This is the Night!
Saturday 26 March 2016
Friday 25 March 2016
Good Friday
Loving God,you sent Jesus, who reveals your glory,to pay the price for our sinsso that we might share in eternal life.On the night he was betrayed,he remained obedient to your will and,humbling himself, was led to the Cross.Even in the midst of his arrest,Jesus showed compassion by healing the servant.Show us compassion, O God, when we abandon you.Heal our suffering, which can lead us to deny your majesty.Grant courage to those who are weak and raise up the fallen.Strengthen our love for you so thatour hearts and minds may remain focused on Christ’s Paschal Mysteryand forever delight in his triumph over death.Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wednesday 23 March 2016
Assisted Suicide
I feel like today is the calm before the storm, figuratively and literally now listening to the weather!
Last week I was able to attend a course on walking with people through end of life issues. One of the disturbing trends happening in Europe is the state of Assisted Suicide (I say this deliberatly) and the ease with wich it is accessed.
Here is an Australian documentary video - with disturbing content - from Belgium. There are 2 cases followed in this video - but the senior citizen case is really unsettling.
How slippery is our slope?
Peace
Last week I was able to attend a course on walking with people through end of life issues. One of the disturbing trends happening in Europe is the state of Assisted Suicide (I say this deliberatly) and the ease with wich it is accessed.
Here is an Australian documentary video - with disturbing content - from Belgium. There are 2 cases followed in this video - but the senior citizen case is really unsettling.
How slippery is our slope?
Peace
Thursday 17 March 2016
End of life Issues
I recently wrote this letter - and a variation on it to the Minister of Health and the Prime Minister:
Dear Minister Wilson-Raybould,
As a Roman Catholic Priest, I am very concerned about the protection of vulnerable people in our society. I am also gravely worried about conscience rights for Canadian physicians who refuse to participate in assisted suicide/euthanasia. While I am opposed to any form of assisted suicide, I recognize that our government must prepare legislation on this issue following the Supreme Court of Canada decision last year.
I am concerned that the recommendations of the Commons-Senate Committee on Physician Assisted Death do not protect doctors’ conscience rights adequately. A referral, even to a third party, is a form of moral participation. I am also very troubled by the recommendation that facilities should not be allowed to opt-out of providing physician-assisted death in their facilities. Many of these institutions pre-date the confederation of Canada.
As one who works with people who experience mental health issues, and in particular depression, I find it deeply distressing that Canada would allow access to assisted suicide for those suffering from depression and other mental health issues. My question to the Prime Minister, and to the Minister of Health is: why are we not providing greater support for these people, and access to palliative care for all Canadians?
I believe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects Canadian citizens from being forced by the state to act against their moral or religious convictions. There are certainly alternative ways to respect a patient's request without compelling dedicated physicians to face professional disciplinary action simply because they wish to follow their conscience or forcing the closure of facilities that will not provide doctor assisted death.
I ask you and those who will craft this upcoming legislation to please carefully consider my concerns as these policy deliberations are conducted. I request that whatever legislation is developed respects and protects the vulnerable as well as the conscience rights of Canadian physicians, other health care providers, and all facilities objecting to providing assisted death.
If you feel strongly about this issue - I encourage you to also write a letter to the Attorney General and or thed Prime Minister.
Dear Minister Wilson-Raybould,
As a Roman Catholic Priest, I am very concerned about the protection of vulnerable people in our society. I am also gravely worried about conscience rights for Canadian physicians who refuse to participate in assisted suicide/euthanasia. While I am opposed to any form of assisted suicide, I recognize that our government must prepare legislation on this issue following the Supreme Court of Canada decision last year.
I am concerned that the recommendations of the Commons-Senate Committee on Physician Assisted Death do not protect doctors’ conscience rights adequately. A referral, even to a third party, is a form of moral participation. I am also very troubled by the recommendation that facilities should not be allowed to opt-out of providing physician-assisted death in their facilities. Many of these institutions pre-date the confederation of Canada.
As one who works with people who experience mental health issues, and in particular depression, I find it deeply distressing that Canada would allow access to assisted suicide for those suffering from depression and other mental health issues. My question to the Prime Minister, and to the Minister of Health is: why are we not providing greater support for these people, and access to palliative care for all Canadians?
I believe the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects Canadian citizens from being forced by the state to act against their moral or religious convictions. There are certainly alternative ways to respect a patient's request without compelling dedicated physicians to face professional disciplinary action simply because they wish to follow their conscience or forcing the closure of facilities that will not provide doctor assisted death.
I ask you and those who will craft this upcoming legislation to please carefully consider my concerns as these policy deliberations are conducted. I request that whatever legislation is developed respects and protects the vulnerable as well as the conscience rights of Canadian physicians, other health care providers, and all facilities objecting to providing assisted death.
If you feel strongly about this issue - I encourage you to also write a letter to the Attorney General and or thed Prime Minister.
