The Catholic Women’s League of Canada
Saskatchewan Provincial Council
Annual Reports
2011
For a downloadable PDF version, click here.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Tillie Aessie
DIOCESAN PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Prince Albert – Marianne Kramchynsky
Regina - Chantal Devine
Saskatoon - Susan Melchiorre
CHAIRPERSON’S OF STANDING COMMITTEE’S REPORTS
Organization – Marge Szabo
Spiritual – Jean Reader
Resolutions – Margaret Schwab
Legislation – Rita Hengen
Christian Family Life – Helen Kayfish
Community Life – Erna Day
Communications – Marcella Pedersen
Health & Education – Monica Beavis
Archives – Gerri Holmes
Saskatchewan Provincial President’s Annual Report - 2011
Tillie Aessie, Provincial President
I am amazed that the first half of my two year term is moving along so quickly. I must say it sure is busy, but I am enjoying the experience and feel truly blessed to be representing the fine ladies living in the province of Saskatchewan.
Our winter executive meeting and fall workshop (from the previous year) were combined and held in the month of February in Moose Jaw. Vivian Bosch and Fr. Ed Hengen presented a workshop on our theme,” Justice and Faith” focusing on poverty. Everyone came away from the workshop humming Johnny Reed’s “Today I am going to try to change the world”. This theme will carry on for the next two years until a new theme is introduced after the National convention in Edmonton in 2012.
Towards the end of February three ladies met with Saskatchewan’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Bill Boyd to discuss our resolution on Nuclear Waste Disposal passed at the Provincial convention. We were really pleased with having one whole hour of the Minister’s time where we felt most of our questions and concerns were heard and discussed.
The City of Battleford hosted our Provincial convention on June 6th & 7th at St. Vital’s Parish. Lorraine Hartsook was the Presenter and based her presentation on our theme, Centered on Faith and Justice.” She opened the session with some music, great enthusiasm and humor. She reappeared again in the afternoon and was the entertainment at the evening banquet. Our new National President, Velma Harasen was also present and received a huge round of applause and cheers as she is from our own province residing in Regina. On Tuesday morning we again had Vivian Bosch and Fr. Ed Hengen present a shortened version of the workshop they presented to us in the spring. Much to the delight of the Diocesan executive and regional chairs who missed it in the spring.
As your provincial president I represented Saskatchewan members at the National convention in Toronto and the national executive meeting in Winnipeg in October. I also brought greetings on behalf of Provincial to several Councils on their major anniversaries. To the ones I could not attend, I sent another executive member. I also helped Claire Heron facilitate the “One in the Spirit” workshop at Eston and Wilkie.
Three executive members attended the CHAS Convention in Regina. Marge Szabo represented Provincial at the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League conference in Regina.
The provincial Social Justice award in the amount of $1000.00 was awarded to Andrea Schikowsky-Pearce from Shaunavon, Sask. You will hear her speak at the 2012 convention.
The provincial fall executive meeting and workshop was held at Jack Fish Lodge in Cochin Sask. in the latter part of Sept. The leadership workshop was presented by Heather Kolla and Mary Nordick. The Provincial executive, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon Diocesan executive and regional chairs were present. There were approx. 50 ladies present. We were treated to a fine turkey dinner on the Friday evening which was by followed by skits, jokes and a sing along.
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2011 Prince Albert Diocesan President’s Annual Report
Judging from the reports submitted by the councils in our diocese, the women of the Catholic Women’s League have been actively living out our theme of “Faith and Justice”. They not only supported their own parishes through fundraising and volunteering, they visited seniors and distributed Christmas gifts, they supported families in desperately poor countries, they ran thrift stores, they contributed to charities through the National Fund, put on Development and Peace workshops, provided honour guards for deceased members, assisted refugees and other immigrants, and wrote letters to their Members of Parliament. The Catholic Women’s League at the local level is very much alive and well, and making a huge difference in the communities it serves.
Financially, our diocesan council is quite healthy, as we have had fewer meetings in recent years and our President was not able to attend the National convention last year. Rather than spend several hundred dollars on hotels, our executive has even been billeted on at least one occasion. Postage and copy costs have been minimal as e-mail is used more frequently, and we have had substantial donations of stamps and copies.
