Pope Francis

Bishop Olson to discuss
end-of-life issues
En d-of-l i f e i s s u e s a r e
not usually a topic of
conversation for most
people. But hospice provider
VITAS Healthcare and Bishop
Michael Olson are teaming up
to bring that topic to the front of
people’s minds.
On Oct. 29, Bishop Olson, a
physician, and geriatric and social
work specialists will participate in
a roundtable discussion on why it’s
important to have “the hard talk”
about medical decisions at the end
of life, while doing so in a way that
values individuals’ faith and values.
“At the time of a health crisis
or inevitable decline is not the
time to learn whether your family
can come together in a productive
way to decide on your medical
decisions,” said Kathy Campell,
LCSW and manager of volunteers
and bereavement services at VITAS
of Fort Worth. “Bishop Olson will
have insight and guidance about
end of life medical procedures
that Catholics will find fascinating.
Come hear what he has to say
about this issue which affects each
one of us.”
“[Bishop’s] position advocates
for advance planning for end-oflife
wishes, as well as the need for
individuals to discuss wishes and
values with family, faith community,
and medical professionals,”
Campbell said in an email. “He
is a true believer that faith can
play an important role in forming
our values and leading us to make
decisions in advance of need, thus
sparing burdens of our family they
do not have to endure.”
“The Conversation: A Spiritual
Discussion in a Medical World” will
be held from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at
the Botanic Gardens Lecture Hall.
St. Andrew’s Breakfast
offers a look at religious life
by Donna Ryckeart
Correspondent
Several young men and their families
attended the monthly St. Andrew’s
breakfast hosted by the Vocations Office
after morning Mass at St. Patrick Cathedral
Aug. 14.
The breakfast allows for a relaxing atmosphere
where local seminarians, Bishop
Seminarian Rijo Philip (L) talks with a young
man and his family about life in the seminary.
Michael Olson, and clergy can spend time
in fellowship with young men discerning a
religious vocation. Family members are also
invited. The breakfast was named after St.
Andrew who first brought Peter to Jesus.
“The goal is to help deepen that
relationship with Christ and begin to
look at what God is asking of these men
in their lives,” said Father James Wilcox,
Director of Vocations.
Photo by Donna Ryckaert / NTC
Page 23 North Texas Catholic September / oCtober 2015