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We can, and we must do much better

2/6/2023

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The World Day of the Sick, established in 1992 by St. John Paul II, is celebrated on the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Each year we are called to reflect on our response to those in our midst who are sick, burdened with age, or afflicted with illness. This year Pope Francis chose the parable of the Good Samaritan to remind us that our response must always be one of compassion. It must reflect the words of the Samaritan traveler when he said to the innkeeper “Take care of him”. 

Beginning in January of this year we launched in our Diocese the “Horizons of Hope”. It is a four-week parish education resource which explores the human experience of dying and death, discerning and making decisions at the end of life, accompanying those who are at the end of life, and supporting and integrating palliative care within the wider community. This was positively received by approximately four hundred parishioners throughout the Diocese. Their involvement was a concrete response to understanding how we are to care for the most vulnerable.  
 
In his message this year, Pope Francis acknowledged that we are rarely prepared for illness. “Oftentimes, we fail even to admit that we are getting older. Our vulnerability frightens us and the pervasive culture of efficiency pushes us to sweep it under the carpet, leaving no room for our human frailty.” He goes on to note that “when evil bursts on to the scene and wounds us, we are left stunned”. In many ways these very words describe what has taken place in our country of Canada since 2016 with the introduction of assisted suicide, euthanasia, as medical assistance in dying or what has commonly become known as MAiD.
 
Regardless of the fact that the expansion of eligibility for MAiD to those who suffer from mental illness has been delayed by the Federal Government, this evil will continue to wound our Canadian society.  In an open letter to all Canadians from Religious Leaders in Canada who opposed Bill C-7 when it was first introduced, we acknowledged that “We Can and Must Do Much Better”.
 
As Pope Francis stated, “In our own moments of weakness, we may feel that we should abandon others in order to avoid becoming a burden. This is how loneliness sets in, and we can become poisoned by a bitter sense of injustice, as if God himself had abandoned us. It is crucial then, even in the midst of illness, that the whole Church measure itself against the Gospel example of the Good Samaritan. We are all fragile and vulnerable, and need that compassion which knows how to pause, approach, heal, and raise up.”  
 
The importance of our works of charity in caring for the sick cannot be overemphasized.  The Church’s pastoral presence to the sick is so that she may become a true “field hospital”, for her mission is manifested such acts of care.
 
The “elements of the inn” in offering such care has been the enduring witness of our institutions that have provided Catholic healthcare as a sign of the Church’s commitment to compassionate care for those who are sick and to accompany them in their suffering.  In fact, many religious congregations were founded to address the suffering of the sick and in so doing, they established hospitals, promoted education in the medical sciences and offered formation for those in the healthcare professions. This witness continues today around the world through the charisms of many religious congregations and Catholic lay faithful who serve as doctors, nurses, aids and researchers.  This affirms in our world the Christian belief in the sacredness of human life from the moment of conception to a natural end, even with the challenges that illness and suffering can bring into the life of a person.
 
As Pope Francis noted in his 2023 message, “Sick people, in fact, are at the center of God’s people, and the Church advances together with them as a sign of humanity in which everyone is precious and no one should be discarded or left behind”. In Canada our care for the sick, the elderly and vulnerable can’t be through the expansion of MAiD but rather to the expansion and access to palliative for in fact "We Can and Must do Much Better”.
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Written by Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
​
February 6, 2023
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MAiD changes are a call to Catholic action

2/4/2023

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PictureDr. Peggy Thomson-Gibson
Canadian Catholics who want a more fulsome public discussion of the law regarding medically-assisted death are being called to use their faith to move a legislative mountain. But take heart. The first item on the change agenda involves something as simple–and important–as writing letters to your Member of Parliament and key government ministers, says Dr. Peggy Thomson-Gibson.

The catch? With people’s lives at stake, there’s no time to lose.

A Catholic and Calgary physician, Dr. Thomson-Gibson recently addressed MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) at a special meeting held at St. Peter’s parish. There, the medical doctor encouraged Catholics to learn how “we can defend our faith without raising our voices.” To do that, Catholics need solid information about their faith–and about what’s at stake, especially with proposed changes to MAiD law, says Thomson-Gibson.

The problem with MAID

Approved in 2016, existing MAiD law allows Canadians to choose a medically-assisted death when their death is “reasonably foreseeable.” Health Canada recorded 7,595 MAiD deaths in 2020, up from 1,108 in 2016. For information about why the Church rejects euthanasia or assisted suicide, visit this page.

Looking ahead, the number of MAiD deaths to date are a fraction of what was expected had proposed amendments come into effect this March. The now-delayed changes expanded MAiD’s accessibility while simultaneously decreasing oversight, says Dr. Thomson-Gibson.

Of primary concern was a change that allowed people with mental illness as their sole criterion to choose a medically-assisted death. People with a severe long-term condition or disability could also access MAiD, opening the door for medically-assisted death to be offered instead of treatment. Opponents say this confuses the notion of a “right” to die with a “duty” to choose death over treatment. This is especially troublesome in a public health system where disabled or mentally-unwell individuals could be made to think they are a financial burden on their families or society.

