Provincial Convention 2008: Spiritual Development Oral Report

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

My year has gone by quickly, I thank all you ladies and Father for making it very blessed and joyful. How blessed have we been? We have been awakened to Saint Gianna Molla (A women of exceptional love, an outstanding wife and mother, she gave witness in her daily life to the demanding values of the Gospel.) Immaculee Ilibagiza (a story of a remarkable women’s experiences in the midst of one of history’s most tragic events all the while she kept her unwavering faith and courage which allowed her to search for safety, peace and an everlasting heaven.) Kateri Tekakwitha (tortured and shunned for her believe in God. One thing she asks is this “Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it.”)  St. Edith Stein, a German philosopher, Carmelite nun, martyr and Saint of the Catholic Church who died in Auschwitz. This year it has been Mother Teresa of Calcutta who lived and worked for the poorest of the poor. It would be awesome if this format could continue at our future Conventions and from there take it to our Parishes so as to nourish not only our ladies but open it up to the whole parish community.The CWL have beautiful prayer services for all occasions I would like to see them used more frequently. They are just words on a piece of paper. We must open them up and bring them to life to our sisters in Christ so that they can be taken out acted upon and shared with our families and friends. Mother Teresa said on Love “there is so much suffering, so much hatred, so much misery, and we with our prayer, with our sacrifice are beginning at home. Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do. We must remember that the future of humanity passes through the family.”

After watching the movie “Pay it Forward” involving random acts of kindness and reading various articles on the lonely and forgotten I would like to make a suggestion to all the CWL Councils in the Province of BC that we look into sponsoring or adopting a seniors nursing home. We can show that we care and that they truly are loved. To give of self is to get a sense of joy.

We must be diligent in teaching our children/children’s children to pray. To pray is to; love God, love self, and love fellow beings and all of creation. When we can do that – then we will have respect for ourselves and our brothers and sisters and all this fighting will end. First and foremost we must pray, pray, trust in God, and trust in self, trust in humanity.

If you are stuck for ideas for Spirituals don’t hesitate to call, email, and write to your Provincial Counterpart. What with all the information that is out there I am sure that you will be able to find something between the two of you. Also it would be a great idea for you to get a sub-committee in your chair. This way she will be a Chairperson in training.