Call to Convention
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada
CALGARY DIOCESAN COUNCIL
invites all members to the
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102nd Annual
DIOCESAN CONVENTION
May 3 - 5, 2024
Holiday Inn & Suites
Calgary South Conference Centre
8360 Blackfoot Trail SE
Calgary, Alberta T2J 7E1
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Hosted by the Calgary South Councils
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Bishop William T. McGrattan will celebrate the Opening Mass and Ceremony at 7:00 pm, St. Cecilia’s Parish, 321 – 90th Avenue SE, Calgary. A Wine and Cheese reception hosted by the Knights of Columbus will follow.
The Closing Mass and Installation of the Diocesan Officers will be held at St. Bonaventure Parish, 1600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary at 5:00 pm, followed by the banquet at the Holiday Inn & Suites Conference Centre.
The 102nd Annual Meeting will include the reports and business of the Calgary Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada.
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New in 2024: The Registration Fee and Convention Fee have been amalgamated into one fee.
The Convention Planning Committee looks forward to welcoming you; and the Convention Co-chairs will gladly answer any questions:
- Marie Robertson: 403-710-0391
- Laurie Cotter: 403-921-0619
Friday, May 3
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The theme is “Called by Name to Community”. The pre-convention focuses on the Diocesan Renewal, as lay women in the Catholic church and leaders in our parishes we have a role to play. The speakers will introduce us to the Renewal, “You are Called. You Matter. You Belong.” We are called to
- Form Missionary Disciples in Christ,
- Be a church of encounter and witness, and
- Strengthen Family Life.
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100th Anniversary Commemorative Bench Celebration:
Commemorative Bench Photos – We will have a 100th Anniversary Commemorative Bench celebration with a power point and speeches. We would like to have some photos of your council at the bench. It is in front of the Le Fort Building on St. Mary’s University campus. If you take photos, please send them to Jan Myhre by Monday, April 22, 2024, so we can include them in the presentation.
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Meet our Speakers
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Dr. Bonnie Annicchiarico
Bio
Bonnie Annicchiarico is a wife, mother of three and grandmother of 10. As a retired Catholic educator, Bonnie has been a principal, superintendent and more recently the executive director of GrACE (Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education). For the past three years she has served as chair of the Diocesan advisory and leadership teams with a focus on the synod and pastoral renewal. Bonnie’s passion for her faith has led her to a PhD in Catholic School leadership and currently to volunteer work on the Board of Governors for St Mary’s University and vice-chair of NET Canada. Making her home in Brooks, Bonnie serves in music ministry in her home parish of St Mary’s. She continues to prayerfully respond to God’s call for her life.
She will give a personal testimonial, explain why the renewal came about, its importance, what it means to us as Catholic lay women. Her workshop will be practical and involve the nine actions of the renewal. It will direct us to participate, act, and go forward to live our baptismal call, strengthen our own faith, and the faith of those we love.
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Rev. Tim Boyle
Bio
Fr. Tim Boyle was ordained in 1974 and served in parishes mostly in Southern Alberta. He sees his
vocation as “rooted in service to others”. Indeed, that notion of service nurtured his calling to the
priesthood. He had an uncle who served as a missionary priest. As well, his dad and five siblings pulled together to care for Father Tim’s mother after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Volunteering at the old children’s hospital gave him additional frontline experience with service. “Those were some pretty formative experiences. And then I discovered that words have power, and I learned I had some ability to take ideas and give them expression in a way that helped people.” That knowledge, combined with a lifetime of faith practice nourished in his family, brought him into the priesthood. Father Tim was ordained at the age of 24.
His role in the Church changed in 2018. Stepping back from the role of the parish priest, he now serves as the Bishop’s Delegate to a Diocesan committee that follows up allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy. Also, he is the Vicar for Clergy, where he assists Bishop McGrattan with priest assignments. These are dramatically different roles for the long-time parish priest, but he accepts the challenges with the heart of a willing servant who believes the grace of Christ means “there will always be this core of love to keep His Church alive.”
His most recent role is his appointment by Bishop McGrattan to be a member of the Diocesan Renewal
Leadership Team.
Forming Missionary Disciples in Christ. He is interested in those “seeking” to know Jesus and those waning to return to church. “Finding the Real Presence of God outside the Church.” How we can welcome and relate to them.
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Dr. Peter Baltutis
Bio
Dr. Peter Baltutis is an associate professor of history and religious studies at St. Mary's University in Calgary, where he also holds the Catholic Women's League (CWL) endowed Chair for Catholic Studies. He earned his doctorate in theology from Regis St. Michael’s Faculty of Theology in the University of Toronto, with a specialization in the history of Christianity. His research focuses on the historical and theological development of the Catholic social tradition in Canada. Outside of the university, he enjoys camping with his family and long-distance running in the Rocky Mountains. He is also a professed lay member of the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans).
He will speak about "Church as a Potluck Dinner: New Models of Being a Church of Encounter and Witness".
The Diocese of Calgary's Pastoral Renewal calls upon Catholics to "be a Church of encounter of witness." This presentation uses the metaphor of a potluck dinner as a model for how to live out this mandate. Potluck dinners are informal meals where guests bring different dishes that are then shared with other guests. So too, our Churches must become communities where everyone is encouraged to share their gifts with one another. Instead of parishioners as passive recipients, we must re-imagine our parishes to be communities where the baptized are seen as active partners in mission.
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Saturday, May 4, 2024 - 102nd Annual Convention
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It is important you attend the Saturday convention as we will have an election of new Diocesan Officers and a nomination for the ABMK Provincial Officers.