Information released in 2022 shows the proposed changes also cut a mandated reflection period for those whose death is “reasonably foreseeable” under current law. Instead of a 10-day period, the changes required a single day. Another change drops the legal requirement for two witnesses to one and the sole witness could be a paid health professional.

These amendments were scheduled to come into effect in March 2023. They were delayed in late 2022, and again last week. This provides more time for study and input.

That timeline underscores the opportunity for faith-based outreach, like letters to the Prime Minister and individual Members of Parliament, says Thomson-Gibson. She suggests letter writers model respect in their letters and conversations about MAiD. Catholics looking for more guidance about how “to shed light, not heat” on hot-button topics should check out information from Catholic Voices Canada (https://catholicvoices.ca), adds the doctor. 

TRAiD for MAiD

Dr. Thomson-Gibson also called on Catholics to speak up for what’s known as, “TRAiD for MAiD.” True Assistance in Dying acknowledges the role of palliative care in alleviating unnecessary suffering. Since 1980, the Church has formally upheld a compassionate response to end-of-life care, including medical support for pain and palliative sedation.

Catholics looking for more information can check out Horizons of Hope, a toolkit that parishes in the Calgary Diocese are using to improve lay understanding of the faith and moral issues involved with end-of-life care. 

“What it’s about is communication. We want to have had good conversations with people who are dying,” says Gail Monk. A retired RN certified in palliative and oncology care, she has more 20 years of professional experience in caring for the seriously ill and dying. A parishioner at St. Peter’s, Monk participated in one Horizons for Hope workshop and was a panelist at one held in January.

Her experience and training are augmented by Monk’s memories of caring for her own mother when she died of cancer. Monk, then 28, said the experience was transformative. “I helped my mom and my family through a difficult time and it was such a gift.”

Today, she is grateful to understand how the Church, which offers “good counsel in living, also offers true assistance in dying. As support people, we have to show the people we love that they are not a burden when they are sick.”
TRAiD for MAiD presentation by Dr. Peggy Thomson

Written by Joy Gregory for Faithfully. Joy Gregory is a writer, cradle Catholic, and long-time parishioner of St. Peter’s, Calgary, where she’s been active in preschool catechism programs, RCIA, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
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Letter writers are welcome to use a MAiD-focused template prepared by St. Peter’s CWL 
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Movie Review: Fatal Flaws

2/5/2019

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Are euthanasia and assisted suicide laws leading society down a dangerous path? 

Over the past two years, Canadian filmmaker Kevin Dunn has travelled throughout Europe and North America to ask one of the most fundamental, philosophical questions of our time: should we be giving doctors – or anyone – the right and law to end the life of another human – and how do these laws affect society over time? Kevin investigates how euthanasia and assisted suicide laws are shaping the culture around us and what we can do to stem the tide. The film features powerful testimonies from patients, doctors, lawmakers and advocates from both sides of the debate. Produced by DunnMedia in association with the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition. 

Fatal Flaws is more than just a great documentary film. It is a clarion call to restore decency to the House of Medicine. For every doctor or patient who wants to understand the difference between medical killing and medically-responsible caring, this humane and sensitive film is a must-see.
~ 
Ronald W. Pies, MD (Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry, and Lecturer on Bioethics, SUNY Upstate Medical University; Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Psychiatric Times). 

A groundbreaking film. The assisted dying movement is trying to redefine the ethics of medicine while the doctor-patient relationship hangs in the balance.
~ Steven S. Sharfstein, MD (Former President of The American Psychiatric Association) 

Written by David Krebes

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​You are invited to Fatal Flaws film screening on Thursday, Feb. 21 Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 24 St. SW Calgary) at 7 pm. 

Watch the trailer here: www.fatalflawsfilm.com 
For further information contact David Krebes 
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A prayer for grandma

12/12/2018

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Dear Friends and Family,
​
Tuesday, starting at 5 pm, a group of us gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Brooks to pray for my Grandmother and her soul.  We asked Christ to intervene in convincing her and others that dying a natural death allows God’s grace and mercy to be poured out upon all people involved.  

