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

Front Row Left to Right: Marianna Caldwell, Doreen Gowans, Nancy Simms, Pat Deppiesse, Evelyn Rigby, Sandra Stajduhar Back Row Left to Right: Dodie Bond, Lorrilee Jordan, Jeanne Wilson, Caroline Ann-Alter, Betty Hoskins, Lois Charlebois Insert: Fr. Tien Tran, Provincial Spiritual Advisor

RICHMOND – The 63rdAnnual Convention of the BC & Yukon Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was held at St. Monica’s Parish and hosted by Region 1 of the Vancouver Archdiocese, May 27 – 29, 2010.

Most Reverend Michael Miller, CSB Archbishop of the Diocese of Vancouver gave the Keynote addressing the CWL theme “Women of Peace & Hope” and challenging the CWL members to be “Heralds of Hope”. He offered a reflection on how CWL members can be women of hope and witnesses of hope to all the different communities they are associated with by understanding the concept of eternal life, the relationship between purgatory and hope and being able to share that hope with others. Further speakers included: Denis Boyd, M.A. registered Psychologist, who gave a compelling presentation entitled “Communication in a Great Relationship” offering practical tips and proven strategies to enhance listening skills, beat stress and communicate better; Daphne Gray-Grant spoke on “Beating Writer’s Blank” opening our imaginations to ‘mind-mapping’ a concept to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas; and Fr. Tien Tran Provincial Spiritual Advisor gave an enlightening talk explaining many of the nuances that will be coming from “The New Roman Missal” which will affect us all. This workshop format and the many questions and concerns were addressed with clarity. Reports from the Executive, Standing Committees and the 6 Diocesan Presidents were informative as well as educational. Two Resolutions came to the floor and were passed. The resolution entitled “Safe Haven Law” will be forwarded onto the CWL National Council to be considered for presentation at their convention in August, while the other resolution “Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias” will be sent to our Provincial & Territorial Governments.

Members previewed The Catholic Women’s League of Canada’s 90th Anniversary celebration by dressing in 1940’s attire and by singing and listened to music from that period as together they celebrated the day with fun, faith and fulfillment. At the National convention in Ottawa each Province and the Military Ordinariate will represent a different decade.

The newly elected officers and executive include President Nancy Simms, Kamloops, Past President Marianna Caldwell, President Elect (Organization) Doreen Gowans, Kamloops; 1st Vice President (Education and Health) Dodie Bond, Prince George; 2nd Vice President (Resolutions) Pat Deppiesse, North Vancouver; Secretary, Evelyn Rigby, Powell River; Treasurer, Sandra Stajduhar, Trail; Standing Committee Chairs: Betty Hoskins, Duncan (Spiritual Development); Lois Charlebois; Surrey (Christian Family Life), ; Caroline Ann-Alter, Kelowna (Community Life); Jeanne Wilson, Whitehorse, YK (Communications); Lorrilee Jordan, Armstrong (Legislation); and Sheila Quinn BC & Yukon Life Member Liaison.

The Executive and table officers were installed in the presence of Most Reverend Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, Bishop David Monroe, Bishop of Kamloops, Fr. Tien Tran Provincial Spiritual Advisor, Coquitlam, Fr. Dale Normandeau, Kamloops Diocesan Spiritual Advisor, St. James, Vernon, and Fr. Tony Boniface, St. Monica’s Parish, Richmond.

Life Member Pat Battensby presented the BC & Yukon Life Member’s Arts & Cultural Award to Lucille Schaubroeck, from Williams Lake, BC. She is a talented musician and is studying to become a high school teacher. Lucille also received the Molly Boucher Bursary presented by Jeanne Wilson, Provincial Education & Health Standing Committee Chair.

Both President Nancy Simms and Past President Marianna Caldwell together with the executive are educating members to reach out to their parish and communities in Peace and Hope serving our members with Faith and Joy.

