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

Submitted by: Pat Battensby

Dear Father Tran and League Sisters,

It is my great pleasure to communicate with you for the first time in this role. I was delighted when Marianna asked me if I would accept this position and hope to be a good follower to my predecessor, Ann D. Greetings to Diocesan Liaisons: Mary T. – Kamloops, Pollyanna K. – Nelson, Dianna M. – Prince George, Shirley A. – Vancouver and Margaret B. – Victoria.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to Ann D. who for the past two years has so faithfully passed on to us the good news and the bad about our Life Member sisters throughout Canada. I was privileged to be at the National convention where 53 Life members were registered as well as the Honorary Life members. It was great to once more rekindle friendships and compare notes between provinces. Of course this is one of the great benefits of conventions, sharing, comparing, affirming, praying for and with each other.

I have received a communiqué from the newly appointed National Life Member Liaison Shirley Bernier. She states:

“What Kind of News Should We Share?”

• Prayer requests for illness: please do get the approval of the person concerned, as some prefer to keep it private. In those cases, it is appropriate to mention only that a life member requests prayers.
• Notice of death of a life member or her immediate family member and where condolences may be sent.
• Change of address of a life member.
• Positive news such as special birthdays, anniversaries, awards or citations.
• Copies of provincial newsletters, if available.
• Information on how life members get together locally and any special projects.

Shirley also states: “As part of national office records, a file is kept on each life member. Please encourage life members to send in their history/story. Perhaps those that have done this a while ago need to update their story. This information is part of League history-in the parish, diocese, province, and also at the national lev.; If possible, I would like to see a copy of these stories or know that 0one has gone forward. A questionnaire was sent to all life members in 2008 to determine their interest and in what way they would like to assist the national executive and serve the League. Please encourage their participation as there is a wealth of talent among them.”

I have sent along the updated list of life members in our province but have since heard that there is already some revision.

Shirley Bernier has asked for some input in to the job description of a life member. If you can think of anything to add to what has already been mentioned please be in touch.

It was once again a privilege to attend the national convention in Winnipeg. While listening to the reports from the provincial presidents and the national officers and chairpersons, I was struck by how often life members were mentioned. Some of the adjectives described life members as mentors, affirming, advisors, individuals who will fill in positions when requested, workshop participants, resolution researchers, teachers, reference people and many many more. It struck me that this honour of life membership carries with it great responsibility to our League at the present time and the growth of it in the future. It is not an award for years of service; it is an affirmation to continue with great leadership the work of the League and to accept a task that national requests of us in the way of a sub convenership or a research project. Please consider this fact, the most important criteria of life membership, our willingness and readiness to serve our national level when requested when considering life membership for a life member. If this desire is not present, national has instituted the Bel Guerin award. Please check out the requirements for this award as well.

Once again I would like to express appreciation and gratitude to Thelma V., Shirley A. and Ann D. who have done so much background work on the Arts and Culture Award. They have spent countless hours preparing this and I know that the recipients will be grateful to receive this assistance.  Condolences have been sent on your behalf to Dianne C. on the death of her sister, Sharon.

Rose K. has written a lovely thank you note for the Cenacle card sent to her on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Please keep us appraised of any prayer requests that you have.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me and receive my love and prayers for our work for God and Canada.

Please ensure that this information is passed on to all of your life members.

We also owe a deep debt of gratitude to Thelma V.. Her kindness and generosity has led to the publication of our BC and Yukon life members stories. I have heard so many accolades for Thelma for undertaking this tremendous task. On your behalf also, I thank Thelma so much for her great generosity of time, talent, gifts and monetarily for publishing this book: “A journey of Memories”. This little book accomplishes exactly what Shirley is asking of us in a most attractive and professional presentation. It is something that I will always cherish and once again we owe Thelma a great deal of thanks and prayers for her vision of this book.