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.Try to keep up to date as best you can.

Education

I wish to thank Sharon C., for attending the Take Back the School Seminar, taking notes and sending me information on BC Parents and Teachers for Life.

The Corren Agreement was back in the news. 

I contacted Nancy Simms, former Education and Health chair, regarding what the CWL had done last year when the Corren agreement was signed and her response was that four members of the CWL provincial executive had met with Mr. Gilbert.  He had listened intently to our concerns and was interested in the concerns of the CWL.  He spent approximately 90 minutes talking with us.  He explained to us that the agreement with the Correns did not necessarily give them any more rights than any of the rest of us.  The CWL is now on the same mailing list as the Correns and every member of the League should have by now been informed of the website where each of us can give our input to the curriculum. 

Sharon brought back some good recommendations from the workshop.  The recommendations are not new.  The recommendations contain suggestion that a parent does if their child is in school or in any organization:

• Be involved in schools – ask questions talk to teachers
• Give children information with Christian influence – live your faith
• Help children to think critically on information that is given to them
• Teach your children to analyze events and other peoples view points
• Encourage your children to be involved in Christian clubs
• Encourage children to think and speak out
• Pray

I encourage all CWL members to connect to the Department of Education’s Website at www.bced.gov.bc.ca and monitor what new curriculum is being developed and what changes are being made to existing curriculum. 

MaterCare

I have mailed out DVDs and material regarding Matercare to each diocesan health and education chair.  I have also forwarded a press release from MaterCare regarding conscientious objections of doctors and health care professionals.  I contacted Catholic Health Association of BC and have received material titled Freedom of Conscience under Attack for Physicians and will attach it with this communiqué.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is back in the news after the American election and Washington State, BC’s neighbour, voting in favour physician assisted suicides. Cecile Miller sent out the results of a Canadian poll that showed that 51% of respondents would choose palliative care and 36% would choose euthanasia. Research shows that good palliative care can reduce the demand for “mercy killing”.

The Whitehorse Diocesan CWL took Resolution 2007.03 on palliative care to the Yukon Minister of Health and Social Services.  Yukon does not have formal palliative care, however the Yukon health system does provide palliative care to patients nearing their end of life and future plans are for palliative care beds at the Whitehorse General Hospital.  When discussing the need for palliative care and why it was important and the fact that good palliative care reduces the requests for “mercy killing” the minister informed me that that was a personal choice.  I left the Minister with a copy of A Catholic Guide to End-of Life Decisions from the National Catholic Bioethics Center www.ncbcenter.org. available on line.

In an update from the Euthanasis Prevention Coalition, Alex Schadenberg reports that Francine Lalonde is intending to bring forth a private members bill to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada.  In the private members bill lottery, she received #42, meaning that if parliament survives, her bill will come up sometime in April.

May everyone have a blessed and joyful Christmas.

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.

Bursaries

(I know I wrote this in my last communiqué, but to date I have only received one Molly Boucher Bursary application from the entire BC/Yukon, SO…) Please encourage members to apply for the National and Provincial bursaries. The National bursary deadline is May 31, 2008 to be postmarked and sent to the National office.  The criteria and application forms are on the national website under form and supplies. The Provincial Molly Boucher Bursary criteria and application forms can be found on our provincial cwl website and the deadline for all applications to be sent directly to me is March 31, 2008.

MaterCare

A reminder to mail your Canadian Tire money to MaterCare International where they can turn it into cash. Some old Canadian Tire money is now collectible and sells on eBay for far more than its face value. Let’s continue to help this worthy cause and send your Canadian Tire money to:

MaterCare (Canada)
c/o Joe Winchester
785 Aztec Ave.
Orleans, ON   K4A 4Y7

Monthly Canadian Health Awareness

A motion is before the House of Commons to officially recognize September as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. For the motion to pass it must be accepted by every Member of Parliament. Let’s join in the campaign! Send messages to your MP asking them to support motion M-427. Go to website www.ovariancanada.org to learn more.

March is National Epilepsy Month. Since my husband developed epilepsy in his late thirties, this is a health issue that hits close to home for me and I believe many of us need more education on.   For more info. Visit www.epilepsy.ca

Health & Environment

Our National Education & Health Chairperson, Judy Lewis reminds us in her latest communiqué that scents from shampoos, hairsprays, fabric softeners, etc. can create numerous health problems for people that are sensitive to scents. Judy reminds us that;

“Valuable members, with potential for becoming leaders, are being lost from League meetings and activities. There are reports of members being unable to attend functions due to health related issues from scents.”

