Happy Summer! I pray that everyone is enjoying a beautiful summer and has enjoyed the work of God’s creation. I have just returned from National in Ottawa with a detour to Toronto to visit my daughter.

Dear communication chairs, this will be my first communiqué. I look forward to working with all of you. Those who are continuing for another year, keep up the good work. To those who are new, thank you for taking on this commitment. Communications is the thread that binds all of us together throughout B.C. and Yukon.

Executive Handbook

The executive handbook was updated in January. It is available on line at  www.cwl.ca.

Please check out the section on Communications.

Workshop

Betty Anne Brown, Past National Chairperson of Communication, has developed a workshop, Pinwheels – A Workshop on Communications. Councils at all levels are encouraged to use the workshop to promote positive communications throughout the League.

The workshop is available from  www.cwl.ca under communications.

Newsletter

Items for the newsletter are due September 1, 2010. Please remember that the purpose of the newsletter is to be a teaching aid to educate and share ideas both from the BC & Yukon Provincial Council and from our members. Please include the parish, city or town and diocese that each article is coming from especially if the article is from a parish council. Please remember that the focus on the fall newsletter is education.

The survey regarding the newsletter that was conducted at the provincial convention indicated that many members are not aware of the existence of the newsletter even though the newsletter had been published for the last ten years. More awareness of the newsletter is needed at the parish council level.

Pornography

We continue to observe the proliferation of pornography and specifically its very alarming growth on the Internet.

White ribbon campaign will be from Sunday October 17 until October 24. Kits are available from C.A.S.E. at  www.4case.ca. C.A.S.E. plans to focus this year’s campaign on Internet Service Providers. All councils are urged to conduct a white ribbon campaign in their parish.

Media to Promote the League

Over the summer, I checked out each diocesan website. Five of the diocesan websites have a link to the CWL national website; only one diocesan website has a link to the BC CWL website, www.cwl.bc.ca.

Please check your diocesan website and see if the information on the CWL is up to date. Ask at the diocesan office, if the BC website can be added to the diocesan website.

After our provincial convention in Richmond, Doreen Gowans sent out a press release to the Catholic newspapers in B.C. She asked that when the article was printed, a copy be sent to me. I have a subscription to the BC Catholic and I was pleased to read the article that was printed in the July 26th edition. I have also received articles from that were printed in Catholic Mountain Star and Diocesan News of Kamloops. If the article has been printed in any other diocesan paper, please send me a copy.

Media for Evangelization

Salt + Light Television is an award-winning network that offers programs, documentaries and a variety of hope-filled content. The network is operated by Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, a charitable organization devoted to spreading the flavor of the Gospel and the Light of Christ to the world through media. Salt and Light is on the internet and can be live streamed at saltandlighttv.org. It is carried by Bell (ch 654), Rogers (ch 240) and Shaw (ch 160). Excellent videos that can be used at CWL meetings can be purchased such as Mary MacKillop Australia’s First Saint; A Hand of Peace Pope Pius X11 and the Holocaust. Salt + Light is currently working on a feature length documentary on the Benedictine monastery in Mission, BC.

St Paul to the Romans 12 11-12: Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel keep you in her sight.

Front Row Left to Right: Marianna Caldwell, Doreen Gowans, Nancy Simms, Pat Deppiesse, Evelyn Rigby, Sandra Stajduhar Back Row Left to Right: Dodie Bond, Lorrilee Jordan, Jeanne Wilson, Caroline Ann-Alter, Betty Hoskins, Lois Charlebois Insert: Fr. Tien Tran, Provincial Spiritual Advisor

RICHMOND – The 63rdAnnual Convention of the BC & Yukon Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was held at St. Monica’s Parish and hosted by Region 1 of the Vancouver Archdiocese, May 27 – 29, 2010.

Most Reverend Michael Miller, CSB Archbishop of the Diocese of Vancouver gave the Keynote addressing the CWL theme “Women of Peace & Hope” and challenging the CWL members to be “Heralds of Hope”. He offered a reflection on how CWL members can be women of hope and witnesses of hope to all the different communities they are associated with by understanding the concept of eternal life, the relationship between purgatory and hope and being able to share that hope with others. Further speakers included: Denis Boyd, M.A. registered Psychologist, who gave a compelling presentation entitled “Communication in a Great Relationship” offering practical tips and proven strategies to enhance listening skills, beat stress and communicate better; Daphne Gray-Grant spoke on “Beating Writer’s Blank” opening our imaginations to ‘mind-mapping’ a concept to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas; and Fr. Tien Tran Provincial Spiritual Advisor gave an enlightening talk explaining many of the nuances that will be coming from “The New Roman Missal” which will affect us all. This workshop format and the many questions and concerns were addressed with clarity. Reports from the Executive, Standing Committees and the 6 Diocesan Presidents were informative as well as educational. Two Resolutions came to the floor and were passed. The resolution entitled “Safe Haven Law” will be forwarded onto the CWL National Council to be considered for presentation at their convention in August, while the other resolution “Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias” will be sent to our Provincial & Territorial Governments.

Members previewed The Catholic Women’s League of Canada’s 90th Anniversary celebration by dressing in 1940′s attire and by singing and listened to music from that period as together they celebrated the day with fun, faith and fulfillment. At the National convention in Ottawa each Province and the Military Ordinariate will represent a different decade.

The newly elected officers and executive include President Nancy Simms, Kamloops, Past President Marianna Caldwell, President Elect (Organization) Doreen Gowans, Kamloops; 1st Vice President (Education and Health) Dodie Bond, Prince George; 2nd Vice President (Resolutions) Pat Deppiesse, North Vancouver; Secretary, Evelyn Rigby, Powell River; Treasurer, Sandra Stajduhar, Trail; Standing Committee Chairs: Betty Hoskins, Duncan (Spiritual Development); Lois Charlebois; Surrey (Christian Family Life), ; Caroline Ann-Alter, Kelowna (Community Life); Jeanne Wilson, Whitehorse, YK (Communications); Lorrilee Jordan, Armstrong (Legislation); and Sheila Quinn BC & Yukon Life Member Liaison.

The Executive and table officers were installed in the presence of Most Reverend Michael Miller, Archbishop of Vancouver, Bishop David Monroe, Bishop of Kamloops, Fr. Tien Tran Provincial Spiritual Advisor, Coquitlam, Fr. Dale Normandeau, Kamloops Diocesan Spiritual Advisor, St. James, Vernon, and Fr. Tony Boniface, St. Monica’s Parish, Richmond.

Life Member Pat Battensby presented the BC & Yukon Life Member’s Arts & Cultural Award to Lucille Schaubroeck, from Williams Lake, BC. She is a talented musician and is studying to become a high school teacher. Lucille also received the Molly Boucher Bursary presented by Jeanne Wilson, Provincial Education & Health Standing Committee Chair.

Both President Nancy Simms and Past President Marianna Caldwell together with the executive are educating members to reach out to their parish and communities in Peace and Hope serving our members with Faith and Joy.

For more information, please visit our web site www.cwl.bc.ca

Respectfully submitted,

Doreen Gowans, BC & Yukon Prov. Communications

As women of peace & hope we are asked to be God’s hands and feet here on earth serving His people.  Have we communicated that to all of our sisters in the league?  Have you shared the  “Peace And Hope Activities Kit” with your members? What treasures have you found in the league that has given you excitement of being a member?

As communication chairs it is our responsibility to promote council activities with an added dose of faith, fun and fulfillment.  We have been challenged to welcome everyone into this wonderful organization we know as the catholic women’s league of Canada.   We need to communicate our enthusiasm with everyone we meet and invite them to follow us.

To inform our members we have many venues at our fingertips. For example we have our league magazine with excellent articles from our national, and provincial leaders as well as members and guests.  These articles inform and challenge us to be and do the best we can to inform and promote the league.  Another avenue is the e-newsletter, which can be subscribed to or viewed on line on our Catholic women’s league national web site at www.cwl.ca.

This is a monthly newsletter, which is a supplement to the league magazine.  The BC & Yukon council has it’s own newsletter entitled “the communicator”, which is the responsibility of the provincial communications chair to collect compile and distribute to the provincial council, diocesan presidents and diocesan communications chairpersons who then forward onto the parish councils.  The communicator is published twice a year, once prior to the diocesan council conventions and once in the fall.  The purpose of our provincial newsletter is to be a teaching aid to educate and share ideas both from the BC & Yukon provincial council and from and to our members.    The spring edition can be viewed along with the recent communiqués on our provincial web site at www.cwl.bc.ca. I have thoroughly enjoyed putting together this newsletter and it has been by far the most educational and fun aspect as communications chair.  World communications day is the 1^st Sunday in June, which this year is June 6, 2010.

White ribbon against pornography is Sunday cot. 17 – sun. Oct. 24, 2010. The ribbon of signatures kit is available from C.A.S.E. (Canadians against sexual exploitation) for a suggested donation of $25. I invite every council and member to take out a membership in C.A.S.E.  By going on line to C.A.S.E. You will see a newsletter keeping you informed on what you can do to educate your children so they do no become victims of child pornography.

Some tips are:

• Communicate with your children about their Internet activities.
• Keep the computer in an open area of your home, never in the child’s bedroom
• Monitor any web cam usage.
• Monitor any use on web sites that are specifically designed for young children.
• Protect your wireless router signal with a password.

This year the white ribbon campaign will focus on Internet service providers or (ISP’S). For more info go to their website at www.4case.ca

A parish council viewed a film on “trafficking of women” which provided information for one family that may have aided in a young girl not becoming a trafficked victim.  Communicating to our members can be a powerful tool to pass on necessary information.

I had the opportunity to talk to our Kamloops diocesan council about an all expense paid trip to New York to attend a workshop on trafficking for young male & female age 18 – 25 years.  This was sponsored by UNANIMA – an international coalition of congregations of roman catholic sisters committed to work for peace and human dignity, through the united nations, other NGO’s through collaboration, education, and advocacy.

I was very excited when I heard a young man from Vernon, BC age 25, married and a father of an 8-month-old boy was one of the chosen recipients to attend this wonderful workshop.  It was an honour to see the results of speaking out and communicating.

Communication involves stepping out of our comfort zone and reaching out and welcoming those who we do not know.  I challenge you to make new friends and talk to members that you have not met.  If you meet my challenge come and see me and I will give you a little gem for your effort.  Have fun and meet your sisters in the league.  Thanks to Sandralynn Stone, Nelson Diocesan Communications Chair for this wonderful idea.

