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

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Madam President, members of the League and guests:

You will find a condensed version of my annual Christian Family Life Report in the convention booklet.

We must continue to fight against Euthanasia; it says in the Declaration of Euthanasia on the value of life. (No one can make an attempt on the life of an innocent person without opposing God’s love for that person, without violating a fundamental right and therefore without committing a crime of the upmost gravity).

We must not stop the fight to end Human Trafficking. Continue to write your Member of Parliament and educate those around you of the atrocities.

Bishop Gerald Wiesner OMI from the Prince George Diocese is on the board of directors of “The Catholic Organization of Life and Family” as some know as COLF. You can go on line for more information on this organization. Go to www.colf.ca

There is a new document from the Vatican on Bioethics entitled “Dignitas Personae”. It talks about the right to life of every human being from conception until natural death. And the right to be born from a mother and a father. It is so sad that the gift of life that God has blessed us with is referred to today as a group of cells by some. I quote from the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith found on the Vatican website. “The Human Being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception; and therefore from that moment his rights as a person must be recognized, among which in the first place is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life.” End quote.

With all the technology that is out there we are getting more distant as a family. Parents and children both are either working, watching TV, texting (instead of talking) or on the computer. I have a vision of the family coming back together. I see bringing the family back to the table. In our busy lives we are all over the place-but-not together. We need to sit at a table as a family. Studies have shown that children who eat with their families have healthier diets and teens that eat at the table with their families are twice as likely to get “A’s” in school and half likely to abuse substances and parents are more likely to grow as a unit. This is a time where we as parents can teach and listen to our children. Keep meal times pleasant. Keep the conversation positive and make sure everyone has the chance to talk and be heard. Focus on the meal and your family. If you haven’t sat down together for while, talk it over with them and make a commitment to have at least one meal together per week and stick to it. Don’t answer the phone, turn off the TV. Remember to bring Jesus to the table with you. Give Jesus thanks for all he has given to your family. As parents we must never give up on our family and prayer.

What is your vision for your family? There are possibilities out there you just have to see them and believe the vision and it will come. As women we must keep Faith and Hope alive in our Families. You are their first teacher. Trust in God.

I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

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. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Well we are back at it.  I hope that you all had an awesome holiday where ever it may have been.

I hope that you received my last communiqué number 5; it had a lot of meat to it.  You will find information on what was to go on at the 12^th Annual National March for Life (Future without Abortion), and the ongoing concern of Euthanasia and assisted suicide.   Please these matters in the forefront.  Please continue to write you MP’s your voice really matters.

Family is “Spiritual Terrain” Pope Benedict XVI said Catholic parents should make sure to create a fertile spiritual terrain for priestly vocations as they educate their children in the faith. (Prairie Messenger September 2^nd 2009).  As this is the “Year for Priests” it is up to us as parents to nurture our children and guide them to discover that God’s true design for us is Love.  We were made by God for God.  If we do this they may find their way to the Priesthood.  Pope Benedict offered a prayer for the Year for Priests that “Christian Families may become small churches in which all vocations and charisms given by the Holy Spirit will be welcomed and valued.  Don’t be afraid to talk to you children about vocations and the consecrated life.

Christmas is not far around the corner.  There are a lot of lonely persons out there.  If you know someone who will be along a Christmas, now is the time to visit the rest homes and find out what you can do to help them out. You may want to invite them to special celebrations you are holding.  It might be something that the parishes can think about as team work.  I am sure that they could do with some friendly voices and company. » Read the rest of this entry »

Presented by: Barbara Dowding

This is a short overview or history of trafficking, a brief background from the provincial point of view, some good news, Pat will tell of recent action and we’ll close with a meditation.

Trafficking update

In 2004 after a presentation to a CWL meeting by a member of parliament, League members were shocked to find out that Canada was involved in the trafficking of people including children.

What followed from that day, well, as they say, the rest is history!

The first resolution to come forward, called “End trafficking of children” – 2004.05 began its journey from a parish in Kamloops to diocesan, provincial, all the way to national. And it didn’t stop there – it went to WUCWO where it passed at their general assembly and thus received worldwide attention.

This is not the story of a solitary journey. Simultaneously, many other things were going along in the area of trafficking. The CWL was particularly active and our provincial council got involved in a significant way.

2004-06 – When Pat Battensby was president, she made it a point of having education about the issue of human trafficking and gave it priority status. Many of you will recall the workshops and presentations during that time, especially Sisters Pirette Boisse, CND and Nancy Brown.

Members were appalled, horrified and even put off with all the sordid details and graphic imagery that was so hard to take. Some felt it was an issue being forced upon us and, not unlike domestic violence, something many did not want to know about. Is this because it really is too awful? Or that we can’t possibly make it go away? That we are unable to fix it? » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Madam President, members of the League and guests:

You will find a condensed version of my annual Christian Family Life Report in the convention booklet – if anyone would like the full report – email me and I will see that you get it.

We must continue to fight against Euthanasia; it says in the Declaration of Euthanasia on the value of life. (No one can make an attempt on the life of an innocent person without opposing God’s love for that person, without violating a fundamental right and therefore without committing a crime of the up most gravity).

We must not stop the fight to end Human Trafficking. Continue to write your Member of Parliament and educate those around you of the atrocities.

