END OF LIFE issues and pastoral care of those who are dying will be explored at this year’s Diocesan Health Care Day, which is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria.

Addressing the topic will be Father J. Daniel Mindling, OFM Cap, professor of moral theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and a consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Activities Committee. In addition to discussing “The Theological Basis of Catholic Health Care and End of Life Issues,” he will talk about the Vatican statement on artificial nutrition and hydration of patients in a persistent vegetative state and its implications for those involved in medical and pastoral care.

Those who attend the conference will also have two opportunities to hear from Robert Gilligan, director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois. His topics are “Legislative Issues and Catholic Health Care in the State of Illinois” and “Legislative Issues and Sustaining Catholic Health Care for the Future.”

Sponsored by the Diocesan Health Care Committee, the day begins with registration and a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. and closes at 3:30 p.m.

ACCORDING to Msgr. Mark Merdian, coordinator of the Diocesan Health Care Committee and pastor of St. Matthew’s Parish in Champaign, the conference will benefit physicians, nurses, medical staffs and pastoral care workers as well as priests and deacons.

“Every year we do this as a way of updating people on the health care issues of the day. Everyone is included,” he told The Catholic Post. “It is continuing education in Catholic health care teaching.”

Advance registration for the Diocesan Health Care Day is $25, which includes the keynotes, materials and lunch. Registration at the door is $30.
Registration forms can be found online at www.cdop.org. They may be mailed to: Diocesan Health Care Day, Office of Family Life, 419 N.E. Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603. Checks should be made payable to Catholic Diocese of Peoria.

For more information, call Jeanne Whalen in the Office of Family Life at (309) 671-1550.