'It's Never Too Late to Stand up for Life'
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APRIL 2016 THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN / 1 The generous How can Camp is Look who’s the lady of we help hitting the road 2-minute interview Lancaster in Ho? this summer this month page 5 page 9 page 10 page 11 A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL APRIL 2016 SERVING THE DIOCESE OF FREDERICTON ‘It’s never too late to stand up for life’ Anglicans, others Life Association, greeted the 50 “Why is the government people assembled and spoke of tempting the elderly and the support petition the need to act now. sick to take their own lives?” he against euthanasia “We want to initiate a con- asked. “We are living as if God versation as citizens of New doesn’t matter. Why? No one Brunswick with our local MPs,” says it, but what politicians like BY GISELE MCKNIGHT he said. “That conversation is about euthanasia is ….. money. well worth having. We sign it at “Seniors are expensive. They Anglican clergy joined dozens a critical moment in history. cost too much. But human be- of others — concerned citizens, “It’s never too late to stand up ings are worth more than any a former lieutenant-governor, a for life, regardless of what the amount of money,” he said. retired doctor, clergy of several parliamentarians might do.” Former judge and lieutenant- denominations, and members Bishop David spoke of the governor Graydon Nicholas of the New Brunswick Right to need to thoroughly examine spoke of his mother’s prayers for Life Association — at Cathedral the gravity of the issue and its his life when he was born two Memorial Hall Feb. 11 to sign effects. months prematurely. a petition against physician- “The basic ethical question is “God answered her prayers,” assisted death. ‘how should we live.’ We need to said the first native judge to pre- Among the Anglicans present pause and consider the implica- side in New Brunswick and the were Bishop David Edwards, re- tions of this act and ask, ‘is this province’s first native lieutenant- tired Bishop Bill Hockin, Arch- how we want to live?’” governor. deacon Patricia Drummond, the He cited information from As a Catholic, he has respect- Rev. Canon Kevin Stockall, the medical professionals in his ed the church’s teaching that all Rev. Canon Keith Osborne, and parishes in the UK who worked life — from womb to tomb — is the Rev. Gerry Laskey. MCKNIGHT PHOTO in palliative care, which he sacred. A year ago, the Supreme sees as the viable alternative to For more than 20 years, Court of Canada, in a unani- Bishop David Edwards signs the petition in support of a Declaration physician-assisted death. first as a judge and then the mous decision, struck down the of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide on Feb. 11 at Cathedral Memorial “Palliative care is low on our province’s head of government, law that forbids assisted suicide, Hall in Fredericton. The declaration was released by the Evangelical priorities here, and in some ways “my voice was silent,” he said. and has directed Parliament Fellowship of Canada and the Canadian Conference of Catholic has led us to where we are now,” But now both he and his wife, to address this gap by writing Bishops. he said. Elizabeth, are members of the regulations that would presum- The Rev. Dr. Karl Csaszar, N.B. Right To Life Association ably enable physician-assisted the Canadian Conference of signed Thursday supports this pastor of Skyline Acres Bap- advisory board. suicide. Catholic Bishops have released a declaration. tist Church, spoke of seeing He compared medications Since then, the Evangeli- Declaration on Euthanasia and Peter Ryan, executive director the evaporation of God in our cal Fellowship of Canada and Assisted Suicide. The petition of the New Brunswick Right to society. “Life” continued on page 2 Prayer works! Colin Ranson recovering well from brain surgery in Texas BY GISELE MCKNIGHT The Rothesay couple chose would cover any cost. Texas Children’s Hospital, That news kick-started a mas- The lead-up to surgery for Colin a centre of excellence for treat- sive campaign in the Diocese of Ranson had all the plot twists of ment of Colin’s rare disease, Fredericton that ultimately saw a Hollywood movie, but in the Pallister-Hall Syndrome, which about $170,000 raised, much of end, the two-year-old is almost was the source of a benign it from parish efforts near and free of seizures. tumour-like growth deep inside far. Just before Christmas, the The Rev. Paul and Kim his brain called a Hypothalamic New Brunswick government an- Ranson, their