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

Submitted by: Carol Penno

It was an honour and privilege to attend the National CWL Convention and WUCWO Regional North American Conference August 8-13, 2008 in Winnipeg, MB and represent The BC & Yukon Council as an accredited delegate. President Marianna Caldwell asked me to write the spiritual report and I pray this report will convey the spiritual messages we heard.

In the presence of 331 WUCWO Conference registrants, the opening liturgy of the Conference was celebrated at Blessed Virgin Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church. Upon entering this beautiful church you were enveloped with a sense of awe, majesty and wonder. There were many beautiful icons to the sides of the gated sanctuary. (See pictures I sent you) The Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom was used for worship. This Divine Liturgy is used throughout the ecclesiastical year with other Liturgies being used for special feast days, Lent, Christmas, etc. The beautifully voiced choir was called upon to lead us in the hymns. They also sang innumerable times for the responses many in Ukrainian and sung in various tones which added to the worship. We were provided with a booklet to help us follow along.

The Offertory procession included a Presentation Kolach (a round loaf of bread which was decorated with pieces of dough in a special pattern before baking), and a framed reproduction of the icon, The Holy Mother of God who is Patroness of the Ukrainian CWL of Canada. The National Executive President of the Ukrainian CWL Luba Kowalchyk presented WUCWO President General Karen Hurley with the framed Icon of Mary, The Holy Mother of God. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Nancy Simms

WUCWO North American Regional Conference, August 8 – 10, 2008

For me the WUCWO Conference began with Doreen Gowans and myself arriving at the hotel in Winnipeg on August 7th and being asked by Agnes Bedard to help sell WUCWO supplies at a table near the registration, which we happily agreed to do. This gave us an opportunity to meet many wonderful ladies from across North America, including the WUCWO President General, Karen Hurley whom we were trying to sell items to without realizing who she was! The next morning Agnes had Doreen and I assembling the table decorations and a large WUCWO poster for the conference and then we were back to work selling items throughout the conference. Just having the opportunity to do this work for WUCWO was an experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world. Marie Cameron also asked us if we would display handmade outfits that were made by a friend she had met through WUCWO who escaped a war ravished country (the name has escaped my mind) with all of her family murdered except her grandchildren, she is now making and selling these outfits to provide for her grandchildren. We sold all three outfits Marie had brought! » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Nancy Simms, BC/Yukon Organization Chair

After we were well rested from the WUCWO regional conference, with our hour and half lunch break the 2008 National Convention began in Winnipeg with an invigorating resolutions dialogue meeting. Women from all corners of Canada came together to educate themselves on the resolutions that would be presented to the floor of the convention. Six resolutions were given to us to read through and discuss and it is amazing how fast two and a half hours can go by! We then took a short dinner break before heading across the street to the beautiful St. Mary’s Cathedral for the opening mass where I was honoured to carry up the Yukon flag in the opening ceremonies.

Monday morning began with liturgy of the hours and then a thought provoking presentation by a panel of three keynote speakers. Dr. Moira McQueen, Executive Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute spoke to us about decision making at end of life. She told us how “Dying is the most important thing we do.” Therefore, it is extremely important that patients’ rights are honoured and that they are told the truth about what is happening to them. Patients should be involved in decision making, whenever possible, regarding treatment or withdrawal of treatment, ordinary/extraordinary measures and what is proportionate or disproportionate for what the patient and the family can bear. Dr. Moira also educated us on Pope John Paul II’s statement on Artificial Nutrition & Hydration. Summarizing it by explaining that in all that we do for the dying we must remember Veronica whom Jesus met on His way to be crucified, she did not pretend to take away what He had to endure, but only relieved or gave affirmation to the suffering. Veronica reached out in compassion as we all must do. » Read the rest of this entry »

MAY 29th to JUNE 1st, 2008
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C.

Submitted by: Sandra Stajduhar, Outgoing Chairperson of Communications

Members and Spiritual Advisors from throughout British Columbia and The Yukon were joyfully welcomed to Williams Lake for the 61st Annual Provincial Convention of the B.C. & Yukon Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. The Kamloops Diocesan Council with Sacred Heart parish council in Williams Lake offered warm hospitality, and the students and teachers from Sacred Heart School generously shared their facility and equipment and entertained us with artwork and song. Members met to report on and celebrate League activities, to exchange information and education, and to receive spiritual enrichment.

Most Reverend Gerald Wiesner was the main celebrant and homilist at the opening Mass at Sacred Heart Church and the opening ceremonies were followed by a wine and cheese reception hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

Business sessions were conducted by President Barbara Dowding. Reports were given by the provincial executive, as well as a report on the Life Member Book Project by Thelma Varcoe. The Molly Boucher Bursary was won by Bianca Pecora from Golden. Life Member, Carol Penno of Golden, accepted the award on Bianca’s behalf from Education and Health chairperson, Nancy Simms.

