A public event Oct. 22 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon was part of the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan (CHAS) convention. “From Death into Life: Finding Reasons for Our Hope” featured a panel discussion by (l-r): Amanda Achtman, Dr. Leonie Herx, and Dr. Mary Heilman, as well as a time of prayer. (Photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
The 2024 CHAS convention “Awaking Dignity: Relationship at the Heart of Care” was held Oct. 22 and 23 at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon, including an evening of reflection and prayer open to the public.
Panelists Amanda Achtman, Dr. Leonie Herx, MD, PhD, FCPC (PC), and Dr. Mary Heilman, PhD, spoke during the evening event, entitled
“From Death into Life: Finding Reasons for Our Hope.”
Convention keynote speakers included palliative care physician Herx who presented “You Matter – Enhancing Dignity & Human Flourishing through Palliative Care“, theologian and author Dr. Josephine Lombardi, PhD, who spoke on “Redemptive Suffering,” as well as on “Spiritual First Aid” and Sr. Cindy Lewans of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, MTS, MRE, BEd., who presented “Our True Identity and Dementia.”
Breakout sessions during the convention included: “It Starts with Me: Grassroots Participation in Palliative Care” with C. Philomena Ojukwu, Anna Maria Buhr, Jacqueline Saretsky, and Dr. Mary Heilman and Mental Health Ministry: Fostering Communities of Hope with Myron Rogal, Dr. Christine Taylor, Deacon Eric Gurash, and Fr. Andre Lalach.
Saskatchewan Bishops attending various sessions throughout the convention included Saskatoon Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Prince Albert Bishop Stephen Hero, Regina Archbishop Donald Bolen, and Bishop Michael Smolenski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon.
The convention also included prayer, AGM, a blessing of the board of directors, and the presentation of awards to Dr. Bruce Berscheid who was recognized with the CHAS Mission Award for outstanding service and his decades of commitment to Catholic health care, and to Barb Berscheid who received the Moola-Freer Award which honours those who serve with compassion in palliative care, for her many years supporting and volunteering at the St. Paul’s Hospital palliative care unit.
Dr. Josephine Lombardi, PhD, of St. Augustine’s Seminary, Ontario, spoke about redemptive suffering. (Photo by Louis Oliver, CHAS)
Leaders shared insights during CHAS convention sessions. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert presents the homily at Mass during the CHAS convention. (Photo by Louis Oliver, CHAS)
CHAS Award Recipients 2024
Photo from left to right: Corey Miller, President and CEO of Emmanuel Health; Archbishop Donald Bolen of Regina; Dr. Bruce Berscheid (CHAS Mission Award recipient); Barb Berscheid (Moola-Freer Award recipient), Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert; and Cameron Choquette, Chair of the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan board of directors. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Stephen Hero of Prince Albert was welcomed to CHAS by board chair Cameron Choquette during the 2024 convention. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Bishop Michael Smolinski of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saskatoon was welcomed to CHAS by board chair Cameron Choquette during the 2024 convention. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Photo Gallery – LINK
Representatives from across Saskatchewan attended the 2024 CHAS convention held Oct. 22 and 23 in Saskatoon. (Photo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
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