The Catholic Health Association of Manitoba (CHAM) is a voluntary, provincial association dedicated to the healing Ministry of the Catholic Church. Through its Ministries of education health care ethics, spiritual care, social justice, and Catholic ownership, CHAM fulfills its mission CHAM fulfills its mission of compassionate concern and respect for all persons.
Our members span the continuum of social services, long-term and continuing care, acute care, and seniors’ services across Manitoba. Each year, we strive to foster relationships between our members through regular correspondence and newsletters, formation offerings, advocacy support, and special events.
MISSION: Assistance in Living (MAiL)
John Longhurst of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote on a campaign that CHAM is working on entitled Mission: Assistance in Living.
Over the past several years, some momentous developments have altered the landscape of our society and raised important questions and concerns about our efforts as Canadians to foster a just and caring society where all Canadians are supported to live with dignity, hope and belonging.
Since 2016, Canada’s continued actions to expand access to Medical Assistance in Dying have challenged us to examine what we value as individuals and society. COVID-19 and the economic and societal aftershocks of the pandemic have brought new insights and urgency to these questions. The pandemic shook our nation to the core, revealing the existence of systemic ageism and ableism within Canada, as well as a systemic fragility in being able to protect and defend the basic human rights of older Canadians.
Research indicates that mental health declines experienced over the pandemic have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels and continues to be exacerbated by the economic downturn with rising rates of anxiety, depression, mood disorders and suicidal ideation. (Canadian Mental Health Association, March 2023). As the country contemplates the expansion of MAiD for reasons of mental illness, we are at a crucial point with immense social consequences.
At the same time, Canadians are living longer. There are a growing number of older Canadians living with life-limiting illness and complex medical and mental health conditions—often with increased risk and vulnerability due to social isolation and lack of access to community supports.
Canadians still do not have universal access to mental health or to quality palliative care – or the many other programs and supports Canadians are entitled to under the Human Rights Act which include an adequate standard of living, housing, healthcare, and accessible services.
There is a need to rally around a collective, intentional vision and action aimed at supporting the person in all dimensions—physical, social, psychological, emotional, spiritual—as a form of social justice. We could call this approach “Mission: Assistance in Living” (MAiL).
Where is the movement, our collective mission, for assistance in living?
MAiL is aimed at identifying, providing, improving and/or facilitating access to care and supports that advance the inherent dignity, security and fundamental equality of all persons— including persons with physical or mental illness, disability, or older age, as well as persons experiencing poverty, homelessness, isolation or a lack of care and support—in order to live with dignity, to flourish, and fully participate in society on an equal basis with others.
There is a critical need for us to re-ignite a life-affirming approach to the care and wellbeing of all Canadians based in shared values of the dignity of the human person. So, I’d like you to take a moment to reflect on how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals who are less privileged than you, cannot access the services they need to improve their physical and mental health, and receive the care and support they need to live with dignity and flourish.
I respectfully ask that you support MAiL by signing the petition.
We are thrilled to share that our NHSP-supported initiative, Bridging Generations, is now fully launched and already transforming lives. This intergenerational program was created to address growing social isolation among seniors and foster meaningful, mutual connection with youth.Funded by New Horizons for Seniors Program, the project has moved from concept to action — and the results have been heartwarming.
We are proud to be working with the following partner sites: Holy Family Home, Résidence Despins, The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, Lindenwood Retirement Living, Misericordia Terrace, and St.Amant. Each location brings its own unique community and spirit to the program. On the youth side, we’re grateful to be partnering with St. Alphonsus School, Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Our Lady of Victory School, St. Mary’s Academy, and Mother Mary of Christ Youth Ministry. Together, these schools and organizations are helping us build real bridges across generations.
We were honoured to be featured on CBC Manitoba’s The Weekend Morning Show to share the story of our new initiative: Bridging Generations: An Intergenerational Connection and Well-being Project, proudly funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Hosted by CBC’s Nadia Kidwai, the interview offered us the opportunity to speak about the growing issue of social isolation among older adults and youth, and how this project is creating meaningful opportunities for connection, learning, and mutual care across generations.
Bridging Generations brings together seniors, youth, and community members through storytelling, mentorship, volunteer engagement, and shared activities. It’s built on the understanding—reinforced by research from the World Health Organization and Canadian social prescribing networks—that loneliness is a public health issue. Strengthening intergenerational ties is one way we can address that, building more compassionate, connected communities.
We invite you to tune in to our CBC segment, available on the CBC Listen App or listen here to hear how this project is already making a difference.
Thank you to CBC Manitoba and Nadia Kidwai for shining a light on this important work and to the New Horizons for Seniors Program for believing in our vision.
If you’d like to get involved, whether as a volunteer, partner, or participant, we’d love to hear from you!
On May 3, over 50 volunteers and parish leaders from across Manitoba came together for a deeply meaningful Ministry of Care Training, a day grounded in compassion, connection, and renewal.
This province-wide training was a partnership between the Archdiocese of St. Boniface and the Catholic Health Association of Manitoba (CHAM), generously hosted by Mary, Mother of the Church Parish. Participants included those who serve in hospitals, long-term care homes, personal residences, and parish outreach — all responding to the call to bring spiritual comfort to the sick, elderly, and isolated.
Through reflection, practical workshops, and guided dialogue, the training reinforced what we know to be true: presence is powerful. Whether offering a listening ear or sharing in prayer, pastoral visitors are often a lifeline of hope and healing in healthcare and community settings.
As our health system evolves, the role of compassionate accompaniment becomes more vital than ever. CHAM is proud to support this essential ministry — one that embodies the heart of Catholic health care: to care for the whole person, body and spirit.
Thank you to all who made this day possible and to those who continue to answer the call to serve.
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