“Following are some suggestions for member actions. Be sensitive to members’ needs. Be aware of what ingredients are in the products used. The telephone numbers on the product labels can be called to ask if the product is fragrance free or unscented and if a masking agent has been added to hide scents. Signs need to be posted stating members are sensitive to scents. Never state a room or building is scent free because that is impossible to guarantee and councils can be held legally liable for someone who gets sick from scents.”

Other topics from Judy Lewis are:

Outdated Mixes
A website to check for dangers that may be posed if outdated dry mixes are used is http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/pancake.asp.

Canadian Health Network
Eighty per cent of the 15 million Canadians on-line seek health information on the Internet. Canadian Health Network fulfills the federal government’s commitment to individual engagement and responsibility for health and supports organizations building healthy communities. It is used by 395,000 people monthly, 40 per cent of whom are health professionals sharing information with clients. It has more than 20,000 quality, peer-reviewed resources in English and French, and in-depth information on 25 health topics and population groups.

Environment
The following information was obtained from the Island Waste Management Corporation. For additional information visit their website at www.iwmc.pe.ca.

Glass can be recycled forever! Glass is 100 per cent recyclable. The same glass can be recycled a million times over to produce bottles and jars of the same high quality every time. A jam jar today could be a juice bottle next month, then a salad jar, a ketchup bottle, and so on.

Original glass is made from three main materials: sand, silica, and limestone. These materials are melted in a furnace at a heat of about 1500 degrees Celsius. Once liquefied, the molten form is dropped into moulds; blowing air into the moulds creates the shape of a bottle or jar.

At recycling facilities, glass jars are sorted into colors, and crushed into a product called “cullet”. Cullet is often mixed virgin glass materials to produce new products.

Making new glass from cullet saves energy because recycled glass melts at a lower temperature than virgin raw material. Less heat required means that less energy will be used in manufacturing which helps to conserve the use of resources such as oil and coal. Each glass bottle recycled keeps valuable non-renewable resources such as bauxite, iron-ore and sand in the ground. And above all, saving energy reduces acid rain, global warming and air pollution.

Not all glass products can be recycled. Items such as dishes and mirrors cannot be recycled because they contain material that would contaminate the recycled glass bottles and glass containers and damage the glass making machinery.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel continue to guide you in your work for God and Canada.

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.

On April 26th to 29th we held our annual convention in Trail. B.C. What a great time it was, we had over 120 ladies attend. We were thrilled to have National President Lorette Nobel with us! The National theme Love One Another became so very real! Her workshop on the national theme was very powerful, spiritually enriching and thought provoking. Dr. Walley with Matercare gave us a one and a half hour presentation on all the great works of Matercare and inspired my councils to donate $2,518.oo that day. Very Impressive! Our Spiritual Advisor Fr. Jim did an enrichment on Our Lady of Good Counsel; we learned so much about this history, we heard much more than any of us knew about this special feast day! Our provincial representative Elaine A…. guided us through the workshop on realignment of chairpersons; it seemed like the ladies really enjoyed going through this process, and were happy to be asked for their input! We also did not use any Styrofoam table ware at this convention. We received many compliments for a well run convention, for the wonderful speakers and programs that we listened to, learned from – all were terrific.

We were blessed to have a 90 year old member with us at convention, a very active and busy lady. One council reported a 90 year old lady joined the league for the first time. A member who had taken time off for a very serious illness, is back after four years, and is once again president of her council, where they had no president for 4 years. Just an example of the patience and positive attitudes we need and a reminder to keep focused!

We are planning four workshops this fall in the diocese, all will have Love One Another for the spiritual component, two will have responsibility of chairpersons as their 2nd part and two will have End of Life, Death and Dying for their 2nd part. All members of my team will be involved in these workshops. Two councils are celebrating anniversaries. We look forward to welcoming a new bishop to the Nelson Diocese this fall. We move in to the next year with love, humility and the gift of amazing grace. Thank you!

Respectfully submitted: Caroline A..-…..

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.