We sang many beautiful hymns, prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, sat in silence, Adored Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and celebrated Holy Mass together.  Afterwards, a group of people gathered at my home for fellowship, food and drink.  We toasted to my Grandmother’s life and to one another.
Miracle 1
At 9 pm I looked at my phone and saw that my parents had been texting me and asking me to call them immediately.  I did so and was shocked and amazed to find out that right after we had prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the church, my 97 year old Grandma Margaret McGillis unexpectedly refused physician assisted suicide.  “PRAISE GOD!” I cried out.  I was so happy and appreciative to God that he had answered our prayers and the prayers of so many others.  When I told my family and friends who were gathered in my home, there were tears, looks of disbelief, joyous smiles and words expressing amazement.
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Miracle 2
The next day, on Wednesday, September 19th, my Grandma McGillis told my mother that she would not seek physician assisted suicide again.  Instead, she would be trying to get out of her room more often and would plan on attending more social events so she would not be so depressed.  (Our family is arranging for her to have a cell phone so we can call her every day.  We will also arrange for daily female visitors – with Grandma’s permission. Family will discern how we may visit her more often.  Cards and letter support will also be arranged.)
Please continue to pray for my Grandmother to accept natural death as a gift to her and to our family.  Also, pray for ways that we may influence society to understand the graces poured out upon us when we visit the suffering and care for them as we would want to be cared for ourselves. Increased personal support and prayer support for those in poor health will reduce the chances of people seeking physician assisted suicide.
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Thank you to all of you who prayed for my Grandmother, for my family and for our world.  I know that well over a hundred people agreed to pray and that four masses were offered up by priests and a Bishop and a Brother for my Grandmother on the day she was scheduled to die.  Intercessory prayer IS heard and has the power to change the future.
Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, mentions intercessory prayer.

A great brief meditation on intercessory prayer:
283. The great men and women of God were great intercessors. Intercession is like “a leaven in the heart of the Trinity”. It is a way of penetrating the Father’s heart and discovering new dimensions which can shed light on concrete situations and change them. We can say that God’s heart is touched by our intercession, yet in reality he is always there first. What our intercession achieves is that his power, his love and his faithfulness are shown ever more clearly in the midst of the people.

After this experience, I am filled with thankfulness to God and his great mercy and for the people of God who continue to pray for each other.  Most of all, the message I receive from this situation is, Prayer is Powerful and Prayer Works!  I feel drawn to pray with other people more often using song, scripture, Prayers of the Faithful, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Holy Rosary and daily Mass.
In closing, I would like to invite you to think about spending a half hour a week supporting a person who is suffering. If you are a person who is interested in visiting people in the palliative care unit in Brooks, please let me know. I’ll help you and partner up with you, if you like.  In addition, if you would like to visit people in palliative care units or hospices in other cities, but don’t know how to go about it, please let me know.  I can provide you with a step-by-step guide explaining how to approach care unit staff in order to gain access to patients who want visitors. In addition, the guide includes recommended strategies that will allow your visits go well.
​
Again, thank you for your prayers, your emails, phone calls and personal visits associated with my Grandma’s situation.  You have been Christ’s light in the darkness.

​With gratitude and increased faith,
Kim Heinrichs
  • ​“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” 1 John:14-15
  • “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24
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MAID: A Catholic Response

9/24/2018

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Below is a video series on the Catholic Response to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), presenting Bishop William McGrattan, Dr. Eric Wasylenko and Fr. Cristino Bouvette. 

Moral Theology of Catholic Decision Making

The legalization of Euthanasia in Canada is of concern to all Catholics, not only those employed in the medical profession. As euthanasia (often termed Medical Assistance in Dying or MAID) involves the intentional taking of a person’s life, it presents a challenge for all who are committed to upholding the dignity of life and protecting the most vulnerable in our society.  In a thoughtful and considered presentation which is of significance to all who are committed to living the Gospel message faithfully, Bishop William McGrattan of the Diocese of Calgary, Alberta, identifies the many spiritual concerns which flow from the legalization of euthanasia – including many you may not have previously considered.

Topics discussed include:  the role of individual and institutional conscience; the basis for conscientious objection by medical professionals; the principle of cooperation as it relates to taking one’s life; and the risk of scandal. Regardless of how familiar you are with the subject, Bishop McGrattan presents insights which are sure to lead to further reflection.

Truly Caring for the Terminally Ill

Dr. Eric Wasylenko, a palliative care physician and clinical ethicist, shares his insights and concerns relating to the legalization of euthanasia (often termed Medical Assistance in Dying or MAID) in Canada. Medical intervention to hasten death differs greatly from withdrawing medical care so as to allow a natural death. He explains how attempts to
exert human control over the process of death are in conflict with both the traditional concepts of palliative care and the true essence of what it actually means to care for and assist those who are terminally ill.

Dr. Eric Wasylenko proposes that we ought not to apply the label of “conscientious objectors” to those who oppose euthanasia, but rather direct the dialogue to reflect that reality that those who oppose euthanasia hold deep convictions and are determined to adhere to their moral commitments.

The Dignity of Human Life

Fr. Cristino Bouvette, a priest for the Diocese of Calgary, leads an impassioned and inspired discussion on the Church’s teachings regarding euthanasia. As a consequence of the incarnation – the Word becoming flesh – acknowledgment of the dignity of each person as made in God’s image rests at the heart of Catholic social doctrine. As Fr. Cristino Bouvette explains, the Church does not pronounce on matters of morals without providing reasons which are derived from both scripture and rationality. As he guides us through Church teachings relating to the end of life, Fr. Cristino clearly illustrates why opposition to euthanasia is necessary to not only abide by God’s law, but also to draw each person’s heart closer to the Heart of God and the divine and personal plan which Jesus has for each and every life. Allow yourself to be inspired to live the Gospel more deeply.
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