Educating ourselves and others on end of life topics is especially important as we will all face such issues at some point in our lives and in the lives of family members. There are many existing resources available (see below). The WSCC will be adding other materials on these subjects, including:

• Bulletin inserts
• Brochures
• Prayer card
• Video

The goal is to assist people in making good decisions when faced with questions of treatment and care for vulnerable patients at the end of life.

It is equally important to provide spiritual support and comfort to both patients and their families during these stressful times.

For helpful resources, go to the following websites:

• A Guide to Making Good Decisions for the End of Life: Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.  In English;  En Español  This booklet is a practical resource to assist Catholics in making choices about health care decisions for the end of life.  It provides an overview of Catholic teachings on end-of-life decision-making as well as "living will" and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care forms.   The booklet can be ordered from WSCC.  Click on link to download an order form. 
• Palliative and End-of-Life Care information is available through the Supportive Care Coalition website at http://www.supportivecarecoalition.org
• Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide are addressed in the Vatican's "Declaration on Euthanasia" (1980). Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
  http://www.usccb.org/prolife/tdocs/euthanasia.shtml
• Statement on Euthanasia, 1991, by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (now USCCB) can be found at         http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/euthanas/euthnccb.shtml
• “Comfort and Consolation: Care of the Sick and Dying,” a Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of Maryland can be found at http://www.mdcathcon.org/endoflife
• Frequently Asked Questions About Comfort & Consolation, from the Maryland Catholic Conference, can be found at
  http://www.mdcathcon.org/main.asp?page=1123