Food for thought – in one of the diocesan communication reports it was reported that communication is saying what we need to say with as few words as possible.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me during the past 2 years.  For me it has been a growth opportunity, which I have thoroughly loved and I hope you have enjoyed.   Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien:

This will be my last communiqué as BC & Yukon Provincial Communications Standing Committee Chairperson as my term is up at our Provincial Convention in Richmond at the end of the month.

I would like to thank my current Diocesan Communications Standing Committee Chairpersons: Kamloops – Linda Hogg and Marguerite LebBlanc, Nelson – Sandralynn Stone, Prince George – Karen Gierc, Vancouver – Vinola Aguilera, Victoria – Margaret Beardon and Whitehorse – Edna Lorenzen. Your help and contributions have made my Standing Committee easier to manage. You’re a wonderful group of ladies and my prayer for each of you is that you go forward and continue working for the betterment of our Catholic Women’s League as we reach out and do our part to make our world a better place for the League and especially our children and grandchildren.

Welcome to our new 2010 Diocesan Communications Standing Committee Chairpersons:

Kamloops Diocese: Marguerite Leblanc

Nelson Diocese: Joe Lauer

Prince George Diocese: Maureen Sander

Vancouver Archdiocese: Vinola Aguilera

Victoria Diocese: Dorothy Griffin

Whitehorse Diocese: Edna Lorenzen

Another prayer is that you have fun and enjoy this Standing Committee as much as I have. Thank you for saying “Yes” to our Catholic Women’s League.

Newspaper Addresses: Following the 2010 BC & Yukon Provincial Convention in Richmond, I will be sending out a “Press Release” and therefore I have a request, will you send me your Archdiocesan/Diocesan Catholic News Paper’s correct name, mailing address and email address so I can send the “Press Release” for publication?

C.A.S.E.: Encourage all councils to take out a membership in C.A.S.E. (Canadians Against Sexual Exploitation). Reminder of the White Ribbon Against Pornography Campaign this fall.

Our current National Communications Chair is Betty Ann Brown and in one of her Communiqué’s she stated, “Realize what the League does best and run with it; in promotion of council activities, communications chairpersons are reminded to add a dose of faith, fun and fulfillment. This year, be inclusive – offer a hand of welcome to anyone who might need it. Remember the vision: ‘Welcome, friend’ and palliative care, both deeply rooted challenges from society; what can be done about them?

Auxiliary Bishop Peter Hundt, of Toronto, urges the faithful to be “the yeast in society”, to listen to the Holy Spirit and be aware of the call to be sacred signs of Christ in the world. We are women of this moment in time, followers of Jesus. What tools are available to assist in that challenge?”

Peace & Hope Activities Kit: Review the activities kit as you plan your activities in your council. There are many good suggestions for you to use as Communications Chairperson. See how many you can complete by this time next year. Have FUN!

ZENIT: The World Seen from Rome is a free on-line news service at www.zenit.org/english. It is a non-profit international news agency that has presented the latest in Catholic world news since 1997.

All the best for a term of Faith, Fun and Fulfillment as we all work together to make our League the best it can be and we work for God and Canada.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien:

I hope everyone had a wonderful spirit filled Christmas season and learned to appreciate the baby Jesus and what the season of Christmas really means! My welcome back prayer for everyone is that we continue to communicate with one another, sharing our ideas so we can make our Catholic Women’s League a better organization that meets the needs of all of our members. A friend of mine said the way she has found to increase her prayer life is to communicate with God as though she was talking to her best friend. We talk to our friends often in respectful, formal and yet at times casual ways. We too can communicate with God in the same manner, but we must remember to take the time to listen to God so we can follow in his footsteps.

Annual Reports

Just a friendly reminder the deadline date is February 15, 2010. If you have yours ready please forward to me at your earliest convenience.

Communiqués

I encourage you to forward your communiqués to your Diocesan Communication Standing Committee counterparts with a copy to me as well. We can learn from one another.

BC and Yukon Provincial Newsletter

Thank you to everyone who has sent the survey from the fall newsletter. I appreciate your participation. If you have not sent your survey and would like to be included in the results please email or mail it to me ASAP. Both my email and regular mail addresses are at the bottom of the page. I look forward to using some of your suggestions for our next newsletter. Next newsletter deadline is March 1, 2010. I invite and welcome all of your articles you would like to submit. Share with us the events your diocese has accomplished or are planning to hold using our CWL Peace & Hope Activities Kit. How is your diocese planning to celebrate our Day of Peace and Hope Monday, April 26, 2010, the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel? What did your diocese do to promote C.A.S.E. and the war against pornography? Do you have any suggestions for information or articles you would like to see in the next newsletter?

E-Newsletter

Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) is exploring the benefits of a monthly e-newsletter. View WICC e-Connect at www.wicc.org. Have you shared the CWL E-Newsletter with your diocese or council? You can obtain it by accessing the national web page at www.cwl.ca under recent updates as seen below:

“December 4, 2009: The December E-newsletter is now available in a html format and a text only format.”

Challenge Communication Resolutions

You are invited to review the outstanding Communications Resolutions on the National CWL web page under Resolutions / Communication and act! Under each resolution you will find an “Action Plan”. If there is no formal action plan the resolution will direct you as to what action should be taken. With your president’s permission set one meeting or part of a meeting aside to have your members take action on one or more resolutions. I’ve included outstanding resolutions back to the year 2000, however there are many more resolutions found under our communication banner that you may choose to take action on. What a better way to communicate, inform and include our members on today’s issues other than by taking action! I am asking each diocese to have each CWL Parish Council review one or more of these Resolution Action Plans and do something! Keep track of your actions and report them on your 2010 Annual Communications Report.

• 2004.11: Link Between Violent, Graphic Imagery and Aggressive Behaviour and the Mechanics of Killing
• 2003.08: National Strategy to Eliminate Computer-Based Child Pornography
• 2002.12: Child Pornography
• 2002.11: Responsible Internet Use for Children
• 2000.09: Establishment of a National Registry of Convicted, Dangerous, High-Risk Sex Offenders
• 2000.06: Violence in Music Lyrics
• 2000.05: Violence on Television as It Relates to Children

As stated by our National Communications Standing Committee Chairperson, Betty Anne Brown, in the last issue of our League Magazine “As women rooted in gospel values we cannot help but want to spread the good news, to make this world a better place, if we can…. And I think we can, through the communications standing committee”.

Standing Committee Chairs: if you require any help or more information, don’t hesitate to contact me. I pray for each of you daily and I look forward to working with you for the coming year.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us as together we communicate in a happy, positive, and spiritual way.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien:

Welcome back to our communication standing committee chairs Margaret Beardon, Edna Lorenzen (Whitehorse Dioc. President), & Sandralynn Stone, with a happy welcome to a Karen Gierc, of the Prince George Diocese, returning after a brief leave, and a special welcome to two new comers for the Kamloops Diocese Linda Hogg and for the Archdiocese of Vancouver Vinola Aguilera. As women of Peace and Hope we welcome you! I encourage you to review Communications Standing Committee section in our Constitution & by Laws 2006 Pg. 24, and your roles and responsibilities as stated in our Executive Handbook as well as your Communication Box you received from your predecessor. There is a wealth of information to get everyone communicating.

URGENT -WHITE RIBBON OF SIGNATURES CAMPAIGN – OCTOBER 18 – 25, 2009: CHALLENGE – can we have 100% of our CWL parish councils involved?

C.A.S.E. or Canadians Against Sexual Exploration will have the “Ribbon of Signatures Kit” available again this year for a suggested donation of $25.00. The date for the 2009 Campaign is Sunday October 18 – 25, 2009. As a result of the proliferation of pornography and its alarming growth on the Internet, the ribbon campaign will focus on Internet Service Providers (ISP’s). For more information, or to order your 2009 kit, or to make a donation, go onto the C.A.S.E. Web site at www.4case.ca and download the information provided. Or contact by telephone (416) 412-6065. I strongly urge every parish council to get involved and promote this worthy cause in your parish community. As stated by our National Communications Standing Committee Chair Betty Anne Brown in her Communiqué #5: “This is an issue of safety and responsibility. Families need to be protected from the victimization that pornography can create. Images of extreme abuse are made and sold for other people’s pleasure. We must not remain silent. Members are urged to speak out against pornography and its resultant horrors for children:

Remind members of parliament about concerns regarding pornography and its effect on children, especially on the Internet.

Obtain and use the C.A.S.E. kit containing a petition form that can be presented to the government.

Contact Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Hon. James Moore, who is responsible for the Canadian radio-Television Commission (CRTC) which licenses, regulates and supervises all aspects of Canadian broadcasting. Hon. James Moore, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6 or email: MooreJ@parl.gc.ca

Learn more about the CRTC at www.crtc.gc.ca The Web sit includes contact information for the commissioners and Secretary General to the CRTC, Mr. Robert Morin.

Be mindful that trafficking in women and children feeds into the pornography industry.

It took 10 years for the age of consent to become law; the same patience and persistence is needed to lobby against pornography for the sake of children everywhere.”

Reminder: let me know how your parishes answered our challenge. I’m really interested in knowing how C.A.S.E. was promoted in your community.

Fall Newsletter: Our theme for this edition of our provincial newsletter is “CWL Women of Peace & Hope”. Do you have pictures or articles featuring your Diocesan / Parish council activities sharing our theme? Send them to me ASAP so they can be included in the next edition. I will have the next edition ready for distribution by the end of October. Question: will you poll your members asking them if the newsletter is being received at the parish level? If so, how are the parish councils using the newsletter? Is it meeting the needs of our members and if not how can we improve it?

BC Yukon Web Site: www.cwl.bc.ca - I encourage everyone to use, promote and review the articles of information posted on our web site. Should you have any suggestions for improvement to the site I would be interested in hearing from you.

CWL Day of Peace & Hope Activities Kit: make use of these beautiful kits in your councils. This is an excellent resource for each standing committee. Plan your meetings by using this resource material and featuring one or more standing committees each month. The kit contains ideas for long and short-term projects and ideas. These kits were sent to each parish council president last spring or can be downloaded from our national web page.

CWL e-newsletter: Let me know how this is being presented in your area. Is each communications standing committee chairperson on the mailing list? If not contact Ryan Quesnel at National office and receive the newsletter hot off the press or visit national CWL’s web page http://www.cwl.ca/ and download and share it with your members. If your council has articles to be printed in the e-newsletter send to marketing@cwl.ca. Lets continue to promote, share & grow in the League by continuing to communicate to all of our members.

