Dying with Christ - Living with Hope Conference Planned   

When we make a commitment to die with Christ, we can truly live with  hope. Learn about New York State Physician Assisted Suicide Bill (PAS) and Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) on Saturday, November 29th from 10-4 at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake. Discussions feature theological and healthcare professionals giving perspectives on suffering, grief, dying and our Christian duty to care.   

Dying with Christ - Living with Hope is a Christian Medical and Dental Association of Canada program. Videos are followed by small group discussions. The Question and Answer Panel will feature Jessica Rodgers, Coalition Director of the Patients Rights Action Fund, Dale Barr, RN., Dr. Maura Fehlner, PHD and Mr. John Miner, Respect Life Director.   

Ms. Rodgers defends people with disabilities, elderly and poor from the threat of Physician Assisted Suicide. She is knowledgeable about Canada’s MAID and the NYS bill as well as how PAS has progressed thru eleven states. NYS has the only bill that includes these dangerous features: no wait period, no residency requirement and allows tele-health.     

Mrs. Barr has been a registered nurse for forty years, working twenty-four years in long term care and the past sixteen years at Carefor Hospice Cornwall, Ontario Canada. Dale has experienced how MAID has impacted the lives on Canadians in the ten years since its implementation and how safeguards and restrictions have been removed to expand accessibility to more people. Today, one in twenty deaths in Canada are from MAID.    

Those serving as small group leaders are:  Mr. Steve Tartaglia, Family Life Director, Angelo and Suzanne Pietropaoli, Natural Family Planning Directors, Deacon John and Dr. Maura Fehlner, PHD, Mrs. Dale Barr RN, and John and Colleen Miner, Respect Life Directors.     

Health Care Proxy forms will be available for those in attendance. While a notary is not necessary, one will be on site to notarize health care proxy forms for peace of mind. Following the conference, attendees are invited to attend 4:30 Mass at St. Bernard’s Church. Pre registration is requested at https://www.rcdony.org/livingwithhope $10 donation covers lunch and supplies. Walk-ins are welcome and asked to arrive at 9:30.  Please contact The Respect Life office with any questions cminer@rcdony.org

Following is a statement of Dennis Poust, executive director of the NYS Catholic Conference: 

"Throughout human history and in every culture, the disposition of human remains has followed a variety of rituals, but always involving interment or cremation. The process of composting is associated with the sustainable disposition of organic household or agricultural waste to be repurposed as fertilizer for gardens or crops. But human bodies are not household waste; they are vessels of the soul. Therefore, the Bishops of New York State do not believe the process meets the standard of reverent treatment of earthly remains. 
"In the Catholic Church, preference remains for the burial of the body, with cremation and burial of the ashes as an acceptable and increasingly popular alternative. Just as Church teaching prohibits the scattering or dividing of cremated remains, it would not permit the spreading of composted human remains co-mingled with other organic matter to fertilize a garden.  
"Given this fact, the bishops regret that Gov. Hochul has signed this legislation. For Catholics who share concerns regarding care for the environment, numerous Catholic and other cemeteries in New York offer green burial areas that do not involve embalming, concrete vaults or traditional coffins. As noted, cremation and burial of the ashes is also a legitimate option for faithful Catholics." 
The Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of New York State in public policy matters.

A new, one-page resource is now available dispelling the many myths currently circulating which claim abortion restrictions will limit women’s access to healthcare.
“The Truth About Abortion and Women’s Health” can be printed in parish bulletins, included in newsletters, shared on social media, and more.

We hope this resource will help you to combat these lies about pro-life legislation during Respect Life Month and a heated election cycle