In common with other parts of the country, our membership is suffering. The La Ronge council disbanded in the fall, as they had only one executive member for several years. The good news is that the women of the parish of La Ronge are still meeting, raising funds, and supporting one another, their church and their community.
Over and over again I heard that parish executives are not filled, and the membership is aging. Our diocesan council has vacancies in key posts such as President Elect, Legislation and Resolutions. Without a President Elect, I do not have an Organization chair. As with the other dioceses in Saskatchewan, distance is an issue for our executive, making it difficult and costly to meet as often as we should.
I was informed of a resolution that came from Cut Knife asking that the constitution be amended to allow women from disbanded councils to be members at large, rather than having to transfer their membership to another council. Because this is a constitutional issue, I understand that National will be informed and hopefully a proposal will be made for change in the future. It certainly makes no sense for the women of La Ronge to have to join a council 150 kilometres away just to remain members.
One discussion I have encouraged among our membership is the future of the League, and what direction it might take in the future. Members have told me time and again that there are three components of membership most important to them. One is service, the second is spiritual growth, and third is the sense of sisterhood. There are members in my home parish that never come to meetings, but are willing to serve and participate in the activities that provide those three things. One person told me recently that she doesn’t really know what the League stands for. The motto is “For God and Canada”, yet a large part of the money we raise goes to the poor in other countries.
There is also some feeling that the focus of resolutions has strayed from being family centred to being politically motivated. There is a certain level of discomfort with that direction, and it may be that the shift in focus is partly responsible for lack of membership growth.
While the leadership workshop and materials the League has developed are very good, they do not address the question of whether the various levels of League organization are actually necessary, or if some of the rules for the way we operate make any sense. One example is that only a past national president is allowed to be called an “Honorary Life Member”. Why not make that a “National Honorary Life Member” so local councils can honour their own with honorary life memberships?
With regard to organizational levels, it seems that diocesan and provincial councils exist for only three things – meetings, reports, and conventions, none of which the average Canadian working woman has time for. To determine why the average CWL member is past retirement age, all one has to do is look at the time commitment involved with meetings, conventions, and report writing at all levels of the League.
The qualifications for election to each level of the league are another issue worth revisiting. The requirement to be a president at one level before moving on to the next is somewhat daunting, and minimizes the pool of qualified candidates. The ability to appoint people to fill positions does not adequately address the problem, as it bypasses any democratic process and may be perceived as cronyism. Perhaps serving on an executive council for a minimum number of years should be adequate qualification for election to the next level.
Feedback I have received indicates that having a voice at a national level is very important to many small councils, and is vital to the League’s future. Because the resolution process has become so formal, resolutions coming from smaller councils will become rarer, but there is definitely a desire to have a say in the matters that are brought forward for discussion.
As I enter this second year of my term, I hope to fill the vacant positions on our executive at our diocesan convention on April 21 at Notre Dame parish in North Battleford.
March 8, 2012
Marianne Kramchynsky
Prince Albert Diocesan President
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Regina Diocesan CWL President’s Annual Report for 2011
The Regina Diocese of the Catholic Women’s League covers a vast area of the province, and is divided into ten regions. In 2011 we had eighty councils in these ten regions. One council disbanded this past year with a loss of twelve members. There was an increase of thirty-one members in fifteen councils and, unfortunately, a decrease of one hundred fifty-nine members in 48 councils. Seventeen of the 80 councils maintained the same number of members.
Our declining enrollment is definitely of great concern at the diocesan, provincial, and at the national level. Building a successful recruitment team is necessary to increase our numbers. As such, the national council has put together a Leadership Guide, which was mailed to all diocesan presidents. In late September, provincial council acted on this, by hosting a Leadership Workshop at Jack Fish Lodge. Hopefully, because of these measures, the coming year will show an increase in membership. Each one of us should take on a leadership role by stepping out of our comfort zone and inviting every Catholic woman we know to join the League!
Anniversary celebrations are always a great way of reflecting on, and recognizing the achievements in a parish community. In 2011, St. John the Baptist, Estevan, Sacred Heart, and Little Flower in Regina celebrated 80 years. Swift Current Council # 942 celebrated 70 years. Sixty year milestones were celebrated by St. Joseph’s council in Hodgeville and by Holy Family in Admiral. The following councils celebrated 50 years; St. Peters, St. Charles and Holy Cross in Regina, St. Stanislaus, Ituna, St. Francis of Assisi, Francis and St. Michael, Bangor. Our Lady of Auvergne in Ponteix celebrated 30 years. Thank you, and congratulations to all the Catholic women who have maintained these councils during the past decades.
