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.

The Way of the Cross Today

As we prepare to begin the season of Lent, many parishes and groups are looking for various ways to celebrate the Stations of the Cross. The Archdiocesan Ministry of Care and Companionship Committee would like to suggest an option! The Way of the Cross Today: Reflections on Suffering in Sickness and Dying is a series of reflections on the Stations of Cross written by Sr. Nuala Kenny, SC. In this booklet Sr. Kenny writes:

In today’s death-denying, death-defying world suffering is to be avoided at all cost, even to the point of physician assisted death. We need to be clear that euthanasia and assisted suicide are direct contradictions of the central Christian belief in the Paschal Mystery, the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In our time we need to retrieve the insights, solace, and strength found in the tradition of The Way of the Cross.

You can find booklet at www.halifaxyarmouth.org/care or by clicking here.

The Archdiocesan Ministry of Care and Companionship Committee aims to support the care of the sick and suffering in our parishes and regions. Take some time to check out the many resources they offer on their webpage. Let us all find ways to answer the call to accompany those who are ill or suffering.