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.

Dying with Christ, Living with Hope

Spring Sessions: Dying with Christ, Living with Hope

Dying with Christ – Living with Hope is a faith-filled program that speaks to one of the most important topics of our human experiences. Led by theologians and Christian healthcare professionals, this series offers meaningful insight into suffering, grief, dying, the duty to care, and how we can enter more deeply into the Christian hope of dying with Christ.

Spring Sessions: Dying with Christ, Living with Hope

Dying with Christ – Living with Hope is a faith-filled program that speaks to one of the most important topics of our human experiences. Led by theologians and Christian healthcare professionals, this series offers meaningful insight into suffering, grief, dying, the duty to care, and how we can enter more deeply into the Christian hope of dying with Christ.

MAiD Awareness Sunday: April 18, 2026

As Christians, we are called to care for the vulnerable and uphold the dignity of every life. If no action is taken before March 17, 2027, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) will be expanded to include individuals whose only medical condition is mental health-related. Suicidal thinking can be a symptom for those living with mental illness. When patients share their desire to die, it’s time to use suicide prevention strategies.

CCCB Statement on Bill C-218: No “MAiD” for Mental Illness

On February 4 the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a statement strongly supporting Private Member’s Bill C-218, which seeks to prevent persons whose sole medical condition is mental illness from accessing euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (“MAiD”).