Sooner or later, God will call all of us home.
But for those who are facing the imminent death of a loved one or their own mortality, this can be a confusing time. If you need help sorting through the confusion, or just want to be able to help those who might come to you with questions, tune in to “EWTN Theology Roundtable: End of Life Issues.” (Airs 10 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 11; 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, March 13; and 5 a.m. ET, Thursday, March 15.)
“What choices are moral and what choices are immoral?” asks EWTN’s Vice President of Theology Colin Donovan, who hosts the show. “We wanted to give the Church’s teaching on it so people will be prepared to deal with it in their own lives and the lives of their loved ones.”
The show takes a case approach: Someone is dying. What is permitted? What’s not? Who gets to decide? What is obligatory ordinary care and what is optional care?
Says Donovan: “Are we obliged to do chemotherapy? Fly across the country for treatment? Take a drug that only has a 30 percent chance of working? What is obligatory and what can we forego? We got into what Pope John Paul II said about nutrition and hydration. Can that be withdrawn?”
In addition to Donovan and selected members of EWTN’s theology staff, the roundtable includes a pastoral discussion with EWTN Chaplain Father Joseph Mary.
“The end of life is often a time for many graces, for deepening a person’s conversion to prepare for eternity,” Father Joseph said. “In addition to inviting family and calling a priest, you can also pray with that person – assist them with your prayers and with your presence. Often, God’s grace is very active at this time so people are more open to the sacraments and, in some cases, to returning to the Church.”
Due to time constraints, Father Mary said he wasn’t able to tell a story he’d been hoping to share, so the following is an exclusive for “Wings” readers! Father said an EWTN employee asked if he would call a friend in California who was dying of brain cancer. During the call, the man said to Father Joseph, “I’ve been away from the Church for 38 years. Do you think God could forgive me?” Father Joseph said, “Of course, He will welcome you with open arms!” The man then said this line to Father, which he has never forgotten: “We never look up until we’re flat on our backs!”
Of course, EWTN’s viewers and employees know how important it is to “look up” while we can. That’s what EWTN is all about. For those who want more information about end-of-life issues and how to suffer well, all of which will help you “look up,” Father Joseph recommends the following resources:
EWTN’s “End of Life Decisions” mini-site: http://bit.ly/zgGpO9. In addition to a Q&A about such decisions, the site contains links to a Health Care Proxy form and an Advance Directive. But Donovan cautions that you must consult with an attorney since state laws differ and can override such forms – not something you want to have to deal with during such a crucial time in your loved ones life. Use this as a guideline of the kinds of things that should be part of such documents
Divine Mercy Devotion mini-site: http://bit.ly/wsjweT. Dr. Joseph says this is a very powerful prayer to say with loved ones, especially those who are terminally ill, since there are many wonderful promises associated with it.
Letter of Pope John Paul II on the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering, Salvifici Doloris. Find it here: http://bit.ly/y629Q8.
Preparation for Death, a book on the teaching of St. Alphonus Ligouri. Get it here: http://bit.ly/AdKjaF.
Suffering and What To Do With It, a DVD with Father Benedict Groeschel and Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, answers questions we all ask after losing a loved one. Get it here: http://bit.ly/wyy3NI.
Heaven: Classic Talks By Mother Angelica: This seven-hour series on four DVDs will lift your spirits with its discussion about heaven, our true home. Get it here: http://bit.ly/yNvn7Z.
God bless you on your journey Family!
Also, new this week on EWTN Home Video
The 4 Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell: A five-part miniseries on the Catholic Church’s doctrine and teachings about the Four Last Things. Fr. Wade Menezes, CPM, focuses on the differences between the Particular Judgment and the Last Judgment; the Church's teaching on Heaven ; the chief characteristics of the risen, glorified, and transfigured human body; the existence of hell; and growing nearer to God. Get it here: http://bit.ly/wEw66R.
Catholic Morality and the Catechism: What the Church believes, celebrates, lives, and prays! This series is presented by the late theologian and gifted teacher, Msgr. William Smith, S.T.D. A special feature is its emphasis on the Catechism as the perfect reference tool for answering any and all questions about the Faith. Get it here: http://bit.ly/yHZbYw.>
