Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Parishes on Palliative Care

Families, friends, parish communities and health care professionals, together, all play an important role to care for and accompany those in need of palliative care that recognizes the dignity of the human person. As such, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops have developed a program called Horizons of Hope that offers a toolkit to empower and educate those interested in learning about the most recent approaches to compassionate palliative and end of life care.

The Horizons of Hope program will help parishioners, caregivers, and family members facing a terminal illness learn more about palliative care and come together in community to understand palliative care from theological, ethical, and medical perspectives. In addition to gaining new knowledge, parishes are encouraged to work together to develop a plan for building a caring parish community.

The program will be offered weekly at four parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto throughout the month of November (see schedule below). The modules within the program are led by Dr. Moira McQueen PhD, Sr. Mary Rowell, PhD and Shirley Christo, MHSc, MEd, Parish Nurse. The learning and discussions address themes such as understanding the dying process, discernment and decision-making at the end of life, accompaniment and the importance of building Compassionate Caring Communities.

In partnership with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto, the following parishes will be offering the program:

Horizons of Hope Schedule – Archdiocese of Toronto

EAST
St. Gregory the Great Parish
214 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON
Thursday, November 3, 10, 17, 24 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Registration: https://hohstgo.eventbrite.ca/

Precious Blood Parish
1737 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, ON
Wednesday, November 9, 16, 23 & 30 from 8 to 10 p.m.
Registration: please email the parish office at: office@preciousblood.ca

WEST
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
2473 Thorn Lodge Drive, Mississauga, ON
Thursday, November 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Registration: https://stfrancisofassisimi.archtoronto.org/

CENTRAL
Holy Rosary Parish
345 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, ON
Tuesday November 22, 29, December 6, 13 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Registration: please call the Holy Rosary office at (416) 923-8471

Please note that more parish locations will be added in 2023.

Project development and management is supported by ShareLife funds.