Spiritual Development Communique #7

Submitted by: Carol Penno

Greetings to all! Your Provincial Table Officers and Executive had a wonderful midterm meeting at Seton House of Prayer in Kelowna October 22-25. Our days were full with various prayers , meetings, and Celebration of the Eucharist. Here we are with Communique #07. Terri Scott, National Chairperson of Spiritual Development has prepared her Communique # 04 which is dated October 28, 2009. Terri’s communiqué contains important information.

November is upon us and already we have celebrated two special days. The Feast of All Saints on November 1st honoured all the saints of the church, known and unknown. Only a few days ago the evening Mass for All Souls’ Day was celebrated in which we prayed for all the departed. Mary Pecora and I, read the names of our local departed CWL members from our Book of Life and these were left at the altar for the entire month of November. May the souls of our departed members Rest in Peace and may the Perpetual light shine upon them. Amen

While on the topic of the deceased would every council be certain you have notified National office of your deceased members for 2009. Each member has a new identification number and that is a now a necessary part of the report, along with the other information asked for. Please only use the form dated 2008 as it has the current information for submitting. You will note that you only need to send one copy and that is to National and they in turn will notify Diocesan and provincial chairpersons. You are also able to send the deceased information by email.

The Church year is coming to a close with the celebration of Christ the King and the following week begins the new liturgical year and the Season of Advent in preparation for the coming of Jesus. Encourage each other to prayerfully prepare your hearts for Christmas. Canada Post has now released the Christmas Stamps, they are truly beautiful, Be sure to thank Canada Post for choosing such beautiful artwork depicting the Nativity.

Terri Scott notes that the Year for Priests will continue until June 11, 2010 at which time some 407,000 priests will be called to Rome to meet with Pope Benedict XVI on the theme of Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of the Priest. The conclusion of the Year for Priests will coincide with the feast day of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and will be celebrated with mass presided by the Holy Father.

At national convention, National Spiritual Advisor Archbishop Martin Currie exhorted members to pray for priests and support them. Priests and bishops need to know they have the support of their parishioners. Look for creative ways to show hospitality and appreciation for the pastoral care given by your pastor. Pray daily for our priests that they may strive to be loving pastors, insightful preachers, enthusiastic evangelists, collaborative co-workers, compassionate healers and men of fervent prayer. (In British Columbia we are promoting the angel pin with a yellow ribbon to show our priests that we are praying for and supporting them.)

Ecumenism

Information has been requested by councils in British Columbia about the donations given to Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC). Terri has asked the questions presented to her and this is what she writes. (WICC) It is “a national council of representatives from 11 church partners, focusing on four main concerns of social justice, women’s issues, ecumenism, and the growth of women’s spirituality. Lori Purvis, administrator of WICC wrote: “As an organization, WICC honours the beliefs and traditions of all eleven of our partner denominations. WICC takes no official stand on issues of abortion, birth control or same sex relationships. It is not within our mandate to do so.” It is requested that you continue to support this most worthwhile ecumenical organization that supports women,. The World Day of Prayer, a long-standing ecumenical initiative, is held on the first Friday in March and will be celebrated on March 5, 2010

News from the Vatican (from Terri)

In a surprise announcement from the Vatican on Tuesday October 20th, Pope Benedict XVI has made it possible for Anglicans, uncomfortable with recent changes in the Anglican church(same-sex marriages, female ordination, gay ordination, etc.), to join the Catholic Church. Just as there are different rites within the church, so will there be a rite made especially for disenfranchised Anglicans. Keep those joining the Catholic Church in your prayers as they face this momentous adjustment. To read the full announcement from the Vatican, visit this link.

CWL Day of Peace and Hope , April 26th 2010

Please encourage members to gather and share good ideas for special projects in preparation for April 26th, the League’s special day to show communities across Canada that members are doer “For God and Canada.” Terri also includes ideas, visiting those in palliative care, helping new moms, or helping the elderly around their homes. She suggested placing a sign up sheet in churches to identify those needing help: then suggest that volunteers divide up into groups to respond to the requests and watch communities sparkle. This may inspire women to join the League

Remember to pray daily for our troops in Afghanistan and other areas of the world. May God keep them safe until they can return home.  God Bless you all, May our Lady of Good Counsel guard and watch over us.