Waterloo Catholics


Adult Formation, Enrichment
and Spiritual Growth

 
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If you haven’t thought about your final wishes…consider our
 

Critical Decisions Workshop
(formerly Final Wishes Workshop)

November 17, 2013 • 6:30-8:30pm
O'Hagan Hall/Sacred Heart Parish, Waterloo

February 19, 2014 • 1:00-3:00pm
Church Hall/St. Edward Parish, Waterloo

April 5, 2013 • 9:30-Noon
Scallon Hall, Queen of Peace Parish, Waterloo

Pre-registration Required

Co-sponsored by
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare/Pastoral Care Staff
The Catholic Parishes in Waterloo/Adult Faith Formation

•   •   •

• Who will make health care decisions for you when you
  can't make them yourself?
• What kind of medical treatment do you expect to
  receive when you are dying or seriously ill?
• How comfortable do you want to be when you are dying
  or seriously ill?
• What medical options are approved by the Catholic Church?
• What do you want your loved ones to know when you
  are dying or seriously ill?

The Critical Decisions Workshop helps participants identify and express how they want to be treated if they are seriously ill and unable to speak for themselves. 

The workshop examines the medical, personal and spiritual issues which arise at the time of a serious illness or at the end of life.  We will discuss specific ways in which persons may be comforted in their final days, options for end-of-life care which are compatible with the teachings of the Catholic Church, and give family members an opportunity to discuss privately among themselves the type of personal, spiritual and medical care they wish to receive if they are seriously ill and unable to speak for themselves.

Participants will learn how to create two documents guiding healthcare in an emergency or at the end of life, a Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare.

This is the type of discussion every family should have in advance of an emergency situation to avoid confusion, disagreement and guilt at the time when decisions must be made about the care of a loved one who is unable to think or speak clearly for themselves.

This workshop is open to persons of all ages.  We encourage family members or caretakers to attend the with loved ones and to attend for loved ones who are unable attend themselves.

Pre-registration is recommended but not required.

•   •   •

Information for Catholics

What We Believe
Click here
for a summary of what Catholics believe about life and death.

What Options You Can Choose
Click here to find out more about what morally acceptable choices are available to Catholics at the end of life or in serious medical situations.

•   •   •

Registration

• By phone: call 319-234-9912
• By email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us
• Online: Click here to register online

•   •   •

Find Out More

Click here to find out more about what morally acceptable choices are available to Catholics.

Prepare for the Critical Decisions Workshop by consulting these online resources:
• "Advanced Directives" [video]
   (Religion & Ethics Newsweekly)
• "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services"
   2009. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
• Moral Principles Governing Medical Decisions
   (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Pro-Life Committee)
• "A Guide to Making Good Decisions at the End of Life"
   (Washington State Catholic Conference)
• "A Catholic Guide to End of Life Decisions"
   (National Catholic Bioethics Center)

• Death with Dignity and End of Life Ethics.  Daniel Sulmasy OFM. (U.S.
  Catholic)
•
"End of Life Ethics--Preparing Now for the Hour of Death" by Fr. Kenneth 
   Overberg SJ (Catholic Update)

• "Final Steps." Michelle Martin. (Our Sunday Visitor)
•
"The Gift of Peace of Mind--A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing
   Advanced Directives." by Marion Brenton. (Drake Center for Health
   Issues)

• "Healing Your Painful Memories" by M. Elaine Dillhunt OSB
   (Catholic Update)

• "Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide: Seven Steps to Making Good
   End-of-Life Decisions" (U.S. Catholic)
• "'Ordinary' and 'Extraordinary' Means of Prolonging Life" by Helen Watt
   (Linacre Center, London)

• "What Constitutes 'Extraordinary' Means of Care?" by Mary DeTouris
   Poust (Our Sunday Visitor)

• "Why the Church Opposes Assisted Suicide" by Bishop Wilton Gregory
   (Catholic Update)

More Resources

• Caring for a Dying Loved One.  Bob Fischer. St. Pauls. 121pp.
   0818908963.
• Caring for Those with Alzheimers.  Joan D. Roberts. St. Pauls. 94pp.
   081890593X.
•
Life, Death and Catholic Medical Choices.  Kevin O'Neill CSsR and
   Peter Black. Liguori Publications. 2011. 96pp.
9780764819537.
•
Making Health Care Decisions--A Catholic Guide.
   Ron Hamel.  Liguori Publications. 144pp.  9780764814020.
• Preparing for Eternity--A Catholic Handbook for End-of-Life Concerns. 
 
 Joseph M. Champlin.  Ave Maria Press. 96pp. 9781594711091.

•   •   •

For information contact:
Director of Adult Faith Formation  •  320 Mulberry St., Waterloo IA 50703. Phone: 319-234-9912  •  Email: DBQ208s3@arch.pvt.k12.ia.us

Posted 09.30.08   Last Update: 05.07.13

OUR COMMITMENT TO ADULT FORMATION
The Catholic parishes in Waterloo are committed to providing life-long faith formation and spiritual growth for adults of all ages. We value individual life experience, respect the diversity of personal convictions, and welcome the wisdom of every participant. We encourage conversation and dialogue. We will never intentionally embarrass or offend participants.

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