CHA has a series of "microsites" to mark the association's centennial, chronicle CHA's history, invite people to pray with the ministry, celebrate the people of Catholic health care and provide information on the annual Catholic Health Assembly in June in Washington, DC. The microsites are at chausa.org/100.
One microsite encourages people to join in the "100 Days of Prayer" campaign, which the association began on Nov. 3, and which continues until World Day of the Sick, on Feb. 11. On that site, ministry associates and others can sign up to join the campaign and can post their own prayer requests. Participants will pray daily for the sick and for those who care for the sick; and at 1 p.m. (in their own time zone) on World Day of the Sick, they will pause for one minute of prayer. Those who have signed up are receiving new prayers by email weekly; and they will receive a prayer on World Day of the Sick. The association encourages people to share their participation in the campaign through social media — and to invite others to join. CHA offers a tool kit of graphics and content for members to use in their social media efforts. Members of the ministry are promoting "100 Days of Prayer" through their Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts.
As Catholic Health World went to press, more than 6,000 people from 44 countries had joined in the "100 Days of Prayer." By a ratio of 3:1, participants are new to CHA activities, said Nick Osterholt, editor of the CHA website. He attributes the campaign's reach and success largely to social media.
"We Are the People of Catholic Health Care," another CHA centennial microsite, celebrates the people of Catholic health care with short video documentaries and photos of ministry associates who are living out Catholic health care's mission and values in notable ways. CHA encourages people to submit videos and photos in the spirit of the project. The association will share the stories to inspire co-workers, patients, families and communities.
Another microsite contains a time line with milestones in CHA's history. Members of the ministry are invited to add their own association-related milestones to the time line.
The website also provides information on the assembly, which will include centennial activities. This year's assembly, "Envisioning the Next 100," convenes June 7 to 9 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, DC.
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