Our members continue to work on the committees and many are in the ministries of the church. Funds are being raised to support Development and Peace, Catholic Civil Rights, Matercare, Cody Institute, Catechism, Pro-Life, Missions Canada and many local needs. There are letters written to the MLA’s & MP’s supporting the resolutions. There were no styrofoam cups or plates at our Diocesan Convention in Smithers this year. We support White Ribbon Campaign, Life Chain, World Day of Prayer, work with palliative care, and many more CWL things. I must also mention one of our youngest CWL Members has left us to enter the Cistersian Monastery as a postulant. She is from the Fraser Lake Parish.

I emailed or faxed every parish pastor and parish CWL president regarding Canada Apologizing to the World–re– Definition of Marriage as directed by Barb Dowding.

I received this position in April, six weeks ago and haven’t made many plans yet although we are planning a workshop on writing reports and/or a workshop on elections at our mid-term meeting.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide us as we work for God and Canada.

Respectfully Submitted

Susan S……., Prince George Diocesan President

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!

Update on Provincial letter regarding Correns & BC Ministry of Education: The provincial council of the CWL has yet to receive a response from the office of the Ministry of Education regarding the letter that was sent on November 15, 2006. I have been and will continue to actively pursue a response and will inform you if and when we receive any information.

There is a Ministry of Education survey that BC residents are being invited to complete concerning various curriculum revisions. You can obtain this survey at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/drafts/ and then click on the Social Studies program. I strongly suggest that you complete this survey, although I completed it last night and found there are some obviously slanted questions that have to be carefully thought out before answering.

BC Parents and Teachers For Life Annual General Meeting: Will be held on April 21, 2007 @10:30 a.m. at ABC Country Restaurant in South Surrey at 2160 King George Highway. All are invited.

HPV Vaccine: On Jan. 30, 2007 the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issued a statement recommending use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Canada. It recommends for greatest efficacy to be given to girls as young as 9 years of age (because at this age most girls are not yet sexually active) and, after sexual activity has begun, up to 26 years. It states that it is the only vaccine uniquely designed to prevent cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer as well as genital warts, and was approved by Health Canada last summer. For more information you can log onto www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2007/30/c2810.html. Although, we must be careful that as Catholics we do not fall into the trappings of the culture of sexual promiscuity by promoting for our children to be vaccinated to protect themselves from many diseases that can be prevented through chastity and monogamous marriages.

Immunizations: Immunizations provide the best possible protection against some very serious diseases. Unfortunately, many viral vaccines commonly used in Canada, and around the world, were developed from cell lines from the tissue of aborted fetuses. A list of some of these ethically tainted vaccines is available here (PDF).

Although, we do have options! Legally approved and effective vaccines are available which have been created from sources other than abortion-derived fetal cell lines. Specifically the infant vaccine Pediacel (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Haemophilus B), which is currently being used in the UK and other nations, does not derive from fetal tissue. Unfortunately, it is not being used in Canada. Rather the government funded vaccine used for these same diseases is Pentacel which is partly derived using a cell line created from aborted fetal tissue. Aside from the ethical reason for making Pediacel available, there is also a very practical one: It is critical for the public good that there should always be two sources for all vaccines in Canada. If one company shuts down, or has a problem with supply, there is an alternative to meet the needs of Canadians. Let our health minister know that the government should provide an alternative to Pentacel. Specifically, that Pediacel, or an equivalent ethical alternative, should be available in the publicly funded regular childhood vaccination programs in our province.

Use of Embryos in Research: Please encourage all members and councils to write, email or call all organizations they support to inquire if the organization uses embryos for its research. As Judy L., national education & health chairperson states, “As Catholics we cannot support embryonic research because it destroys life.” Since many organizations are doing invaluable work, we can specifically ask that our donations do not support the research aspect or find alternatives to assist those suffering from the illness.

MaterCare International: This is an easy and effective way to help women around the globe. To donate your AirMiles to MaterCare contact: Theresa Winchester, R.R. 1, 377 Lake Range Rd., Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X3 or call her at (519) 395-4079 to get more cards. MaterCare can no longer give out the home-made cards – you must use the swipe cards – but that doesn’t prevent a donor from simply giving the League’s AirMiles number (8007 7296378) when asked for the number. This program is working extremely well and is a very real asset for MaterCare in terms of reduced travel costs. Here are some additional ways to maximize AirMiles donations:

• Check out the website (www.airmiles.ca) and see where AirMiles are given in your province.
• You can set up your HBC Rewards points to automatically convert to AirMiles, then give the AirMiles number so you make a donation every time you shop at Zellers, the Bay or Home Outfitters.
• Give friends a MaterCare collector card as a gift, particularly for their grocery purchases – this is where the majority of AirMiles donations comes from.
• Once a day, click on www.matercare.org, than click on Donate, then on Lifesaver to assist women in developing countries for free.

