UP FRONT
We are rooted MISSION WEEK 2022 CELEBRATES THE VALUES THAT GUIDE ASCENSION
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his year, associates recognized Mission Week with the theme “We are Rooted” by celebrating the roots and the Values that guide Ascension. The Ascension Values — Service of the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication — were originally defined by associates and form the character and substance of our culture, actions and service. “As we live our Mission, these Values help us fulfill our commitments to one another and to those we serve,” said Tom VanOsdol, MS, MA, FACHE, Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Integration Officer, Ascension. “Our Values bring to life our deepest beliefs and ultimate concerns, reflecting the Gospel of God’s great love and God’s desire for all to flourish. Our Values are what call us to and root us in the work of ABIDE — Appreciation - Belongingness - Inclusivity - Diversity - Equity.” Throughout the week in May, associates were invited to participate in daily reflections in addition to in-market activities and service events, including informal chats with leaders for idea sharing and blessings of hands ceremonies. A System-wide virtual prayer service that coincided with the Feast of the Ascension was another unifying element. The feast day has significance in the life of the Church, marking when Jesus ascended to heaven after his Resurrection and sent forth
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his disciples to continue his healing ministry. It is the inspiration for the name of our healing ministry. The prayer service included reflections from leaders, an opportunity to share prayer intentions and a Values Commissioning of all attendees. Associates were encouraged to visit a webpage with reflection resources to deepen their own spiritual practice. There, associates were also given the opportunity to submit their own reflection to share with others. The website includes a 30-day journey of meditation and reflection. This resource invites participants to cultivate self-awareness, provides tools for self-regulation, and leads to
the flourishing of self-compassion and compassion for others. Mission Integration is working on a digital resource library with even more content for associates. “Given our lived experiences of the past two years, Mission Week invited us to pause and reflect on our calling and the why behind our work,” Tom said. “As Mission Integration continues to grow a robust online presence, we are hopeful that these tools will be readily available for associates and physicians to access and draw upon as vital supportive resources as they live out our Mission throughout the communities we’re so blessed to serve every day.”
Kelly Huebler, Senior Speech Language Pathologist, Rehabilitation, left, and Beth McCoy, Physical Therapist, Rehabilitation, examine a mask that was part of an art display during Mission Week at Ascension Saint Agnes in Baltimore. The mask, created by the hospital’s Mission and Ministry Council and Art Exhibition Team, represented how caregivers provided a healing presence and excellent care while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Caregivers were asked to write words of comfort and care spoken to others on one side of the mask and thoughts and feelings they had kept inside on the other side.
G O O D DAY A S C E N S I O N / A S C E N S I O N .O R G
