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

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: Linda McClinton

I have come to the end of my two-year term as President-elect and am now Prince George Diocesan President with a full slate of Officers. With a lot of prayer and encouragement, our ladies came forward and took leadership in each of our Standing Committees. I am very grateful for each one who has taken on this responsibility and pray that each one gets the wonderful benefits of the deeper understanding of each new experience. I attended Conventions at all three levels this past year, Diocesan, Provincial and National, a very enjoyable and great learning experience.

The goal of our past Diocesan President, Susa`n, was 100% reports from the Parish Presidents. She received 15 out of 16, 94%. That was fantastic. I also will attempt to do the same. We had hoped to visit all the councils in our Diocese, especially those who are struggling. We never managed that mostly due to winter conditions in the North but Susan was diligent in maintaining contact through e-mails and is fantastic at returning an answer to any questions we had. I pray I will do the same. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Susan S.

Madame  President

We are a Diocese of 18 Parishes of which there is 16 active. Two are inactive at present. I am working on getting one going again at present. My Parish Council has offered to help. I am hoping that with an invitation to our CWL parish council meeting in Fraser Lake some of the ladies from that parish will attend and we can sister with them and get Burns Lake active again. That is my goal for this year. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Susan S.

Madam President,

We are a Diocese spread for many miles with 18 parish councils of which 16 are active. Our membership is up 6% or 39 members.

We had a very good Diocesan Convention April 13th to 15th. Our National President attended as the guest speaker at the Banquet. She was at the convention from start to finish. What a spiritual, enthusiastic and inspirational person. She attended all the meetings so that she could experience CWL in our part of the woods. Mind you, we picked her brain lots and she was just one of us. Our Provincial Spiritual Advisor, Father Terry Brock attended and gave a presentation on Saint Gianna Molla. Marilyn V………., provincial 2nd vice was also in attendance and gave a workshop on Restructuring of Standing Committees. Another two hours went by fast. Our convention ended on an enthusiastic note. » Read the rest of this entry »