About Mission: Day by Day
Participants’ perspective
“Mission: Day by Day meets participants where they are, as an instrument of grace in taking them so much further and deeper, with a ripple effect throughout the entire ministry. The impact on participants at Agnesian HealthCare has been both formative and transformative. Participants are more self-aware, recognize the sacred in the ordinary more readily, realize the need for reflection, and have taken in the reality they are entrusted with continuing the mission of Jesus and the congregation into the future.” –Sr Mary Noel Brown, CSA, Executive Leader of Sponsorship, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes
“My experience has been one that helps me think more often of what is important. I am grateful for the MDBD involvement as it gives me a feeling of being connected on a common goal. I feel myself more centered today than the day we started, and it helps me be a better person.” — Bob, Plant Services
“I was nervous about having another commitment in my already overstuffed schedule. This journey has been such a spiritual boost, it is hard to believe I doubted the decision. I am very blessed to be a part of this community and I am looking forward to the journey ahead.” —Matthew, Phlebotomy
“I have learned not only more about the ministry, the mission statement and the values of my organization, but also more about myself and my faith. My faith has deepened more through the daily Mission: Day By Day readings and the postings from my cohort.” —Julie, Admitting
“What I take away from Mission: Day By Day is this: It is imperative to pause and listen to the call. To use your God given gifts to instill dignity to someone who has little. To instill hope to someone who has none. To provide care that makes a patient smile who previously only had tears. Providing compassionate care is a calling, a vocation, a blessing.” —Jamie, Behavioral Health
“The journaling exercises and daily emails provided a level of discipline I personally needed and assisted in grounding me with a gentle reminder and focus that it is just as important to take the time to appreciate the symbols, words and environment we work within.” —Sue, Organizational Development
“I’m finding as I reflect each day: I am happier, more thankful, more prayerful, and excited to share my excitement.” —Hailey, Nursing
“I feel like I have a new connection to God and my own personal mission after just a few short weeks.” —Jenna, Administration
“I never imagined it would be so rewarding.” —Cori, Environmental Services
Sonsor perspective: “Mission: Day by Day meets participants where they are, as an instrument of grace in taking them so much further and deeper, with a ripple effect throughout the entire ministry. The impact on participants at Agnesian HealthCare has been both formative and transformative. Participants are more self-aware, recognize the sacred in the ordinary more readily, realize the need for reflection, and have taken in the reality they are entrusted with continuing the mission of Jesus and the congregation into the future.” –Sr Mary Noel Brown, CSA, Executive Leader of Sponsorship, Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes
CEO perspective: “It sounds too good to be possible: intentionally connecting individuals across the ministry in a program that deepens understanding of mission in daily practice, while creating a community of purposeful, discerning leaders. Mission: Day by Day has done that and more, by making a profound and immediate impact on our leaders through a reflective, multifaceted adult learning methodology that leaves no choice but to seek more. Our team looks forward to daily reflective messages and practice exercises that have engaged us on an extraordinary journey of awareness, affirming the sacred in our lives and work.” —Mary Kingston, Chief Executive, Providence Health and Services, South Bay, CA
Facilitator perspective: “Mission Day by Day has been in place for several years at Agnesian and I am blessed to have been part of this journey from the beginning. I have seen a growth in our knowledge and articulation of what it means to be part of a Catholic Healthcare organization. I love the design of the program as it gets all levels involved hence impacting the entire system. I have watched the development of heartfelt mission driven relationships among the participants. Together they have shared experiences, acknowledged strengths and worked on opportunities for our organization. They have a true commitment to carry on the gift given to us by our legacy sisters. Mission Day by Day has given them the resources and confidence to be part of a program that carries these traditions on to those we serve.—Angella Mattheis, Agnesian Health Shoppe Director Mission: Day by Day facilitator and mentor
About Spirituality: Day by Day
Sharing throughout the organization:“The journey through these weeks of exploring spirituality has provided awareness for me in my everyday work. Taking the time to look for my small group members and sharing these opportunities with other staff who ask ‘what are you guys doing?’ has offered an opportunity to bring others into the spirituality quest.”
Seeing a bigger picture : “This formation opportunity has provided the quiet moments of contemplation and centering that is often overlooked in our busy days. Creating the awareness of something bigger than yourself has been enlightening.”
Finding meaning and purpose in work: “During the Spirituality: Day by Day I thought: I just love what I do, and whom I get to do it with and whom we collectively get to do it for.”
Enjoying Community support: “My formation group met today. We reflected on busy days in ER. We all shared what makes us stop and appreciate the beauty of the moment, and where we can disconnect from the chaos of our current surroundings.”
Practicing reflection:“I have learned from this program to pause for a moment, take a deep breath and refocus or reset why I am here and how can I be of help in the department. After a few minutes, I feel like I am better and focus to take care of our patients.”
Finding the sacred in patient care:“Through Spirituality: Day by Day I am learning that today could be a sacred day for a patient in my care. For example, I had a patient last week who was on pending hospice care. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, he was still trying his best to spend meaningful time with his family. I found the patient’s strong will and family’s endless support sacred. In addition, I found our care to ease their pain as sacred.”
Facilitator perspective:“One of our cohort participants in ED used a quote from one of our SDBD sessions as a reflection at the ED huddle. The nurses all nodded in agreement and I could see that the quote was a welcome change from the reflections that are jokey or funny and not so meaningful. I also have had conversations where the participant is finding great value in the emails and have been writing in their journals. This has truly been a positive experience for many.”
About our image: An invitation to silence (“silenzio”) is found in the favored retreat location of St. Francis of Assisi at the Sanctuary of La Verna, located in the Tuscan hill country of central Italy (LFP Archives). Mission: Day by Day’s daily practices reinforce this age-old practice of silence, found in all religious traditions and throughout all kinds of popular leadership publications. It is often said the busier you are the more important time for silence and reflection become. Although counter-intuitive, leaders, parents, all persons know the value a moment of quiet to re-focus, and ground ourselves in our mission and priorities so that we can move forward.
