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March 2015
The League’s Monthly E-newsletter
"Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our
lethargy." -- Pope Francis
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We Catholics are
truly blessed! Throughout
the year, we are reminded
on numerous occasions to
look more closely at
ourselves and to be the
person God calls us to be.
Lent is one of those times,
with love at the centre of
this season. Love ourselves
and love others. Be League
is one way members can
share this love for others, to
enjoy and learn. The national executive recently
returned from its winter meeting that included
many moments of love, all tied directly or
indirectly to the love of the League. That love is
shown by members at all levels, through the
stories shared in this issue of Be League and by
the comments made on the forum and Facebook.
Show this love! It is not to be hidden, especially
when the world is in a state where showing love to
all could not be more important.
April 2, 2015, will be special in three
ways. First, it is Holy Thursday; second it is
Canada’s first commemoration of Pope John Paul
II Day; and third it is the 10th anniversary of the
death of Saint Pope John Paul II. Washing of the
feet on Holy Thursday is a symbol of love that we
witness with humility, and who doesn’t
remember the chant, “John Paul II we love you”
that pops into our heads at the very mention of
Saint Pope John Paul II?
I am pleased to announce the winner of
the recent Facebook challenge! Brenda SamsonMarchand (St. Louis Parish Council, Louisdale,
Nova Scotia) was sent her prize of a $25.00 Tim
Hortons gift card, two CWL mugs and three
packages of theme cards. She won the draw from
those who shared the new theme image on
Facebook.
If you still want to win, don’t fret!
Another $25.00 Tim Hortons gift card will be
given to anyone submitting an article for Be
League on how her council is celebrating the new
theme.
A schedule has been set for the months
that provincial councils are designated to submit
articles for Be League. Check with my latest
communique (communique #3) on the national
website for the list. Many articles are needed to
continue having an electronic newsletter that is
informative and fun to read. If it is not your
province’s month to submit, but you exciting
news to share, please send it in as well.
The deadline for submissions for the next
issue of Be League is March 31st.
Happy Lent!
Fran Lucas
2nd Vice President and National Chairperson of
Communications
Table of Contents
President’s Message ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Catch the Fire! ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Manitoba Provincial Council ......................................................................................................................... 5
Holy Family Parish Council ........................................................................................................................... 6
Immaculate Conception Parish Council ........................................................................................................ 6
Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption Parish Council .......................................................................................... 7
Edmonton Diocesan Council ......................................................................................................................... 7
Church of the Ascension Parish Council ........................................................................................................ 8
St. Joseph Parish Council .............................................................................................................................. 8
Holy Redeemer Parish Council ...................................................................................................................... 9
St. Martin de Porres Parish Council............................................................................................................... 9
Manitoba Provincial Council ....................................................................................................................... 10
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Council ................................................................................................. 10
Anniversaries and Service Awards ............................................................................................................... 11
March Quiz.................................................................................................................................................. 11
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P a g e Quiz Answer and Winner ............................................................................................. 12
“Those who walk righteously and speak
uprightly, who despise the gain of oppression,
who wave away a bribe instead of accepting it,
who stop their ears from hearing of bloodshed
and shut their eyes from looking on evil, they will
live on the heights; their refuge will be the
fortresses of the rocks; their food will be supplied,
their water assured” (Is. 33:15-16).
Blessed is [she] who walks in justice and
speaks what is true! I was so moved by Isaiah’s
words I took the liberty of adapting them to suit
the League. With Lent in full swing, the arrival of
daylight savings time and the promise of spring in
full view, is it any wonder my thoughts are filled
with hope?
I came back from the recent national
executive meeting in Toronto filled with joy and
gratitude. It was a time of great hope. Members
can be assured they are represented by dedicated,
passionate and caring women. It is clear to me
that we are on the right path and working hard to
stay on course. Using our God-given talents and
wealth of knowledge, we addressed many serious
concerns. The euthanasia and assisted suicide
issue was discussed with heavy hearts but was
guided by prayer. You will hear more in due
course.
We welcomed the news that the Catholic
Women’s League Leadership Foundation has
Barbara Dowding
National President
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received its charitable status and now has a board
of directors. What is wonderful about this is we
can begin in earnest to find ways to fund the
foundation. You may recall, the purpose of the
foundation is to train Catholic women to assume
leadership roles in church and society. The
foundation began with a pledge of $500,000 from
the Sisters of Service in 2011, with the addition of
$100,000 from the League in 2012 and the
intention that the League would raise an addition
$400,000 through pledges and donations from
councils and individuals. Look for information
and ideas on how to reach this target to ensure
the foundation is financially ready to open—
exciting times indeed!
Pope Francis reminds the faithful in his
2015 message for Lent, “A merciful heart does
not mean a weak heart. Anyone who wishes to be
merciful must have a strong and steadfast heart,
closed to the tempter but open to God. A heart
which lets itself be pierced by the Spirit so as to
bring love along the roads that lead to our
brothers and sisters. And, ultimately, a poor
heart, one which realizes its own poverty and
gives itself freely for others.” I trust your Lent is
proving to be spiritually productive, filled with
good encounters and bringing you to the joy of
the Resurrection on Easter Sunday!
Catch the Fire! in Saskatchewan:
Top: Marlene and Wanda getting ready
for the next module during break.
Middle: Craft session! Attendees
making paper chains.
Bottom: Attendees sing a campfire
song.
