan, however, to limit the group to fifteen people in order to provide for better sharing.

The theme for this day of respite will be the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 42:1-4, 49:1-7, 50:4-11, and 52:13-53:12.

The day's format will include: A Reflection on the "Suffering Servant;" Quiet Time (a time for reflection on balancing life as servant and healer with personal needs); lunch and socializing; a "Practice Session" for modeling a variety of healing strategies, and finally, a closure. The chapel will be open and the grounds available. Relevant reading material will be displayed and there will be opportunity for private consultation

The Louisville Chapter of Stauros, U.S.A. is excited about our special focus of ministering to the servant, to the caregivers. We see parents, spouses, adult children, health care workers, social workers, caretakers of the elderly, police, lawyers, pastors and religious as examples of those in need of such a ministry. We sincerely hope to help the helpers, to heal the healers, and to care for the caregivers.

Author Note:

Mrs. Ann Kleine-Kracht played a significant role in the establishment of the Louisville Chapter of STAUROS. She is a registered nurse with a Master's in Education and is currently an instructor in the Lansing School of Nursing at Bellarmine College in Louisville. Ann is a member of the Board of Directors of STAUROS, U.S.A. As an R.N. and a Nurse Family Therapist, Ann can speak to the special needs of caregivers out of her own professional experience and interest. Ann and Father Francis Cusack can be reached at the Sacred Heart Retreat, 1924 Newburg Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40205. We are grateful to Ann for her contribution to this issue of the Notebook and we are pleased to list several of the books which she recommends. They are:

• Fulghum, Robert; All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
• Fulghum, Robert; It Was on Fire When I Lay Down
• Samra, Cal; The Joyful Christ: The Healing Power of Humor
• Peale, Norman Vincent; How to be Your Best
• Beattie, Melody; Codependent No More
• Colgrave, Melba; How to Survive the Loss of a Love.

Editor's Note:

This issue of the Stauros NOTEBOOK has a different form and appearance. While most of the changes are in wording, there are two that are significant. The Notebook will now be published five times a year rather than six. A second significant change is the tear-off form on the bottom of page three. Many of our readers have requested such a form. It can be used when requesting additional information, when enclosing a contribution, when requesting that new names be added to the mailing list, etc. We want to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of you for your support of Stauros. Many of you support us through your prayers, your encouraging letters, your "spreading the word" about Stauros, and we want to assure you that we not only deeply appreciate, but also depend on that type of support. Monetary contributions are, of course, absolutely necessary for us to continue our work, but prayers and support services are also needed. Each one of you is vitally important to our mission and we are grateful to you. Please, let us know what you think of the change in format. We do want your opinion. It helps us as we plan future issues of the NOTEBOOK and it involves you even more in Stauros.