Banquet and Keepin’ It Country Line Dancers – Enjoy, learn to line dance!
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Confirmed Delegates, remember:
- Wear your CWL pins (and scarf if you have one).
- All attendees are encouraged to wear red on Friday in honor of our military and missing and murdered women.
- Please bring:
- A bag to hold your convention materials
- Your Council Banner (and stand)
- Cash to purchase items from our vendors and for donations to our featured charities
- Isezerano & Abdi Days for Girls Social Enterprises will be an exhibitor at the convention. Joanne is asking for "hotel-sized" bars of soap. You can bring them to her exhibit table.
- When you arrive at the convention, you need to check in and pick up your convention materials. You can do this:
- Thursday, May 2 between 5:00 to 7:00 pm (tentative), or
- Friday, May 3 between 7:45 and 8:30 am, or
- Saturday, May 4 between 8:00 and 8:30 am
- A name badge will be provided when you sign in at the convention. Please wear it at all times, as you cannot enter the convention room without it.
- You must sign the attendance record each day you are at the Convention.
- Food:
- Breakfast each day is on your own
- Morning breaks include beverages and snacks
- Lunches and suppers are at the hotel. Meals must be prepurchased when you register so we can give the numbers to the caterer. They cannot be purchased at the Convention.
Early Bird Draw: Members who register and pay by March 22 will have their name entered in a draw to win one of two gift baskets.
Meetings
Friday – Pre-Convention Meeting:
Friday is an informative day with motivational guest speakers. Our clergy and spiritual advisors are welcome to spend the day with us to hear the speakers, or just come for lunch. They do not pay the registration fee if they attend only the Friday lunch. Parish Councils should pay for their Spiritual Advisor’s lunch (and fees if staying the entire day). We will introduce all spiritual advisors who have joined us.
The Friday speakers will be Rev. Tim Boyle, Dr. Bonnie Annicchiarico, and Dr. Peter Baltutis. In addition, we will be having a workshop, “Opportunities and Challenges of Being a Lay Woman in the Catholic Church Today”. We will share Friday supper at the hotel. Bishop William T. McGrattan will celebrate the Opening Mass at St. Cecilia’s Parish, 321 – 90 Avenue SE, at 7:00 p.m. It will be followed by a Wine & Cheese Reception hosted by the Knights of Columbus.
Saturday – Convention Meeting:
The convention meeting begins with a Memorial Service for our deceased members and spiritual advisors, followed by the business session. It is important to attend the Saturday convention as there will be an election of new Diocesan Officers and nominations for the ABMK Provincial Officers.
The Closing Mass and Installation of the Diocesan Officers will be held at St. Bonaventure Parish, 1600 Acadia Drive SE, at 5:00 pm, followed by the banquet at the Holiday Inn & Suites Conference Centre.
Parish Council Presidents:
- This is an election year! You must bring the white copy of your Council's Instructed Vote with you on Saturday to participate in the election of new Diocesan Officers and nominations for the ABMK Provincial Officers.
- The Post-Convention Meeting on Sunday will be led by our new President, Kathleen Winter. This is a short meeting where we bring forward motions to pay expenses, etc., and discuss upcoming Provincial & National Conventions. Parish Council Presidents should be there as they must vote on the financial decisions on behalf of their council. If a Parish Council President cannot attend, she should send a designate. All members are welcome to attend.
Parish Councils are asked to bring their Council Banners (with stands) to the Convention.
Convention Charities
Members and Councils are also asked to consider a monetary donation toward our featured convention charities.
Calgary Diocesan Council has a tradition of collecting donations from members and councils to support the Church and charitable organizations in our diocese and beyond. Any cheques can be payable to “Calgary Diocesan CWL Council” or the recipients.
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Friday, May 3rd Community Collection - Calgary Catholic Immigration Society: CHARITY REGISTRATION #118823244RR0001 Donations support immigrants and refugees by funding essential settlement and integration services like housing, healthcare, education, language and job skills training, and employment. (ccisab.ca)
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CCIS also serves areas outside Calgary including Brooks, Claresholm, Cochrane, Drumheller, Hanna, Taber, Medicine Hat, Okotoks, and High River; and has an agreement with the Diocese of Calgary to facilitate refugee sponsorships.
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The Saturday, May 4, 2024 Memorial Service Collection recipient chosen by the Diocesan Officers is the Diocese of Calgary – Vocations Ministry. Donations support seminarians in their calling to the diocesan priesthood, men enrolled in the permanent diaconate program, and women and men discerning their call to consecrated life.
Make cheques payable to: "Calgary Diocesan CWL Council" or "Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary (Vocations)."
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Displays
Displays (vendors and exhibitors) are open on Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Contact vendors through their websites to see if they will accept pre-orders and bring items to the convention for you to pick up.
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Details
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Accommodation: rooms have been set aside for us at the Holiday Inn & Suites Calgary South Conference Centre, 8360 Blackfoot Trail SE Calgary, Alberta T2J 7E1. Contact the Front Desk either by Telephone at 403-475-8561 or by email to .
Our group rates are:
- $169.99 Standard King Rooms
- $169.99 Standard Two Queen Beds
When registering, quote Group Name Catholic Women's League or use Group/Team Code: CWL
For more information go to Catholic Women's League
Cut-off Date: Thurs., April 4, 2024
Reminder: members who have subscribed to CalgaryCWL.ca can login and post to the forum any offers or requests to share rides or rooms, etc.
