CHARLOTTE — The Order of Malta Charlotte Region hosted an end-of-life workshop Oct. 13 at St. Matthew Church.
The free event featured guest speakers Father Jeffrey Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Lancaster, S.C.; Kathy Schmugge, Family Life Director for the Diocese of Charleston, S.C.; and Michael Acquilano, an attorney who serves as director of the S.C. Catholic Conference for the Diocese of Charleston.
Attendees explored real-life scenarios and discussed Church teaching on end-of-life care and the legal and moral considerations faithful Catholics need to know.
They also received books and other information about end-of-life topics, including Father Kirby’s new book “We are the Lord’s – A guide to difficult end-of-life decisions,” the ”I am the Resurrection and the Life” booklet from the Diocese of Syracuse, a booklet on end-of-life issues from the Defense of the Faith Committee of the Federal Association of the Order of Malta, and sample printouts of the National Catholic Bioethics Center Advance Directive Form and Healthcare Proxy form as well as other resources. A question-and-answer session followed before Father Pat Hoare, pastor of St. Matthew Church, closed the workshop with a brief summary and closing prayer.
— Photo provided by Jackie Gallagher