Communiqués: Each Diocesan Communication Standing Committee Chair is responsible for writing and sending communiqués throughout the year to your respective parish council standing committee counterpart, cc to all of the 6 Provincial Standing Committee Chairs, (as listed above) and to myself. I really enjoy reading, learning and celebrating all of your successes. By sending copies to everyone we share our ideas and our successes. Lets do our part to keep the communication flowing throughout our province. It has come to our attention that the information in the provincial communiqués is not being forwarded from Diocesan to the parish level. In order to help understand why this is happening and to help improve our communication I would appreciate it if you would send me the answers to the following questions:

1. Are Communiqués being sent too frequently? or
2. Do Communiqués provide too much information? and
3. Do you have any suggestions for ensuring Provincial communiqués are sent from Diocesan to parish councils?

As we continue to communicate serving our members with faith and joy, lets keep our focus upbeat and positive.

89th Annual National Convention Updates: Did you enjoy the daily updates on our National web page? For those of us unable to attend the 89th Annual National Convention in St. John’s this year I found the updates on the web page excellent and look forward to seeing more updates posted.

Communication Communiques #1-3: To review my previous Commniques #1-3 go to our Provincial Web Page www.cwl.bc.ca.  All Provincial Standing Committee & Provincial Convention Reports are posted to our BC Provincial Web page.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us as together we communicate in a happy, positive, and spiritual way.

Madame President, members of the League and guests:

In my first year as Provincial Communications Chair I found the term to be filled with faith, fun and fulfillment as well as challenging and educational. Starting my term last June, and on to the National Catholic Women’s League Convention in Winnipeg last August. I was met with my first challenge as we were informed that C.A.S.E. or Canadians Against Sexual Exploration were unable to send out the annual “Ribbon of Signatures Kit” due to lack of funding. Returning home I researched the dilemma, wrote letters to C.A.S.E. and our new National CWL Communication Standing Committee Chair Betty Anne Brown, sent out a communiqué informing everyone that C.A.S.E. suggested we make our own kits. I am happy to report that most councils responded in a positive manner. This year C.A.S.E. will once again be supplying the “Ribbon of Signatures Kit” for a suggested donation of $25.00. The date for the 2009 Campaign is Sunday October 18 – 25, 2009. As a result of the proliferation of pornography and its alarming growth on the Internet, the ribbon campaign will focus on Internet Service Providers (ISP’s). For more information, or to order your 2009 kit, or to make a donation, go onto the C.A.S.E. Web site at www.4case.ca and download the information provided.

I invite you to browse our National Web site www.cwl.ca, and our own Provincial web site, www.cwl.bc.ca as they contain a wealth of information. If you are looking for something to report on under your standing committee or just want to be educated and informed, go to one of the web sites and you will amazed at what you will find. Currently on our Prov. Website you will see a picture of Sheila Quinn – Provincial Legislation Chair, Nancy Simms – Provincial President Elect, Marianna Caldwell – Provincial President, and Sandra Stadjuhar – Provincial Resolutions Chair along with various MLA’s as they met together with our Provincial Government. Find out more about the issues raised at the meeting on the web site. The picture and a write up also appear in the BC Catholic. The League Magazine features excellent articles written by Barbara Dowding and Nancy Simms – make sure to take the time to read these informing articles.

CWL Peace & Hope Activities Kit – what has your council done with your kit? Has every Standing Committee had an opportunity to participate in one or more activities? I extend a personal invitation for each council to send me a write up with or without a picture of your events for our next Provincial newsletter. The deadline for the next edition is September 1, 2009.

The National CWL e-newsletter is hot off the press with the second edition and is available to all members free of charge. Check it out on National’s web page. Ryan Quesnel has been hired as the director of development and he has lots of exciting ideas as reported by Betty Anne Brown, National Communications Standing Committee Chairperson. Ryan offers this monthly publication as a means to celebrate parish council news, ideas and shared memories. You may contact Ryan at marketing@cwl.ca. Should you wish to see the e-newsletter I have a copy of the first 2 editions with me.

Have you seen the invitation cards designed by our very own Provincial Webmaster, Rebecca Gebeshuber? These post cards speak to all the women in your parish who think they have a reason for not joining the League. Reasons like “but meetings are boring…” but I’m a Mom…” but I work full-time”, or but I don’t bake”! On the back of the card is a continuation of the excuse along with a written message of reply from the League. The cards are informative and very well done. Samples of each of the four designs of the CWL invitation cards are being sent to each parish president. Should you desire more cards you may download them from National’s web site. Use them to promote the League by giving one to every member in your parish community who is not a member. We are women of Peace & Hope serving our members by communicating with Faith and Joy!

The 62nd Annual Convention of the BC & Yukon Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was held in Prince George, BC hosted by the councils of the area, May 27 – 31, 2009.Reports from the Executive, Standing Committees and the six Diocesan Presidents were informative as well as educational. Six resolutions came to the floor, were passed with five going forward to the CWL National Council for presentation at its convention in August. Fr. Tien Tran, Provincial Spiritual Advisor spoke on “Prayer and Worship”, while National President Danielle McNeil Hessian made a presentation on the new theme “Women of Peace & Hope”. Other presenters were Sean Murphy on “Protection of Conscience & Religious Freedom.” Members watched a DVD by Father Tadeusz Pacholczyk entitled “Cutting Through the Spin” which examined the science and ethics of stem cell research and cloning. Life member Pat Battensby and Past President Barbara Dowding gave an educational presentation on Trafficking. This included an overview of the Provincial CWL’s involvement in the trafficking issue since 2004 and recognition of the BC and Yukon Bishop’s Pastor Letter on Human Trafficking as well as “Buying Sex is not a Sport” the initiative to raise awareness as the 2010 Olympics in the city of Vancouver draws near. This was followed by a moving meditation of Stations of the Cross for Trafficked Victims.

Life Member Shirley Armillotta presented the Life Member’s first Arts & Cultural Bursary to Kayla Perrin, from St. Ann’s Academy, Kamloops, BC. The Molly Boucher Bursary went to Pat Carter from Duncan, BC.

During the closing Mass the Executive and table officers were reaffirmed in the presence of his Excellency Most Rev. Gerald Wiesner, OMI, Bishop of Prince George, Fr. Tien Tran, Coquitlam, Fr. Frank Franz, Duncan, Fr. Tony Ackerman, Armstrong, Fr. Terry Brock, Terrace, Fr. John Garden, Prince George, and Fr. Richard Beaudette, OMI, Prince George.

Educating and encouraging members to reach out in their parishes and communities as women of Peace and Hope serving with Faith and Joy is the goal of President Marianna Caldwell and her executive for the following year.

For more information or to view reports, please visit our web site www.cwl.bc.ca

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien:

Approaching 2009 as “Women of Peace and Hope” which our National Theme so beautifully states, we need to stay connected to one another through prayer and communication.  Lets do our part to communicate to one another at all levels within the League.  If I can be of assistance to anyone contact me.

CWL Day of Peace and Hope Tool Kit

Our National Executive has produced a “CWL Day of Peace and Hope Tool Kit” for each parish council to use.  Your parish council president should have received it.  The kit contains short, medium and long project ideas for each standing committee with the idea, that they are to be used to enhance our National Theme at your parish council meetings and especially to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel on April 26, 2009.  A suggestion is to plan your meetings for the year, and take one or two standing committee suggestions and act on those ideas throughout the next two years.  Communication Chairs responsibility is to promote the use of the tool kit in a positive, enthusiastic way.  Help your sister have fun while traveling together on a positive faith filled journey.  See what spiritual or community minded activities your council can accomplish.  This will be a way of bringing all of your parish sisters in the league together.  Have Fun!

Spring Newsletter

I ask each council to send me a write up and/or pictures of your events planned for the CWL Day of Peace and Hope that your Diocesan or Parish Council is planning or doing.  We would like to share your ideas with other councils to encourage them to participate.  The newsletter is used as an educational tool, therefore I need your input.  To date I have very little information from any Diocesan or Parish councils.  I would love to receive information on any of your activities or articles you would like to share. You may send your information either by email or through our regular mail system.  The deadline is March 1, 2009, however I am willing to accept all submissions as long as I have time to print the final newsletter.  “Toot your Horn,” tell us the good works your councils are doing.

Annual Reports

I have received one annual report.  The deadline is Feb. 15, 2009.  Communication Standing Committee Chairs please send your report to me as soon as possible.  Parish Presidents if you do not have a Communications Chair, I would ask you to take time to complete the report and send it in.

E-Mail

As stated by our National Communications Chair, Betty Anne Brown  – many members do not realize that, when they open an e-mail with jokes (even from a dear friend) or some supposedly important information or pass-along-this-prayer request, and then forward it on, it may have a tracking device attached that can get into computers and expose them to Spam, viruses, Trojans or worms in the future.

The following notice was received by National President Danielle McNeil-Hessian’s office.  “Due to the recent release of a widespread nasty virus, distributed by a Hallmark Greeting Card, I would like to remind all staff to not open Electronic Greeting Cards or suspicious emails on any HRSB computers. The cards could either come to you as an attachment or as a link to a website inside an email message.” Danielle received a greeting card via e-mail that infected her computer with a virus (Trojans & worms) and she was without her computer until it was fixed.  Be careful as you may loose important data should you receive a virus.

CWL address lists are to be used for CWL business only.  We need such lists to enable us to work efficiently and effectively.  Addresses are not published and we must remember to respect our member’s privacy.

Sears Catalogue Ad Campaign

At our last National Convention in Winnipeg members were encouraged to write Sears head office in Toronto lodging a complaint against the add in which a rosary was used as ornamental jewellery on a model.  As a result of our letters members received phone calls from Sears’s head office acknowledging receipt of our letters and assured us that ” this will never happen again.”  Our efforts do pay off and we can make a difference.  Thanks to all members who wrote and complained.

Challenge

As we progress thought the next 2 years with both of our National, Provincial, and Diocesan Themes, lets do so in a very positive, enthusiastic and invitational way by being enthusiastic when we place our bulletin announcements in our parish and community.   The new CWL Tool kit was designed to help bring in the busy, modern-day Catholic woman, let us wet their appetites to “taste and see” the wonders of the League.

Vision

Over the next couple of years let us ask our councils to focus on projects inclined toward palliative care and “Welcome Friend!” Remember we have the best things to offer our prospective members and members: faith, fellowship (fun) and fulfillment.   Put them at the top of your priority when planning your meetings and see how many new members we can invite.

Statement on Human Trafficking

(from Barb Dowding)

At last its finished! For nearly two years we’ve been working on this with the BC Bishops and it was released the same day they had a press release on the CRC Human Trafficking Curriculum Kit for schools.

