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

Submitted by: Jeanne Wilson

Dear Education and Health chairs, please have all your diocesan education and health reports to me by February 15 and thank you to those who have already submitted their reports.

Matthew – Chapter 13 – 33: “Jesus told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through”. Let us be the leaven.”

Pastoral Care Program

The Fraser Health Authority is cutting the Regional Co-ordinator for Spiritual Care and the hospital-based pastoral care co-ordinator positions. Their responsibilities are to fall to social workers and personnel who maange hospital volunteers in the Fraser Health Authority.

All CWL members need to contact their MLA’s and the Minister of Health Services, Kevin Falcon, and voice their opposition to this decision by the Fraser Health Authority, since this decision will affect all of the Health Authorities of BC.

Bursary Deadlines

Please promote all the bursaries – parish, diocesan, provincial and national.

Provincial: Molly Boucher – application form on provincial website, cwl.bc.ca, completed and returned by March 31st to me. Please remind applicants to print neatly and only include the material requested as everyone is treated equally and extra material will not be forwarded to the selection committee.

Life Members Art and Culture Award – criteria and application forms available on the website, cwl.bc.ca; completed and returned by March 31st and sent to Shirley Armillotta.

National – criteria and application available on national website, cwl.ca, under supplies and forms. Completed and returned by May 31st to National Office.

Weight

At the Provincial Convention in Prince George, a member approached me about doing something about the weight of our members. Many of us are carrying a few or many extra pounds which is not good for our health. A good place to start is with Resolution 03.05 type 2 Diabetes and You, which has three actions for members: 1. Have regular physical examinations and discuss Type 2 Diabetes with your physician; 2. Embrace a healthy active life style and 3. Invite health care professionals to speak to members about diabetes. The Diabetes Association of Canada www.diabetes.ca has many resources to help educate our members as to what is diabetes, how to prevent this illness and how to manage it. Contact the Diabetes Association and have a counselor give a presentation at one of your meetings and encourage parish councils to educate their members about healthy eating. Be an example by ensuring that snacks at meetings are healthy and not calorie laden.

Exercise is very important to maintain a healthy body. Encourage events that require exercise such as Walking to End Cancer. Or, make members aware of exercise programmes in their communities or programmes such as yoga that can be done in church halls and basements.

After attending, a presentation by Fr. Mark Miller, an ethicist, he made me aware of the problems of the obese. We must remember that obesity is not “they are fat because it is their fault.” Obese people must be treated with respect and dignity at all times.

Palliative Care

We have to be advocates for palliative care in our communities. Bill 384 has not yet come before parliament and to defeat this bill we must make everyone aware that good, supportive palliative care is the answer not assisted suicide. Please find out about palliative care in your diocese and be vigilant and protect the programmes that are in your diocese.

Education

The TV news is showing that many school boards in BC will be looking at ways to cut costs and to operate within their budgets. The news suggests that jobs will be cut in many school districts especially for special programmes to special needs children. Be aware of what is happening in your school districts and schools and ensure that special needs children are receiving the education that develops their full potential.

Genetics

When I received the first diocesan report, I read that some parishes do not have enough information on genetics to comment and therefore are not attempting this topic. A good start is to look at Resolution 02.09 Human Stem Cell Research and follow the action plan. Next order copies for each member of Stem Cells – Astonishing promises… but at what cost? from COLF www.colf.ca and study it together or order a copy of the DVD, Cutting through the Spin on Stem Cells and Cloning with Rev. Dr. Tad Pachoiczyk available from the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, website www.ncbcenter.org/stemcell.asp

Environment

Encourage all parishes to do one thing a month to help the environment. The action does not have to be huge. If everyone does one small action it will turn into a big action for the earth; such as recycling as much as possible after a parish event.

Remember that we are to be the yeast that leavens the bread by our example and good works.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel keep you close.