Despite winter’s bitter cold, more than 50 participants gathered on two consecutive Saturday mornings in January to take part in Horizons of Hope, a diocesan formation program on palliative care for Catholic parishes. Held at the diocesan offices in downtown Montreal, the sessions brought together a broad cross-section of the local Church: parishioners, priests, members of religious and consecrated life, and individuals involved in accompanying the sick and homebound.

Participants shared that they were motivated to attend in order to deepen their understanding of the Christian vision of life and death, and to explore palliative care as a humane, compassionate, and spiritually grounded approach to end-of-life accompaniment. Ten years after the legalization of euthanasia in Quebec—known as Medical Assistance in Dying—this reality now affects many people, directly or indirectly, making such formation especially timely.

Developed in 2021 by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in collaboration with palliative care specialists and experts in theology and medical ethics, the Horizons of Hope program pursues three main objectives: to present Catholic teaching on end-of-life care from theological, pastoral, medical, and ethical perspectives; to raise awareness of the importance of palliative care and how to access it; and to equip participants with practical tools to navigate complex end-of-life situations.

The four modules were facilitated by Ellen Roderick, Director of the Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life, and Family. Each session combined prayer, personal reflection on Scripture, short teaching videos, and guided small-group discussions. Participants particularly appreciated the program’s thoughtful balance between theological reflection, practical exchange, and communal prayer.

The modules explored four key themes: understanding the human experience of death and dying; discernment and decision-making at the end of life; accompanying those who are dying; and supporting one another within a community of care, especially within the parish.

Archbishop Christian Lépine warmly welcomed participants, noting that he had hoped to offer this formation for many years. He invited everyone to reflect on how the diocese can better respond to the needs of those who are suffering and approaching the end of life. He also emphasized the importance of supporting families, observing, “When you care for the family, you also care for the person who is ill,” and reminding participants that loved ones are often the primary caregivers.

Each morning concluded with a question-and-answer session with a Catholic physician. The diocese extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Laurence Normand-Rivest and Dr. Cathy Ferrier for their generous availability, as well as for the clarity and compassion with which they addressed participants’ questions.

At the conclusion of the program, many participants expressed gratitude for a formation that brought clarity to an extremely sensitive and complex subject. Others highlighted the value of experiencing the program together, in person, as a faith community. The sessions concluded with a blessing from Archbishop Lépine, who encouraged participants to carry this vision of human dignity into their families and parishes.

It is his hope that Horizons of Hope will be offered in the coming year throughout the various deaneries of the diocese. Several participants have already expressed interest in helping to bring the program to their own parishes and pastoral regions, with the support of the Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life, and Family.

A similar formation on the Christian meaning of end-of-life care will be offered in English on two consecutive Saturdays, February 28 and March 7. Further details will be announced shortly. Additional information about Horizons of Hope is available on the program’s dedicated webpage.

For information about implementing Horizons of Hope in your parish, please speak with your pastor and contact Ellen Roderick at the Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life, and Family at 514-925-4300, ext. 287, or at centredmvf@diocesemontreal.org. We also invite you to consult the “Ethics and End of Life” playlist on the diocesan YouTube channel, which features conferences and testimonies on human dignity and compassionate accompaniment at life’s final stages.

Ellen Roderick, PhD
Director
Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life and Family