What great HOPE! The Bishops of BC and the Yukon have written a joint statement on Human Trafficking which was released Feb. 10 at St. Patrick’s Regional Secondary School. View the statement and resources:  www.rcav.org. Thank you to everyone who in anyway prayed helped and promoted the CWL’s involvement in Human Trafficking.  WE CAN AND DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BC Yukon Web Site

Is here for you to access and to use.  Communiqués from all of the Provincial Executive and Standing Committees are posted regularly.  Print off the report pertaining to your standing committee and use it to report at your diocesan council meetings.   Please forward the Communications Communiqué to all of your parish counterparts as soon as you receive the communiqué.  This ensures the parish councils have the information in a timely manner so the members are informed.  Some parish councils may be waiting to receive the provincial communiqués from their diocesan counterparts at their diocesan meetings.  As most communiqués are to be used in a timely manner, I would encourage you to view the Provincial CWL web page regularly distribute accordingly.

Communiqués

A reminder to send a copy of your communiqués to me.  I really enjoy reading them and celebrating all of your successes.

Dear League Sisters and Father Tien:

Tomorrow will be the first Sunday in Advent, a time in which we prepare ourselves for the birthday of Jesus. As women we are extremely good at multi tasking, and communicating, but do we take the time to spend with God? During the advent season I challenge all of us to take some extra time to improve our communication with God.

Welcome to Sandralynn S., our Nelson Diocesan Communications Standing Committee Chairperson.  A gentle reminder to all Diocesan Communications Standing Committee Chairs, when you send out your communiqués send a copy to me via email or regular mail (see the footer at the bottom of the page for that information).

The Fall Provincial Newsletter has been given to Diocesan Presidents and emailed to the communications chairs. If anyone was not able to open it let me know. The deadline for the spring newsletter is March 1, 2009 to give me time to compile and have ready for the 2009 Diocesan Conventions. I would like to hear from as many parishes/dioceses as possible. The newsletter is used as a means to share information and as tool for teaching. Will you kindly pass this information onto all parish communications standing committee chairpersons? I need/want information from the parishes/dioceses about what is going on, the new things you have tried, the events you have celebrated. Digital pictures are preferred, but I will do my best to scan film pictures as long as they are clear.

News Release – Nov. 9, 2008 – from our National Communications Standing Committee Chairperson – Betty Anne Brown. The National executive of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada has declared April 26, 2009 a national day of action, a CWL Day of Peace and Hope. President Danielle McNeil-Hessisan and her team encourage members to celebrate on this day with faith, fun and fulfillment.

The over 1,300 parish councils across the country will be challenged to take action to spread PEACE, with a particular focus on palliative care, and HOPE, with a particular focus on outreach under the heading “Welcome, friend!”

A tool kit will be prepared with material from each national standing committee chairperson and mailed in February 2009 to all parish councils. The kits will provide concrete activities that parish councils may use to plan an activity for that or any other day in the coming year. End of News Release.

To me this is exciting that our National Council is providing us with an action plan of work we will be able to work on in our dioceses as we celebrate our 2009 National theme – Women of Peace & Hope. Look for the tool kit in February and set some time aside in your councils to take action. I encourage you to send me write-ups of your diocese plans as I plan to include the information in our next newsletter, or for our fall newsletter for activities that are planned for the fall. I would like to have a section of pictures and write-ups to share with the rest of the province. How about it ladies?

Web Site: If a parish or diocesan council is planning on putting together a web site I would ask you to review National Policy found on the national web page at www.cwl.ca under Recent Updates – Sept. 11, 2008 – Website Guidelines. Click on Website Guidelines and it will take you to the document. This document will be included in the next National P & P update.

Hoax: Currently there is a petition being circulated regarding the removal of the Catholic Mass as well as campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas carols from public schools. This has been confirmed as a Hoax.  For any petition you receive research it prior to emailing it out. Go to www.snopes.com enter the petition number to verify whether it is a hoax.

In closing let’s do our best to improve our communications with God, our neighbour, with our Provincial Spiritual Advisor Fr. Tien and especially our sisters in the League. From my house to your house I wish you a very Happy, Safe and HOLY Christmas. Let’s do our part to keep Christ in Christmas. Remember our new national theme goes into effect January 1, 2009 – WOMEN OF PEACE & HOPE.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us in all the work we do.

As fall is fast approaching we anxiously look forward to reuniting with fellow Catholic Women’s League sisters from our parish, diocese and provincial councils as we do our best to promote and to serve the League in whatever capacity Our Lady of Good Counsel guides us. I am honoured to be your BC & Yukon Provincial Communications Standing Committee Chairperson, however keep me in your prayers that I will be able to serve you to the best of my ability.  No doubt there is going to be a big learning curve as my predecessor, Sandra Stajduhar along with Rebecca Gebeshuber (our web master) have done an excellent job of revamping and updating our BC & Yukon Catholic Women’s League Web Page.  Thank you to both Sandra and Rebecca for all their work to make our web page the “best ever”.   I hope everyone has had an opportunity to look at and use some if not all of the information posted.  If you have any ideas for articles or information you would like to see on our new web page please forward your ideas to me, and if possible we will include them.

PORNOGRAPHY – ACTION ALERT:

The following is a quote from LifeSiteNews.com

OTTAWA, August 15th, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) – “This week another Canadian pay-television pornography channel was approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the Canadian federal government’s broadcasting sector.  In its proposal, “Northern Peaks,” produced by Real Productions, differentiates itself from the handful of already existing pornographic channels offered in Canada in that it is “Canada’s first adult video channel offering significant Canadian adult content.”  It promises that at least 50% of its pornography will be produced in Canada.”

Our own Catholic Women’s League Executive Handbook states: Pornography dictates that the satisfaction of one’s own desires is all that matters.  It leaves in its wake broken marriages, estranged and molested children, shattered young people and deteriorating neighbourhoods.

As your BC/Yukon Provincial Communications Standing Committee Chairperson I am asking you to ask our members to immediately write the CRTC, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and our MP’s stating our Catholic views against pornography.  I encourage you to have an article printed in your parish bulletin and invite the parishioners to join us in our letter writing campaign.   Send a letter to your local cable provider (name and address available on your monthly bill).  Write the CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2, or Fax: 819-994-0218.  We know we CAN and WILL make a difference by voicing our views as individuals.  We must remember that we are not speaking on behalf of the Catholic Women’s League, but we are speaking on behalf of ourselves as individuals.  How many letters can your council send out?

Wrap / White Ribbon or “The Ribbon of Signatures Campaign”:

Formerly known as White Ribbon Against Pornography is ongoing year-round.  This year’s campaign is scheduled for Sunday October 19 – October 26, 2008.  Will your council have “The Ribbon of Signatures” in your parish community?  If not WHY not?  For further information go to the C.A.S.E. website.

*Note:  At Sept. 5/08 we are not sure if C.A.S.E. will be able to send the “ Ribbon of Signatures Campaign Kits.  I have contacted both CWL National Office as well as C.A.S.E. to clarify and I’m waiting their reply.  I will email their reply.  However I would like to encourage everyone to purchase ribbon and to have the campaign.

Congratulations to Barbara Dowding elected to our National Catholic Women’s League Council and was appointed as our National Resolutions Standing Committee Chairperson.  We know she will represent us very well.  Way to go Barb!

Congratulations to our National Communications Standing Committee Chairperson is Betty Anne Brown, who I’m looking forward to working with and supporting over the next couple of years.

Sharing information is a great way of passing on our good ideas with our sisters, therefore I ask you to “cc” all the Diocesan Communication Chairs, or Diocesan Presidents  and myself on all your communiqués.  By doing this we are helping to educate our sisters in the League and sharing our knowledge with all of us.

Provincial Newsletter:

I am personally inviting all Provincial Executives, including Diocesan Presidents and Parish Council Presidents to submit at least one article for our Provincial Newsletter. Share with us your good ideas on what you or your council is doing or is planning for the upcoming year.  If you have good quality pictures include them.  Digital pictures are best.  Diocesan Presidents, there may be a prize for the Diocese who submits the most articles.  As this will be my first edition I would appreciate your articles as soon as possible so I can start to lay out the newsletter to have it ready for our Mid-Term meeting in Kelowna on October 23, 2008.

League Magazine:

Encourage your members to read it from cover to cover, perhaps you could have one or two of your members summarize one of the articles at your meeting and then hold a discussion on the article.  When your members visit your sick or shut ins members, take the League Magazine and read an article with them.  Most of our senior members would enjoy having someone spend a few moments with them.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide all of us as we strive to make the most of our time improving and promoting the League to the best of or ability as we walk humbly with our God.

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.

Reverend Terry Brock gave a Reflection on the spirituality of Mother Teresa and her Act of Faith to persevere in her calling throughout her own period of darkness. Members were reminded that Calcutta is everywhere and that they too can be “light” to the world. A presentation on the rosary was also given by Father Terry. Father Terry has completed his term as Spiritual Advisor to the Provincial Council and was thanked for his dedication, for his presentations on many interesting women, and for his spiritual guidance. As guest speaker at the banquet, he shared his growth in the League over the last five years with humour and a sincere appreciation.

Immediate Past President, Pat Battensby, continued education on World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) with a focus on China. Members attending the National convention in Winnipeg were encouraged to arrive early and attend the North American region annual meeting.

Information on cluster bombs was presented, and a motion was approved to send a letter to the secretary-general of the United Nations supporting a ban on cluster bombs. As well, six resolutions were presented and passed at this convention. A resolution on banning the use of cell phones while driving was directed to the provincial government. Resolutions to be forwarded to the CWL National convention concern making prostitution illegal; making protection of trafficking victims a priority; preventing human trafficking in particular at the 2010 Olympics; keeping polygamy in the Criminal Code of Canada; and awareness, prevention and treatment of depression.

In her closing remarks, Barb Dowding said she is “filled with the desire to support, affirm and share with each and every one my League sisters the importance and necessity to know and believe that we, women, hold the key to hope, that we have the necessary gifts to build peace in our world. John Paul II and Pope Benedict ask us use our feminine genius to collaborate in the building up of society. How can we not?”

Elections were held and the president for 2008 – 2010 will be Marianna Caldwell. Members of the executive are President-elect and Organization chairperson, Nancy Simms; first vice and Spiritual Development chairperson, Carol Penno; second vice and Christian Family Life chairperson, Dodie Bond; Past President, Barbara Dowding; secretary Pat Deppiesse; treasurer Elaine Audet; chairpersons Lois Charlebois (Community Life), and Doreen Gowans (Communications). Appointed as chairpersons were Sheila Quinn (Legislation), Sandra Stajduhar (Resolutions) and Jeanne Wilson (Education & Health). Retiring Past President, Pat Battensby, was appointed Life Member Liaison.

