12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care
As part of the National Hospice Palliative Care Week (May 7-13, 2023), St. Maurice Council of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) is inviting all members of St. Maurice parish to pray for one hour for palliative care on Wednesday, May 10 from 9am to 9pm. To sign up for an hour, please email Anna Lobo at Annaanddiogo@gmail.com.
We all must pray fervently that good palliative care is available to everyone. Constant changes or threats to changes to medical assistance in dying (MAiD) legislation are frightening, and the vulnerable are feeling threatened rather than cared for. We must work to alleviate that threat so that all may live out their natural lives in accordance with God’s word.
The Canadian Conference Catholic Bishops has developed Horizons of Hope: A Toolket for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care. Click here to watch the video.
Pro Life Week
Visit the March for Life website for up-to-date information about all that is going on this week including the March for Life on Thursday, May 11.
EWTN is offering live coverage of the March from downtown Ottawa, on Thursday 11:30 – 2:30 pm. www.ewtn.com
In support of Canada's pro-life stand, Archbishop Marcel Damphousse will celebrate Canada's National Mass for Life at Notre Dame Cathedral on Thursday, May 11 at 10:30am. All are welcome to attend.
Campaign for Conscience Rights Legislation in Ontario
Message from Archbishop Marcel Damphousse (2021)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Healthcare professionals need our prayers and support. The federal government is about to expand assisted suicide across Canada. People with disabilities and those with chronic conditions will qualify, even if they are not dying. The bill has been amended in the Senate to allow people with mental health concerns to access it as well. If passed, this law will lead to disrespect for the dignity of human beings and put vulnerable people at risk.
The federal legislation will have implications for healthcare in the provinces. Now, more than ever, we need doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who will ensure vulnerable patients have caring alternatives to lethal injections. But many healthcare professionals with moral convictions are being pushed out of their profession by provincial health regulators. Here in Ontario, you can support vulnerable patients by contacting the Ontario government and asking that legislation be introduced to protect the conscience rights of healthcare workers.
I invite you to visit the website for the Coalition for Health Care and Conscience where you can send an email directly to the Ontario government and learn more about this critically important issue. If your MPP ·is Conservative it will be sent to them, and if you are represented by another party it will be sent to the Premier and the Health Minister. Watch the video below of testimonies from healthcare providers.
No one should ever be forced to participate by immoral means, for example by making an effective referral, in ending the lives of patients. This truly is an issue of life or death. Let us continue to pray for those who are sick, vulnerable and alone. Thank you for all that you do to strengthen our faith community, especially during these challenging days.
Sincerely in Christ,
+Marcel Damphousse
Archbishop of Ottawa-Cornwall
April 2, 2021
