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

Submitted by: Jeanne Wilson

Education and Health is a very active standing committee dealing with education and health in six areas.

First is Catholic Education which includes Catholic schools and catechesis. Our members are very engaged in these two areas -whether it is teaching in the Catholic schools, serving on school councils, advisory committees or school boards or teaching catechism or raising funds for our Catholic schools.

Education and Health chairs also monitor the BC Department of Education website as to developments and changes in curriculum.

Second area is literacy and continuing education.

Under our theme of Peace and Hope, we are asked to reach out to women of other cultures and backgrounds. One ways is help immigrants with reading and writing. The CWL was established in 1920 to provide support for immigrant women and girls and the work is continuing today in parish councils. Members are supporting new Canadians by acting as tutors and assisting adult learners.

Adult faith formation classes are provided in most dioceses and all members are urged to attend classes to strengthen their faith.

Third area is scholarships and bursaries.

Some parish councils, all the diocesan councils and the provincial council and national council give bursaries. Life Members have established a bursary in the area of arts and culture. What a wonderful way for the CWL to promote education of its members and member’s children and grandchildren. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

What does it mean to legislate?

According to the dictionary definition – to make law.

What are government elected representatives responsible forÉ

To study, debate, and consider Canadians’ views/concerns before supporting or rejecting a Bill however bare in mind that once a government Bill is introduced to the Legislature it is the government’s expectation that the Bill will pass and they will bring considerable resources to make this happen.

Did you know that a Bill must pass three readings in the House of Commons or the Legislative Assembly before it becomes law?

Here are the three steps -

• Bills are introduced in the House, given First Reading, put on the agenda and the Minister may explain the purpose of the Bill
• Before the Second Reading debate begins, a Bill may be ordered referred to a Standing Committee for review and/or hearings.
• If given a Second Reading, it may, by unanimous consent be ordered for a Third Reading otherwise it is referred to a Committee.
• When the Committee reports the Bill to the House it is ordered for a Third Reading.
• Federal bills once passed are sent to the other House, the Senate, where the process starts again from the First Reading.
• Last step – If the Bill passes Three Reading stages it is then presented to the Lieutenant Governor for Royal Assent, if approved it is then known as an act given a statue number.

What are the duties of the legislation chair?

• To become familiar with parliamentary web sites
• Monitor and study the progress of the Bills on a regular basis » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Lois Charlebois

In the C.W.L. book “Leading the League”, a quote from the “Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity”. says: Wherever there are people in need of food and drink, clothing,  housing,  medicine, employment, education;  wherever (people) lack the facilities necessary for life or are afflicted with serious distress or illness or suffer exile, or imprisonment, there Christian charity should seek them out and find them, console them with great solitude ,and help them with appropriate relief. This obligation is imposed above all upon every prosperous nation and person”.

This decree sets out for us the work of the Community Life Committee. This Committee has

Five main categories to work on.

DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF PERSONS:

The Charter of Rights says we have rights to many things such as: life, freedom, food, water, housing, clothing, protection of the law, medical care, education, a job etc.

Some examples of our work in this area:

• Supporting Domestic Abuse Services
• Letters and  petitions to Government such as “No Legalized Prostitution”
• “No Legalization of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide (Bill C-384)” and Bill C-58–Child Protection Act (on-line Sexual Exploitation)
• Educating the public about such things as Human Trafficking, and supporting minimum sentences for trafficking ,

Recent Resolutions:

2008.01>Preventing Human Trafficking at  2010 Olympics

2009.02> Protection and Support for Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Doreen Gowans

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. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

Madam President, members of the League and guests:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Submitted by: Sandra Stajduhar

What is a resolution? The dictionary tells us that a resolution is ‘a firm decision to do something”. Our executive handbook tells us “A resolution is one member’s concern becoming the voice of the League” and that “Policies are established, programs are planned, or concerns and views are expressed through resolutions”. Appendix 1 of our National Manual of Policy and Procedure guides us through the process of preparing and presenting a resolution.

What does this mean to you – as a member of the Catholic Women’s League? What do you do when you are given the gift of a resolution? Do you put it away unopened? Do you open it; look briefly, and then put it away to gather dust? Or do you open it, learn about it, and use it – or, at the very least, “regift” it to someone else?

What is the study and implementation of a resolution? Resolutions are designated to specific standing committees, and chairpersons are to ensure that members are informed and to motivate members to action – and members then become responsible for further educating themselves and acting on the resolution. Do you remember how you worried about what the bishop might ask you at your confirmation, and how you prepared –how you tried to learn everything? I challenge each one of you to pick one resolution and educate yourself on that topic – pretend you are on the review committee and investigate every reference, and follow those references to other information. Progress from ‘knowing about’ a resolution to ‘knowing’ the resolution. Then – ACT – in whatever way you can. This year? Befriend a young, new mother; visit a seniors’ home; write a letter; educate one more person.

Perhaps you are called to be a giver of a gift – to research and prepare a resolution. Is there an issue that is calling you to act? This year we ranged from at risk newborns to older people suffering from dementia. Think of the many important issues in between! Gather some information, discuss it with your council, and go for it! Use the resolutions appendix, and tackle it step by step – with prayer. Do your best – our process allows for improvement at each level.

