From Oct. 3 to 5, Permanent Deacons of the Archdiocese of Toronto together with their wives, gathered for the 12th Tri-Annual Coming Together Reunion at Nottawasaga Inn in Alliston, Ont.

The theme of the weekend was H.O.P.E. and was made up of these words:

• Helping: the call to serve and not to be served
• Our: refers to the people who the Holy Spirit places in our path
• People: includes all regardless of faith, background or past
• Everywhere: reminds us that the Church is to be a field hospital, going where the wounds are

In this we carry Christ’s H.O.P.E. into every corner of human need.

The focus was MAiD in Canada: Key Concerns for Deacons and Their Ministry.

The weekend consisted of four talks from speakers from different organizations centered around the subject of MAiD. The first talk was given by Owen Connolly, Executive Director, and Patricia Murphy, Program Director for the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. They provided an update on the legislation and how it has expanded well beyond its original intent, now including mental illness and non-terminal conditions.

The next three talks addressed who “Our People” are. They spoke of how the elderly, disabled, poor and mentally ill are at serious risk of being considered “better off dead.” They spoke of how their work, their agencies, walked with those who feel forgotten or burdensome, upholding their God given dignity when society does not.

The speakers were:

• Fr. Matt Durham, National Executive Director of Hospice Palliative Care at St. Elizabeth Foundation, who recently launched the National Centre for Equity in End-of-Life Care, dedicated to advancing access, advocating for system change, and promoting dignity for those too often left behind.
  
  
• Eileen Henderson a restorative justice leader, who works with Restorative Justice Housing Ontario and the Dismas Fellowship. She along with two of our deacons, Paul Bar and Kevin Daudlin described how people who had spent time in the prison system, should be given the dignity they deserve and not discarded.
  
  
• John Guido, a member of L’Arche for 40 years, is the Development and Programs Coordinator in L’Arche Toronto. In his session he explored how we can embrace a deeper communion with our brothers and sisters with disabilities so that we can help alleviate their suffering and welcome them as full members of our communities.

Along with time for socializing and interacting with the members of the Diaconate Community, the deacons and their wives spent time together in prayer. The Closing Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, who spoke on the need for an ever-deepening faith, so that we can respond with courage and accompaniment – and not condemnation. The Cardinal also led the Renewal of Commitment to Service by the deacons and support by their wives.

An inspiring, thought-provoking weekend was enjoyed by all.