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

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

Here we are about to celebrate Labour day, which signals the end of summer and the beginning of the beautiful season of Fall or Autumn as I know it. As children prepare to go back to school we too plan and prepare for our CWL meetings. I hope you were able to attend a convention and are feeling refreshed, re-energized and full of enthusiasm.

Welcome to second term Legislation Chairpersons from Kamloops, Prince George and Vancouver, and like myself, first term chairperson from Victoria. I notice several familiar names and look forward to receiving your communiques updating me on legislation news in your diocese.  Have you thought of sharing with the other diocesan chairpersons?   If I can be of any assistance at all please contact me.

Legislation – social justice in action.

In the executive handbook the guidelines given under this standing committee are:

• to monitor and study legislation (laws made) at all levels of government.
• the preparation of briefs and position papers on proposed legislation

How do we do this?

By monitoring both current and past resolutions when they become bills and are presented to Federal Parliament through reading the newspapers and accessing both the Federal Parliament web site and also the Legislative Assembly at  and by following Hansard at which is where the official record of motions debated and passed since 1972 in BC are listed. You can also find out what MLA’s said and how they voted.

Do you know who your Federal/Provincial Members of Parliament are?  Contact them requesting to be put on their mailing list, keeps you informed and updated. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Sandra Stajduhar

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! » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Sandra Stajduhar

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. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Sheila Quinn

Greetings and Happy Valentine’s Day,

As we “Walk Humbly With our God” let us “Love One Another” by continuing to take action on resolutions such as those related to on-going major concerns such as trafficking of women and children, poverty, homelessness to name a few. Many other important issues are stated in previous resolutions and can be found on the League website – click on resolutions and follow the suggested action plan. Encourage parish councils to study one resolution at each meeting, then write letters or arrange another day for coffee and letter writing. What makes a resolution worthwhile? The action – one phone call, one letter!!! » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Gloria Gausboel

Our new National Theme “Love One Another” calls us to take action for the poor and homeless people in our cities, province and country. We can show our love by taking action on Resolution 2003.1 Affordable Housing for Low-Income Canadians and Resolution 2004.02 Children Living in Poverty.

Write letters to provincial/territorial/federal governments urging assistance to families in abject poverty. Let our MLAs and MPs know that we expect them, our elected representatives, to do more to help homeless people and those living in poverty. There are many issues to address: the environment, welfare rates, minimum wage rates and health care. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Sandra Stajduhar

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. » Read the rest of this entry »