Provincial Convention 2005: 58th BC/YK Convention

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

The BC & Yukon Catholic Women’s League of Canada held their 58th Annual Provincial Convention, May 25 – 29, 2005 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Westbank, BC hosted by the Nelson Diocesan Council. Pat Battensby, Provincial President chaired the Convention. It was well-attended from all Provincial Dioceses – over 230 members and delegates.

The national CWL theme, “Companions on the Journey” and the provincial CWL theme, “Contemplate the Face of Christ” were woven throughout the three day event. The convention was very spiritual, educational and rewarding. We were privileged to have our National Spiritual Advisor, Most Rev. Richard Smith, Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario among us. He spoke on the importance of the Eucharist. Bishop Smith said that we have to get back to the basics. What does the real ministry of the real presence mean? How can we hand on the real truth? He referred to St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. We have been handing this on from generation to generation. This is what forms all of our lives. He is relating what He himself will be going through – the crucifixion on the cross. This is a moment of transformation. What was once bread and wine are no more; they are now the Body and Blood of our Lord. We often take this for granted; we must not. We are nourished by the Body and Blood of Jesus — we are nourished for the strength of Our Journey, our pilgrimage to our Father. If we don’t have Christ we are bound to fail. We are nourished with hope for eternal life if we believe and receive Christ in our Eucharist.

Our own Provincial Spiritual Advisor Father Terry Brock introduced us to Edith Stein. St. Benedicta of the Cross. Born October 12th 1891 in Breslau, Germany. She was a great Jewish philosopher, a Carmelite Nun, and brilliant writer who had a great influence on the women of her time and is having a growing influence in the intellectual and philosophical circles of today’s society. She is an inspiration to all Christians whose heritage is the Cross and her life was offered for her own Jewish people in their suffering and persecutions. From the University of Freiburg in Germany she was awarded her doctorate in philosophy Suma Cum Laude. She worked along side the famous founder of phenomenology Professor Husserl. It was while she was doing her studies that she found out the Truth itself in the Catholic Church while reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila. All the doors were opened and she embraced faith. She was baptized on New Year’s Day, 1922. She died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz on August 9th 1942. Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross on May 1st 1987 and canonized her on October 11th 1998. Father Terry asks us, as CWL members, where is Jesus leading us/me (prophetic call) and what sacrifice is Jesus asking of us/me to accept? (Oblation)

We had an informative workshop on “Advocacy with Politicians” facilitated by Judith Reid former MLA. She served as Minister of Transportation from June 2001 until January 2004. One of the reasons we work so hard in this life is so that we might make a better world for our children to live in. Some of the things that Judith said to help us with our causes were: We must be emotionally connected to the problem before we can sell it. Write letters to the editor to say Thank You about your MLAs. That way they will remember your name when you call on them for help. Read about your MLA or MP. Think about them as a person. Invite them to come and speak to a group as you can get to know them and they can get to know you. Some of the tips that Judith gave up on how to advocate for an action (successful advocacy requires that you already know the solution and that it is doable): one issue at a time, thoroughly understand the system you need to work with … Is it local, provincial, federal? What are the obstacles, why hasn’t this been done before? What are the benefits; can you support that with facts? Petitions are useful to get someone’s attention. Judith’s final words were that she encouraged us to be persistent in presenting our concerns to people in authority. Our resolutions are a warning that many MLAs and MPs do take seriously.

Seven resolutions were brought forward for consideration at this convention, and approved for presentation to the National Convention in August 2005: (From the Vancouver Archdiocesan Council) 1. Canadian Christmas Postage Stamp to include a Nativity-related theme in future Christmas stamp issues to commemorate Jesus’ birthday. 2. Assisted Suicide (A Criminal Offence) to retain Section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada and to keep it an indictable offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. 3. Ratification of international convenant re: Death Penalty. We urge the Federal Government through the National Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, to sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol regarding the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations and encourage other countries to do the same. (From the Prince George Diocesan Council) 4. Pay Child Care Support Direct to Family; Child care decisions are best made by parents/guardians in determining their child care options. (Kamloops Diocesan Council) 5. MaterCare International Funding; that the Federal Government contribute to the funding of MaterCare International’s Birth Trauma Centers through CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). (From the Kamloops Diocesan Council) 6. End Trafficking of Women & Children worldwide. (Vancouver Archdiocesan Council) 7. Appointments to the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; to reform the appointments process of the CRTC and the CBC by mandating an all-party selection committee to make appointments.

Provincial President Elect, Barbara Dowding, facilitated a workshop on Trafficking. Trafficking is a modern form of slavery. We need to become aware of the atrocities that are being done to our children around the world. We need to protect our children. The workshop was closed with a “Trafficking Prayer Service” by Ann Dobie, Provincial Spiritual Development Chairperson, using symbols in prayer to open our eyes and hearts to those who are broken, wounded and destroyed by human traffickers. The symbols used were fabric symbolizing the just labor of textile worker, water symbolizing the freeing of those caught in domestic slavery, Fair Trade coffee beans symbolizing the farmers working locally for a fair wage in the freedom of their own culture and land, Fair Trade Chocolate symbolizing the end to child slavery, and a rose symbolizing respect for the beauty of all earth’s daughters.

The Eucharistic Celebrations were all held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Westbank BC. Celebrants were the Most Reverend Eugene J. Cooney Bishop of Nelson, Reverend Richard Smith Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario, National CWL Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Terry Brock BC & Yukon Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Jim Ratcliffe, and Nelson Diocesan Spiritual Advisor.

The Banquet speakers included Past National President Marie Cameron, who brought us greetings, and our very own Jackie Lenarduzzi (Provincial Past President) who shared her story of strong faith. There were presentations for Bursaries, National Convention Grants and Membership Contest winners presented by Barb Dowding. A great time was had by all who attended.

Submitted by:
Dodie B., BC & Yukon Provincial CWL Communications Chairperson