Ministry of Care and Companionship

We follow the example of Jesus and Mary
as we care for the sick and comfort the dying.

As Catholics we are Christian disciples committed to follow the way of the Lord whose response to suffering was to provide care! As Christ healed the sick and broken-hearted with his acts of compassion, our present Christian response to suffering must be in keeping with Christ’s actions by transforming suffering with meaning. When there is no meaning to suffering, that is when it is only pain, and of course people become afraid, angry and depressed. But where there is meaning, because there is love and proper care, in a community of support, suffering can become sacrifice! Sacrifice, in our Christian perspective, is not just another word for ‘put up with’. It literally means, from its Latin root, to make something ‘sacred’. Archbishop Anthony Mancini June 5, 2016 Letter to the Faithful.

Death of St. Joseph

Stain Glass Window, St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Halifax, NS

An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first. It has an endless desire to show mercy, the fruit of its own experience of the power of the Father’s infinite mercy. Let us try a little harder to take the first step and to become involved. The Lord gets involved and he involves his own, as he kneels to wash their feet. An evangelizing community gets involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives; it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself if necessary and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others. An evangelizing community is also supportive, standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be. Pope Francis 2013 Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel. #24.

A Blessing Not a Burden

Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:40

New legislation is coming and disability advocates are fearful. The federal government has tabled legislation to expand access to euthanasia to people who are not about to die, including people with disabilities. A 2019 government report said that people choose euthanasia because of fear of being a burden, loneliness, lack of support, or loss of dignity and meaning. People with disabilities face these issues daily. As a society, we have a responsibility to support the vulnerable, not allow them to be permanently silenced.

The Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience encourages Canadians to write to their MP. Let them know you don't want access to euthanasia expanded to include vulnerable people who are not at the end of their lives. It could be someone in your family next or it could be you. To send an email, visit:

English: www.canadiansforconscience.ca/federal_government
French: www.coalitionsanteconscience.ca/gouvernement_federal

The Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience is an association of 10 organizations, of which 6 are Catholic. Many of you may know that our own Deacon Larry Worthen has been very active in this bring light to this issue. He and associates have put together two short YouTube videos on this relevant and important issue. The links to both English and French versions are here:

English: youtu.be/bECmV6OEDTo
French: youtu.be/MNhs5xcA5tQ

Deacon Larry is open and happy to receive comments or answer questions at the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.