I was privileged to attend the following four conventions. The 2011 Regina Diocesan Convention was held in the Yorkton/Melville Region. St. Gerard’s Council in Yorkton, hosted the 88th Annual Diocesan Convention with all seven councils in the region helping in the planning and hosting. The Saskatoon Diocesan Convention, hosted by St. Peter’s in Unity, where, guest speaker, Gisele Bauche, spoke on faith and justice. The 2011 Provincial Convention hosted by St. Vital Parish in Battleford, SK. was a faith filled and rewarding experience. The 91st Annual National Convention held in Toronto was a memorable event! All of these conventions provided me an opportunity for friendship and spiritual renewal.
Our theme, “Centred on Faith and Justice” was effectively presented by Vivian Bosch and Fr. Ed Hengen in their presentation at the provincial winter meeting and workshop at St. Joseph’s Church in Moose Jaw in February. The Regina Diocesan yearend reports reveal how all parishes incorporated the theme in their 2011 activities. CWL members, motivated by their faith were generous in giving of their time and money to alleviate injustices at home and abroad. A remarkable example of this is of the two nurses (CWL members), who went to Haiti with a medical mission team for two weeks!
Thank you to my predecessor, Mary Bybliw, for laying the groundwork for me in 2011 and for her continued support as past president and Archive’s Chairperson for the Regina Diocesan Executive.
This concludes my report,
Chantal Devine, Regina Diocesan President
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Saskatoon Diocesan President’s Annual Report for 2011
Social Justice has reflected through our 2011 CWL year enforcing our current theme of “Centred on Faith and Justice”. Through Councils’ annual reports we can see that many council activities have revolved around social justice issues of poverty, palliative care, aiding new arrivals to Canada, prison ministry, clothing and food assistance to the needy and education on social justice issues.
We have also been cognoscente of many issues such as abortion, nuclear waste management, euthanasia and human trafficking. We have paid attention to these and other issues that our governments have talked about and contemplated laws on.
2011 saw our four oldest councils celebrating 85 years of “serve to God and Canada”. These include St Theresa, Rosetown, St Augustine, Humboldt, Our Lady of Grace, Dodsland and St Paul, Saskatoon. St Joseph Council, Kindersley, celebrated 80 years.
Other celebrations that were held included, St Mary, Fox Valley – 60 years; St Michael, Tramping Lake, Sacred Heart, Liebenthal and Holy Guardian Angels, Engelfeld – all 50 years. St Peter, Unity turned 65 in December, 2011 but will be celebrating in the spring.
Three regional workshops were held in 2011- St Augustine, Humboldt hosted the St Peter Region workshop, Sacred Heart, Estin hosted the St Angela Region workshop and St James, Wilkie hosted the St Joseph Region. All were well attended and spiritually beneficial.
We provided CWL honour guards for the Chrism mass and the ordination of two priests.
Our Diocesan Convention was May 9 hosted by St Peter Council, Unity. Approximately 235 members attended. Our National President Velma Harasen was able to attend along with Provincial President Gerri Holmes. Gisele Bauche was our guest speaker who spoke on our new theme. Our Bishop Donald Bolen celebrated Eucharist for us concelebrated with all the priests in attendance. One resolution was presented from St James Council, Wilkie, on increased public participation in Nuclear Waste Management. It was past and sent to the provincial convention were it was also past.
We held two executive meetings in 2011, which were attended by the Core Executive, council presidents and other interested members. Our February meeting was hosted by St Mary’s Council, Saskatoon. At this meeting we approved the revision to our Diocesan Policy and Procedure. Mary Jacobi of the Diocesan Mission Team was our guest speaker. She informed us of the activities of the mission team and how we too can be involved. Our end of August, meeting was hosted by St Aloysius Council, Allen. At this, Joan Eyolfson Clapham along with Sr Viola, OSE, regaled us with incidents from their book “The Prairie Does Flourish” which is the history of the Order of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth in Saskatchewan. Three Core Executive meetings were also held to carry out League business.