These executive members were installed at the closing Mass and Father Tien Tran was installed as the new Spiritual Advisor for the provincial council. Most Reverend David Monroe, Bishop of Kamloops, was the main celebrant and homilist.

Madame President,

The growth in the means and power of communicating – the media – brings with it a great responsibility. This was addressed in Pope Benedict’s message to the 42nd World Communications Day – that there is a need for “info-ethics” in communications given the “extraordinary potential” as well as the “appalling possibilities for evil”. The Pope prayed for communicators to be “authentic witnesses to the truth”.

Also from Zenit, an interview with talk show host Teresa Tomeo discusses how families need to guard against the effects of the ever-encroaching secular media – that culture is forming our faith, not the other way around. The good news is that there is a growth in Catholic media.The influence of the internet is apparent everywhere, and access to it is becoming a necessity. There is a wealth of information available to us. However, we can not accept everything as factual – when you “google” for information, you often get people’s opinions – not necessarily ‘truth’. We need to do our homework and check our sources. We all need to assess our own family’s media habits – content as well as time spent. We must continue to monitor all forms of the media and ask for accountability.

I hope that you are all familiar with C.A.S.E. (Canadians Addressing Sexual Exploitation), and that you will continue to work with them during their “Ribbon of Signatures” campaign. We need the CRTC to regulate content on the internet, and to ensure that internet service providers monitor and police the use of its services – to protect our children from on line predators and pornography.

A highlight of my term has been the development of our provincial website – www.cwl.bc.ca. It has been updated, and is an attractive and valuable website. One new feature is that we can now “blog” – register and add our comments on articles and communiqués. There is also the opportunity for each diocese to have their own website or at the least a page to publicize events and inform their members. I look forward to the site’s continued growth. We owe many thanks to Rebecca G……… for accepting the challenge and doing a great job. Unfortunately, Rebecca could not be with us at this convention. Please take the time to check out the site and send Rebecca your thoughts and appreciation.

Two years ago, I was gifted with the Communications Committee, and had no clear idea of the scope of possibilities. It has been educational and interesting, and proof once again that when we accept the challenge of League work we gain far more than we give. Thank-you.

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

Velma Harasen, National Chairperson of Communications, sends “love and prayers as we continue our Lenten journey, and look forward to Easter, the festival of life and our celebration of hope!” With the Lenten season so early upon us this year, some of us may be searching through the dregs of winter for those signs of new life – but as we trust in the promise of green grass and flowers, may we place our trust and hope in the Risen Lord and share the Good News.

Highlights from Velma’s communiqué (please refer to national website):

World Communications Day

The theme for the 42nd World Communications Day, to be celebrated May 4, 2008 is The Media: At the Crossroads between Self-Promotion and Service. Searching for the Truth in order to Share it with Others. The complete text of Pope Benedict XVI’s message for World Communications Day can be found on the Vatican website.

Catholic Websites

You Tube and facebook, networking sites, have Catholic content, including podcasts by Archbishop Thomas Collins, of Toronto. The article warns that inappropriate content and clips from anti-Catholic groups and individuals may appear because there is no formal screening process. Other websites that you might find interesting: www.catholic.com, www.catholicgoldmine.com , www.catholic.net , www.catholic.org . Simply keying in the word “Catholic” will provide significant links.

Pornography is Nothing New!

The League has adopted resolutions pertaining to pornography, dating back to 1957. Check the League’s website for resolutions you might want to continue working on. Websites that might also be useful are www.blockchildporn.ca and www.cybertip.ca .

Annual Reports

To date, I have received only 2/6 Diocesan Annual Reports. Although many find the reporting process difficult, it can be useful as a tool in evaluating the work of your councils – and the sharing of reports is an excellent way to share ideas, give incentive to others, and reinforce our Mission Statement “calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God”. I look forward to reading all of the reports and celebrating the amazing work that is accomplished each year.

Provincial Website

Our updated provincial website is now fully operational. I hope that you are referring to it often. Register and give your feedback on site or email us with your comments. Thanks and blessings for Rebecca for all of her work.

Newsletters

Thank-you for sharing your diocesan and parish newsletters. I hope every diocese has a way of communicating with the parishes. The deadline for submissions to the next Provincial Newsletter is March 10, 2008. The newsletter will be available in time for diocesan conventions.

During this Lenten season, may we ‘communicate’ effectively in our prayers and open ourselves to receive the many gifts God offers; and, in thanksgiving, may we share our abundant gifts with all people, and let them experience God’s love through us.

Love and prayers to all for the hope and joy that Easter brings,

Sandra

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

As we begin our Advent journey, please take some time for quiet reflection and prepare yourselves to experience Christ in Christmas. Remember to offer all the work you do baking, decorating and shopping as a prayer for your family; show your love for everyone (as you see Christ in them) by ‘communicating’ cheerfully – try replying to “Seasons Greetings” with “Christmas Blessings”.

BCYK CWL Website
www.cwl.bc.ca will soon bring you to an updated website. The new webmaster, Rebecca G…….., will be publishing the “new look” soon. You will have a chance to register and add your comments on a ‘blog’. Many thanks to Rebecca for all of the hours spent already – we look forward to seeing the changes and receiving feedback from our members.

Submissions for the website should still come to the Communications chairperson – through Diocesan presidents or any member of the Provincial executive.

Ribbon of Signatures Campaign
The campaign this year focused on Internet Service Providers – please make sure that ribbons were sent to the CRTC as requested.

We know that previous years’ campaigns focused on Bill C-22 (Age of Protection), and that the Bill was in the Senate in June 2007. There was a danger of losing all of our hard work, but the Bill was re-introduced as Bill C-2 (combined with other actions) and passed 3rd reading Nov. 28, 2007. So it is now back in the Senate.

Following are items from our National chairperson’s latest communique – please read the complete communique on our national website – I will include it complete for those chairpersons that I “mail” to.

Canadians Addressing Sexual Exploitation
Thank you for promoting C.A.S.E. and the Ribbon of Signatures Campaign. To quote from a letter received from Mary Hawkley, Co-President of C.A.S.E., “We will continue our work with the help of community members like the CWL for which we are very grateful. Your support through the years has been the reason that C.A.S.E. has been able to focus community attention on the very serious issue of pornography which continues even more insidiously today with the proliferation of pornography on the Internet.”

The Canadian League
At the recent national executive meeting, it was decided that council anniversaries of 80 and 85 years, as well as 25, 50 and 75 years, will be noted in the magazine. The fall 2007 edition included articles from national chairpersons (pages 24 to 27) which it is hoped were helpful to councils planning their League year. Your comments would be appreciated.

Vanier Institute of the Family
The Vanier Institute of the Family has released a report on the effects of the electronic media on families, entitled “Good Servant, Bad Master: Electronic Media and the Family”. Visit the Vanier Institute of the Family website at www.vifamily.ca and click on “what’s new” for the report. What can we do?

Limit the number of individually owned devices and move them out of bedrooms and into public spaces.
Limit also the total amount of time kids spend with their devices on a daily basis.
Make rules about giving out personal information or visiting certain sites on the Internet.
Help children, particularly those who are younger, to distinguish between fantasy and reality by talking with them about the content they encounter in the media.
Discuss with children their experiences on the Internet and ask them about the games they play, the sites they create and the way they interact socially.

Forming consciences – the report also recommended that parents help instruct their children in the values they need, and not just leave it to chance through the values that the media communicates. By doing this young people will be more prepared to critically judge the information and goals coming from the media.

Christmas Message
A Christmas message from The Catholic Women’s League of Canada will appear in Catholic newspapers across Canada.

May God be with us on our Advent journey as we go forth to welcome the One who is to come.

God bless,
Velma Harasen – National Chairperson of Communications

I join with Velma in wishing you many “Christmas Blessings”, and hope that they continue into 2008.

Love and prayers to all… God bless….

Sandra

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

As Fall approaches, I hope that you all found your own “quiet place” during the summer – to rest and refresh – and are now ready to work for God and Canada. Welcome to the newly elected chairpersons and hello again to those in their second year – remember to share your communiques with each other and with me.

Arch/Diocese Communications Chairpersons
Kamloops (2007-2009) Marguerite L…..
Nelson (2006-2008) Betty H…..
Prince George (2007-2009) Therese S…..
Vancouver (2007-2009) Sandra B…..
Victoria Daisy M…
Whitehorse – send to Sacred Heart CWL Pres, send to Our Lady of Sorrows Pres.

CALL TO URGENT ACTION
As you are aware, after passing Third Reading in the House of Commons on May 4th, Bill C-22, The Age of Protection legislation was sent to the Senate. As of June 21st it was with the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, having passed Second Reading in the Senate June 20th. The Senate’s last Day to sit was June 29th, and there was no action on the bill until September after that. NOW THERE IS THE CHANCE THAT THIS BILL MAY DIE. PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW (from our National website) and ACT!

“Pending legislation to be aware of:

ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has decided to reconvene Parliament on October 16th, when he presents a new Speech from the Throne. This will delay the opening of Parliament and allows the opposition parties to vote on the government agenda. There is a possibility the government could be defeated resulting in Bill C-22 dying on the order paper. To express concern about this potential event, members are urged to contact the senators immediately at LEG-JUR@sen.parl.gc.ca and express their concern about the potential death of this bill.

Bill C-22 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (age of protection) and to make consequential amendments to the Criminal Records Act had first reading in the House of Commons on June 22, 2006. This bill would raise the age from 14 to 16 years at which a person can consent to non-exploitative sexual activity. (The government uses the term “age of protection” rather than “age of consent.”) This bill had second reading in the House of Commons on October 30, 2006, and was referred to the justice and human rights committee. “

Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Senate of Canada
Ottawa , ON K1A 0A4
Clerk: Shaila Anwar Phone: 613-993-4874
Administrative Assistant: Natalie Lemay-Paquette Phone: 613-943-7865
Email: LEG-JUR@sen.parl.gc.ca

You can track the progress of the bill if you go to www.parl.gc.ca/legisinfo
Let’s not lose all the hard work so many have put into this cause.

RIBBON OF SIGNATURES ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Sunday, October 21 to Sunday, October 28, 2007
From www.c-a-s-e.net

“We continue to observe the proliferation of pornography and specifically its very alarming growth on the internet. We therefore plan to focus our ribbon campaign on Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The Ribbon kit is available and includes a DVD that I am sure you will find useful in making presentations to community groups. It was created by Melanie and Todd Toews, of Dauphin, Manitoba . They are committed to the protection of our children and the DVD titled “The Children Need Someone Like You” contains the title song “Someone like You”. I have no doubt it will give you pause for thought and incentive to continue the battle against this insidious plague that endangers so many innocent and vulnerable children around the world. The DVD alone can be purchased for $10 from C.A.SE. The kit including written materials, the white ribbon and the DVD will be $25. Donations are always appreciated as they are our only means of keeping C.A.S.E. vibrant and involved in this struggle to keep our children safe. Donations can be sent to C.A.S.E. at P.O. Box 62569 , Toronto , ON M1R 5G8 .”