sons, Colin and Hamartoma. Fewer than 500 nounced it would partially fund Isaac, 3, and Kim’s parents were children in the world have this the treatment. in Houston, Texas for two weeks condition. Since then, diocesan parishes in early March for Colin’s laser In November, Colin’s parents have had Colin high on their brain surgery. The procedure announced a fundraising effort prayer lists, never more so than SUBMITTED PHOTO was necessary to blast a tumour because the surgery and related recently during his time in the that had been causing multiple costs would be $200,000. It was Colin Ranson, 2, at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. gelastic seizures every day. unknown whether medicare “Colin” continued on page 2 2 / THE NEW BRUNSWICK ANGLICAN APRIL 2016 d i o c e s a n n e w s Fever almost derailed Colin’s March 4 brain surgery “Colin” continued from page 1 The next morning, the fever “We are doing some small was gone, but with only 24 hours day trips — to the aquarium, to Texas hospital. until surgery, the decision of a mall — but mostly we are stay- During the week of Feb. 29, whether or not to proceed was a ing close to home to let Colin Colin underwent pre-op tests, big one. rest and eat!” including an EEG, blood work, By Thursday evening, the As of March 10, there had MRI and PET scans, as well as anaesthetic team had approved been one seizure in a boy used doctors’ appointments. But it was the surgery, but the neuro team to having upwards of a few doz- Wednesday, March 2, when it was unsure. A chest X-ray later en a day. became apparent that the Friday, that night was clear, which “We were told that it’s normal March 4 surgery was threatened prompted the green light, much for seizures to resume following by a fever, possible infection, to Paul and Kim’s relief. surgery. They called this a run- persistent cough and an elevated “Surgery day was actually down period and they compared white blood cell count. easier than the Wednesday Colin it to a train that was running However, his parents’ reaction had the fever,” said Paul. “They at full tilt. Even if the engine to this complication was not as took Colin at about 8 a.m.; we was shut off it will still coast for you might expect. were reunited at 1 or so. The kilometres. “I was obviously concerned, staff was amazing at keeping us “Kim and I thought he might but I experienced a real peace posted with how Colin was do- have had one the other night, and calm during the travel to ing and at what stage they were but it was so short and wimpy by emergency, and the whole time at in the procedure.” comparison to his normal seiz- we were there,” said Paul. By Saturday, March 5, the day ures that we think it was more “One of the members of my SUBMITTED PHOTO after surgery, Colin was ready to likely a genuine giggle than a Ignatian Group sent me a letter be released from hospital, a far gelastic seizure.” containing a description of a Colin Ranson, 2, plays with a toy jet and airport earlier this year in cry from the three-month re- The future looks bright for prayer time for Colin. In it was a preparation for his flight to Texas for brain surgery. covery time for traditional brain Colin as he recovers. powerful image of Jesus delight- surgery done in Canada. “If he has achieved seizure ing in our taking Colin to him “Colin is being medicated freedom, or reduction, the sur- for care. Kimberly reminded me that over Facebook, with amazing with a strong steroid to prevent gery will be deemed a success,” “That image, along with whether it happened on the 4th results. swelling, as well as antibiotics as said Paul. “At the moment, it the assurance of prayers of so or later on, it was in accord- “We were blown away by the a preventative measure following appears that he is free from the many people — back home ance with God’s plan for Colin. support shown to us on Face- surgery,” said Paul. “The result is seizures. If that is the case, the and around the globe — truly His speedy recovery was so book,” said Paul. “I am especially that he is ravenously hungry all hamartoma will no longer be a uplifted us in that time. awesome. It was a truly graced thankful for those who shared the time. He is also tired, so we concern to him.” “Later that night and into the event.” the prayer request — I think it are awake with him at odd times At press time, the Ransons next day, I was really wanting That Wednesday night, the reached over 30,000. It was such for feedings or for administering had planned to fly home March the surgery to go ahead, but call for urgent prayer went out an encouragement to us.” medication.