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MA Bishops Respond to MA Medical Society's Change in Position on Physician-Assisted Suicide
December 5, 2017
The Massachusetts Medical Society has changed its position on Physician-Assisted Suicide from one of opposition to one of neutrality. The society's governing board made this change last Friday after more than four hours of debate on the issue, according to an article appearing on masslive.com.
In response to this change, the Roman Catholic bishops of the four dioceses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have made the following statement through the Massachusetts Catholic Conference:
This past weekend the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) voted to alter their official position on the issue of Physician Assisted Suicide. A vote changing from a position of strongly opposed to Physician Assisted Suicide to one of neutrality is disappointing and sends the wrong message to the citizens of
Massachusetts. The disappointment is magnified given the fact that physicians are trained to care for the ill, not to hasten death. The Catholic Bishops of Massachusetts stand united in our strong opposition to Physician Assisted Suicide. It is an affront to life and a dangerous precedent for determining end of life issues.
For more information about the Church's position on Physician-Assisted Suicide, visit the Massachusetts Catholic Conference's page on the issue by clicking here.
With great sorrow, we announce the passing of Denise O. (Grondin) Cote, who peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on February 10th, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Denise's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home during calling hours on Wednesday, February 19th, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Francis Church. Following the Mass, the burial will take place at West Cemetery in Granby. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Dennis Louis Riel, 72, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Dennis' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A calling hour to honor Dennis' memory will be held on Monday, February 17th, from 9:00am -10:00am at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am at St. Francis Church, Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Veronica C. Shea (née Higgins), born April 7, 1941, in Holyoke, MA, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, in Springfield, MA. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Veronica's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be on February 6 from 4 PM to 7 PM at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple St. A Funeral Mass will be conducted on February 7 at 11 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 24 Jabish St in Belchertown, followed by her interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Gerald "Jerry" J. Millen, 84, passed away January 26, 2025. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Jerry's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, from 1-3 pm at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. Family and friends are invited to join the funeral procession on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 11 am to St. Francis of Assisi Church, where Jerry’s life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass at 12pm. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery at 2 pm. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Michael J. Lamoureux passed away on December 15, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Michael's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A celebration of Michael’s life will commence with a period of visitation on Monday, December 23, 2024, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Karol Wozniak Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Karol's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Visitation at Beers and Story Funeral Home, Belchertown, MA. Tuesday December 3rd 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A funeral mass will be held immediately following at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown, MA Burial to follow at Saint Stanislaus cemetery, Chicopee, MA
Frances E. (Wilson) Genereux, 89, passed away November 16, 2024, at River Mills Assisted Living in Chicopee. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Frances' soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Services will be held Friday, November 22, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown with a period of visitation from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. A funeral mass will be directly following visitation at 11:00 am. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Monica N. Ouellette of Belchertown was called home on October 12, 2024 at the age of 90. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Monica's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Services will be held Saturday, October 23, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Belchertown with a period of visitation from 9-10am. A funeral mass will be directly following visitation at 10:00 am. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Walter J. Miffitt, 85, died peacefully on September 23, 2024, at the Veterans' Home in Holyoke, MA. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Walter's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.
Donald "Don" R. Como, 91, passed away on October 3, 2024. Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May Donald's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belchertown. Click here for more information from Beers and Story Funeral Home.