Resolutions Communique #3

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

Greetings,

What beautiful fall and Thanksgiving weather we have had. Today is a typical November, drab, dull and wet day, time for reading and perhaps consider researching an issue of concern that could be presented as a resolution.

Welcome to Margaret B., Life member and former Provincial President who has agreed to be my sub-convener.

Action on resolutions is necessary otherwise it just becomes words on paper!

Bishop Smith stressed the importance of resolutions going back down the ladder to the grass roots level of our organization to follow through with the suggested action plans, please encourage parish councils and members to do so.

The power of writing letters and making phone calls, even if it only relates to one resolution is important, together we can make our voices heard.

When writing letters on behalf of your council, use your League letterhead and state who you are representing. Writing on your own behalf do not use League letterhead.

Here are suggestions from Betty Anne B., National counterpart, as how to communicate with MPs:

• e-mail doesn’t really work to further your cause
• get to know your local MP personally
• call in to talk radio programs with a positive message
• pray, allow God’s spirit to speak through you
• write letters to editors
• contact and work with neighbouring faith groups
• be up-to-date on facts
• share your excitement, your passion, for the cause

Holy Father advised the Ontario bishops when they went to Rome recently “In your discussions with politicians and civic leaders I encourage you to demonstrate that our Christian faith, far from being impediment to dialogue, is a bridge”.

Of the six resolutions adopted at National convention, Religious Freedom was the only one from our Province. The following were passed to standing committee chairpersons for recommended action and ongoing awareness and can be found in the League magazine listed under standing committees:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (education and health)
Relationship Between Abortion and Breast Cancer (education and health)
Discontinue Use of Polystyrene Disposable Ware (Styrofoam) (education and health)
Protection of the Child Re: Sexual Consent (legislation)A copy of the disposition letter was previously sent to you, stating the reason the resolutions listed above, and also Adult Stem Cell Research and Pay Child Care Support Direct to Family, were not accepted for presentation at the national convention. I presume you were all able to open it as I haven’t heard otherwise.

One other suggestion is to invite a speaker to a meeting to address the topic of one of these resolutions that the council is most interested in or perhaps even on an issue of a proposed resolution.

Reminder – encourage councils to produce a resolution adhering to the new guidelines and advise that the back-up material they provide must be clear and up-to-date.

Communicating is important and keeps us all informed and connected so I look forward to receiving a copy of your communiques and any questions/concerns you may have.

The national delegation of the League meets with federal government officials were scheduled to take place from November 1-3 to present our resolutions and we look forward to their report.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide and companion us on our resolutions journey.

Sheila

Remember: A resolution is one member’s concern becoming the voice of the League. More than ever we need to make our voices heard!