Insights and Encounters

As Canada prepares to expand medical assistance in dying (MAiD) to include those suffering solely from mental illness, this final episode episode of the series explores some of the main themes and questions that have emerged over the first three conversations—questions about surrounding autonomy, vulnerability, and what it means to support a life worth living.

This conversation explores the heart of community, belonging, and presence, challenging the transactional views of care and highlighting the transformative power of hope and compassion. Join us as we welcome back Dr. Agnes Thomas, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto, to reflect on the themes of dignity, community, and radical hospitality at the center of these crucial discussions.

In this episode, we catch up with Kathy Matusiak Costa, Executive Director of Compassionate Community Care, an organization dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and accompanying elderly, sick, disabled, and vulnerable individuals—especially those feeling isolated or facing end-of-life decisions.

Kathy shares insights on the power of presence, the urgent need for community connection, and how simple acts of being with others can be life-affirming and even lifesaving. She also speaks to the challenges posed by current MAID legislation in Canada, the gaps in resources available for vulnerable populations, and how local communities and individuals can step up to offer hope and compassionate care.

Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation on collective responsibility, kindness, and creating a society where everyone knows they matter.

As Canada considers expanding medical assistance in dying (MAID) to include those struggling solely with mental illness, we sit down with Neil MacCarthy, Director of Public Relations and Communication for the Archdiocese of Toronto to discuss pressing questions about autonomy, vulnerability, and how we best support lives worth living.

Neil explores the core of the Help Not Harm campaign, reflects on the evolving landscape of end-of-life issues in Canada, and challenges us to deepen our culture of accompaniment and care—reminding us that, before offering someone death, we owe them presence, support, and hope.

Join us as we unpack what it truly means to create a society where dignity meets care and every life is valued.

In today's episode of Living is When Dignity Meets Care, we're joined by Dr. Ramona Coelho, a family physician from London, Ontario, whose practice centers on patients living with disability, poverty, mental health challenges, and other forms of vulnerability.

Dr. Coelho shares how her own biases and fears about suffering and disability were reshaped through life-changing relationships with her patients — and what that journey taught her about hope, healing, and dignity.

We trace her frontline perspective on Canada's evolving MAID legislation, from Bill C-14 to today's debates over expanding access to people facing mental illness, and ask what it will take — from governments and from each of us — to build a more inclusive, compassionate society.

In this final episode of the series, CCAT Executive Director,  Agnes Thomas, sits down with Stephen Hurley to review what we've heard in this series. 

Drawing from the variety of perspectives brought by our series guests—from Ignatian spirituality to simple moments of gratitude and wonder—they discuss the integral role of silence, relationship, and communal prayer in building resilience and hope in challenging times. 

For more information about CCAT, be sure to visit their website: https://ccat.ca

In this episode we catch up with Fr. Joe Schner, Jesuit priest and retired professor of psychology at Regis College, to explore Ignatian spirituality and the practice of finding God in all things.

Fr. Joe Schner shares insights from his personal journey and decades of spiritual direction, discussing how prayer evolves over a lifetime, the significance of imagination in Ignatian prayer, and the transformative power of the Examen.

Discover practical advice for deepening your own prayer life and learn how both structured and contemplative prayer can nurture awareness of God’s presence in everyday life.

For more information about CCAT, be sure to visit their website: https://ccat.ca

In this episode of we welcome Karina Nytko, the 2024 recipient of the CCAT Father Paul Lennon/Doreen Cullen Social Work Scholarship, and a social work student at York University.

Karina shares her powerful journey, reflecting on how finding faith and purpose radically changed her life—from growing up in foster care, to transformative experiences at World Youth Day in Portugal and the Jubilee pilgrimage in Italy.

Karina reveals how her understanding of prayer has shifted from a family tradition to a personal and intentional practice, and how hope, resilience, and forgiveness shape her life and her relationships.

For more information about CCAT, be sure to visit their website: https://ccat.ca

In this episode we are joined by Brother Emile of the Taizé community in France. We explore the essence and experience of prayer, delving into the power of silence, the importance of community, and how faith traditions can shape personal spirituality.

Brother Emile shares wisdom from his life in Taizé and offers practical advice for deepening one's prayer life through all seasons of the year.

Discover how simplicity, trust, and song can transform the way we connect with God and each other.

For more information about the Taizé community, visit: https://www.taize.fr
For more information about CCAT, be sure to visit their website: https://ccat.ca

In this episode, host Stephen Hurley welcomes Julia Kozak, a member of the Nisg'a Nation, artist, storyteller, and the first Indigenous person to design vestments for a pope.

Julia Kozak shares her journey of weaving together her Catholic and Indigenous roots, reflecting on the importance of prayer, gratitude, and relationality in her daily life.

Listen as she discusses the profound connections between spirituality, creation, and community, and offers gentle wisdom for those seeking new ways to approach their prayer life.

For more information about CCAT, be sure to visit their website: https://ccat.ca

In this episode we welcome the Reverend Dr. Glenn McCullough—an ordained Presbyterian minister, registered psychotherapist, and professor at Emmanuel and Knox Colleges in Toronto. We take a  deep dive into the transformative power of prayer, exploring how contemplative practices and vivid dream experiences have shaped Dr. McCullough’s spiritual journey and ministry.

The conversation spans childhood memories of bedtime prayers, the profound impact of meditation and yoga, integrating dreams into faith practices, and advice for those feeling spiritually dry or seeking new inspiration.

For more information about CCAT, be sure to visit our website: https://ccat.ca