DIOCESAN WORKSHOP ON PALLIATIVE CARE: Horizons of Hope

January 3, 2023
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The Horizons of Hope program has been designed for:

  • People seeking to learn more about palliative care and Catholic Church teaching on end-oflife;
  • Individuals recently diagnosed with serious and/or terminal illness;
  • Family members and friends seeking guidance and access to resources as they accompany the loved one faced with a serious or terminal illness;
  • Medical professionals, caregivers;
  • Members of pastoral care teams and other parishioners; and
  • Parishes seeking to form a Compassionate Community program.

This program will allow parishioners to learn and reflect upon end-of-life issues and to promote the need for excellent palliative care. It will assist in clarifying misinformation, and reverse the deceptive messaging found in this increasing culture of death. This 4-module program is being offered simultaneously to all the faithful in our Diocese at several locations:

  • Module 1: Understanding the Human Experience of Dying and Death – January 9 (7 to 9 pm) •
  • Module 2: Discerning and Making Decisions at the End of Life – January 16 (7 to 9 pm)
  • Module 3: Accompanying Those at the End of Life – January 23 (7 to 9 pm)
  • Module 4: Supporting and Integrating Within the Wider Community – January 30 (7 to 9 pm)

To register, please visit catholicyyc.ca/horizonsofhope to participate in one of the following six sites:

  • Catholic Pastoral Centre (120 – 17th Avenue SW, Calgary)
  • Ascension Parish, Calgary
  • St Gerard Parish, Calgary
  • St. Martha’s Parish, Lethbridge
  • Holy Family Parish, Medicine Hat
  • St James, Okotoks

All locations will be connected via zoom.

Pastoral Letter 2022-Physicians-Assisted Suicide – Horizons of Hope – ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY (catholicyyc.ca)

Important Facts

  • Number of cases of physician assisted suicide in 2021 represents a growth rate of 32.4% over 2020.
  • The loss of ability to engage in meaningful activities was the most common cited reason for physician assisted suicide (86.3% of cases).
  • The lost of ability to perform activities of daily living was the 2nd most common cited reason for physician assisted suicide (83.4% of cases).
  • 62.3% of individuals who withdrew their request for physician assisted suicide did so because they changed their mind. Another 38.5% withdrew their request because palliative care was sufficient.

Report Source: Third Annual Report on Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada 2021; Health Canada

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