Aging with Grace

Terri Schauf has been the Respect Life Coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth since July of 2017. Prior to her role with the Diocese, she worked as the Education Coordinator for Texans for Life Coalition and the Catholic Pro-Life Community of North Texas. Believing that education is vital for building a Culture of Life, Terri’s pro-life work since 2001 has been primarily focused on teaching others why we are pro-life as Catholics and what it means to be pro-life. Prior to her pro-life work, Terri was a teacher. Terri and her husband, Tim, met at the North Texas March for Life in 2006, and they have two children.

As we age, we have more time to reflect on what we have learned – what God has taught us – about the real meaning and purpose of our lives. Yes, we may lose some of our physical strength and abilities, but we can gain new abilities to relate to the Lord and help others do so as well. Our Catholic faith helps us retain and even increase the things that can bring us satisfaction and happiness: Spiritual, Physical, Social and Intergenerational. In a separate session, Fr. Demma will also respond to your questions about Catholic teaching and the sacraments as they relate to aging, dying and death.

Father Jonathan Demma is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Wichita Falls. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 2018.

Gain an overview of how our Catholic teaching informs us with respect to medical decisions and treatment. What are we obligated to do to preserve one’s health? How can medicine continue to care even when it cannot cure? Learn about Catholic advance directives and other resources that can guide us in our roles as patients and family members.

Courtney E. Taylor, JD, MS is a health law attorney and bioethicist. She received her undergraduate degree from Thomas Aquinas College and earned her juris doctorate magna cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law. She has a certificate in health care ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center and a master’s in bioethics from the University of Mary. She and her husband attend St. Mary the Virgin.

This highly interactive session uses photographs, personal reflection and sharing to guide participants toward formally articulating their legacy. Resources will be provided to assist in continuing the conversation with family members and advisors.

Renée Underwood, CFRE has served in stewardship, development and Catholic foundation management roles for dioceses since 2009. She currently has responsibility for fund development for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, its parishes, schools and ministries as Chief Development Officer of the Advancement Foundation. Prior to her nonprofit career, she served in advertising, marketing and executive management roles. Ms. Underwood holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas and has completed additional graduate studies toward a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. Ms. Underwood is a widow, a mother and grandmother. She is a spiritual director, a Dame Commander with Star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and president-elect of Fort Worth Serra Club.

An introduction to the basics of estate planning, including why it’s so important to make a plan, how to choose the right individuals to serve as your successor trustees and healthcare agents, planning for your blended family, and the delicate task of passing on your wealth to your children and grandchildren while also leaving a legacy for your parish or a favorite Catholic ministry.

Ross Griffith, JD was raised and attended school in Fort Worth through high school and returned there after earning a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University in 1985 and a law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in 1988. He is a partner at Griffith, Jay & Michel and practices law in Tarrant and surrounding counties. He concentrates his practice on probate, guardianship, estate planning, business and increasingly in contested matters in these areas. He is a parishioner at St. Andrew.

Jenna M. Lusk, JD is an associate at Kelly Hart & Hallman in the firm’s Estate Planning and Probate section. Her experience includes structuring and preparing a variety of estate planning documents to assist clients, including complex wills, irrevocable trusts, revocable trusts, special needs trusts, and marital property agreements. Ms. Lusk’s practice also includes assisting clients with guardianship proceedings, formation of non-profit entities, and a wide range of probate administration proceedings. Ms. Lusk earned her J.D. with a concentration in Estate Planning from Texas A&M University School of Law. She graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in Philosophy. She is a parishioner at St. Patrick Cathedral.