Skip to main content

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.

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.

Dr. Nuala Kenny, SC , recently co-wrote a reflection on lessons learned by physicians during the global pandemic.  Written along with four other physicians from across Canada, Sr. Nuala and her colleagues offer thoughts the challenges to heir ministry as Catholic doctors during these unprecedented times.   In the introduction they write:

On Ash Wednesday, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a response to Bill C-7: "An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying)" which was tabled on Monday February 24, 2020.

A presentation by Deacon Larry Worthen at two locations: St. Thomas Aquinas Hall, 6350 Cornwall St., Halifax on Monday, February 24, at 700 pm and St. Clements Church, 16 Gaston Rd., Dartmouth on Monday, March 2 700 pm.

Book Launch: Still Unhealed

Sr. Nuala Kenny, SC has written a new book on the sexual abuse crisis in our Church. A book launch for, Still Unhealed: Treating the pathology in the clergy sexual abuse crisis, will happen on Thursday, October 3, at 6:30 in the Chapel Building at the Atlantic School of Theology. Dr. David Deane was also a contributing author to the book.

The book is currently available through Novalis for pre-order and copies will be available for purchase at the launch. For more information on the book see the Novalis website by clicking here.


Prayer

Samples of prayers for specific moments, as well as contact info for a great variety of resources.

Services & Outreach

Descriptions and contact information for the services that are available throughout the archdiocese.

Resources

Contact info for information and materials to meet the great many needs, interests and circumstances.