I attended the annual convention and the winter and fall meetings for the Provincial Council and gave reports on Saskatoon Diocesan Council at all meetings. I also attended the fall workshop along with our Core Executive held at Jackfish Lodge. This focused on the theme of Leadership with Honorary Life Member (and Saskatoon Diocesan Councillor) Heather Kolla and Life Member Mary Nordick as presenters. It was a very successful workshop. I also represented Saskatoon Diocesan Council at both the Regina and Prince Albert Dioceses’ annual conventions.
Ruth Hiebert, President-Elect, Spiritual Advisor Claire Heron and I were the council’s delegates to the National Convention held in Toronto in August. As usual it was a great event. Our reports were sent out in an earlier mailing. Sad to say, that the National Council did not send our resolution to the floor for discussion and voting.
The CWL Clothing Depot is alive and well in a newly renovated store in the lower level of the Friendship Inn on 20th Street, Saskatoon. The Clothing Depot had to shut its doors for four months while an addition was put on to the Friendship Inn and the Clothing Depot store was gutted and refurbished. We were able to get it open in time for Christmas shopping. It is now a bright and welcoming space and much more user friendly for staff, volunteers and shoppers. On January 10, 2012 the Board of Directors held a grand re-opening. Many members attended and Bishop Donald came and blessed our depot. Saskatoon Diocesan Council presented the Clothing Deport Board along with staff with a Certificate of Merit for all the work they put into this successful renovation.
I want to thank all our councils for their participation, prayers and activities over the past year. It has truly been a year of fun, fulfillment and faith. I am looking forward to another great year for the Catholic Women’s League in the Diocese of Saskatoon.
God bless all of you in your service to God and Canada.
Sincerely
Susan Melchiorre
President
Saskatoon Diocesan Council
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Saskatchewan Organization Annual Report – 2011
Marge Szabo
There are three dioceses in the province of Saskatchewan.
- Prince Albert – 1,006 memberships
- Regina – 3,669 memberships
- Saskatoon – 3,059 memberships
- Total – 7,734 memberships with approximately 2.26% decline from 2010.
Recruit Members and Maintain Membership
All councils reported they have membership drives to recruit and maintain membership. Personal contact has proven to be the best method, as well as, using email, phone calls, letters and notices in the church bulletins. A few councils had a CWL Sunday with participating in all ministries at mass. They wore their CWL sashes and then announced their invitation from the pulpit.
Non-renewing members were contacted by phone or by a personal visit. Some have just forgotten about the membership time line, while others chose to decline for personal reasons, often saying they may join at a later time.
It is important to maintain membership by being welcoming. This is done, by working together on various activities; such as having special prayer services, potluck suppers, special awards, quilting bees, memorial services, and visiting members in nursing homes.
A “Ladies - Nite - Out” can be fun and interesting to introduce prospective CWL members to the League.
Leadership Development
In the Regina diocese, 3 council’s annual reports said they hosted mini conventions/workshops in 2011. It was noted that many members found it more convenient to attend mini conventions and regional meetings than their annual Diocesan or Provincial Convention. The members described their meetings as informational and educational.
Emphasis has been placed on awareness of the different levels of work done by CWL members. Having experienced a sense of pride in our organization, gave members a renewed spirit as they returned to their home councils.
In September, 2011, the Provincial Council hosted a Leadership Workshop for all executives of each of the 3 dioceses. Being a successful and educational weekend, members attending were asked to plan or host leadership training in their regional or councils. National Organization Chair, Betty Anne Brown Davidson, is also encouraging leadership training with the new “Catch the Fire” program. This will be unveiled at the National Convention in Edmonton this summer.
League Resources Material
Members are using the CWL website more frequently in updating their National Manual of Policy and Procedure. All other materials are also available to order or preview on line; these include Constitution and Bylaws, Executive Handbook, Leading the League, Handbook for Spiritual Advisors and Guidelines for Treasurers. All certificates, crests, pins can be ordered from the CWL catalogue on line as well as resource materials for workshops and prayer services. All councils reported the value and the use of the League Magazine and the E Newsletter. They are very informative and are used for discussions and review at council meetings.
Annual Reports
Annual reports are requested to be done by each council and to be sent to their diocesan counterparts. Less than half of the councils have sent in their reports. This makes summarizing difficult, as we know that work and activities are done but not reported. End of the year seems to be a busy time, thus reports are put on the back burner or not completed at all Each diocese provide an Annual Reports Booklet. It is interesting to read and find new ideas as well as showing all the wonderful work being done by our CWL members. Let’s try harder this year to send in your annual reports, and be counted.
