Secretary Communique #2

Submitted by: Doreen Gowans

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry:

As we are approaching Advent and we prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I encourage you to take time to discern where you are in your spiritual journey. Often we find ourselves caught up in the hustle & bustle of the materialistic world and often forget to thank God for the many blessings we have received in the past year. Ask ourselves if there is something we would like to do now or in 2008 to deepen our spiritual life. Is there a retreat we would like to add to our Christmas wish list? Have we reached out to someone in need?

I would like to thank our Diocesan Secretaries: Dianne (Kamloops), Lynn (Vancouver), Betty (Victoria) and Carol (Whitehorse). Welcome to Paulette (Nelson) for stepping up to the plate and filling in for Carmella who moved out of the province. A special welcome back to Laura (Prince George) for filling in for Karen who had to take a temporary leave of absence for health reasons. Please keep both Dianne and Karen in your prayers as they are both undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Both Dianne & Karen have great positive outlooks and Karen is looking forward to returning to an active roll with the CWL after Christmas. Dianne is doing her best to continue as Diocesan Secretary in a limited capacity. God willing we will see both of them back in active roles soon.

For your information I’ve attached an updated list of our Provincial Executive, as well as our Comprehensive Register. Please take the time to review and advise of any corrections. I am in the process of updating addresses for our 2008 convention packages and therefore soliciting your help. I require the following:

1. email to me the name of each parish council president in your diocese, their name, addresses, phone number, and email address at your earliest convenience; and
2. in order to have current parish council executive members addresses, I’ve attached a form for you to send to all of your Catholic Women’s League Parish Council’s and have them complete and return to me. For councils having elections have the council complete and send to me as soon as their elections are complete.

As part of our responsibilities as Secretary it is up to us to update the election’s register for your Diocesan council. This should be done annually that way any changes are captured. In another area we are to maintain all the records updated and made ready to pass onto the Past President to be archived.

2008 is going to be an exciting year for the Kamloops Diocese (my Diocese), as we will be hosting our Provincial Convention. We look forward to seeing everyone in Williams Lake, BC for our 61st Annual Convention from Thursday, May 29th to Sunday, June 1st, 2008.

Our president Barb Dowding reminded all of us to purchase the nativity stamps, which you will have to ask for specifically. Also she reminded us to encourage all of our parish councils to complete their annual reports and send them to their Diocesan counterpart. Please remind your secretaries there is a report form for them to fill in as well.

I thank all of you for your help, and cooperation this past year. As this was my first year as your Provincial Secretary, words cannot adequately express my appreciation for the support you have given. Together we have worked as a team to answer everyone’s many questions and concerns. Also I appreciate the hard work you do to keep all of the addresses current and up to date. Keep up the good work as we move forward together for God & Canada.

To you and your families I wish you a very Spiritual, Safe, and Happy Christmas and all the best of good health in the New Year.

Love & prayers

Doreen G……,