Christian Family Life Communique #6

Submitted by: Marilyn Van Dongen

Dear League Sisters,

Advent is just around the corner. “Advent means the coming, and is used by the church to represent the four thousand years of preparation for the coming of the Redeemer and at the same time points us to His second coming as our judge.” Goffin’s Devout Instructions, copyright 1896. This was my Grandmother’s book; she would have been 11 years old when it was copyrighted. Our Catholic church was the same yesterday as it is today. We must be ready for the second coming of Christ. “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matt 24:42.

The Provincial Executive was at Rosemary Heights in Surrey for our Fall Mid-Term meeting October 11 – 14. Our time at Rosemary Heights was wonderful. The Spiritual Programs were awesome thanks to Dodie Bond. We attended Saturday evening Mass at Star of the Sea parish in White Rock where we were warmly welcomed. Sandra Stajduhar gave copies of the fall issue of our provincial newsletter to diocesan presidents for each parish council in their diocese. We received our newsletter by email before the meeting. There are two newsletters per year. Ask someone, your diocesan president or me your committee counterpart, to forward the newsletter to you. I have attached my National Convention Report that was submitted with my Midterm Report.

Marriage and Family
In Ann Doucet’s Communique #6 she mentioned another brochure from the Canadian Organization for Life and Family (COLF). It is titled Families, where are the saints of the third millennium? As usual it is a beautiful well done brochure. You can order this brochure from COLF, the suggested donation is .40 each. I printed one for myself from their website www.colf.ca. They can be reached by email colf@colf.ca or phone at (613) 241-9461.

Sanctity of Life
There is a new DVD/video, Turning the Tide: Fighting for our Lives, produced by Salt + Light Catholic Media Foundation and the EPC. In Ann Doucet’s communique, she states that it is available from EPC; one copy $50, two copies $70, or four copies $100. To order call (877) 439-3348. Consider getting together with other councils/members to view this important video and participate in the discussion guide; it is important for members to be well informed on this timely and critical issue. You may be able to borrow it from your diocesan resource center.

From LifeCanada E-News “You can participate in a national media campaign to mark the January 2008 twentieth anniversary of the Mongentaler Supreme Court decision removing all restrictions on abortion in Canada. LifeCanada has produced postcards with Abortion: Have we gone too far for individuals to pass around, to join in reaching as many people as possible. The post cards show the image of a pregnant woman on the front with Statistics Canada information on late term abortion in Canada on the back. The cards are available for a small fee through the LifeCanada office at 866-780-5433. Mail them to your MP, leave them in your Church, pass them out to family and friends…engage in ‘creative littering’ to help spread the message of respect for life!”

Ministry to Youth
From our National Office I ordered Steps to Forming a Catholic Girls’ League and Catholic Girls’ League Administration Manual. Plan to start a Catholic Girls League in 2008.

Ministry to Disabled, Seniors, Widowed, Separated and Divorced
As we approach the season of Advent and Christmas, be sensitive to those around us that are alone this time of year. Invite them to join you in your advent and Christmas activities.

Vocations
There are always many excellent articles in the BC Catholic; my only problem is not having enough time to read as much as I want to. In the November 5, 2007 edition there is a supplement titled Fishers of Men. I enjoyed the “profiles of men who answered the call and are marking 25, 50 and 60 years of service.” “Pope John Paul II, in many of his writings and homilies, said “The Christian family is the first place where vocations develop. It is a seminary or novitiate in germ. It is vital for families to nurture, encourage, and promote vocations. First, we need to teach our children to pray and second, we need to help our children cultivate a spirit of willingness to make a sacrifice.” This article by Father Hien Nguyen is on page S1 of the supplement. If you can obtain the supplement, made sure and read the whole article. It would be good for our youth to read the profiles of the priests in the supplement to see what a life of adventure they live.

Your Sister-in-the-League
Marilyn V……..