Life Membership
Saskatchewan has four Honorary Life Members and twelve Life Members. We thank them for being our mentors and resource persons. Our Life Member Liaison is Yvonne Colleaux, who keeps in touch with these ladies. They are also sent individual invitations to our Diocesan and Provincial Conventions.
This concludes my report.
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Saskatchewan Provincial Catholic Women’s League Spiritual Development Annual Report for 2011
Spiritual Development, is one of the most important chairs in our Catholic Women’s League. Unfortunately we find that some parish councils do not have a lady to fill that position. Our organization is Faith based and it is very important to have a Spiritual Development Chair. We should start and end all meetings praising and praying to God. Our Lady of Good Council the woman who raised and nurtured Jesus, and as Spiritual Development chairs should be nurturing our Sister in the League through prayers and service.
I realize it is difficult for CWL councils to fill all the chair/positions, don’t forget that you can share the position with a good friend and make it twice as rewarding. We would not want our councils to be suffering from “Spiritual Poverty” would we? I realize that Spiritual Development is a big undertaking, but remember … if God calls you to it, He will help you through it. Be brave, take your Faith in one hand, reach your other hand for Jesus, turn your face to the Holy Spirit and say “Here I am God, ready to do your work!”
When I look at the reports from the three Diocese Spiritual Development chairs I realize that we really are “Women of Peace and Hope, centred on Faith and Justice”. These reports that tell me that we are very involved in our churches:
- participate in the Mass by being altar servers, proclaimers, Eucharistic minister, the list goes on.
- do fund raisers to help support our churches.
- have CWL Sundays where the ladies do all the services in the Mass.
- visiting the sick, shut-ins and those in hospital.
The role of CWL women in the church involves not only participating at Masses but in the preparation of the Mass. Upon occasion when the Priest is unavailable, CWL ladies to the readings and prayers at Wakes. They are members of the Lay Ministries, expanding the knowledge of their Faith.
CWL members donate monies outside of their Parishes for Development and Peace, Birthright, CODY, Save a Family, Mission of Canada, Saskatchewan, OMI Missions and many, many more. They also have adopted families in other countries such as Peru and India.
At World Day of Prayer you will see CWL members participating whole heartedly with other denominations, whether doing readings or joining in fellowship. You will quite often see CWL members at Remembrance Day services, remembering those who died so that we have freedom Religion in our country.
We are hard- working, women and we should be proud of our accomplishments. I want to say to each and every one of the members of the Catholic Women’s League … “well done, good and faithful servants”.
Thank you for a wonderful year as Spiritual Development Chair, it has been a learning experience and also a Faith enriching experience. God Bless you all.
This concludes my report.
Jean Reader, Provincial Spiritual Development Chair
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2011 PROVINCIAL RESOLUTIONS ANNUAL REPORT
Margaret Schwab
Two of the three Diocesan councils in the province have Resolutions Chairpersons.
It appears that although many councils do not have Resolutions chairpersons, most councils are interested in and take the time to study the resolutions that were passed at the National convention last August. Most members feel that the issues raised through resolutions are worth study and taking action toward supporting those resolutions.
Both Diocese reporting stated that many councils held letter writing campaigns. Some encouraged individual members to write while others discussed the issues and sent letters from the council as a whole. One council held four letter writing campaigns and found them all to be very successful. Letter writing campaigns covered many subjects such as: Hospice Palliative Care, Exportation of Asbestos, Children Living in Poverty, Poverty Elimination Act, Concerns for the Unborn, Prevention to Coerce Pregnant Women to Abort, Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, Development & Peace, Fair Farming Practices, Abortion, Abuse Against Children & Women of the World, Withdrawing Funds from Planned Parenthood, amendment to the International Transfer of Offenders Act, Marriage Commissioners.
Other forms of studying resolutions included bringing in guest speakers to speak on the topics addressed in national resolutions and attending meetings put on by other groups which also dealt with these topics.
We did have one resolution from the Saskatoon Diocese last year entitled “Increase Public Participation in High-Level Nuclear Waste Management.”
This resolution was passed at the Diocesan level and the Provincial level, but was not accepted at the National level.
