Life Member Liaison Communique #3

Submitted by: Ann Dobie

Greetings:

A New Year’s Blessing

May you be the one with welcome in your smile and hello etched upon your hand, the hand you extend to everyone who blesses you with presence. ~Luke 7:36-50

General Information:

Life members are members of their diocesan and provincial councils, but are not part of the diocesan and provincial executives. They do not attend the executive meetings unless requested to do so by the executive. They, therefore, do not automatically receive the minutes. Life members do not have the authority to communicate the business carried out at these executive meetings. All members are welcome to express their views to the executive members. As life members we can best support the new and younger executive members by respecting their ability to make decisions on League matters.

Interesting notes received from newsletters from provincial life member liaisons and passed on from Joan Baudais, National Life Member Liaison:

• Newfoundland and Labrador has a Life Member Mentoring Program whereby each parish council is connected to a life member who acts as a mentor to those councils.
• Alberta/Mackenzie: Life Member Connie McBride, elaborated on the voting privileges of life members. They have voting powers at conventions in their own diocese, their province and at national convention. At diocesan executive meetings they do not have voting powers, nor can they move or second motions, as they are not part of the elected executive. (National Manual of Policy and Procedure)
• Manitoba Life Member Liaison, Margaret Silverthorne, invited all life members into her home for a prayer service for each of their deceased life members. They celebrated who each one was through prayer, song and stories.
• Some provinces also have diocesan life member liaisons, which enhances communication and fellowship. If possible, it is advisable to occasionally meet socially to strengthen the sisterhood of life membership. * As you all know BC/Yukon is one of these provinces who are fortunate to have liaisons *

Barbara Dowding – Vice Chancellor, Vancouver Archdiocese was invited by Archbishop Raymond Roussin SM and Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Miller to attend on behalf of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, the International Women’s Conference in Rome. The international congress, entitled Woman and Man, the humanum in its entirety is being hosted by the Pontifical Council for the Laity. This is an ‘awesome experience’ for ‘our League Sister’ and we are so very proud of ‘our Barb’ and we look forward to hearing first hand of Barb’s experience.

World Union of Catholic Women’s Organization (WUCWO)

2008 is the 20th anniversary of the apostolic letter by Pope John Paul II on Mulieris Dignitatem (The Dignity and Vocation of Women on the Occasion of the Marian Year). In celebrating, 250 women from around the world have been invited to Rome to participate in a congress from February 7th to 9th.

North American Regional Vice-President of WUCWO and Honorary Life Member Agnes Bedard (2004-2006) has been invited and is attending this congress. Three WUCWO members are making presentation. Following are the topics that were chosen: 1) promoting women’s dignity; 2) guardians of spouses’ maternal love; 3) role of women in communicating the Christian faith.

We can expect good feedback from this conference at the WUCWO North American Regional Conference which will be held prior to the 88th annual national convention in Winnipeg in August. This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us. Let us make a special effort to attend this year’s national convention and WUCWO conference.

Conventions:

An ‘Invitation’ to attend our 61st Annual Provincial Convention being held in Williams Lake, BC May 30th to June 2nd is forthcoming in the convention package and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there. If you are unable to attend you can participate prayerfully for success of the convention.

Prayer Request:

Diana McKenzie, Life Member Liaison Prince George Diocese has asked us to prayer for the family of Kay Williams, life member and good friend from Manitoba who passed away peacefully February 7th. May she rest in peace.

Reminder:

As a part of the ‘fabric and threads’ that make up the personal story and journey of the life members of the BC and Yukon council, has YOUR story been written? Remember it is your personal story and how it is tied in with the league. Share where you are from, what was the world like when you were young, how you met your husband, how and why did you become a member of the League ~ be part of the ‘Thelma Project’ and the history of our council!

Pray that we as life members have the courage to deliver our “words of wisdom” when the time is right and to learn when to keep silent and listen to other League members.

Blessings,

Ann Dobie