Catholic Women’s League of Canada | BC and Yukon Council

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien,

September – back to school, new books, fresh start and CWL! Special greeting to Past Presidents in their second term: Anna May McCarvill, Maureen Sander, Jeanne Wilson and Pat Deppiesse. Welcome to the ranks of being ‘past’ to Agnes Geiger and Caroline Ann-Alter.

We have the unique position of being able to advise while at the same time being a mentor and supportive part of the executive team. As we hand over the reigns or pass the torch, it is important to let go and let go with grace. The beauty and strength of our great League is built upon the differences we have. I encourage you to have access to The Constitution and Bylaws where on page 12, Article X Section 2 -”Officers” it states that past president are officers of the executive level and page 18 Article 11, Section 7 clearly states our duties. Be sure to check out the National Manual of Policy and Procedure 2003 Page 41 for more outlines of our duties.

Among other things we are charged to care for the archives. Please go to the National website and look for Archives Guidelines for League History Provincial, Diocesan and Parish Councils – everything you need to know and more.

For the past two years we worked with the TEAM theme and it fits our role as Past President extremely well. Be sure to work hard at teaching, evangelizing, animating and motivating not only your new president but all your League sisters. Your joyful support and enthusiasm is the best gift you can give.

As Past Presidents you can advance the cause and understanding and appreciation for WUCWO by your keeping up to date with the latest via website and National updates. While this is fresh in my mind, I want to report briefly on the WUCWO North American Regional Conference in Winnipeg which was an eye-opening experience for the more than 300 attendees. Two highlights include the presentation by Nazanin Afshin-Jam on her work to save women and children from death row in Iran and Karen Hurley (President General)’s report. Both women gave passionate testimony in different ways. Nazanin is from Vancouver, former Miss Canada, singer and activist – she’s 29 years old, has a degree in International Relations and Political Science from UBC, has her pilot’s license, addresses the UN and as of February 2008, Nazanin was appointed by the Prime Minister of Canada’s office to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Her story was introduced in the context of what one woman can do to make a difference as inspiration for us all. In her own words, “If you can, you must!”

Karen Hurley, President General of WUCWO, gave a wonderful report that challenged all of us to take more responsibility to do whatever it takes to enable the great work to continue. Her eloquence and ability to put a face to the WUCWO’s work make her a great spokeswoman. At the end of this communiqué are some key excerpts from Karen’s talk that I hope you will find inspiring and useful in promoting WUCWO.

Let’s encourage our League sisters to look at the bigger picture, to know that we can, and must, go outside ourselves if there is to be peace in the world. We can support, affirm and teach our women where they live and work of the important issues, to instill the belief and conviction of what we have and hold as Catholic women and to convince our sisters that we hold the key to hope and have the necessary gifts to build peace. Science won’t save society, but love will, for love convinces more than reason; it convinces in our soul. We have so much to be thankful for and have done so many good things. But there is so much more to do. We hear daily of stories from women around the world who suffer abuse, violence, war, degradation and submission. What will we do to help? Begin by learning more about WUCWO and find ways share the good news!

From Karen’s report:

Beloved Pope John Paul II told the participants of the 2001 WUCWO Assembly in Rome: “…Your Union… is present as a voice even in international forums, to insist that every life is a gift of God and deserves to be respected.  Working together, you must seek to provide increasing material and moral support to women in difficulty, victims of poverty and violence.  Never forget that this important work is rooted in God’s love and will bear fruit to the extent that your witness reveals his infinite love for every human person….Catholic women who live by faith and charity and give honour to God’s name in prayer and service have always had a supremely fruitful and indispensable role in transmitting the genuine sense of the faith and in applying it to all life’s circumstances.”

Each day WUCWO members demonstrate your amazing “capacity for the other,” through peace-building efforts which reflect Christian love for one another. Within the global mission for evangelization and human development WUCWO women advocate “for the other” in many areas of social concern which elicit life, encourage personal growth and build peace

There is a challenge and opportunity to secure funding for representation at international institutions and gatherings so that the voices of faithful Catholic women can be heard.  Major donations by some foundations and corporations assure that their population control and other anti-woman, anti-marriage and anti-family agendas can be advanced.  It is necessary to encourage Catholic and other philanthropists who share our moral values, to work in partnership with us to assure the means to proceed with efforts to restore God’s natural order to a conflicted world.

To my Canadian sisters and brothers in Christ I express my sincere appreciation for your generous donations to the Canadian Endowment Fund.  To each one present here today and all those across individuals, dioceses, religious communities across Canada, to the leadership and Campaign Cabinet. Because of your foresight, each year the interest generated by this endowment underwrites WUCWO programs which benefit women and children.  To my sisters in Christ from the United States of America, thank you for all that you are doing to emulate this successful campaign by launching a similar endeavour to leave a legacy for WUCWO’s next 100 years of faith, hope and charity.  Each one doing what we are able to do will assure WUCWO’s ability to meet the challenges of this moment in history and enhance the lives of the women, children and families God has entrusted to our care.  (Note from Barb: The American goal is 5 million dollars! That’s how important WUCWO is to them).

Each of us is called to go out to all the world and tell the good news of Jesus Christ and the good news of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations. We look forward to a future full of hope where the opportunities for women to promote a culture of life and peace exceed any challenges.  Increased collaboration with the Holy See, other Catholic-inspired Non-Governmental Organizations, other organizations of good will, as well as the media, can lead to a cultural and societal transformation which respects and promotes human dignity.  Being nourished by the Eucharist, availing ourselves of ongoing spiritual formation and continuing education in Church teachings are vital for our ability to transmit authentic Catholic Christian values to the world.  (Karen Hurley, August 10, 2008).

Bless you all for your fine work and love for our League!

“Hold firm and take heart. Hope in the Lord!” (ps. 27:14)