Breast Cancer: An easy way to help provide free mammograms for women who cannot afford the test is to once a day click on www.thebreastcancersite.com.

February is Heart & Stroke Month: The Heart & Stroke Foundation is always looking for help to canvass in this month. It’s a great way to get your heart pumping with a little exercise and to meet your neighbors (I volunteer every year). If you are unable to canvass please remember someone will be knocking at your door this month – please be generous!

Again, I am so sorry that I have given you such an overload of information, but I felt it was all very important to get out to our members. Our work within this standing committee is extensive and I have much more that I would love to share with you but these will wait till the next communique.

May you continue to keep yourselves educated and stay healthy! God Bless you in your work for God and Canada.

Nancy S.
Provincial Education & Health Chairperson

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.

As this is my first communique as Education & Health Chairperson I would like to introduce myself. I joined the League in1990 just after my youngest of four children was born. Not long after joining the League I became parish president in 100 Mile House, BC. After my term as president I went on the Kamloops diocesan council holding positions in Christian family life, resolutions, president-elect, president & past president. On the provincial council, I just finished my term as resolutions chairperson, and on the national level I was appointed to the national resolutions committee for the 2004/2005 term. During my years in the League I have also been the local pro-life president, taught confirmation classes and we have fostered numerous children. I now live in Kamloops with my husband, John and our two youngest children. In my free time (there doesn’t seem to be much of that!) I enjoy reading, antique shopping and running away with my husband for weekend getaways where there is no phone or computers!

Communiques ~ Please pass on information from my communiques to your parish education & health chairpersons, or if there is no chairperson, pass it to the parish president who can pass it on to the rest of the council. In this way we pass the information from one level to the other.

In communiques you are sending please remember when quoting from another source to give mention of that source. I have received one communique from our new national chairperson of education & health, Judy Lewis.

Resolutions ~ At the national convention in Halifax (which I had the privilege of attending) 6 resolutions were adopted – one pertains to the education & health standing committee, Resolution 06.04 Renewable Energy. This and all the resolutions are posted on the CWL web site with their briefs and detailed action plans and will be published in the fall League magazine. Please encourage all councils to take action on this issue.

MaterCare International ~ At the national convention, members voted to extend the MaterCare International National Voluntary Fund for an additional two years. Again, encourage councils to support this very worthwhile project.

Environment ~ The national chairperson’s oral report at the convention brought mention of action we need to be taking in regards to being caretakers of our world. As members we are encouraged to discontinue using styrofoam dishes for our personal use and within parish functions. Styrofoam is made of non-renewable resources and is non-biodegradable.

BC & Educational Rights ~ I am enclosing two articles from the BC Catholic regarding an unprecedented agreement between the Education Ministry and two private citizens that could jeopardize the right of parents to determine how their children are educated. Read these articles carefully and encourage members to write letters, write letters, write letters!

1- “Deal threatens education rights, archbishop says.” BC Catholic. Sept. 4, 2006 (front page).
2- “Parents the final decision makers on education.” By Archbishop Roussin, SM BC Catholic. Sept. 4, 2006.

Scholarships & Bursaries ~ Please remind members of the National Bursary that is available and that the deadline date for applications has been changed to May 31. Details are in the National Manual of Policy and Procedure. Also, the Molly Boucher Bursary, from BC/Yukon must be submitted to me by March 31. If forms are needed for this bursary please contact me.

Handicapped Change Rooms ~ It was brought to my attention through a Kamloops diocesan resolution that some health care facilities in BC/Yukon may lack accessible changing rooms for handicapped patients. I recommended that councils inquire if their local health care facilities have accessible changing rooms for handicapped patients and if not, advocate to have them provided.

Wellness and Sickness/Disease ~ Health Canada has designated September, Arthritis & Ovarian Cancer Month. October, Autism and Breast Cancer Month. November, Diabetes and Osteoporosis Month and December, Christmas Seal Month. Encourage guest speakers and let’s educate ourselves!

May Our Lady of Good Counsel guide you in all your work for God and Canada.
Nancy S.

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