BCYK CWL Website
Please check out our provincial website – www.cwl.bc.ca

I have assumed the duty of webmaster, and my goal is to keep it up to date. We will be getting some help to give it a more professional look, and welcome feedback.

Future plans include setting up separate pages for each diocese – are you interested? Would this be of value to you?

What else would you like to see on the website?

BCYK Newsletter
The Fall 2007 issue will be out shortly. News from each diocese and parish is welcome – share your stories with your sisters in the League throughout the province and Yukon. The newsletter is not intended to replace communiques – but to help us get to know each other, share information that is not time sensitive, and to learn from each other’s stories.

Each parish council is given one newsletter to share – a copy can be e-mailed to you upon request. An edited version is also available on the website after printed copies are distributed.

From “A Quiet Place”  by Mary Elizabeth Matthews

I need a place to sit and think,
I’ve rushed around all day;
I need a place where I can rest,
And talk to God, and pray.

May we all find a place where we can talk to God ~ to ‘communicate’ our cares and concerns. Please add to your prayers Bill C-22, and all of our young people who need this protection.

Love and prayers to all.

God bless,
Sandra

MAY 30th to JUNE 3rd, 2007
VICTORIA, B.C.

Provincial Executive 2007
back, l to r – Susan S. – Prince George diocesan president, Nancy S. – Education and Health chairperson, Caroline Ann A. – Nelson Diocesan president, Elaine – provincial treasurer, Sandra S. – Communications chairperson, Gloria G. – Legislation chairperson, Doreen G. – secretary, Nicole G. – Whitehorse diocesan president, Lorilee J. – Kamloops diocesan president, Evelyn R. – Vancouver archdiocesan president, Agnes G. – Victoria diocesan president; front – l to r. – Carol P. – Community Life chairperson, Pat B. – immediate Past President, Barbara D. – President, Sheila Q. – Resolutions chairperson, Marilyn V. – Christian Family Life chairperson, Marianna C. – Organization chairperson; Missing: Dodie B. – Spiritual Development chairperson, and Father Terry B. – provincial Spiritual Advisor

The Victoria Diocesan Council, with the Parish Councils of St. Patrick’s, St. Joseph’s and St. Andrew’s, welcomed more than 200 members of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada to the 60th Annual Provincial Convention, held May 30th to June 3rd in Victoria. Members and Spiritual Advisors from throughout British Columbia and the Yukon gathered to celebrate sixty years of service to God and Canada. Twenty-four Life Members, including ten Past Provincial Presidents, were honoured for their contributions to the League in B.C., and they set the tone of joy and love that was evident in all of the activities. From the opening Mass and ceremonies at St. Patrick’s Church to the closing Mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the banquet at the Harbour Towers, Victoria offered a beautiful setting in which to celebrate being Catholic women.

Business sessions were conducted by President Barbara D., and interesting and informative reports were given by the provincial executive. A short workshop on resolutions and legislation was presented, as well as a quick quiz on parliamentary procedure. Committee chairpersons had an opportunity to meet with their counterparts, and the Spiritual Advisors met to discuss their concerns and to present recommendations for action. Anawim House, a local home that offers training in life skills to help rebuild lives, received the convention collection. The Molly Boucher Bursary was won by Monique D. from Vernon. Monique’s mother, Life Member Pat D., accepted the award from Education and Health chairperson, Nancy S.

In a special ceremony, members of St. Peter’s Council, Nanaimo, presented a prayer shawl to Past Provincial President Jackie L., who gratefully accepted the shawl on behalf of all members with health concerns and acknowledged with thanks the many prayers. The shawl was made by members of Our Lady of the Rosary Council, Victoria.

Dedicated to learning more about Africa and what we can do, and to developing the national theme of “Love One Another” and the provincial theme of “Walk Humbly With Our God”, the convention agenda was full and varied. Many guest presenters ensured that we learned, and laughed, and shared.

Keynote speaker was Dr. Nancy Reeves, a clinical psychologist, spiritual director, poet and author. She was accompanied by Linnea Good, who shared her original and inspiring music. The program was based on Dr. Reeves’ book, “A Match Made in Heaven”, which explains that one can turn to the Bible for psychological as well as spiritual wisdom, and that a personal growth in faith can help one develop healthy, intimate relationships with others. Members were called to love fully and to say and show gratitude; they were told that in developing self-awareness, they are unwrapping their own gifts and growing into the person God meant them to be; and all were reminded to consult God and each other when making decisions. Daily spiritual practices help one to discern when God is calling and to form a deeper relationship with Him.

Dr. Reeves, in her capacity as a clinical psychologist, also facilitated a presentation on Mental Health and Wellness and the viewing of a video entitled “Bringing Depression to Light”. Clinical and reactive depression, and some of the causes of each, were explained and discussed. There are medical means available to treat depression, but a combination of medicine and spiritual or emotional counseling offers the best results. Members were referred to “Seeing Beyond Depression”, a book by Jean Vanier.

Spiritual enrichment was given by Bishop Richard Gagnon, who spoke on Evangelization – on spreading the Gospel through love. Jesus, through His teaching and example, showed us that to obey is to serve and love. We are commanded not only to love God and our neighbour, but to let God love others through us. Faith comes through the medium of other people, and as a community the Church must practice love. The treasure of the Church is the Eucharist, and it is given to us so that we can come out of ourselves and go out to others.

Education on Africa was presented in many ways. Community Life chairperson, Carol P., reminded members that donations through Development and Peace can be designated to help the victims of Aids/HIV in Africa.

“Anita’s Africa”, filmed in the village of Wandegeya in Uganda, was shown by Beverley R. of Coming Home Films. It was designed for Canadian elementary school children, and its purpose is to explore the fundamental ties that bind all children of the global community and to foster in young viewers a sense of responsibility reaching beyond their own community and nation. The visit to St. Theresa Gayaza Girls’ School generated a project to build a library. Fundraising has begun, with the goal of reaching $22,000 by November 2007. When the construction is complete, plans can be made to obtain book, computers and other resources.

Provincial Spiritual Advisor Father Terry B. continued to educate as he shared the story of Immaculee Ilibagiza, author of “Left To Tell”, who survived the massacres in Rwanda that saw almost all of her family brutally murdered. Immaculee’s journey of faith and forgiveness caused members to reflect on their own experiences and the need to forgive and to accept forgiveness.

Immediate Past President, Pat B., presented a slide show and information on the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO). She related how one parish council successfully took on a water project – just one example of how parish councils can organize help for people around the world.

Although there were no resolutions presented at this convention, work continues on the problem of trafficking of persons. Education on this began with Resolution 2004.05 End Trafficking of Children, and was furthered with a presentation at last year’s convention and workshops during the past year. The provincial council is working with the Bishops of B.C. to prepare a pastoral letter on this topic. With 2010 and the Winter Olympics approaching, the potential for an increase in trafficking is alarming and calls for action by all members. Sister Marie Z., SSA, facilitated a workshop on a response and action plan regarding trafficking, pornography and legalization of prostitution. Members were reminded to be advocates for society.

In her closing remarks, Barb D. reaffirmed the intention of the provincial council to provide education to all members and to develop healthy leadership skills. The hospitality of the hosting councils, the reminiscences of the Life Members, and the wealth of information given all contributed to a great convention. The T.E.A.M. approach – to teach, evangelize, animate and motivate – was an excellent working theme which provided an opportunity for all to grow as League members.

Past Provincial Presidents, Bishop Gagnon, Barb D.
Back, l to r. – Pat B., Rose K., Barbara J., Bishop Gagnon, Ruth H., Margaret B., President Barbara D.
Front, l to r. – Lorraine F., Pollyanna K., Jackie L., Elsa D., Mabel A.

Sandra S.
Chairperson of Communications

Madame President, Reverend Fathers and League members

Communication – what is it? Cave paintings, smoke signals, carrier pigeons; telegraph, telephone, television; e-mail, text message, chat room, blog. Communication has changed and grown, but still remains the exchange of thoughts, ideas, information and feelings by a system of signs, sounds or behaviour. It is used in order to accomplish tasks and achieve goals, in our personal and business lives.

In the past year, we have two major examples of communication being used to create change in our country.

Telus: we heard or read that Telus was offering a new service to its mobility customers. They were able to download pornography to their cell phones, and take it with them wherever they went. So we phoned and we wrote and we prayed. And Telus listened, and withdrew the service, and I hope that we all acknowledged and thanked them for this. We must continue to monitor Telus and other service providers.

Bill C-22: to raise the age of protection to 16. This bill passed third reading in the House of Commons on May 4th, and will now go before the Senate for final consideration and hopefully passage before summer. This is a rewarding conclusion to many years of hard work by child protection groups, police officers, politicians and concerned citizens.

To jump start my mind in preparing this report, I typed “communications” in my search engine and received 297 million results in .17 seconds. This is just one example of the power of the internet. We can access sites around the world and we can communicate with each other in seconds. This amazing information highway also brings us the responsibility to use it wisely, and to me this is a three fold responsibility:We must monitor its content and its use, especially by children – there are means in place and it is up to us to educate ourselves and our children on the safety and good content issues;

We must not let it replace actual contact with “real” people;

And, we must USE it. The information is there – sites from our Bishops, from Rome, from WUCWO, C.A.S.E., and from our own National CWL. We can learn so much and be called to action in so many ways. Although some members would have to be dragged, kicking and screaming, to a computer, each council should have at least one person who is willing and able to be the internet/e-mail contact, and this person needs to communicate with her council members.

The internet is not the only media for communications, and our mandate to evaluate and promote good content could also include “provide good content”. In the BC Catholic, May 14th, veteran CBC television journalist Brian Stewart is quoted: “The success of churches and faith-based organizations in providing disaster relief and fighting world poverty is one of “the greatest overlooked stories of our time”. Why is this story overlooked?

In September 2006, Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, addressed new bishops in Media: Well Worth the Church’s Effort. Although he was addressing bishops, his comments also apply to our CWL councils.

Quote: “Basically, the attitude in public relations on the diocesan or even the parish level should be: Never overlook an opportunity to proclaim Christ’s message through activities in which the general public may be interested.”

