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| The Journey to New Life |
Eventually at some point during our life time, we focus our attention on End-of-Life issues. While these issues may not be as prominent as beginning of life issues such as abortion, they raise their own set of challenging and profound questions that can touch the depths of our being, stir our emotions, and demand careful moral reasoning that is not any easier. End-of-Life issues play a prominent role in medical ethics, as highlighted by the recent Terry Schiavo case. Although this case was extraordinary, many of us will experience end-of-life decisions with ourselves and our elderly family members who may be struggling with a multitude of medical problems. It can be enormously difficult for the one who is in need, as well as the family and friends, to face end-of-life decisions that are influenced by a constellation of medical, spiritual, emotional, quality of life and, indeed, financial factors. It is important to recognize that the moral questions raised by end-of-life issues often require the advice of a priest or one trained in medical ethics. A medical procedure that carries with it little hope of improvement but instead prolongs death and suffering is unlikely to be considered reasonable care but rather would be deemed "extraordinary".
A less visible but no less important end-of-life issue meriting discussion is that of capital punishment and the death penalty. Although capital punishment impacts few members of our society, it looms large on the political and legal landscape of state, federal, and international governments. The question at hand remains "Is there ever a time when we are morally justified in taking the life of another person?" Individual parishioners and their families may need and can seek guidance here at St. Mel when there is doubt of a particular course of action. What can our parishioners do? It can be a prayerful experience to reflect on the final mystery of life. We also encourage you to reflect on what you can do now for the hour of your death by filling out an advance health care directive (see below documents), a living will or health-care power of attorney to appoint a health care proxy, someone who knows your thinking, who can speak for you in the event that your are unable to speak for yourself. St. Mel Parish is active in supporting families as individuals or their loved ones as they are nearing the time when God will call one of them home. These activities include: visiting and bringing the Eucharist to persons who are critically ill. Offering care, companionship and transportation through the OASIS program, visiting and bringing the Eucharist to persons at the Motion Picture Hospital, Kaiser Hospital, retirement homes and assisted living facilities in the area, and those who are homebound, making the anointing of the sick available to persons who are critically ill, assisting families to plan a funeral to celebrate the life of their loved ones, providing a bereavement support group to assist persons in dealing with their grief, and providing a support group for children to deal with the loss of a loved one. For more information, click the Adobe documents below and then click your back button: |