For more information, please visit our web site www.cwl.bc.ca

Respectfully submitted,

Doreen Gowans, BC & Yukon Prov. Communications

Lucille Schaubroeck, Bursary Award Winner

Pictured: Left to right, Jeanne Wilson, Cecilia Schaubroeck, Lucille Schaubroeck, Pat Battensby,

Lucille Schaubroeck, from Williams Lake, was awarded two awards from the BC & Yukon Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, the first being the Molly Boucher Bursary for $500.00 presented by Jeanne Wilson, Provincial Education & Health Chairperson, and the second was the BC & Yukon Provincial Life Members Arts and Culture Award for $500.00, presented by Pat Battensby, Life Member Liason. She received these awards as she is interested in furthering her education, is talented in music, and drama, and exemplifies the need to take part in the community, helping to educate others. As well as being a member of the Catholic Women’s League, Lucille attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, in Williams Lake, Williams Lake Secondary School and Maranatha Christian School. Lucille has been accepted at The University of Victoria where she will work on her Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in writing with a goal to become a High School teacher. Congratulations Lucille.

Please see the attached PDFs for Archbishop Michael Miller’s homily and report from the 2010 BC/Yukon CWL Convention.

• Archbishop Miller – Trinity Sunday
• Archbishop Miller – Women of Hope

Submitted by: Gisela Montague

A few years ago at a convention one of the speakers stated that “God has given us many gifts at birth and it is up to us to unwrap them.” I believe that as members of the CWL we help each other unwrapping some of these gifts, and at convention time we show how well we have done this through our reports and by affirming each other.

In January we celebrated the Priest Appreciation Dinner, it was a beautiful event where we thanked and affirmed our Spiritual Advisors along with other priests in our diocese. Each Priest received a bookmark with the Priest’s Logo and a Spiritual Bouquet of many masses, rosaries and adoration hours. Over 400 members and guests attended this celebration.

February brought us the Olympic Games and as true women of “Peace and Hope” we greeted over 4000 visitors at the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s Welcome Centre. A total of 30 councils were involved providing volunteers and donating refreshments. Our diocesan council shared the cost of a special CWL ad in the Olympic edition of the B.C. Catholic with the provincial council.

Four weeks ago we were busy with our 87th Archdiocesan Convention, which was held at Christ the Redeemer Parish in West Vancouver and hosted by Region 3. Our theme of “Tell His Glory among the Nations” was well represented by flags from various countries and I was amazed how the theme was incorporated in the homilies and spiritual presentations. We were able to show Fr. Tad’s DVD “Cutting Through the Spin” on stem cell research and cloning and Fr. Scott enlightened us about Jesus’ parables about “leadership without fear”.

Other presenters were: Dr. Romayne Gallagher from Providence Healthcare on “Palliative Care”, Stephanie Gray from the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (CCBR) on Reaching Hearts & Minds on Abortion, Mrs. Bonnie Glassford on the “Holy Land” with a Slide Presentation, Michele Smillie from Domestic Abuse Services – Our Lady of Good Council Society as well as Kamal Dhillon, sharing her experiences as an abused woman, the Panel Discussion on “Human Trafficking” followed by the “Way of the Cross” a power point show. Our Provincial President Marianna Caldwell had members in lively discussions in her presentation on “Leading and Reaching out into our Communities”.

We were delighted to learn that Star of the Sea Parish Council in White Rock recorded the highest absolute increase in membership out of 1,294 councils across Canada for the year 2009. The president is very excited, as she will be attending the National Convention in Ottawa to receive a special award from the National Chairperson of Organization Velma Harasen.

Can it get any better? You bet, Fr. Thompson, Spiritual Advisor from “Our Lady of Assumption Church “ in Port Coquitlam was one of the two Priests that were awarded an all expenses trip to the upcoming National Convention in Ottawa, paid for by National.

Through our Leadership Development Team we have shown CWL presentations at deanery meetings, have mentored councils, formed new ones, and delivered workshops. This team is headed by our immediate past president Evelyn Rigby and assisted by other past presidents, diocesan officers and Life Members. In the past year we had several applications to our Archdiocesan League Development Fund.