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The council spent a few
fun-filled
hours
making
Valentine’s Day cards for a local
senior’s home. Ten members
brought paper, stickers, cutters,
punches, envelopes and their
creativity to make and distribute
167 valentines. They were
distributed to the seniors as the
council’s way of reaching out to
those who are sometimes left out
on special occasions.
On January 11th, in conjunction with its annual recruitment effort, the council gathered with the
faith community for the regular Sunday celebration of the Eucharist. Fr. Francesco Pirise was celebrant
and, as a means to make the League more visible to the community, all lay ministries were filled by CWL
members.
Following the reception, the council hosted a reception with tea, coffee and cake. Members were
available to provide interested women from the parish with information about the League. They were
quite successful—a number of new members joined the council!
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At the council’s installation of officers’
ceremony, three generations of members were
sworn in. Among them were (pictured left to
right) Noelle Sharpe (daughter of Maudena
and mother of Shelby), Maudena
Farnsworth (mother of Noella and
grandmother of Shelby) and Shelby
Sharpe (daughter of Noelle and
granddaughter of Maudena). “Each time
this incredible group of ladies comes
together for a common goal I am
amazed,” Noelle Sharpe said. “It only
takes a drop in the bucket to make a
change, but these women make the bucket
overflow.”
For
several
months, the council has
been involved with
Transformation Textiles,
a Canadian charity that
provides
feminine
hygiene kits to young
women in developing
countries. The money to
support this charity is
raised from selling glass
ornaments,
alabaster
candle holders and other
small decorative items
made in Egypt. To see
examples of the hygiene
kits and the alabaster,
please visit forum.cwl.ca.
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Communications chairperson Sandra Digras reported
the council held its annual baby shower for the pregnancy crisis
centre in the community. Many churches and organizations
donated baby items and a lunch was hosted.
Pictured L to R: members Carol Low, Carmen
Tellier and Penny Cowan pose with a colourful
cake at the baby shower
The council celebrated a special occasion with a Dessert Tea. All members and many nonmembers who helped the council with receptions were invited. Twenty-nine members (pictured, below)
enjoyed a variety of tasty teas and desserts!
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The council held a Senior Appreciation Tea in the Whitney Pier community. Lunch and
entertainment were provided, and everyone had a great time!
Seated L to R: Pamela
Roberts, Margaret Tucker,
Connie Fudge, Fran
MacNeil
Standing L to R: Cathy
Penman, Beverly Slade,
Dorothy Murphy, Peggy
MacNeil, Beverly Young,
Claire Briggs, Peggy
Margetti, Mary Magis and
Marilyn Roberts.
As part of a special celebration, the
council’s first spiritual advisor from 1989,
Fr. Michael Gillissie, concelebrated
mass. Deacon Paul Soucie delivered
the homily that was based on the
parable of the workers in the
vineyard, followed by a speech on
the contributions the council
makes. All members present stood
to receive a blessing from the
congregation, a truly moving
tribute.
The council was blessed to have eight past-presidents still very active in the council.
Pictured from L to R: Helen Bissonnette (2002-2005), Nicole Kohlman (1995-1997), Vi
Dobson (1989-1991, Patricia Moore (2006-2009), Carolyn McStravick (1991-1995),
Rosanne Nadon (2010-2013), Christine Beelan (current), Thresea Schopf (former military
CWL president). Missing from the photo is Barbara Devine (1997-2001).
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Observers from St. Boniface and Winnipeg diocesan councils, the Ukranian Catholic Women’s
League of Canada and the Knights of Columbus met on February 4, 2015, with Premier Greg Selinger
and 16 cabinet ministers to present and discuss adopted national and provincial resolutions from 20132014. The resolutions were well received and valuable feedback was given.
Seven parish council past presidents experienced the wonderful milestone of being present
together at a parish council luncheon. “We felt that it was quite amazing to have all these ladies at our
CWL luncheon” writes Diane Poirier, current council president.
Pictured from L to R (representing
presidential terms from 1969 to
2015): Dot Miller, Ruth Anderson,
Doris Rankin, Jutta Zeisler, Rita
Ferris, Anita Clarke and Diane
Poirier
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60th Anniversary ........... Holy Redeemer Parish Council, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
60th Anniversary ................................. Our Lady of Loretto Parish Council, Edmonton, Alberta
Pat Clarke
60-Year Pin
St. Peter Parish Council
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Doreen Metson
Grada Vlemmix
50-Year Pin
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Grand Bend, Ontario
Grand Bend, Ontario
Mathilda Manders
Corrie Reloux
40-Year Pin
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Grand Bend, Ontario
Grand Bend, Ontario
25-Year Pin
Lillian Martens
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Mary Edwards-Metcalfe Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Anny Michielsens
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
Grand Bend, Ontario
Grand Bend, Ontario
Grand Bend, Ontario
Marian Anderson
Maria Bossert
Yolanda Gilbert
Angela Kuntz
Lilian Reeves
10-Year Pin
St. Peter Parish Council
St. Peter Parish Council
St. Peter Parish Council
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Council
St. Peter Parish Council
Saint
Can you name all the one-syllable words
that rhyme with “saint”, “priest”, and
“pope”?
(Note: only fill in the coloured cells!)
*quiz from Sporcle.com
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Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Grand Bend, Ontario
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Priest
Pope
The next deadline for submissions is March 31st.
Please submit your stories and photos to communications@cwl.ca, by mail or fax to (888) 831-9507.
C-702 Scotland Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3M 1X5
Phone: (204) 927-2310
Toll Free: (888) 656-4040
Fax: (888) 831-9507
E-mail: info@cwl.ca
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