Mission Statement: The new mission statement approved at the national executive pre- convention meeting is as follows:
“The Catholic Women’s League of Canada
calls its members to grow in faith,
and to witness to the love of God
through ministry and service.“
On The Spot: Has your council made use of On The Spot? Meant to showcase council news items featuring work, activities, gifts and talents, it is also a fun way for members to see themselves in a picture on the national website. Share the good works and ideas with the rest of Canada. Criteria for submission:
- your council title and location
- a supporting high resolution photograph (well lit, blur free and at least 300 dpi). Where possible please submit the original picture either electronically or by mail. Permission for persons identified in the pictures are no longer required
- a write-up not to exceed 50 words
With the new website up and running, I would like to see council projects pictured from across the country.
Pornography Hurts: “Pornography dictates that the satisfaction of one’s own desires is all that matters. It leaves in its wake broken marriages, estranged and molested children, shattered young people, and deteriorating neighbourhoods” (Executive Handbook).
Promote and use the “Pornography Hurts” postcards available at cwl.ca. Engage members to write a question on the card directed to the prime minister, minister of justice, local member of parliament or member of legislative assembly. Adding the question provides the receiver an opportunity to send a reply, ensuring that it was read. Sign and send as many postcards as desired. There is no special month to mail the cards. Ask members to inform you when a reply is received. Keep track and let me know the total. With a federal election taking place in 2019, this is one way to find out which politicians may be worthy of a vote.
I had the privilege of attending a pornography presentation at the 98th annual national convention. It was suggested that councils hosting a speaker on the topic should specify if the session pertains to adult or child pornography. More information can be found on the following websites:
- fightthenewdrug.org is an excellent website founded by college students, with videos and resources.
- strengthtofight.ca was launched by university students from Ottawa for a porn-free Canada.
- Protectyoungminds.org is a website that helps to teach kids to reject porn.
- Canadian Center for Child Protection, protectchildren.ca, is a national organization dedicated to help reduce sexual abuse and exploitation of children, as well as Internet safety.
Safety and the Internet:
The following links provide a variety of information on children’s safety:
- missingkids.ca is Canada’s missing children resource and response center.
- kidsintheknow.ca is a safety education program for children from kindergarten to high school.
- commit2kids.ca is a program that helps organizations reduce the risk of child sexual abuse of children in their care.
- ProtectKidsOnline.ca provides information about the ever-changing online interests of youth, potential risks faced and proactive strategies to help keep them safe while online.
Media Relations: the national website has a new look! Take the time to review it and provide me with your feedback. Does your council have budgeted funds for advertising events and activities? Might I suggest that when the council reviews the budget for next year, funds be allocated for this purpose? Does the council use Facebook and Twitter? I encourage you to explore these options as a means of attracting younger members. Do you or the council subscribe to or use Catholic newspapers? They make excellent Christmas gifts.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Mass: Once again the League will be sponsoring a televised mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel on April 26, 2019. I’m in the process of booking it, and once the date, time and location for the taping is confirmed, I will forward the information. Inform members to mark in on their calendars. In the past the League has sponsored a mass on May 4th for palliative care. Unfortunately we will not be sponsoring this mass in 2019, but encourage councils to have a mass incorporated in the “12 Hours of Prayer for Palliative Care.”
Archbishop Albert LeGatt (St. Boniface) informed members during the opening mass of the annual national convention that the archdiocese had just celebrated its 200th anniversary of bringing Christ and the church to western and northern Canada. He reflected that the League is vitally important because it is the voice of the “feminine genius” (Pope John Paul II) and encouraged members to continue to come together, and to multiply the love and work of God in the world.
Your Sister In the League
Doreen Gowans
National Chairperson of Communications
October 5, 2018