Bishop Gerald Wiesner OMI from the Prince George Diocese is on the board of directors of “The Catholic Organization of Life and Family” as some know as COLF. You can go on line for more information on this organization. Go to www.colf.ca » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Dear Sisters in the League;

Blessings to you!  I concur that we have to speak for the voiceless and that the League’s policy regarding the precious gift of life is that it must be respected from conception to natural death.  We must continue to oppose the legalization of laws that threaten the lives of vulnerable members of society – the unborn, the disabled, and the aged or chronically ill.  The League supports groups that share its values and sometimes withdraws when they behave in opposition to these values.  We as members of the Catholic Women’s League must act in non- violent ways, by writing letters, petitions, resolutions, etc to achieve goals.

The theme for the 12th annual National March for Life is “Exodus 2009 – A Future Without Abortion”.  Campaign Life Coalition submitted proposed bills to legislation, to our Pro-Life MPs for their consideration: » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Blessings to you and your family on this beautiful day, God has made for us.

Please note the above new themes; National “Women of Peace and Hope” and our very own provincial “Serving with Faith and Joy” they are to be used for the next two years.  Our National Resolutions Chairperson Barbara Dowding said “As Women of Peace and Hope we cross all barriers when we extend a hand of comfort and welcome of friendship, understanding and compassion”  I ask that you stop and ponder that…put it in context with the family, widowed, divorced, elderly, unemployed, sick, depressed etc.  We can reach out and give Peace and Hope to those around us. What do we do to help bring Peace and Hope?

I have not heard from many of the Christian Family Life Chairpersons on the Diocesan Level.  When you send out your next communiqué please let you ladies know that I would love to hear from them.

This is a reminder that your annual reports are due to me no later than February 15th.  I have received one to date from the Diocese of Prince George.

The Government of BC resumes Feb. 26th and we must be diligent and keep up on what is happening with the old bills that may come back up with any other new ones that may be brought forward. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Greetings one and all on this Advent Season with it brings a strong sense of longing for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you to those who send me their communiqués.  I enjoy reading them.  Thank you.

I received a communiqué from our National Christian Family Chairperson and from that I will inform you of timely and important issues.

A recent report commissioned by Life Canada shows that we on evenly split on the question of euthanasia versus palliative care (approx. 44 per cent either way).  Pending on the ages asked deemed how they answered.  I.e. over 60 years went with palliative care about 51 per cent.  We are to remember that; good palliative care provides effective pain management and support for those dying.  It is up to us members to petition political leaders to take action so that those in need get the proper palliative care.

I have been asked to share with you these definitions in regards to Elder Care.

Will:  a written document that directs how your assets are to be distributed after death.  It is not effective until death.

Power of Attorney: a written document that gives another person the right to act on your behalf.  It can be effective immediately or upon a certain contingency, for example, incapacity.

Health Care Directive: a Living Will or a Directive to Physicians.  You may be familiar to this document due to the Terri Schiavo case.  It sets forth your wished as to life support and related matters and names a person to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

Probate: a will is filled with the court and a legal proceeding started, the proceeding is called a probate.  Probate confirms that the filled will is in fact the last will and testament of the deceased and the named estate trustee has the authority to administer the estate.

Guardianship: is a formal, court-appointed method of substitute decision making on behalf of a person who is unable to manage his or her own affairs.  Guardianship of incapacitated adults is also known as conservatorship or interdiction, and can be necessary to provide a person with care.  It is, however, an undertaking in which the ward loses substantial right.  In recent years, there have been increasing reports of guardianship abuse.  You may want to look to these sites for more information.

www.facinglife.tv (Life Issues Institute, Inc.) » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

While the Lord’s coming is getting ever closer. It is also the time for reports. The dates are:

Parish report to Diocesan – December 15th
Diocesan report to Provincial – February 15th
Provincial report to National – March 15th

Looking forward to seeing what your areas have accomplished in your Diocesan report.

Please encourage your parish Christian Family Life Chairpersons to look to their local and Catholic Newspapers etc of items of importance and to present them along with other items of interest at their meetings for discussion.

While I was growing up divorce was not so common, abortion was illegal, same sex couples where not mentioned and I never heard of assisted suicide, and the idea of a marriage was only between a man and a women and for sure I don’t remember ever hearing any one talk about embryonic cell research. How the world has changed…Where did the morals and God’s teachings go? We must protect our faith and stand by it. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

This is my first communique as your Christian Family Life Chairperson for the Province of BC. It will be learning experience for me as I have a lot of reading ahead of me. So please bear with me. I will endeavour to keep you updated with what is new and upcoming in this chair. If you have any concerns or questions pertaining to this chair please feel free to contact me.

Congratulations to our Immediate Provincial Past President Barbara Dowding to her position as Resolutions Chairperson on the National level.

The National March for Life, May 14th 2009 will mark 40 years since former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s omnibus bill decriminalizing abortion in Canada. Let’s be part of this and help defend the unborn.  See if you can get your parish involved in a march to coincide with this date.

On July 1st the governor general of Canada named Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada. A letter was sent to R. Honorable Michaelle Jean expressing the League’s disappointment and distress in the mater and that they revoke the decision.  We must continue to write our letters to our MPs.  We have to protect the unborn! » Read the rest of this entry »