The National CWL President, Lorette Noble, presented a workshop on the future and vision of the League. She shared information on government meetings and the Presbyterian Women’s Society AGM, an update on Argentinean Grannies, and reminiscences on her term. There was also a presentation on Health and Wellness by Regula, a fitness and life coach. Members were reminded that a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual wellness is necessary to properly care for the house (body) that God has given us to live in. Guest presenters at the convention were Barbara MacDougall, a lay missionary, and Kathleen Ancker, Director of National Development, for Catholic Missions In Canada. Members were happy to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of CMIC by designating the convention collection to them. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Barbara Dowding

How to wrap up a year in the life as provincial president in four short minutes?! Its been a time of teaching, evangelizing, animating and motivating. A most recent highlight is the incorporation of a second provincial midterm meeting. This is a first for us and so good for a number of reasons, the most important of which is that it gives us more opportunities to get to know one another better, to brainstorm, network and have time for workshops. All of which helps us to grow in our own personal confidence and spirituality which should in turn benefit all of you! We’ve explored our different traits and characteristics and learned how to understand the way another thinks, works and reacts. Meeting together around the provincial table is productive, interesting and fun especially with more time to really get into the important things. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

In March this year the provincial delegation, Provincial President, Barb Dowding, Past President, Pat Battensby and myself made our way to the Legislature building for our meetings with both Liberal and New Democratic Party members to present and discuss the League’s resolutions.

We were warmly welcomed by the Liberal Caucus whip Mr. Randy Hawes for the first meeting attended by twenty-two members and three interns who were each given booklets listing the resolutions, briefs and recommended action plans in order for them to follow the presentation.

I began by introducing our delegates, giving a brief outline of our organization, and thanking the members for the work they do for our province. The following three resolutions were directed to the federal government, however we were asking that they give support to them:

Government Funding for Police Record Checks – people volunteer, many of them League members so is it fair to ask them to pay for these checks?

Global Accountability for Canadian registered Mining Companies. Mentioning that the League had withdrawn holdings from these companies and inviting them to consider this option.

Hospice Palliative Care, An Integral Component of the Canadian Health Care. To this, one member stated that end-of-life care is ‘spotty’ but a top priority   We were informed that it is a challenge to elected members each year and a struggle to put more monies into health care, but the good news is this year 2/3rd of monies is going into health care.  While they agreed with us we were asked if our organization would support the government to be sustainable in completely different ways of attacking this. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Elaine Audet

Madam President:

Good afternoon everyone. As your provincial treasurer I have fulfilled my duties as outlined in the Treasurers handbook, paid the bills in a timely fashion, deposited the money, prepared and distributed financial statements at Fall & Spring Mid-term meetings and Provincial convention. Served on Development Fund selection committee and tried to do everything asked of by my president as prompt as possible.

My goal as reported last year was to set up the books on the computer using Simply Accounting. That was done and I made it through my first year with everything balanced. Hoorah! I am very happy to have learned a new skill and hopefully one day to say I have mastered it. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Doreen Gowans

As Secretaries at all levels we find ourselves in the middle of all the activities of our councils.  It is up to us to ensure we have all the information at our fingertips or know where to get the information in the event we are asked by our Executive, or a member of our council or parish community.

On our National Catholic Women’s League website there is a Handbook for Secretaries that can be downloaded, printed or ordered through our National office.  In the Handbook you will find a job description for secretaries, our roles and responsibilities, information on how to set up agendas, what to include in your councils minutes, and how to address dignitaries at various levels of government as well as the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.  This is a must for every secretary including those with experience as it contains a wealth of knowledge and information. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Pat Battensby

I have very much enjoyed working with the diocesan past presidents for the past two years. The single most Persistent issue that I have gathered from the reports is the withdrawal feeling. It has been difficult for some to move on and realize that our new presidents have ideas of their own and we have had our opportunities. I know that presidents will bear this in mind and occasionally ask their past presidents for an opinion. I myself, thanks to our president Barb, have been kept very busy and have enjoyed every minute of the whole two years. There was no lack of jobs to do and it was so great as always to work with such an innovative group of ladies. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

My year has gone by quickly, I thank all you ladies and Father for making it very blessed and joyful. How blessed have we been? We have been awakened to Saint Gianna Molla (A women of exceptional love, an outstanding wife and mother, she gave witness in her daily life to the demanding values of the Gospel.) Immaculee Ilibagiza (a story of a remarkable women’s experiences in the midst of one of history’s most tragic events all the while she kept her unwavering faith and courage which allowed her to search for safety, peace and an everlasting heaven.) Kateri Tekakwitha (tortured and shunned for her believe in God. One thing she asks is this “Who can tell me what is most pleasing to God that I may do it.”)  St. Edith Stein, a German philosopher, Carmelite nun, martyr and Saint of the Catholic Church who died in Auschwitz. This year it has been Mother Teresa of Calcutta who lived and worked for the poorest of the poor. It would be awesome if this format could continue at our future Conventions and from there take it to our Parishes so as to nourish not only our ladies but open it up to the whole parish community. » Read the rest of this entry »