There are many “good news” stories waiting to be told – and when the five “w’s” – (the who, what, when, where and why) – are covered, an explanation can be added, providing evangelization, education or promotion of the League. Did you have a fundraiser for Matercare? Did you have a speaker on autism? Did you celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel or sponsor a day of reflection? Tell your community. Even if all of a submitted article, or any of it, is not printed – someone read it. When you are aware of good, informative articles, comment on them and share them.

World Communications Day was celebrated this year on May 20th. The theme was “Children and the Media: a Challenge for Education.” Parents, teachers, and the ecclesiastic community are called to work together to educate children and young people to be selective and to develop a critical attitude. The media too must make its contribution to this educational task, promoting the dignity of the human person, marriage and the family, and the accomplishments and aims of civilization. May we all be guided to use the media wisely to communicate God’s great love to the world.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandra S……..

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

Years ago, my mother and her League sisters approached local merchants with concerns about magazines with questionable content being a) offered for sale and b) displayed where children/teens could see them. We’ve continued to protest as pornography and violence seem to dominate our world – in books, on television, on the internet, and now delivered right to our cell phones!

I’ve [linked] an article from Focus on the Family that sums up this latest concern. And, while we can protest to Telus, and we should protest, we must also be aware that other service providers do, or probably will, offer this ‘service’; some have new positions created for directors of adult content. Become informed, share the news, and make the powers that be aware of our concerns – and I think we had better pray even harder! [editor's note: Congratulations, B.C. members! Your action and prayers succeeded in removing this "service" from Telus cell phones!]

Resolution – 02.11 Responsible Internet Use for Children
It’s time to revisit this resolution – attached for easy reference, with some information on online safety. Also is information on children’s sites that may not be offensive in content, but may lead to other problems and costs. Remember, be aware of what your children/grandchildren access on the internet.

While there are other issues (like who has access to “Salt & Light”, and the age of consent, and television content…), please concentrate on the cell phone pornography topic and get members to write/call Telus. [editor's note: Congratulations, B.C. members! Your action and prayers succeeded in removing this "service" from Telus cell phones!]

Love and prayers,
Sandra S.

[Feb08/07 Enclosure with CWL BC/YK Provincial Communications Communique #4]
Click for Resolution BC02.11 Responsible Internet Use for Children

Take Back The Net – Worry Less About Online Safety

It’s time to TAKE BACK THE NET and give your children every opportunity to explore the Internet safely. When it comes to your kids you’ve got enough to worry about, the Internet shouldn’t be one of them.
According to a recent Microsoft Canada and Ipsos Reid survey 72% of parents are confident that their own child age 10-14 uses the Internet safely. But did you know that”¦

• 30% of children age 10 – 14 spend 6-10 hours a week online
• 11% of children age 10-14 have been asked by a stranger for personal information
• 7 in 10 children believe the information they put online and send to friends is private

It’s time to TAKE BACK THE NET and help your children explore the Internet safely. You’ve heard all about the potential risks – so find out about the few simple rules that will keep your child’s Internet experience, safe, rewarding and fun. Microsoft Canada is inviting parents and their children between the ages 10-14 to attend a free presentation called TAKE BACK THE NET. Former Police Officer, Internet safety expert and father Paul Gillespie will explore some common online misunderstandings and provide basic tips to help protect your children while they’re online. For information about TAKE BACK THE NET presentations in your city please check back here for details.

• Be Web Aware
• Cybertip! – Canada’s National Tipline
• Security at Home: Child Safety Online

Cyberland Developments
Fr. John Pungente of the Jesuit Communications Project in Toronto has long been one of, if not the premier teacher of media literacy in Canada for decades. His alumni includes people like Kevin Evans, former CBC anchor, and many other media professionals of conscience. He sent out this note on what appears to be a relatively new development in “cyberland”. The response from a teacher (below Fr. John’s) helps contextualize the threat this could represent to our younger teen children and grandchildren.

“Today marks the launch of Nicktropolis.com, Nickelodeon’s new virtual world where kids can create their own avatars, and personalize their own rooms by using points to purchase accessories. With their avatars, kids can travel through the Nicktropolis world playing games, interacting with the network’s characters and the environment, as well as other kids all in real time. The new stand-alone site is targeted to kids in general, but the network expects that it will be Tweens 9-14 that will spend time in Nicktropolis, because the younger ones don’t have as fully developed reading skills, and young teens tend to be more attracted to games. Nicktropolis will launch without any advertising, though Nickelodeon is planning to explore a variety of different advertising content. Kid safety being an obvious concern, Nicktropolis has several built in checks and balances including supplying a parent’s email address upon registering for the site. Parents then have to approve their child’s membership and even then they can manage the specific settings ( e.g. not allowing them to take part in live chats). Other safeguards include no sharing of personal information, a regularly updated dictionary of approved words/phrases for use on the site, and a trigger that can be used if a user finds themselves in any interaction where they feel uncomfortable. The site features four unique areas where kids can take their avatars: Nickname Lane where kids create own rooms; The Pier, a play area with games; Nicktoon Boulevard where they can visit with Nickelodeon characters and interact in a show’s world; Downtown Nicktropolis, a main shopping street with a parks and stores.”
John J. Pungente, SJ
Jesuit Communication Project

“Hello (fellow media literacy teachers),

This sounds like a copycat of a site called Habbo www.habbo.com. The problem with Habbo is that the kids have to buy credits with real money in order to get things for their rooms and other areas. (On this new site how do the kids get the points in order to buy accessories for their rooms?) The kids can either buy the credits at stores like they would buy a phone card ($5 worth etc.) or they can give a credit card number online or over the phone. I have seen cases where kids have spent thousands of dollars in a few hours or days buying stuff for their habbo rooms in order to attract more “friends” and traffic – which then becomes a status symbol. This has bled out into the classrooms where the kids are only talking about who got what into their habbo rooms; how many friends / visitors came to their habbo rooms; and therefore who they met and entertained in the virtual habbo rooms. Also they talk about what they did in the other areas of the habbo hotel where it becomes a contest as to how many credits they spent where and what they got for it. One parent was able to get the charges from his credit card removed because the child was under 14 years of age but another parent of a 16 year old was stuck with the bill of a few thousand dollars – the parent would not admit to how much his child had charged to the card before he discovered the charges.”

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

In my first communique, I stated that my goal was to encourage communication between all chairpersons in order to help each other.

I would like to add that our goal as communications chairpersons could be to equip our members with the tools to communicate effectively. There is a Personal Letter Writing Guide on the National website – free to download. There are also some excellent letters written by our national president, Lorette Noble, on our behalf on a number of concerns. Encourage our parish councils to check them out, and be inspired to write their own letters. Offer to get paper copies for them if they have no one in their council to do so.

C.A.S.E. – from an e-mail from Velma Harasen with quote from C.A.S.E.

“In June 2006 Justice Minister Vic Toews introduced Bill C-22 to raise the age of consent to protect teenagers from adult sexual predators. This bill passed first reading and has been well received by the majority of Canadian citizens, politicians and the media. With this positive response we expect the bill to pass into law. But at this point in time nothing seems to be happening with this bill. It has not been tabled for second reading. After passing second reading it must be debated in committee and brought back to the House for third and final reading. This is a good bill focusing only on one issue: the raising of the age of consent for sexual activity from 14 years of age to 16 years of age.”

Do not let this wonderful opportunity pass by to encourage your MP to support Bill C-22. We must speak now when the age of consent issue is a focus of the government. When the age of consent is changed, it will send a very clear and powerful message that the Canadian government and the Canadian laws will now protect children from adult sexual predators.

Collect signatures on your white ribbons and send the ribbon to you MP. You might want to write a letter or phone your MP and discuss this issue with her or him. If you have a picture or unique story related to the presentation of the white ribbons to your MP that we might be able to use in our League magazine, please send it along to national office. The deadline for the next magazine is November 30th.

Bill C-22 has reached Second Reading in the House of Commons and Referred to Committee (October 30, 2006). Please write your letters and follow the progress of the bill and your own MP’s position.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
Growing up, I always loved reading the Christmas cards and letters that came – many from people that we children didn’t know. The bright cards decorated the house, and helped build the excitement and anticipation. The exchange of cards and letters has dwindled over the years – e-mail is fun, but I think we have lost something. But – whatever way you communicate at Christmas, please make sure that CHRIST is present and prominent. Send cards with a spiritual message and please ask for the Madonna and Child postage stamp.

I extend my wish that you experience a prayerful Advent and receive many blessings as you share Christmas with family and friends.

May we Communicate, Co-operate and grow in Love for One Another in 2007.

Sandra S.

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

Hello again! I have received two communiques from our National chairperson of Communications, Velma H., who is also first vice-president. I invite those of you with internet access to read her communiques on the national website, and I will send copies to those chairpersons on my mailing list.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Our focus is communication – so let’s keep in touch with one another.
• The Canadian League – Velma would like our input. What do our members want to see in the magazine and how can we improve it?
• Canadians Addressing Sexual Exploitation <www.c-a-s-e.net> – the annual Ribbon of Signatures Campaign (formerly W.R.A.P.) runs from Sunday, Oct. 22 – 29, and again focuses on the age of consent. Note that the e-mail address is now case@4case.ca. Please encourage parish councils to participate.
• Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) <colf.cccb.ca> – has issued a new publication entitled THE MEDIA: A Fascinating Challenge for the Family. Velma urges every parish council to devote one meeting’s program to this publication. It is available online also.
• CWL Websites – Past chairperson Lucille Partington has agreed to work with Velma, particularly in the area of websites. Lucille can be reached at <partingtonl at hotmail.com>.
• Pro-life Search Engine – check out <www.prolifesearch.com>. Using this search engine (instead of yahoo, google, etc.) is a tremendous way to raise funds for pro-life organizations (including MaterCare) and makes a statement about our values.
• Member Addresses – a reminder to make sure that national office has correct addresses for our members. Returned magazines cost money!

REMINDERS

PROVINCIAL NEWSLETTER – deadline Sept. 20, 2006
Please – I need your submissions! I’M (not so) PATIENTLY WAITING FOR YOUR SUBMISSIONS. Thank-you!

WEBSITE
Again – please send updated reports and communiques. We’re getting there, but there are still a lot of ‘old’ reports on the website <http://www.cwl.bc.ca>. Electronic submissions can be made directly to our webmaster, Mary-Lou, via <cwlbcyk at cwl.bc.ca>. If you can not communicate by e-mail, please send paper to me and I will get it to Mary-Lou for you.

