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

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

I pray that you all have a very spiritually filled Christmas. Know that my prayers are with you and your family.

Haiti: for those who don’t have computers or access to the internet, I would like to share with you some to Pope Benedict the XVI message to the Haiti’s President and Bishops. You can get the full message by going to www.zenit.org/article-28143?1=english.

This message was written on January 24, 2010. = We Won’t Abandon You =

This message affirms the Pontiff’s sorrow for the quake victims and his nearness to the survivors. The Holy Father expressed through prayer that God would “Welcome into the peace of his kingdom all those who died in the earthquake” and “grant consolation to their families, who often, were unable to provide their deceased loves one a worthy burial.” Pope Benedict also prayed “that the spirit of solidarity will live in the hearts of all and that calm will reign in the streets, so that the generous aid that is arriving from all countries will bring relief to all and the people today who have lost everything will be comforted in knowing that the entire international community is taking care of them in concrete way.” “In this moment of darkness,” Benedict XVI said “I invoke Our Lady of Perpetual Help, that she would be a mother of tenderness and guide hearts so that solidarity will prevail over isolation and (the attitude of) ‘every man for himself. Amen…What can we as individuals do to help? What can we collectively do to help? We can help through our local churches, by having special collections. We can all so collectively help by sending our donations to Development and Peace and earmark it for Haiti Relief Fund. What you decide to do is up to you either as individuals or collectively.

Human Trafficking

As you know the Olympics are just about upon us. The Catholic Women’s League has been relentless as to their feelings on Human Trafficking.

On May 28th, 2005 we signed the following declaration at the 58th Annual BC & Yukon Provincial Convention: Declaration of Trafficking: “We the more than 8,000 members of The Catholic Women’s League in BC and the Yukon, part of nearly 100,000 women of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, reflecting on our theme, “Contemplate the Face of Christ” and believing in the Objects of the League, propose this declaration statement that addressed the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation and all other forms of exploitation”. As was stated by our Provincial President that we were assured that the 2010 Olympics were a big concern and that since September of 08 there have been meetings with the RCMP in BC. While the police are doing their part we must continue to do our part. Talk to your MP’s; educate those around you of the atrocities that are happening around us.

I am sending you a copy of Stations of the Cross on Human Trafficking to all my Diocesan counterparts for you to copy and send out to your diocesan counterparts. This is the time to do it while the Olympics are on. Don’t put it on the shelf do it now! The women and children need us.

Notes from our National Christian Family Life Chairperson (Pearl Bridgewater)

Bill C-384 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code (right to die with dignity). Due to the Winter Olympics this has been put on hold until March 3rd 2010. It have been reported that the earliest this bill will be voted on is March 17th or 24th but that is very changeable…please continue to write personal letters to local members of parliament and meet with them if possible regarding the sanctity of life. Don’t forget to bring up palliative care at the same time.

Youth: Christian Family Life chairpersons are encouraged to offer mentorship to Catholic Girls League (CGL) councils. Anyone interested in finding out more about this can contact Ann Doucet who is the sub-chairperson for youth. She can offer you assistance and advice. Contact her through Pearl Bridgewater at pearl_gill@yahoo.com for her address etc.

The Elderly: The League continues to honor the elderly by advocating for and monitoring care programs and facilities. Focus is devoted to fair treatment and protection from abuse and injustice.

Reminder: the deadline for diocesan to submit your reports to Provincial is February 15, 2010. Keep your history alive. Waiting to hear from you. I would like to close with this prayer I found on the Internet; please copy and take to your home and pray for the Haitians. God Bless you all and my Our Lady of Good Counsel guide and keep you as you continue your work for God and Canada.

Pray for Haiti

Our hearts are breaking, God.
The human mind cannot grasp the enormity of the loss.
The cries echo through the universe.
Innocent blood is calling us
To rise up from our heartbreak and act.
We pray for Haiti.

Help us, God,
To understand that destruction can come in a moment
But healing may take a lifetime.
Teach us perseverance, teach us dedication.
We pray for Haiti.
God of the weak, God of the broken-hearted,
God of the living, God of the dead,
Send healing to Haiti.
Send hope to the children who are lost and alone,
Send strength and resilience to the wounded,
And comfort to the grieving.
Fill the leaders of Haiti with the wisdom to raise their country up.
Fill relief workers with resolve.
Bless the doctors and nurses with the power
And the skill to save as many lives as possible.
Open their eyes, steady their hands.
We pray for Haiti.

Bless us, God,
Work through us.
Remind us that every one of us is filled with the power to heal.
Do not let the passage of time lead us to indifference.
Open our hearts, open our hands.
We pray for Haiti.

Let all nations unite as one in a time of reconstruction and repair.
Raise up the people of Haiti, God, out of helplessness and despair.
Teach them to believe
That cities shall be rebuilt on their ruins
That the cries of the children will soon return to laughter.
Be with them, God, watch over them.
And gather the souls of the dead
Whose homes and schools became their graves
Into Your eternal shelter,
Let them find peace in Your presence, God.
We pray for Haiti.
Amen.