The topic of this column may seem to some to be out of place since we are soon to observe the Solemnity of the nativity of the Lord (December 25) which celebrates the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord. I do wish all of you a Blessed Christmas Day and Christmas Season and hope that you join us at one of our Christmas Masses in person in the church or at our parking lot Mass or at the very least at the livestream Christmas Mass from here.
I feel compelled for a number of reasons to bring up today the practical issue (in our community for sure) of hospice care for ourselves or our loved ones. Making such a choice is often complex and in more than a few ases is a tough one to make. I have found out from personal experience that people are not always open to unsolicited input from me before or especially after a decision has been made to go into hospice care. Firstly, I want to apologize if my doing this has not been welcomed and has caused any negative feelings. I believe every parishioner wants to make an informed decision that is considerate of a number of factors including what the Church has to say about such end-of-life decisions. I will try to offer materials and possible workshop sessions with people representing "hospice care" opportunities and some of the Church's guidnace on such a delicate and often complex matter.
Obviously, it's the person himself or herself or the one designated by them who must make the final decision on what treatments to permit and what to withhold with the confidence and peace that the decision that is made is truly what's "Best" for the person. While going into "hospice care" is reversible if a person wants to receive treatment that does not meet the parameters of hospice care (which is to keep the person comfortable with the goal of quality of life not quantity), I want to be supportive of that and all decisions tha are made and will try to always ask if the person or persons want the guidance of the church on this important matter. If they don't, I still want to offer the best spiritual care that the Church gives me to offer to both the sick person and their family member or members. As people of faith and hope in what is to come after we take our last breath in this world, we are in the best position compared to a person who does not have either of these virtues to make decisions about life in this world, with trust that there is a wonderful life waiting for us with the Lord for all eternity!
I feel compelled for a number of reasons to bring up today the practical issue (in our community for sure) of hospice care for ourselves or our loved ones. Making such a choice is often complex and in more than a few ases is a tough one to make. I have found out from personal experience that people are not always open to unsolicited input from me before or especially after a decision has been made to go into hospice care. Firstly, I want to apologize if my doing this has not been welcomed and has caused any negative feelings. I believe every parishioner wants to make an informed decision that is considerate of a number of factors including what the Church has to say about such end-of-life decisions. I will try to offer materials and possible workshop sessions with people representing "hospice care" opportunities and some of the Church's guidnace on such a delicate and often complex matter.
Obviously, it's the person himself or herself or the one designated by them who must make the final decision on what treatments to permit and what to withhold with the confidence and peace that the decision that is made is truly what's "Best" for the person. While going into "hospice care" is reversible if a person wants to receive treatment that does not meet the parameters of hospice care (which is to keep the person comfortable with the goal of quality of life not quantity), I want to be supportive of that and all decisions tha are made and will try to always ask if the person or persons want the guidance of the church on this important matter. If they don't, I still want to offer the best spiritual care that the Church gives me to offer to both the sick person and their family member or members. As people of faith and hope in what is to come after we take our last breath in this world, we are in the best position compared to a person who does not have either of these virtues to make decisions about life in this world, with trust that there is a wonderful life waiting for us with the Lord for all eternity!