Cardinal Raymond Burke to Keynote Upcoming Conference on Catholic Care of the Disabled and Dying
Contact: Megan Morris, St. Gianna Physician's Guild, 888-368-8586, info@stgiannaphysiciansguild.org
SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- St. Gianna Physician's Guild announced today, the feast of St. Gianna, that this summer they will be hosting a conference addressing the "Culture of Death" as it relates to end of life. The conference will be held in Kansas City, KS on July 23, 2011 and is entitled: "Being Faithful, Even Unto Death" (cf Revelation 2:10): Catholic wisdom on the treatment of the disabled and dying.
This prestigious conference will include two very special guests in the lineup of speakers. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, the youngest daughter of St. Gianna Molla. It will be her first visit to the United States. Her mother was canonized in 2004 and is widely known for having opted for a risky operation that preserved the life of her child in the womb when she was two months pregnant with Gianna Emanuela. She and her two siblings represent the first time in the history of the Church that a saint was canonized while her children were still living. Other speakers include Dr. Austin Welsh, a Geriatric Specialist; Mr. Peter Breen, Executive Director of the Thomas More Society; and both siblings of Teri Schiavo, Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadamo, founders of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network.
"This is a very timely conference that we are honored to host in an effort to provide guidance and insight into the issues that affect all of us, namely issues surrounding the suffering and the dying," stated Thomas McKenna, Founder and President of St. Gianna Physician's Guild. "With the help of Cardinal Burke, we have assembled experts in all areas of medicine, law, and the Catholic Church to analyze and explain the proper and obligatory way to provide Catholic care to the most vulnerable and those who are dying," he added. The conference is of special interest to physicians, nurses, hospital directors, hospice care providers, attorneys and others who provide care and counsel for the disabled and dying and their families. Cardinal Burke stated, "This conference promises to provide an insightful and inspiring analysis which will greatly assist Catholics confronting the 'Culture of Death.' I encourage all to attend."
The day-long conference will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2011 and has the support and participation of both Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Kansas City, Kansas archdiocese and Bishop Robert Finn of the Kansas City - St. Joseph diocese. Cardinal Burke will also be celebrating a special Mass on Sunday in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri at 9:00 am followed by a reception at the Catholic Center located a few blocks away. The public is invited.
St. Gianna Physician's Guild was founded to unite and encourage Catholic physicians, as well as others in the health care profession, to promote and defend Catholic principles in a public way and to inspire sanctification in their lives.
For more information or to register go to www.defendingnaturaldeath.org. Space is limited.
Schedule
SAN DIEGO, April 28, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- St. Gianna Physician's Guild announced today, the feast of St. Gianna, that this summer they will be hosting a conference addressing the "Culture of Death" as it relates to end of life. The conference will be held in Kansas City, KS on July 23, 2011 and is entitled: "Being Faithful, Even Unto Death" (cf Revelation 2:10): Catholic wisdom on the treatment of the disabled and dying.
This prestigious conference will include two very special guests in the lineup of speakers. Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and Dr. Gianna Emanuela Molla, the youngest daughter of St. Gianna Molla. It will be her first visit to the United States. Her mother was canonized in 2004 and is widely known for having opted for a risky operation that preserved the life of her child in the womb when she was two months pregnant with Gianna Emanuela. She and her two siblings represent the first time in the history of the Church that a saint was canonized while her children were still living. Other speakers include Dr. Austin Welsh, a Geriatric Specialist; Mr. Peter Breen, Executive Director of the Thomas More Society; and both siblings of Teri Schiavo, Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadamo, founders of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network.
"This is a very timely conference that we are honored to host in an effort to provide guidance and insight into the issues that affect all of us, namely issues surrounding the suffering and the dying," stated Thomas McKenna, Founder and President of St. Gianna Physician's Guild. "With the help of Cardinal Burke, we have assembled experts in all areas of medicine, law, and the Catholic Church to analyze and explain the proper and obligatory way to provide Catholic care to the most vulnerable and those who are dying," he added. The conference is of special interest to physicians, nurses, hospital directors, hospice care providers, attorneys and others who provide care and counsel for the disabled and dying and their families. Cardinal Burke stated, "This conference promises to provide an insightful and inspiring analysis which will greatly assist Catholics confronting the 'Culture of Death.' I encourage all to attend."
The day-long conference will take place on Saturday, July 23, 2011 and has the support and participation of both Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Kansas City, Kansas archdiocese and Bishop Robert Finn of the Kansas City - St. Joseph diocese. Cardinal Burke will also be celebrating a special Mass on Sunday in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri at 9:00 am followed by a reception at the Catholic Center located a few blocks away. The public is invited.
St. Gianna Physician's Guild was founded to unite and encourage Catholic physicians, as well as others in the health care profession, to promote and defend Catholic principles in a public way and to inspire sanctification in their lives.
For more information or to register go to www.defendingnaturaldeath.org. Space is limited.
Schedule
7:30 – 8:30 Registration
8:30 Opening Remarks – Thomas McKenna, Founder and President of St. Gianna Physician’s Guild
8:45 Welcome – Archbishop Joseph Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
9:00 Dr. Brian Kopp
9:15 Raymond Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura
“The Mystery of Human Suffering and Dying”
10:00 Questions
10:15 Bobby Schindler & Suzanne Vitadamo, Brother & Sister of Terri Schiavo, Founders of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network
“How Many ‘Terri Schiavos’ are Dying Every Day in America?”
11:30 Rosary in the chapel led by Bishop Robert Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-Saint Joseph
12:00 Lunch
1:30 Austin Welsh, MD, Geriatric Specialist
“Case Studies at the End of Life: A Geriatrician’s Perspective”
2:15 Questions
2:30 Gianna Emanuela Molla, MD, Youngest daughter of St. Gianna
“The Life and Spirituality of My Mother, Saint Gianna, and the Legacy She Left Behind”
3:15 Questions
3:30 Afternoon Break
3:45 Peter Breen, Esquire, Executive Director of the Thomas More Society
“Defending Natural Death: Using the Law to Save Lives”
4:30 Questions
4:45 Closing Remarks, Thomas J. McKenna
5:30 Solemn Benediction with Raymond Cardinal Burke
6:00 Conclude
Note: On Sunday July 24, the diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph will host a special Mass celebrated by His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri at 9:00 am. The youngest daughter of St. Gianna Molla will be present and deliver some inspiring words about her mother following Mass. Several relics of St. Gianna will be displayed for public veneration and a special blessing will be given with a first class relic of the saint. A reception will follow at the Catholic Center located a few blocks from the cathedral at 20 West Ninth Street. All are invited.