Councils are taking action by organizing a petition against the Carter Case (to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide.
No workshops on Resolutions were held in either Diocese this year, but both chairpersons indicated that this would be made available if councils requested.
It is clear from the annual reports submitted that although councils continue to struggle to find chairpersons for all positions, they still recognize the value of resolutions and willingly take part in the action that is required to continue our goal of bringing equal justice to all in this world.
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2011 Saskatchewan Annual Legislation Report
Rita Hengen
Two diocesan annual reports were received. Out of 61 returned forms, 24 have legislation chairpersons, four were combined with resolutions with only the resolution report submitted and 21 were blank. Three councils commented that they felt they needed more developing.
General comments include:
- Shared information from legislation communiqués
- Used League articles pertaining to legislation
- Used articles from the Prairie Messenger related to legislation.
- Followed provincial and national legislation taking place.
- The age factor and diminishing numbers are part of the problem causing councils not to have a legislation chairperson.
- Pro-life cards were signed.
Letters were written re:
- Same-sex marriage
- Banning Chrysotile asbestos
- Doctor assisted suicide
- Palliative care
These letters tie in with Resolutions 2006.02, 2010.01, 2005.11 and 2007.03 respectively. As well, letters regarding nuclear waste and the Canadian Wheat Board were sent.
Bills studied include:
- C – 269 An Act to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking)
- C – 22 Protecting Children from Online Sexual Exploitation Act
- C - 389 An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity and gender expression)
- C – 304 An Act to Ensure Secure Adequate Accessible and Affordable Housing in Canada.
- C – 233 An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada, Poverty Elimination Act.
- C – 545 An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada (private member’s bill)
Phone calls were made re: abortion, euthanasia, health care, senior issues.
Preparation of brief and position papers were not undertaken.
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Saskatchewan Christian Family Life Annual Report – 2011
Helen Kayfish
From the three dioceses, I received two reports and it is easy to see that our councils have been busy.
The members are continuing to be active in raising awareness of Pro-Life issues, by writing letters to the MP’s (regarding euthanasia and human trafficking.) One council donates an article for the silent auction the pro-life group has. Others donate financially to local and provincial groups. One council admits they would like to see more work done with pro-life. Many of the councils pray for the unborn, support teen aid and other options for pregnancy.
Several of the councils support families by giving gifts for newly married couples, to newly baptized, confirmed and to the first communicants. Some councils support Save a Family Program, offer masses for family unity, support women in shelters and offer assistance with the children. Several of the memberships have taken the National initiative to raise funds for Change for Change and have donated the money to women in need for shelter and in food banks.
Many councils assist with youth programs throughout our province. Graduation bursaries, masses and providing Bibles for the sacramental classes are some of the activities councils do. Most of the councils help and support the altar servers’ programs as well as support the world youth day pilgrims. Many councils donate to Rock the Mount, a catholic youth rock concert with guest speakers and prayer services as well as a special mass celebrated with one of our bishops.
Our members are kept busy with offering their assistance with seniors and disabled in their communities. Several work with meals on wheels, delivering meals to seniors and shut-ins. Visiting with the sick or shut-ins is a ministry within our province and our members are very active in this area.
Some councils donate money in support of seminarians as well as offer their prayers. All councils offer support to our priests and continue to help immigrant priests adjust to being away from their families.
I noticed that there are several councils that do not have a chairperson for this Christian Family Life committee. This has not kept them from working in the areas covered under the guidelines of this committee. Congratulations to a job well done! Keep up the good work for “God and Canada”.
This concludes my report.
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Provincial Community Life Annual Report - 2011
I have received the three Diocesan Council reports. Prince Albert had six councils, Saskatoon has 32 councils and Regina had 33 councils reporting.
I have picked out a few things that I picked out of these reports.
I liked the idea done in Saskatoon Diocese where a community outreach group collected good conditioned recreation equipment (soccer balls, volley balls, and footballs, etc.) before school year ended. They were then distributed to underprivileged youth to improve their summer fun. Coloring books, crayons, pencils, scrapbooks were also collected and distributed on outreach day in their community. This could be a project for all communities in the province could get involved in.
This really touched me as at the end of June, we pack up and go to the lake for a summer with the grandkids relaxing and having just simple fun. I do realize I am so lucky.
