Education and Health Communique #1

Submitted by: Nancy Simms

Dear League Sisters,

The 2006/2007 school year is now in full swing and the fall season is upon us. I pray everyone has had a relaxing summer break and is rejuvenated with new energy in our work for God & Canada! I would like to extend a heart felt welcome to Doreen R.-Nelson Diocese and Betty H.-Victoria Diocese in your first terms in this standing committee, and to our second term chairpersons Marguerite LeB.-Kamloops Diocese, Amabile D.M.-Prince George Diocese and Jenny S.-Vancouver Archdiocese.

As this is my first communique as Education & Health Chairperson I would like to introduce myself. I joined the League in1990 just after my youngest of four children was born. Not long after joining the League I became parish president in 100 Mile House, BC. After my term as president I went on the Kamloops diocesan council holding positions in Christian family life, resolutions, president-elect, president & past president. On the provincial council, I just finished my term as resolutions chairperson, and on the national level I was appointed to the national resolutions committee for the 2004/2005 term. During my years in the League I have also been the local pro-life president, taught confirmation classes and we have fostered numerous children. I now live in Kamloops with my husband, John and our two youngest children. In my free time (there doesn’t seem to be much of that!) I enjoy reading, antique shopping and running away with my husband for weekend getaways where there is no phone or computers!

Communiques ~ Please pass on information from my communiques to your parish education & health chairpersons, or if there is no chairperson, pass it to the parish president who can pass it on to the rest of the council. In this way we pass the information from one level to the other.

In communiques you are sending please remember when quoting from another source to give mention of that source. I have received one communique from our new national chairperson of education & health, Judy Lewis.

Resolutions ~ At the national convention in Halifax (which I had the privilege of attending) 6 resolutions were adopted – one pertains to the education & health standing committee, Resolution 06.04 Renewable Energy. This and all the resolutions are posted on the CWL web site with their briefs and detailed action plans and will be published in the fall League magazine. Please encourage all councils to take action on this issue.

MaterCare International ~ At the national convention, members voted to extend the MaterCare International National Voluntary Fund for an additional two years. Again, encourage councils to support this very worthwhile project.

Environment ~ The national chairperson’s oral report at the convention brought mention of action we need to be taking in regards to being caretakers of our world. As members we are encouraged to discontinue using styrofoam dishes for our personal use and within parish functions. Styrofoam is made of non-renewable resources and is non-biodegradable.

BC & Educational Rights ~ I am enclosing two articles from the BC Catholic regarding an unprecedented agreement between the Education Ministry and two private citizens that could jeopardize the right of parents to determine how their children are educated. Read these articles carefully and encourage members to write letters, write letters, write letters!

1- “Deal threatens education rights, archbishop says.” BC Catholic. Sept. 4, 2006 (front page).
2- “Parents the final decision makers on education.” By Archbishop Roussin, SM BC Catholic. Sept. 4, 2006.

Scholarships & Bursaries ~ Please remind members of the National Bursary that is available and that the deadline date for applications has been changed to May 31. Details are in the National Manual of Policy and Procedure. Also, the Molly Boucher Bursary, from BC/Yukon must be submitted to me by March 31. If forms are needed for this bursary please contact me.

Handicapped Change Rooms ~ It was brought to my attention through a Kamloops diocesan resolution that some health care facilities in BC/Yukon may lack accessible changing rooms for handicapped patients. I recommended that councils inquire if their local health care facilities have accessible changing rooms for handicapped patients and if not, advocate to have them provided.

Wellness and Sickness/Disease ~ Health Canada has designated September, Arthritis & Ovarian Cancer Month. October, Autism and Breast Cancer Month. November, Diabetes and Osteoporosis Month and December, Christmas Seal Month. Encourage guest speakers and let’s educate ourselves!

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide you in all your work for God and Canada.
Nancy S.