This year I was able to participate in the 3rd annual “March for Life” in Victoria on May 13th. The Bishops from Kamloops, Vancouver and Victoria celebrated Mass at St. Andrews Cathedral, along with many Priests. It was estimated that 2000 people marched from Centennial Square to the Legislative Buildings, where we listened to various speakers. It was good to see so many younger people as well as school groups in the crowd and of course so many CWL members.

I can’t believe that my first year as president has passed by so fast and I am looking forward to the next year. There is a lot of work to do, we are establishing new CWL councils but we have to be available to councils that need leadership promotion. Our city is becoming more diverse with different cultures, our parishes have more small communities, and some people believe that there is a lack of interest in the League. But look around you, when we come together at conventions and are celebrating our Catholic Women’s League by being fulfilled, motivated and inspired don’t you want to tell every catholic woman to be a part of this awesome organization? I know I do. We all are different and bring different talents to the League as we serve with faith and joy. If we remember to see each other as sisters in Christ, there is always a solution.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us as we “Tell His Glory among the Nations”.

Submitted by: Edna Lorenzen

Learning is an experience, or is it experience in learning. What I have learned as diocesan president is an experience that has enriched my life. It has taught me many things that has made this part of my journey wanting more. Age has no limits, never stops finding something new in each day, and CWL has done this for me. I can’t imagine why all Catholic women are not members of our wonderful organization.

This year has brought speakers and guests to a parish council. Dr. Clem Persaud, spoke to us on stem cell research, local experts on palliative care, peace and development., living wills and the importance of this. We were blessed with a visit from our national president Danielle McNeil- Hessian. This is probably for next years report but I have to share this with you. Our right to life group had their first walk for life on May 13th. We thought maybe 15 to 20 people at the most would come out. Incredible we had 50 walkers Join our group. We were impressed with all the denominations present. What a wonderful show of ecumenical fellowship.

Our two councils are working together even though a distance of 1200 kilometers is between them. Thank the lord for modern communications. I could write volumes on the incredible support, love, and faith we have for each other. This I pray will continue and with the help of Our Lady of Good Council spread to each and every one we meet.

Submitted by: Daisy Mah

Congratulations are in order for the members of the Victoria Diocese. We have once again experienced growth amongst our member councils this year and continue to strive for unity of purpose as we look to the future.

2010 Highlights include:

• A Commitment to continue to strive for excellence and are encouraged by the fact that we have a full slate of officers chosen to serve. Our new executive will consist of both experienced members and newcomers to the Council. All were confirmed at our 82nd Annual Convention held in Port Alberni earlier this month.
• A revised – more comprehensive Victoria Diocesan Policy Manual was instituted in March. With the hope that by having a clear stated course of action and policy, we will become more streamlined and efficient.
• We continue to keep League issues to the forefront in our Diocese policy.
• We continue to encourage councils to improve and reinvent interesting topics to keep meetings upbeat and attractive.
• We continue to remember at all times our Diocesan motto: We Are Family!

Our future is bright, provided we remember our League experience should always adopt the three principals at meetings: Faith / Fun / Fulfillment

Our first order of business will be an educational workshop (as defined in our Diocesan Policy and Procedure manual) to familiarize the Diocesan Executive with their duties. This workshop will take place in mid-June, followed in mid July by a business/social gathering in part to get to know one another better and to follow up the June workshop with an opportunity for officers to ask any questions they may have arising from the information gathered.

Before the Fall interim meeting, parish presidents have been advised to review with their councils the newly revised Policy & Procedure manual discussed above and to familiarize the membership with Diocesan Policies.

It has been recommended that each parish council consider implement their own Policy and Procedures manuals to supplement the Diocesan Policy & Procedure manual as well as the National manual of Policy & Procedure.

