The new national theme, Ignite Your Passion, Empower His Mission, begins in January 2026. The inspiration for the theme came from the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which represents God’s infinite love.
The first time I heard the story of the Road to Emmaus, I was deeply moved by the words, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” (Luke 32). The story reflects on our journey of discernment and how we may encounter someone who could very well be Jesus. He chose the dinner table because it symbolizes fellowship, a place of intimacy, friendship, and a place where relationships are strengthened. When the men recognized the truth, their hearts were aflame with new understanding, and they rushed off to tell the apostles the good news. This is what members are called to do on our own faith journey.
Symbols of the Theme Logo
The logo I had envisioned was beautifully brought to life by my family’s graphic artist, Julie D’Angela.
The large heart symbolizing the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the crown of thorns reminds us that we have been saved by Jesus’ Passion.
The white colour symbolizes the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven to set the heart on fire.
The red and white colours together symbolize the Divine Mercy.
The crown of thorns on the right serves as a reminder of Jesus’ Passion and ultimate sacrifice.
The smaller heart inside the large heart symbolizes members’ hearts, enflamed by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus surrounds and protects us with His own heart.
Fire not only represents God’s presence but also a deep love and passionate devotion to God. Members are called to be ‘on fire’ for God, a fire that fuels our enthusiasm to serve and seek our Lord with all our hearts. Fire also signifies that God’s Spirit is to continually burn brightly in our lives.
In Indigenous cultures, fire is a deeply revered and multifaceted symbol, representing a connection to the spiritual realm, the land and the community. It is seen as a sacred gift, a source of life and a powerful tool for connection, healing and preservation.
His words ignite a spiritual fire within members to love and share God’s love. It is that passion for our Lord that fuels members to become passionate advocates, compelling us to speak God’s truth, even when it’s difficult and to take action. A faith that is ‘on fire’ is a faith that is alive, vibrant and passionate. It is that passion that compels members to reach out to those in need, to show compassion and to share the joy of serving the Lord.
At the national executive/board meeting in October, the board chose the national focus of “Blessed are the Poor,” which is closely connected to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. His ministry included a special focus on the poor and marginalized, revealing God’s compassionate care for those in need. Caring for the poor is considered an essential part of our Catholic mission and an expression of members’ love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Compassion fuels members’ actions, allowing us to connect more deeply with Jesus’ ministry and encounter our Lord through service to others. The poor are not only those who struggle financially but also those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). Poverty can also include a lack of family or social support, limited education, social injustices, discrimination and conflict.
The national chairpersons of faith, service and social justice will be providing information and suggestions on how members can participate in this call to mission through action.
Kindly spread the word in the New Year regarding the new theme and focus. I look forward to hearing about all the wonderful things that will be done to honour the Sacred Heart of Jesus with our compassion for the poor.
From my heart to yours, Betty Colaneri National President
Since every member is committed to the Mission Statement and the work of the council is the work of all members, all members should participate in deciding on and prioritizing which topics and activities the council will address in a particular year or term. Once agreed to, the work of the council is the work of all members of the council.
Often, a council’s activities remain relatively unchanged from year to year, but the issues they support through their prayers, gifts of time and efforts, financial resources, and so on, may be very different over time. Each new year, or at least each new term, should bring with it the opportunity to re-examine what the council is doing and where its energies and resources are going. Ideally, the council works on one or more issues or activities that arise from their members’ particular interests and that speak to its unique “charism”.* Over time, these can change and councils that re-examine their essential work regularly avoid becoming stagnant.
Councils prioritizing which activities to adopt in a year or term are encouraged to choose as many or as few as can be realistically met, acknowledging that every topic/activity may have merit but considering the limitations of their council. Topics and activities may change or evolve during the course of a year, as unexpected concerns arise. Councils are encouraged to consider the national focus and any provincial/diocesan initiatives or activities as potential priorities.
As the council considers its charism and the members’ interests, the chairpersons are the members who help to guide the council in its discernment of which topics and activities to pursue. They may do research, facilitate discussion or invite speakers to help members with their decisions, but as much as possible, the whole council should be engaged in choosing.
*In this sense, “charism” refers to a council’s special gift or grace from the Holy Spirit for the common good, or for the service of others, that helps the council to live out its mission within the church. For example, although a council may do many things, its special charism may be welcoming refugees and newcomers, or praying together, or hosting parish events, etc.
Once a council determines the topics and activities that its interests and particular charism lead it to for the year, the next step will be for the chairpersons to develop a coordinated approach to addressing these. Rather than working separately to address personal interests that fall under their pillar, the chairpersons find ways of collaborating to accomplish the council work more effectively. This likely begins with the chairpersons meeting to consider how to bring the gifts of each committee together to support the topics and activities chosen by the council. Every committee has its own purpose and expertise, but they are all connected.
For example, this could mean developing spiritual programs that reflect the topic/activity, seeking out and engaging in opportunities for service related to the topic and advocating to the appropriate level of the government regarding the topic. Other examples include attending an ecumenical prayer and information event related to the topic, working with other churches in the community to address the topic and attending a municipal council meeting to request better resources related to the topic.
Working collaboratively, the chairpersons strive to develop a program for the year that will allow members to engage in all pillars (faith, service and social justice) at one or more times throughout the year. Every chairperson may not present something at every meeting, but over the course of the year, the core values of the League will be reflected to the members through the monthly offerings as some aspect of the topic/activity discerned by the council is highlighted by at least one chairperson each month.
As well, individual chairpersons always have the opportunity to bring other information related to their pillar to the council; the model of the League has always been and will continue to be flexible.
For example, a chairperson would certainly wish to bring forward information on a new synod, a community’s homeless initiative, the opportunity to participate in a provincial/national survey on palliative care, etc.
Councils can and should adjust when unexpected events occur and opportunities arise; a strength of the League is responding with immediacy, and the chairpersons should provide leadership in such situations, but always acting with the engagement of other members.
Service and action of the League largely rest at the parish council level, with the support of the other levels of the League.
Welcoming is not a one-time event. It is a continuous process and mindset that touches members on an ongoing basis. It makes the League a great sisterhood and keeps members engaged and committed. It is essential that members feel welcomed and at home from their first day and genuinely connected every day.
The new Welcome Program released in September 2020 relates to two critical issues identified in the strategic plan:
Include (leave no member behind) and affirm (make members feel welcomed, needed and wanted), and
Validate all members.
This document will assist you as you welcome new members to your parish council and encourage the involvement of all members. There are suggestions, ideas and resources for you to adapt and customize in ways that will work best for your council.