My personal decision as resolutions chairperson was that no resolution would be turned down on a technicality – such as parenthetical referencing not quite right or references not highlighted or some other oversight. The members should hear a concern that has motivated a resolution – even if it is not accepted.

I would recommend three plans for every resolutions chairperson:

• Prepare a workshop – doing this as my first official job helped immensely.
• Prepare a resolution – it is in the doing that we learn.
• Study a resolution as if you had to prepare for a government meeting – what questions will you be asked, what will be debated.

Every member should participate in a resolutions workshop, prepare a resolution, and study a resolution as if preparing for the Bishop.

To close:

Whereas, We are members of a national organization, rooted in gospel values, called to holiness through service to the people of God; and

Whereas, We are women of peace and hope; and

Whereas, We are called to serve with faith and joy; therefore, be it

Resolved, That, as members of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada, we seek justice, peace and hope for all God’s people by forming and acting on resolutions with faith and joy.

BC & Yukon delegation to Victoria, meeting with Liberal and NDP MLAs

March 31, 2010 — For the fourteenth time, a delegation from our BC & Yukon Provincial Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada met in Victoria with Liberal and New Democratic party MLA’s to present and discuss CWL resolutions. The delegation consisted of president, Marianna Caldwell, president-elect, Nancy Simms, and myself, Sandra Stajduhar, Resolutions chairperson. Legislation chairperson, Sheila Quinn, helped us in the preparation.

Information on the CWL and the resolutions was prepared and given to the MLA’s beforehand, and included all 2009 resolutions as well as information on some past resolutions still of interest. Briefs, bibliographies and action plans were included. In the oral presentation, specific items of concern, particularly in BC, were highlighted as we asked for ongoing support in resolving issues.

The government was commended on the recent legislation to ban the use of hand held cell phones while driving – the subject of a 2008 resolution. It was requested that more driver education be given, with the emphasis on safety. 2007 statistics on injury collisions show that driver inattention was the major contributing factor – 34.3%. A 2009 resolution asks that a province wide policy be made to govern the use of personal electronic devices in schools and that the policy be widely distributed to both students and parents. We were advised to work with parent and teacher groups to determine specific restrictions to be included in such a policy.

The resolution “Hate Messages” urges the federal government to restrict proceedings on matters of hate solely under the Criminal Code and to repeal section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act entitled Hate Messages. BC has similar provisions to section 13 in its BC Human Rights Code under section 7. Criminal Code proceedings require proof of beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas the Canadian Human Rights Act uses the lower civil standard of balance of probabilities. Persons charged under the Criminal Code are entitled to a presumption of innocence, but when a complaint is made under the Human Rights Act, the accused must prove their innocence. As well, the Criminal Code excludes persons who in good faith express or attempt to establish by argument an opinion upon a religious subject. One MLA commented that he would have thought that the Catholic Women’s League would be fighting for the victims of hate messages. It was emphasized that the Catholic Women’s League certainly does not condone hate messages, but urges that they be prosecuted solely under the Criminal Code of Canada.

» Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Lois Charlebois

Hi! To all!

Well, the Convention is fast approaching and I am trying to finish up most of the work as my husband and I are supposed to go camping this weekend. I just want to send a short message, as this will be my last Communiqué as Community Life Chairperson.

I also want to ask the Diocesan Community Life Chairpersons to look for Bill C-268. It is about minimum sentences for Offenses involving Trafficking of persons under the age of 18 years. When it comes you should encourage people to express opinions in favor of this. I was told that one of the problems is they can catch the Traffickers and charge them—but when they get to Court the Judges just give them a small fine—not enough to bother them. It should be a good jail sentence and put them out of commission for a while.

I want to say “Thanks” all the Diocesan Chairpersons for the work they have done this term. I have just been working on my Oral Report for the Convention. Are you Chairpersons coming to the Convention?  Also if you would like a copy of my Oral Report—please mail me, and I will send it to you—but it may be after the Convention. Thanks to all of you for your Cooperation and support.

Submitted by: Doreen Gowans

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.

Submitted by: Pat Deppiesse

Dear Diocesan Secretaries,

I am taking the opportunity to send you one last Communiqué with a request to all diocesan Secretaries.

It would be extremely useful if diocesan secretaries would keep an up to date label list of the past-presidents of their dioceses. The reason is so that, in an election year, they may send that list to the provincial secretary in order for her to keep the elections register up to date. There is the possibility that some of these members may have moved and therefore, the letter inviting them to run at the provincial level may not reach them.

This would possibly involve the parish council secretaries letting you know when a past-president moves and you might consider asking them for the same information. A past-president is eligible for three elections following her term as President (or 6 years).

I know one diocese honours its past-presidents by including them in the roll call at general meetings and sending minutes and notice of meetings to them. It’s a good way of staying connected. After all, they have put in many years of service at that level and we are very appreciative!

Thank you very much for your kind consideration of this request, and for your cooperation. I know the new BC & Yukon Secretary will be very grateful!  I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the convention!