Our seniors are not forgotten but there is still a lot we can do to fill a void in a lot of lives. These people are lonely and there aren’t always family members around. Our CWL ladies fill in a lot in these centers.
All our parishes support Change for Change, a small way to help out different groups such as Food Banks, Interval House, center for abused people, etc.
Sacred Heart Parish in Prince Albert support PAMC (Prince Albert Multi -cultural Center). All services are related to settlement and integration into Canadian Society. “Our work is exciting and a real pleasure and truly a labour of live.”
Under Community Life also were:
- collect clothing for the poor
- assist with Christmas hampers
- help schools with reading program
- help with funeral luncheon
- support Pro-Life
- participate in the White Ribbon Campaign
- volunteering at various centers for the less fortunate
- volunteer with visiting the elderly and sick
- petition letters and letter writing re: - assisted suicide, human trafficking, euthanasia, palliative care, dignity and rights of others
- gifts for First Communion
- bursaries for graduates
Our CWL Ladies are really living out our theme “Centered on Faith & Justice.”
We can get ideas from our sisters in the League from across Saskatchewan and Canada; there is never a shortage of good causes to take up and work on. God will give us strength and guidance to do his will.
Yours in Christ,
Erna Day
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Saskatchewan Communications 2011 Annual Report
I received three reports from three dioceses all in a different format. Regina reported feedback from 38 (out of 90?) councils, a slight decrease from previous year. Saskatoon had 30 reporting out of 52, and Prince Albert with 24 councils does not say. As we are in a transition stage in communication with some using “on-line” forms of communication while other older members using traditional forms of communication, councils are encouraged to have two members work as a team with one member handling the more traditional forms of communication (telephone, church bulletins, announcements, bulletin boards, posters) while the other member handles email, text messaging, talk mail, Twitter, Facebook, Skype etc.
The Canadian League:
Almost all councils encourage their members to read the League Magazine. Some use it to bring awareness/discussion of an issue/article at meetings, especially with regard to follow up on resolutions and action plans, or summarize an article for their church bulletin. This is an excellent way to give visibility to the works of the CWL on the local and national level. The elderly who no longer can attend meetings keep informed and connected to their national organization through the League Magazine. Some councils are using the CWL Website and “Be League” for information; a few have submitted articles for e-newsletter.
Media:
- For evangelization: Many activities are done by councils with members volunteering in parish and community by showing Christ’s love by their support and setting an example: visiting sick, lay ministry to Nursing Homes, food banks drives, Meals on Wheels, liturgy ministries and décor, fund raising, delivering winter clothing, helping needy families, presenting gifts to catechists, sending cards, hosting Taste & See breakfasts, and honor guards for members just to name a few. Half of the councils participated in World Day of Prayer.
- To promote the League: The many activities the members do for their community mentioned above is their way of promoting the League. Some activities require advertizing, others by wearing CWL insignia making CWL visible. Many councils celebrate Our Lady’s Feast Day by mass with members serving in all liturgy ministries. Some councils hand out brochures at end of mass and invite ladies to join their group.
- Evaluations and promotion of good content: At meetings, councils presented and discussed topics from TV, radio, video, newspapers and the Prairie Messenger. Five plus councils reported writing letters expressing concern of media content. Seventeen councils encouraged letter writing on issues brought forward by National or local members.
- Newsletters and bulletins: Nearly all councils use church bulletins, some have a “CWL Corner”. Seventeen councils reported publishing newsletters; this is twice as many as last year. Some newsletters are printed once, twice, or three times a year, one council once a month. One council noted that they had approximately 60 bulletin inserts over the year!
Media relations:
One third of the councils are using local newspapers to promote league activities, upcoming events and CWL Happenings for promoting the League, member recruitment, and recognizing councils for their excellent service and accomplishments. Five councils reported writing letters expressing concern of media content.
Pornography:
At least one council collected signatures in support of better legislation re Internet pornography as child sex abuse and presented them to their MP. Articles from newspapers were used to inform members of the widespread pornography in our communities and discuss remedies. During WRAP campaign, a council published article in newsletter about the responsible internet use.
As for myself, I wrote 4 communiqués, one letter to Prairie Messenger commending their newspaper for keeping Catholics informed as well as printing some ‘good news’ stories and submitted an article in July about our Provincial Convention as well as submitting articles to the Sask. CWL website.
