CHAM Winter 2022 Newsletter

Each year on February 11, the Catholic Church marks the World Day of the Sick on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. This is a time to offer prayers for those who suffer from illness and for their caregivers.

Illness is part of our human condition. Yet, if illness is experienced in isolation and abandonment, unaccompanied by care and compassion, it can become inhumane.

The theme of this year’s 31st World Day of the Sick observance is “Take care of him: Compassion as a synodal exercise of healing”, drawn from the Gospel of Luke on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Pope Francis urges Catholics to heed the example of the Good Samaritan showing compassion and taking care of the sick in a world that discards the most vulnerable.

We invite you to promote the Holy Father’s message for World Day of the Sick in your organizations, parishes, community, family, and schools. In his message, Pope Francis stresses that “in the midst of illness,” the Church becomes a "field hospital” dedicated to “acts of care.” No one should be alone in times of illness.

SUGGESTED CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

We invite you to use the following lesson plans to teach students about the World Day of the Sick:

• Suggested Elementary School Classroom Activity
• Suggested Middle School Classroom Activity
• Suggested Secondary School Classroom Activity
• Prayers for the Sick (For parishes and Any Level Classroom Activity)

Within the lesson plans, you will also find a handout along with colouring pages from a few online sources and a Powerpoint Presentation. These resources have been included below for quick reference:

• Handout
• Colouring Pages
• Powerpoint Presentation

World Day for Consecrated Life, Feb. 2, celebrates the gift of consecrated persons for whole Church and pray for men and women discerning a consecrated vocation with the global
Catholic Church.

The celebration is attached to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2. This feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. Similarly, consecrated men and women are called to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through their unique witness of selfless service, such as caring for the poor, the contemplative work of prayer, or through their professional careers.

Zoom gathering at 7.00 pm CST

When: Feb 2, 2022 07:00 PM Central Time

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlde-przovGdWoz0Rhmuig3hjQoFPNRiul

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends
toward justice.  Martin Luther King

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Mental health expert opposes euthanasia for mental illness. Based on personal experience, misdiagnosis is a problem. (alexschadenberg.blogspot.com)

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Kelly Block (MP) speech in support of conscience rights for medical professionals. (alexschadenberg.blogspot.com)

Chilliwack death shows euthanasia system subject to abuse: couple - BC Catholic - Multimedia Catholic News

As you may have seen in the news, Bill C7 passed through the Senate last week. This bill allows people with chronic illness (including mental health) or disability whose natural death is not imminent or foreseeable to choose MAID. The Catholic Health Alliance of Canada has developed a BILL C-7 Statement.

Inclusion Winnipeg, who along with Inclusion Canada has also developed a strong position on this topic from the disability lens is also happy to have media directed their way.

Inclusion Winnipeg – Scott McFadyen’s contact info: smcfadyen@inclusionwinnipeg.org or 431-887-1080

Canadian Association of Suicide Prevention has also had initial and then updated position papers on this topic:  https://suicideprevention.ca/Statement-on-MAID

CASP - Nancy Parker's contact info:  NParker@marymound.com or Ph: 204-336-5290     Mobile: 204-793-4128

CHAM – Julie Turenne-Maynard’s contact info: jtmaynard@cham.mb.ca or 204-771-5585