Do you realize that the family is the cornerstone of society? In Catholic theology the human family is to be a reflection of the Trinity. However, many of the ills in society stem from problems within the family.
A high divorce rate, too many single parent, violent or dysfunctional families all have a bearing on the individual role in society. Science has proven there are direct correlations between poor family life and individual tendencies toward substance abuse, violence, prison or psychological illness.
The Church has recognized the state of the modern family and has developed a series of ministries to strengthen family life. Here at SJV, family life ministries include young adult and marriage preparation programs which provide a solid foundation for family life. Classes on parenting skills, "Ten Great Dates" and other programs help strengthen family growth. There are also support groups and programs for grieving or divorced families or marriages in crisis.
Rudy and Katrina Villarreal lead the Family Life Committee. If your family needs help or if you wish to show your Attitude of Gratitude by assisting other families, contact Rudy or Katrina at 512-402-8055.
More than 80% of the 2 million people who die in the USA each year die in some kind of institution:
Hospital Emergency room
Nursing homes Critical care units
Who makes the medical decision when your loved one can’t? How do you know what decision to make? Is it the right moral decision?
We have a duty to “preserve” life. Though the duty is not absolute for we may reject life-”prolonging” procedures that are deemed insufficiently beneficial or excessively burdensome to the patient, Catholics and Catholic institutions are not morally obligated to pursue that procedure.
What does this language mean?
“Ordinary” (proportionate) care is basic care which all humans need to live: hydration, nutrition and shelter
“Extraordinary” (disproportionate) care are medical devices, interventions for maintaining organs’ function, ventilation, dialysis, heart/lung machines.
Palliate Care: medical care that is used to control a patient’s pain level. It neither prolongs life nor causes death.
Hospice Care: a coordinated program of palliative and supportive services provided to dying persons or people with incurable diseases and their families.
When is it ACCEPTABLE to withhold extraordinary treatment?
Patient is terminal
Death is imminent and unavoidable
Burdens outweigh the benefits to the patient
Nutrition and hydration are not morally obligatory when it brings no comfort to the patient who is imminently dying and when the body can not assimilate it.
Advance Directive Living Will:
Signed statement that attempts to predict your preferences in future medical situations that you cannot foresee.
Medical Power of Attorney:
Person (agent) to make health care decisions for the person who executes it when that person is certified by the doctor as being unable to make their own health care decisions.
Do Not Resuscitate:
Directive to EMS and other health care providers not to resuscitate outside of a hospital setting.
(Sources: Diocese of Austin; Usccb Directives; Texas Catholic Conference)
Do not Resuscitate, Medical Power of Attorney forms MUST be from the State of Texas
Increasing reliance on the death penalty diminishes us and is a sign of growing disrespect for human life. We cannot overcome crime by simply executing criminals, nor can we restore the lives of the innocent by ending the lives of those convicted of their murders. The death penalty offers the tragic illusion that we can defend life by taking life.
Those who commit terrible, violent crimes must be incarcerated, both as just punishment and in order to protect society. The Bishops of Texas stand in solidarity with victims and their loved ones.
· However, when it comes to matters of life and death, morality and a common sense call for justice, mercy, and for careful safeguards.
· Showing mercy does not mean neglecting the administration of justice but it does mean exhibiting compassion toward all of our brothers and sisters, and providing them with an opportunity for atonement and rehabilitation.
· The criminal justice system should work to foster a justice that focuses on reconciliation, and if possible, encourages the re-integration of the condemned person into society. (Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops www.TXcatholic.org)
Catholic Social Teaching:
Each of us is called to respect the life and dignity of every human being.
We must recognize that dignity is a gift from God and not something that is earned or lost through behavior.
Christ calls us to protect life, practice mercy and reject vengeance.
Jesus reminds us in (Jn 8:1-11) to be cautious in judging others and to have hope in the possibility of reform and redemption as in the case of refusing to stone the woman for adultery.
The pursuit of the common good is linked directly to the defense of human life.
(A Culture of Life and the Death Penalty; USCCB, 2005)
One the Respect Life table in the Narthex is some facts and resources on the death penalty.
The Round Rock Area Serving Center has kicked off the 2010 Coats for Kids project. Their goal is to collect 6,000 coats for children enrolled in the RRISD Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The Collection period is from September 1 thru October 15 and distribution will be November 6 at Dell Diamond. Please donate new or gently used coats at RRASC located at 1099 E. Main St. or donate $10.00 for a new coat. Send a check payable to RRASC and mail it to P.O Box 5006, Round Rock, TX 78683-5006.
Adult volunteers please contact: cynthia_ a_flores @yahoo.com
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are cells that have the potential to become many different kinds of cells. They are the means by which cells in the body can be replenished.
There are three broad classes of stem cells:
Embryonic
Adult
Reprogrammed
Embryonic Stem Cells:
Human embryonic stem cells are obtained by the destruction of human embryos that are between three and 6 days old. These primitive stem cells are able to produce all of the cell types found in the mature human body.
Adult Stem Cells:
Adult stem cells are found in a specific type of tissue (whether in an older embryo, a fetus, or a mature individual. These adult stem cells are thought to be more limited, making only the types of cells appropriate to the tissue in which that reside.
Reprogrammed Stem Cells:
Found in the adult body these “somatic” cells can be reprogrammed to a state very similar to a human embryonic stem cell. They are not identical to embryonic stem cells but they are functional equivalents when transferred to early embryos, both cell types are able to produce all of the cells of the mature body.
What does the Catholic Church say about stem cell research?
In the Instruction from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,Donum Vitae, that the “human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception and therefore from that moment his or her rights as a person must be recognized.” (I,1)
The Church indeed is opposed to embryonic stem cell research because it kills the human embryo from whom the stem cells are extracted. However, the Church supports research on adult stem cells extracted from a born person that are found in bone marrow, umbilical-cord blood, in the pulp in baby teeth, inside nasal passages, on the skin and in other places within the body. The reprogramming of stem cells is not supported as it requires using an animal egg to start the process of cloning and the animal egg is given a kind of ‘DNA transplant’ using human DNA. This mixing of human DNA and a bit of animal DNA is “ offense against the dignity of human beings on account of mixture of human and animal genetic elements capable of disrupting the specific identity of man.”
Sources: Catholic Update; Our Sunday Visitor; The National Catholic Bioethics Center; USCCB)an offense