Ecclesiology and Spiritual Renewal Program for Health Care Leaders

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We look forward to seeing you at CHA’s Ecclesiology and Spiritual Renewal Program for Health Care Leaders, taking place in Rome and Assisi from May 11-16, 2025. This page contains important information as you prepare to travel to Rome. Please contact Brenda Hudson, CHA executive assistant, via email or at (314) 253-3434 with any questions you may have.

CHA's program includes:

  • Meetings with Vatican leaders
  • A general Papal Audience in St. Peter's Square
  • Tentative private tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum
  • Celebrations of the Eucharist and personal reflection exercises
  • A one-day pilgrimage to nearby Assisi, the home of Saints Francis and Clare
  • Formative presentations by CHA staff highlighting:
    • Responding to the call to lead in Catholic health care
    • Personal spirituality
    • Workings of the Holy See
  • A commissioning ceremony for participants

Program Information

Tentative Program Highlights

Physical Activity Rating Guide

* LEISURELY Easy pace, little walking and stair climbing.

MODERATE Moderate pace, greater distances covered, walking over uneven surfaces, stair climbing, embarking and disembarking motor coaches.

CHALLENGING Vigorous pace, frequent movement, extensive walking over uneven surfaces, hiking, stair climbing where elevators are not available, embarking and disembarking motor coaches.

Program content, presenters and times are approximate and subject to change.

Sunday, May 11 *
2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Welcome and Orientation, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Opening Eucharist for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Opening Session, for Registered Participants
+Reception and Dinner, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
 
Monday, May 12 *
7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
+Buffet Breakfast, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Morning Sessions, for Registered Participants
+Buffet Lunch, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Afternoon Session, for Registered Participants
+Off-site Dinner, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
Tentative Private Tour of Sistine Chapel and Parts of the Vatican Museum followed by a light dinner at the museum, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests 
 
Tuesday, May 13 ‡
6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
+Assisi Pilgrimage with Boxed Breakfast, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Lunch and Free Time in Assisi on Your Own
+Enjoy Dinner and an Evening on Your Own
 
Wednesday, May 14 ‡
6:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
+Buffet Breakfast, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Papal General Audience, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Enjoy Lunch on Own and Afternoon Free Time (approx. 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Debriefing and Integration Session, for Registered Participants
Thursday, May 15 †
6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
+Buffet Breakfast, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Meetings with Dicastery Officials, for Registered Participants
+Enjoy Lunch on Own and Afternoon Free Time (approx. Noon - 6:00 p.m.)
+Off-site Reception and Dinner, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
 
Friday, May 16 †
8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
+Buffet Breakfast, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Closing Session, for Registered Participants
+Prayer Service and Commissioning, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Closing Luncheon, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests
+Optional Tours, for Registered Participants and Registered Guests

Please Note:

  • This is a tentative schedule.
  • Information on optional tours will be provided in December 2024.
  • Confirmation of private Sistine Chapel tour will be known in February 2025.
  • Program content and times are subject to change.

 

Know Before You Go Webinar

April 15, 2025, 1 - 2:15 p.m.

This webinar will offer information about the program that will help all attending better understand and prepare for the week of activities. It is very important that everyone who is traveling to Rome attend.

Participant Confirmation

Participants will receive an email to confirm their check-in/out dates as well as their travel itinerary in April.

For additional information about the program, please contact CHA at rome@chausa.org. For information about registration and other details, contact Brenda Hudson, CHA executive assistant, via email or at (314) 253-3434. For travel information, contact PAL@chausa.org.

Travel and Hotel Information

IMPORTANT PASSPORT INFORMATION
For those who do not yet have a passport or need to renew – registered participants and guests – please note that there is a 10 – 12 week wait for application and receipt.

Please note: Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned return date from The European Union.

The European Union will require incoming foreigners to fill out an online application before they enter Italy. Travelers will need to apply through the ETIAS process (European Travel Information and Authorization System) online and pay a small fee. Once the application is approved, the ETIAS application number will be linked to your passport.

Though not required, we strongly encourage participants to enroll your trip in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) with the U.S. State Department prior to travel. If you enroll in STEP you will receive important information from the Embassy about any safety conditions in your destination and help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency. Visit this website to enroll - https://step.state.gov/.


Hotel

We are thrilled to host you at The Westin Excelsior, Rome.

The hotel is:
  • The hotel is rich in history and located on one of the most celebrated and talked about streets of Rome.
  • Close to Rome's main attractions: the legendary Via Veneto, nestled between the Spanish Steps and the Borghese Gardens Gallery.
A CHA master account has been established to cover room and tax for the nights of May 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. You will be responsible for any additional nights and all incidentals.

The Westin Excelsior, Rome
Via Vittorio Veneto, 125
Rome, 00187 Italy
Phone: +39 06 47081
Fax: +39 482 6205
Toll-free:+39 06 4708 ext.= 7911
www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/romwi-the-westin-excelsior-rome/


Airport Transportation

In order to arrange airport transfers, we must have your itinerary showing airline(s), flight numbers, and arrival and departure dates and times. Please submit this itinerary using the form that will be distributed to you in January.
A representative of Fourth Dimension Italy, our destination management company, will be meeting you at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. You will then be transferred to the Westin Excelsior.

Pre- or Post-Program Travel Needs

Should you require pre- or post-program travel needs, contact American Express Corporate Vacations. AMEX Corporate Vacations offers a wide selection of vacation packages and experienced leisure travel specialists who are trained to help you plan a trip best suited to your taste and budget. We encourage you to utilize this service before you start your travel to Italy.

For pre- or post-program travel, contact:

Traci Conway
(800) 851-8233, ext. 2456
The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. There are processing fees involved with travel planning, and fees will be disclosed at the beginning of your conversation. AMEX Corporate Vacations can also assist those who are Platinum AMEX card holders.

Air Travel

For air travel only, please call CHA's travel provider, American Express, at (314) 253-3442, and identify yourself as a CHA Ecclesiology participant. Participants are responsible for all air travel. For any additional travel questions or information, contact CHA at PAL@chausa.org

 

Cancellations

CANCELLATION FROM THE PROGRAM

CHA is required to pre-pay all program costs by April 16, 2025. As a result, no refunds will be offered for any program cancellations made after April 16. There is no cost to send a substitute. Please contact Brenda Hudson via email or at (314) 253-3434 to register a substitute.

CANCELLATION OF SLEEP ROOMS

Many participants choose to arrive early or depart several days after the program. CHA is happy to make reservations for additional nights of stay at the program hotel. However, once those reservations are made, should you need to make any modifications, please do so on/before April 16, 2025. Any rooms that are cancelled after April 16 will be charged to the registrant at the CHA contracted room rate. CHA will bill the registrant directly for these cancelled room nights approximately six weeks after the program concludes.