Peace
Sunday 13 March 2016
Unexpected Compliment
Last Monday I was in Ottawa celebrating the Funeral Liturgy for my Aunt Josephine Fleming. Aunt Jo was 93 years old, and was my Mother's sister. Because I had to do a presentation for CCS to the LHIN Board committee on Quality on Monday afternoon, I flew with my sister to Ottawa, Sunday and we flew home Monday. In fact using Aeroplan points, meant it was quite inexpensive to fly!
As I was in the airport - standing by for the 2:00 flight, a gentleman came up to me (I had my collar on) and he asked if I was a Catholic Priest. I said yeas - and he complimented Cardinal Collins on his letter opposing Euthanasia and Physician Assisted death.
Even though he was not Catholic - he was Jesuit Educated in Winnipeg, and really values his Jesuit Education.
So there we are! Random travel and a random compliment on a very important issue facing our country these days!
Peace,
(PS My sister and I were the last 2 on the 2:00 flight - seated in Business Class!)
As I was in the airport - standing by for the 2:00 flight, a gentleman came up to me (I had my collar on) and he asked if I was a Catholic Priest. I said yeas - and he complimented Cardinal Collins on his letter opposing Euthanasia and Physician Assisted death.
Even though he was not Catholic - he was Jesuit Educated in Winnipeg, and really values his Jesuit Education.
So there we are! Random travel and a random compliment on a very important issue facing our country these days!
Peace,
(PS My sister and I were the last 2 on the 2:00 flight - seated in Business Class!)
Saturday 5 March 2016
You are never Alone
These young men filmed a movie at Holy Family Parish on the Saturday of Family Day Weekend last month. Tackling the issue of Suicide:
There is also a "behind the scenes" video:
From the creators of the film:
"With this film we want to bring awareness to society’s misunderstanding about depression and suicide. We use language like ‘committing suicide’ or ‘taking your own life’ as if it is an intentional, deliberate, and rational process. None of these things about suicide is true. If someone loses a 10-year battle with cancer we talk about how bravely they fought against the disease and how they were an inspiration to everyone around them because of this fight. People with depression are fighting a constant battle as well. Often it is one that they fight alone because it is not visible to the people around them. Sometimes people lose their battle with mental illness through suicide. Anyone with a mental illness fights bravely each day and they should be remembered as brave fighters regardless of the circumstances of their death.
But sometimes there comes a moment when the pain of depression falls so heavily that the people struggling are not strong enough to lift it off of themselves. It doesn’t mean that they didn’t love their family or want to continue their life. They just wanted the pain to stop.
For people with a healthy immune system, illnesses like the flu are often easily overcome. For someone with a weakened immune system routine illnesses can be fatal. People with mental illness have an unhealthy brain. During a time of deep pain and sorrow that someone with a healthy brain would have been able to overcome, their brain might be unable to.
But the circumstances of their deaths do not affect the lives they lived. Depression is something that afflicts many people and just because it can end fatally does not detract from the lives that those who struggle with depression lived.
If you are someone who struggles with mental illness know that you are not alone. Know that you are strong. Know that you are brave. Sometimes people can say things about this struggle that can range from insensitive to absolutely cruel. Many of these statements are born out of ignorance. They do not know or understand your battle. It is okay to ask for help and it is okay to need medication. Nobody has ever been made to feel weak because they need regular medication for low blood pressure. Nobody should be made to feel weak because they need regular medication for their mental illness. Talk about it, learn about it, and keep fighting. There are so many around you who love you more than you know."
There is also a "behind the scenes" video:
From the creators of the film:
"With this film we want to bring awareness to society’s misunderstanding about depression and suicide. We use language like ‘committing suicide’ or ‘taking your own life’ as if it is an intentional, deliberate, and rational process. None of these things about suicide is true. If someone loses a 10-year battle with cancer we talk about how bravely they fought against the disease and how they were an inspiration to everyone around them because of this fight. People with depression are fighting a constant battle as well. Often it is one that they fight alone because it is not visible to the people around them. Sometimes people lose their battle with mental illness through suicide. Anyone with a mental illness fights bravely each day and they should be remembered as brave fighters regardless of the circumstances of their death.
But sometimes there comes a moment when the pain of depression falls so heavily that the people struggling are not strong enough to lift it off of themselves. It doesn’t mean that they didn’t love their family or want to continue their life. They just wanted the pain to stop.
For people with a healthy immune system, illnesses like the flu are often easily overcome. For someone with a weakened immune system routine illnesses can be fatal. People with mental illness have an unhealthy brain. During a time of deep pain and sorrow that someone with a healthy brain would have been able to overcome, their brain might be unable to.
But the circumstances of their deaths do not affect the lives they lived. Depression is something that afflicts many people and just because it can end fatally does not detract from the lives that those who struggle with depression lived.
If you are someone who struggles with mental illness know that you are not alone. Know that you are strong. Know that you are brave. Sometimes people can say things about this struggle that can range from insensitive to absolutely cruel. Many of these statements are born out of ignorance. They do not know or understand your battle. It is okay to ask for help and it is okay to need medication. Nobody has ever been made to feel weak because they need regular medication for low blood pressure. Nobody should be made to feel weak because they need regular medication for their mental illness. Talk about it, learn about it, and keep fighting. There are so many around you who love you more than you know."
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