Submitted by: Rose Sehn

The Nelson Diocesan Council reports for 2009 indicated that most parish councils are doing quite well. Some Standing Committee Chairs are not filled. However, most councils submit reports of activities in all committees. The challenge for all councils is to attract younger women to join and take responsibility on the executive level.

There has been an increase in our membership in the past two years and we hope that this trend continues. A majority of councils divide the meetings in the business/spiritual/ social components and this leads to better attendance and interest in league work. The best notes about parish councils were the ones which stated the camaraderie among the members is great, as is the love for one another.

We honored two women for their exceptional service to the League with the Bellelle Guerin Award. Perhaps, we could honor more of our deserving members with this award.

Nelson Diocese will host the 2011 B.C.& Yukon Provincial Convention in Penticton. Sharon Vaillancourt, of St. Ann’s Council is Convention Chair; she reports the convention is now a work in progress. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Linda McClinton

It has been a wonderful, learning experience year. Each new chair I take on I learn so much more about our League and why I choose to “Belong”. I admire those ladies who have taken these positions on before me and I am so grateful for their willingness to be mentors and help me whenever I ask.

I was grateful that our Diocese had a full slate of officers to begin this 2-year term. The past Life Member Liaison, Diana Mackenzie, passed away in December and our Treasurer, Sandra Silberberger, passed away in February. We miss both of these wonderful members. I am grateful to past treasurer, Pauline for taking on this job until convention and then I appointed a new treasurer, Dodie’s daughter, Jennifer Foster. In the 2 weeks prior to convention 2 more of the executive resigned due to one moving, and one being unable to continue due to ill health. I am grateful that with a phone call, 2 prior executive members will fill in until elections.

I started this year in hopes of visiting each area and attending their regional meetings. I visited 3 of 4 and so enjoyed their meetings. Susan Steiner, past Diocesan President, and I went to Fort St. John in October for their meeting and we had a wonderful time and I attended one in Prince George and one in the western region. All were very well attended. I will attempt to attend all regions this fall {that is a lot of miles}. I have tried to aid and encourage those councils, which are struggling and will continue to do so.

The other thing I have tried very hard to do is get all councils to submit reports, which 13 of 16 did. We will have a workshop on communiqués and reporting at our mid-term in September.

I had the honour of having Nancy Simms at our convention in April and to award Life membership to Dodie Bond. She is a very deserving member and continues to help with Spiritual and mentoring at the local level and is always willing and gracious in answering all questions for any members.

Thank you and may Our Lady of Good Counsel guide all our endeavors in the coming year.

Submitted by: Sharon Geiger

I stand her before you, wondering where my year as Diocesan president has gone so quickly! Did I begin to accomplish my goals that I set out to do for my term? I wanted to help members grow more spiritually, learn more about CWL, make new friends, and laugh a little.

Our Diocesan council has grown by one more Parish council, which is Our Lady of the Valley in Cold Stream. It is exciting to have a new council with a lot of young women as members.

We now have two councils, which have started the Catholic Girls League, these are exciting times. The Kamloops Diocesan members enjoyed having the Vernon Catholic Girls League participate at our convention.

How many of you know about the lives of St. Frances Cabrini, St. Dymphna, St. Marguerite Bourgeois, St. Anthony of Padua or Saint Josephine Bakhita? » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

How many of you know when WUCWO, World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations was founded? It was in 1910. How many members does it have? Almost 100 organizations active in over 60 countries including all continents and representing missions of Catholic women from every walk of life. Do you know when the League became affiliated with the International Union of Catholic Women, now known as the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO)? It was in 1921 and is an affiliation still enjoyed today.

All paid up members of the CWL are counted in this number and are represented at that international table by our own national President, Danielle McNeil-Hessian.

The mission of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) is to promote the presence, participation and co-responsibility of Catholic women in Church and society in order to fulfill their mission of evangelization and to work for human development. The priority for 2006-2010 was Building a Culture of Peace through the alleviation of poverty. » Read the rest of this entry »