The Matthew’s Men and Marthas & Marys faith-sharing programs are proud to welcome Fr. Pawel Tomczyk back to St. Matthew’s on May 18 for a discussion of the moral and theological issues surrounding the end of life, a subject of universal relevance. Following his time here at St. Matthew’s as a seminarian and transitional deacon and his ordination in 2015, Fr. Pawel went on to complete his graduate studies, earning a Ph.D. in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America. In addition to his responsibilities for the diocesan youth ministry and RCIA programs, Fr. Pawel is an Adjunct Professor of Moral Theology at Seton Hall’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. With the advance of technology and modern secularism, death is often stripped of its spiritual meaning. And yet, for Christians throughout the centuries death has represented the defining moment of human existence. Fr. Pawel’s presentation will argue that moral decisions surrounding death matter and that our choices in the hour of serious illness are essential to the experience of dying well. The topics discussed will include: Christian and secular definitions of death, the use of sedatives, the prolongation of life, withdrawal of nutrition and hydration, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide (PAS), and the Christian tradition of ars moriendi (dying well). Please mark your calendars to join us for breakfast, Fr. Pawel’s talk and what promises to be a “lively” Q&A session!