CONCERNS
Internet/e-mail access: We have to acknowledge and respect that not all members have or want internet access. Having said that, could it be our goal that each parish council has at least one person who would be an e-mail contact? Newsletter: I invite feedback on the provincial newsletter – is it read? Does it reach members of the parish councils? Is there a better method of delivery? If you have not seen the newsletter, check it out on our provincial website <www.cwl.bc.ca/newsindex.html>.

I apologize for any errors or omissions in this communique – but I am almost ‘out the door’ to go on one last camping trip for the year and to attend a fall fair. Good luck at your Fall meetings.

As I write this communique on Sept. 11th, I ask that we remember and offer prayers for all of the victims of 9-11, and for peace everywhere. God bless.

Sandra S.

Dear League Sisters and Father Terry,

I’m excited (and yes, nervous too) to be part of the Provincial team, and I look forward to working with everyone. I’m sorry that I could not attend the convention in Whitehorse, to put faces with the names of those I haven’t met, and re-connect with those “companions” that I met during my terms as Diocesan President-elect, President, and Past President (Diocese of Nelson – term completed 2006). I hope to get to know all the Diocesan Chairpersons through our shared communiques, and perhaps at future conventions.

Thank-you to Carol and Carol and Elaine for getting my ‘box’ and ‘books’ from Whitehorse to Trail, and many thanks to Dodie for having everything in such good order. I have looked through everything, started my own files, and have many more questions than answers! Communications is the only standing committee that I have never chaired before!

I belong to St. Joseph’s Council, Warfield – with a membership of 17 wonderful women. We have no church, meet in each others homes, and get lots of work done. I have coordinated the WRAP campaign, written meeting reports and articles for the newspapers, and worked on our Parish council newsletters, and I access the National website regularly, so I do have some experience related to the Communications committee. The Provincial Newsletter will be a challenge, and I am becoming familiar with our provincial website www.cwl.bc.ca and hope to work with the webmaster on bringing it up to date (with all of your help and co-operation!). I am on the Diocesan convention committee for 2007 (Trail). Looks like my CWL life will be busy.

Sandra S….

Front row L-R: Marilyn VanDongen (Christian Family Life) Doreen Gowans (Secretary) Barb Dowding (Provincial President) Pat Battensby (Past Provincial President) Elaine Audet (Treasurer) Sheila Quinn (Resolutions) Middle Row L-R: Gloria Gausboel (Legislation) Nancy Simms (Education & Health) Carol Penno (Community Life) Marianna Caldwell (Spiritual Development) Rev. Terry Brock (Provincial Spiritual Advisor) Missing is Sandra Stajduhar (Communications) Top Row L-R: Diocesan Presidents Anna May McCarvill (Kamloops) Jeanne Wilson (Whitehorse) Pat Deppiesse (Vancouver) Agnes Geiger (Victoria) Maureen Sander (Prince George) Carol Reiter (Nelson) Whitehorse Yukon – 152 members of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada held their 59th Annual BC & Yukon Provincial Convention in Whitehorse Yukon from June 14th – 18th. Included in attendance where National CWL President Agnes Bedard, BC & Yukon Provincial CWL President Pat Battensby, BC & Yukon Provincial Spiritual Advisor Rev. Terry Brock and Bishop of Whitehorse Gary Gordon.

There were various resolutions brought forward from the Dioceses in BC & Yukon to be considered at this convention. 1. Religious Freedom, 2. Child care support direct to family, 3. Relationship between abortion and breast cancer, 4. Protection of the child re: sexual consents, 5. Discontinue use of Polystyrene disposable ware Styrofoam, 6. Adult stem cell research, 7. Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and 8. Implementation of the Canadian strategy for Cancer Control. If accepted they will continue on in their journey to the next level where the procedure will happen all over again. Those and others from across Canada that are accepted will then be presented by our National representatives and her committee for consideration to the Federal Government of Canada.

A workshop on Human Trafficking was facilitated by Sister Pierete Boise Social Justice co-ordinator, from the congregation of Notre Dame. She told us that trafficking is equal to arms sales and that it is 2nd in the world. According to Sister Boise, Canada has signed the papers to stop trafficking but have done nothing to implement it. Trafficking is buying and selling of humans and it must be stopped. Trafficking is when a person is taken form one place to another and forced into something they don’t want to do.

Attending her last official Provincial Convention as National President, Agnes Bedard spoke to us about her session with WUCWO (World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations). Catholic Women from around the world gather to discuss items of common interest. One of WUCWO’s aims is to have Social Justice around the world.

Rev. Terry Brock introduced to us St. Gianna Molla. She was canonized May 16th 2004. Pope John Paul 11 spoke of her as a “woman of exceptional love, and outstanding wife, and mother. Gianna Molla gave witness in her daily life to the demanding values of the Gospel.” She was canonized in the Year of the Family.

For the BC & Yukon CWL it was an election year. Our new BC & Yukon President is Barb Dowding.

Submitted by Past Provincial Communications Chairperson, Dodie B.

The BC & Yukon Catholic Women’s League of Canada held their 58th Annual Provincial Convention, May 25 – 29, 2005 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Westbank, BC hosted by the Nelson Diocesan Council. Pat Battensby, Provincial President chaired the Convention. It was well-attended from all Provincial Dioceses – over 230 members and delegates.

The national CWL theme, “Companions on the Journey” and the provincial CWL theme, “Contemplate the Face of Christ” were woven throughout the three day event. The convention was very spiritual, educational and rewarding. We were privileged to have our National Spiritual Advisor, Most Rev. Richard Smith, Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario among us. He spoke on the importance of the Eucharist. Bishop Smith said that we have to get back to the basics. What does the real ministry of the real presence mean? How can we hand on the real truth? He referred to St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. We have been handing this on from generation to generation. This is what forms all of our lives. He is relating what He himself will be going through – the crucifixion on the cross. This is a moment of transformation. What was once bread and wine are no more; they are now the Body and Blood of our Lord. We often take this for granted; we must not. We are nourished by the Body and Blood of Jesus — we are nourished for the strength of Our Journey, our pilgrimage to our Father. If we don’t have Christ we are bound to fail. We are nourished with hope for eternal life if we believe and receive Christ in our Eucharist.

Our own Provincial Spiritual Advisor Father Terry Brock introduced us to Edith Stein. St. Benedicta of the Cross. Born October 12th 1891 in Breslau, Germany. She was a great Jewish philosopher, a Carmelite Nun, and brilliant writer who had a great influence on the women of her time and is having a growing influence in the intellectual and philosophical circles of today’s society. She is an inspiration to all Christians whose heritage is the Cross and her life was offered for her own Jewish people in their suffering and persecutions. From the University of Freiburg in Germany she was awarded her doctorate in philosophy Suma Cum Laude. She worked along side the famous founder of phenomenology Professor Husserl. It was while she was doing her studies that she found out the Truth itself in the Catholic Church while reading the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila. All the doors were opened and she embraced faith. She was baptized on New Year’s Day, 1922. She died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz on August 9th 1942. Pope John Paul II beatified Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross on May 1st 1987 and canonized her on October 11th 1998. Father Terry asks us, as CWL members, where is Jesus leading us/me (prophetic call) and what sacrifice is Jesus asking of us/me to accept? (Oblation)

We had an informative workshop on “Advocacy with Politicians” facilitated by Judith Reid former MLA. She served as Minister of Transportation from June 2001 until January 2004. One of the reasons we work so hard in this life is so that we might make a better world for our children to live in. Some of the things that Judith said to help us with our causes were: We must be emotionally connected to the problem before we can sell it. Write letters to the editor to say Thank You about your MLAs. That way they will remember your name when you call on them for help. Read about your MLA or MP. Think about them as a person. Invite them to come and speak to a group as you can get to know them and they can get to know you. Some of the tips that Judith gave up on how to advocate for an action (successful advocacy requires that you already know the solution and that it is doable): one issue at a time, thoroughly understand the system you need to work with … Is it local, provincial, federal? What are the obstacles, why hasn’t this been done before? What are the benefits; can you support that with facts? Petitions are useful to get someone’s attention. Judith’s final words were that she encouraged us to be persistent in presenting our concerns to people in authority. Our resolutions are a warning that many MLAs and MPs do take seriously.

Seven resolutions were brought forward for consideration at this convention, and approved for presentation to the National Convention in August 2005: (From the Vancouver Archdiocesan Council) 1. Canadian Christmas Postage Stamp to include a Nativity-related theme in future Christmas stamp issues to commemorate Jesus’ birthday. 2. Assisted Suicide (A Criminal Offence) to retain Section 241 of the Criminal Code of Canada and to keep it an indictable offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. 3. Ratification of international convenant re: Death Penalty. We urge the Federal Government through the National Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, to sign and ratify the Second Optional Protocol regarding the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations and encourage other countries to do the same. (From the Prince George Diocesan Council) 4. Pay Child Care Support Direct to Family; Child care decisions are best made by parents/guardians in determining their child care options. (Kamloops Diocesan Council) 5. MaterCare International Funding; that the Federal Government contribute to the funding of MaterCare International’s Birth Trauma Centers through CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). (From the Kamloops Diocesan Council) 6. End Trafficking of Women & Children worldwide. (Vancouver Archdiocesan Council) 7. Appointments to the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation; to reform the appointments process of the CRTC and the CBC by mandating an all-party selection committee to make appointments.

Provincial President Elect, Barbara Dowding, facilitated a workshop on Trafficking. Trafficking is a modern form of slavery. We need to become aware of the atrocities that are being done to our children around the world. We need to protect our children. The workshop was closed with a “Trafficking Prayer Service” by Ann Dobie, Provincial Spiritual Development Chairperson, using symbols in prayer to open our eyes and hearts to those who are broken, wounded and destroyed by human traffickers. The symbols used were fabric symbolizing the just labor of textile worker, water symbolizing the freeing of those caught in domestic slavery, Fair Trade coffee beans symbolizing the farmers working locally for a fair wage in the freedom of their own culture and land, Fair Trade Chocolate symbolizing the end to child slavery, and a rose symbolizing respect for the beauty of all earth’s daughters.

The Eucharistic Celebrations were all held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Westbank BC. Celebrants were the Most Reverend Eugene J. Cooney Bishop of Nelson, Reverend Richard Smith Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario, National CWL Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Terry Brock BC & Yukon Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Jim Ratcliffe, and Nelson Diocesan Spiritual Advisor.

The Banquet speakers included Past National President Marie Cameron, who brought us greetings, and our very own Jackie Lenarduzzi (Provincial Past President) who shared her story of strong faith. There were presentations for Bursaries, National Convention Grants and Membership Contest winners presented by Barb Dowding. A great time was had by all who attended.

Submitted by:
Dodie B., BC & Yukon Provincial CWL Communications Chairperson