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

Submitted by: Jeanne Wilson

Dear League Sisters and Father Tran,

December is here and Advent has begun. Let us remember the birth of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of St. Luke. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and traveled up to Judaea, to the town of David call Bethlehem in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  While they were there the time came for her to have her child and she gave birth to a son, her first-born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. How difficult it must have been for Mary -  no hospital, no family only Joseph to help her with the birth.

Let us be thankful for Mary accepting to be Jesus’ mother, for family and health care.

Thank you to the education and health chairs who have sent me their communiqués.  Keep up the good work.  Education and Health is a big chair – lots of action in both areas. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Nancy Simms

Dear Sisters in the League,

BC Ministry of Education

I recently received the following two emails from the BC Ministry of Education. I encourage you to visit these sites and keep members updated.

1. The Curriculum Implementation Schedule is now available on the curriculum website at:  http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/imp_sched.htm
2. The summary to the needs assessment conducted on the Grades 8-12 Social Studies curriculum is now posted and can be found at: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/reports/ss8-12_exec_summary.pdf

I am also enclosing an attachment of Review of Making Space, Giving Voice produced by The Catholic Civil Rights League. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Caroline A.

Rev. Fathers, Madame President Sisters in the League:

Well it is just over one year now, since my elevation to Nelson Diocesan President! It has been an interesting year, one of learning, listening and supporting!

Many councils in my diocese have or are having problems filling positions on there councils. But the amount of accomplishments in each parish council are huge, totally overwhelming in fact! Councils continue to achieve the impossible with fewer and older members! Report forms at year end were a huge problem – yes and no questions do not complement a report for a report book. Our diocesan newsletter which we started in Sept. is very successful and well received by all. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Susan S.

Madam President,

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

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

Submitted by: Nancy Simms

Dear Sisters in the League,

Numerous items of information have been brought to my attention recently and I hope I am not giving information overload in this communique, but I feel it is all very important to get out to you. Just try and work on as much as you can. Through prayer and Gods help we will accomplish His work!

Communiques: Just a reminder for all my diocesan counterparts. Each of you should be sharing your communiques with each other and myself. Sharing your communiques creates an atmosphere of communication and the sharing of ideas throughout our province. Unfortunately, I have received very little communication from any of you and would love to know what each of you are working on in your diocese.

Scholarships and Bursaries: The deadline for the provincial Molly Boucher Bursary is March 31, 2007. The application form must be sent to me no later. For almost 9,000 members within BC & Yukon, I have to date not received a very strong response for this bursary. Have you reminded the members of your diocese of the availability of this bursary? The deadline for the national bursary to be sent to the national office is May 31st. Let’s get the word out there! » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Nancy Simms

Dear League Sisters,

The 2006/2007 school year is now in full swing and the fall season is upon us. I pray everyone has had a relaxing summer break and is rejuvenated with new energy in our work for God & Canada! I would like to extend a heart felt welcome to Doreen R.-Nelson Diocese and Betty H.-Victoria Diocese in your first terms in this standing committee, and to our second term chairpersons Marguerite LeB.-Kamloops Diocese, Amabile D.M.-Prince George Diocese and Jenny S.-Vancouver Archdiocese. » Read the rest of this entry »

Submitted by: Dodie Bond

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. » Read the rest of this entry »