Reviewing the annual reports, many positive role models are presented by their actions and involvement. However, it is obvious that there is room for improvement, especially the many councils doing volunteer work without ‘tooting their own horn’ and/or recognition of the many good works! However, it is also obvious that CWL members are women of faith and justice making a difference in their communities at home and abroad and throughout Saskatchewan.
This concludes my report.
Marcella Pedersen
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PROVINCIAL EDUCATION and HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT 2011
Monica Beavis
Reports were received from the Regina Archdiocese and the Saskatoon Diocese .It is interesting to note that approximately a third of the councils do not have a member as a Chairperson for this position. Through other communiqués we are assured that they continue to carry on the work of the CWL in their parish communities with care and dedication to those they serve.
Here is a summary of the service that CWL Members contributed in their respective parishes in the last year.
Catholic Education
- Participated and volunteered in the school programs shows support for the youth and gives the CWL Members an appreciation of the school system today. It also provides an opportunity to relate both the teachers and the students and better identify needs within the school and the community.
- Supported school programs financially by awarding bursaries and donating to special school projects that require fund raising
Catechesis
Involvement in the parish catechism programs through the organization and facilitation of the classes, by assisting with the funding, and providing the leadership to teach the classes. This includes Sacramental preparation that is offered in the parish. They are also involved in Sunday school classes for the pre school children. They enhance these special events by providing gifts, lunch and other special items such as stoles.
RCIA
- Took on the responsibility for the coordination of the program, volunteering as sponsors while others offer prayer and encouragement for the candidates.
Literacy and Continuing Education
- Participation at the Regional Workshops assists members to keep current on the recent issues that all CWL are monitoring and participate in programs that are being offered through various levels of the organization.
- Organized book clubs at parish level
- Support literacy programs that benifit others such as COADY and CODE (project love).
- Organized WRAP CAMPAIGNS to create an awareness of the dangers of pornography
- Presentation of the DVD “And The LORD Said GO “initiated out reach to those in need in the Saskatoon Diocese especially the First Nations.
- Volunteered and financial support given to special projects in the northern Missions of Canada
Scholarships and Bursaries
- Donations given to various organizations and individuals promoting continuing education for those interested.
- Work with abused youth in a structured education program
Wellness and Sickness / Disease
- Participated in various health care organizations such as CHAS, Cancer Agency, Health and Wellness Groups.
- Focused their interests on Elder Abuse, Hospice /Palliative Care, Euthanasia, Sanctity of Life and challenges related to poverty in society affecting women and children
- Purchased of mosquito nets for people in Third World Countries to prevent Malaria
Environment
- Encouraged councils to use ‘real dishes’ or paper products rather than Styrofoam
- Promotion of recycling programs and creating an awareness to reduce the use of plastic bags
- Supported Development and Peace and the Fresh Water Projects
- Wrote letters in regard to nuclear waste management, global warming issues and chrysotile asbestos. The Lafleche Council has studied the RIPERON Project to purify water for the Wood River.
Genetics
- Encourage members to be vigilant regarding the use of stem cell embryos in research and treatment
This concludes the summary of the reports received Thank – You all for sharing all the services you provide for the people of your church and the community.
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ARCHIVIST ANNUAL REPORT 2011
Past President - Gerri Holmes
I received reports from the Regina and Saskatoon dioceses. Regina had 37 reports submitted and Saskatoon 35.
The archivist position is not always to be held by the past president, but as long as the archives are kept up to date, it doesn’t matter who does it. Again I repeat leave nothing to memory.
As past presidents, most have worked with their council presidents and standing committee chairpersons promoting the League and making them as comfortable as they can in their positions. They have mentored and supported, volunteer to organize events, make phone calls, assisting doing daytime activities for those who work full time, co-chair meetings.
Policy & Procedure Books are being worked on for a lot of councils that did not have one. For those that already had one, the updating varied from council to council. In some, it was the duty of the past president, yet in others the current president or secretary undertook that role. The Policy and procedure Manual is a very, very useful tool for the executives in years to come.
In most of the councils the nominations and elections committee usually included the past president either as chair or committee member.
Saskatoon noted that reports indicated that positions were being served several times over.
May your work for the League continue to provide us with plentiful accounts to be included in our history of the League.
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