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CWL delegates Shari Guinta, left, Fran Lucas (second from right) and Rolande Chernichan meet with MP Alexandra Mendes, Assistant Deputy Speaker, House of Commons at Parliament Hill.

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Each year the National Resolutions Committee meets to consider resolutions suggested for archiving. These archived resolutions will no longer be worked on by the League. Now that they are archived, a council can write a new resolution on the topic. Some of these topics are still relevant but the information, terminology used, and scientific processes have changed since they were written.

In January 2021,  the Diocesan council presented webinars on Laudato Si, the pope’s encyclical on the environment. With the interest on the environment expressed by the participants, I have looked at the 2020 archived resolutions and made a chart of those resolutions that are about the environment. These can inspire an idea for a new resolution on the same topic. If you need any help, please contact the Diocesan Resolutions Chair.

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DATE: October 9, 2020
FROM: Cathy Bouchard, national chairperson of resolutions
TO: Parish chairpersons of resolutions

“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:6-8).

A resolution is a profound statement of the League and is consistent with its Objects. When specific resolutions are outdated and then archived, members are encouraged to write new resolutions that speak to the League’s Objects and philosophy. The council that originated an archived resolution is the best council to write a new resolution on the same theme with up-to-date language and references. Writing a new resolution on the same theme will naturally have a slightly different focus and include new research and references.

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DATE: October 9, 2020
FROM: Betty Colaneri, national chairperson of legislation
TO: Parish chairpersons of legislation

In the midst of an unexpected pandemic, the prime minister prorogued parliament for the first time during his term. He stated, “As much as this pandemic is an unexpected challenge, it is also an unprecedented opportunity. This is our chance to build a more resilient Canada, a Canada that is healthier and safer, greener and more competitive, a Canada that is more welcoming and more fair. This is our moment to change the future for the better. We can’t afford to miss it, because this window of opportunity won’t be open for long”.

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One of the actions local CWL councils are called upon by the Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council is to contact provincial government officials regarding our provincial resolution 2019.01 which was passed last June at the Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Convention.

On February 24^th, the Catholic Women’s League Provincial President Judy Look and members of her executive met with representatives from Health, Education, and Children’s Services of the Alberta government.

I invite you to use the following two template letters to write to the Members of the Alberta Legislative Assembly regarding Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Resolution 2019.01:  that annual universal dental screenings be immediately implemented in all Alberta schools for school-aged children from grades K-12.

Please use the first letter template to write the Premier, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Health.  Use the second template for your own MLA. You may find your MLA’s contact information at Who is my MLA? which will ask for your address and provide you with their name and contact information.

Tips:  It will be more effective if you change the letter slightly to make it your own.  (Form letters are not effective.)   Be brief.  Be polite.  Ask a question. Be sure to use exact wording from the resolution.

For God and Canada,

Gayleen Hamilton
Legislation Chair,
Calgary Diocesan Catholic Women’s League

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TO: Provincial Chairpersons of Legislation
CC: National Executive (for information)
FROM: Betty Colaneri, National Chairperson of Legislation

My sisters in the League,
The summer has gone by so quickly! With the first of the harvest being brought in, it is a sure sign fall is upon us.

Welcome to new chairpersons of legislation! You have been given the gift of working on a committee with the responsibility of monitoring and studying federal government legislation. To seasoned chairpersons of legislation, thank you for your continuing work. I look forward to receiving communiques featuring the work accomplished throughout the provinces.

It was very interesting and fulfilling to be part of the national resolution committee that worked on resolutions gifted to national council from provincial councils. Two resolutions were brought to the floor of the national convention and adopted. Resolution 2019.02 Canadian Support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons falls under the legislation standing committee.

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On behalf of the Centenary Committee, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the members from across Canada that contributed their immigration stories for this year’s Centenary project.

What an amazing feeling to see all the stories and pictures on display at the national convention in Winnipeg!

As we reflected on the stories of the immigrants that came to Canada with only the clothes on their back or one suitcase in hand, it spearheaded the project for the 2019.

The project will be H.U.G. (Helping, Understanding, Giving) Packages put together by members for distribution at local women’s shelters in your areas. The women and children who seek refuge in shelters will sometimes arrive with little more than the clothes on their backs. Providing a family with items of toiletries and clothing during their stay can make a big difference. The items can help her family get back on their feet after leaving shelter. It can make a huge impact on those who are seeking shelter from their storm.

The following are some examples of items that can be put together. You can also check out your local shelter’s website or contact them to find out what items they are most in need of at any given time.

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Education and Health Standing Committee Responsibilities

Under this umbrella there are many subheadings, I have provided links and resources for your use

a)     CATHOLIC EDUCATION

- Talk to your trustee and find out about the curriculum in schools

- Sacraments 2018 – The Bishop is implementing a Pilot Program in 5 Parishes for both parents and children for Reconciliation and First Eucharist in order to have a consistent program throughout the Diocese.  Confirmation will be the next pilot program.

St. Mary’s University – Bishop McGrattan says the CWL have honoured our commitment to establish the Chair for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University and raising 1.6 million for this chair.  He feels that our fundraising goal has been accomplished and no more fundraising is required.  If your Council would still want to donate to St. Mary’s University – make sure your donation goes to the CWL Chair for Catholic Studies not the St. Mary’s University General Fund.

He would like to use the university as a bridge to the Permanent Deaconate and Lay Formation and Education through the Pastoral Office.  Allow the university to provide teachers and programs.

RCIA – volunteer to be a sponsor.

b)    LITERACY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION – volunteer at schools and work with children who need help with reading

c)    SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

Bishop Paul O’Byrne Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1993 to commemorate the celebration of Bishop Paul O’Byrne’s 25^th Jubilee as Bishop of Calgary.  This year marks the 25^th Anniversary since it was established.  The original amount of the scholarship was $200.00 but this was later increased to $500.00.  During the last 25 years this scholarship has been awarded in just 14 years.  This scholarship open to any CWL member and has not been utilized by CWL members.

1. The applicant must be an active CWL member in good standing
2. A letter to the scholarship committee shall be submitted on behalf of the applicant and signed by the council president.
3. This scholarship was set up to help CWL members further her knowledge of the Catholic faith which in turn will enhance her ability to participate in and be of tangible benefit to the League.
4. Deadline is May 31. A member may apply for funds for a course taken in the year preceding or for a course to be taken in the year following that May 31 deadline.

Think about taking a course at St. Mary’s University, the FCJ Center of Newman College

National Bursary Fund

The bursary fund is used to provide financial assistance to members needing it to pursue studies, courses, seminars, workshops and diploma/degree programs in areas of

• spiritual growth
• adult faith formation
• youth ministry
• ministry to patients in palliative care
• ministry to shut-ins
• parliamentary procedure
• literacy tutoring

Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation

This new leadership program began its inaugural year in May 2018 and the inaugural class had 13 outstanding Catholic women.  2019 Applications are open – deadline November 9, 2018  https://cwlfcanada.ca/

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Downlaod memo from Linda VandenBerg, Provincial Chairperson of Legislation

“National Palliative Care: Private member’s Bill C-277 Framework on Palliative Care Act in Canada received royal assent December 12, 2017. This bill in part states, ‘The Minister of Health must, in consultation with the representatives of the provincial and territorial governments responsible for health, as well as with palliative care providers, develop a framework designed to support improved access for Canadians to palliative care - provided through hospitals, home care, long-term care facilities and residential hospices …’

“Resolution 2017.04 Protection from Coercion of Conscience for Healthcare Professionals : On January 31, 2018 the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court) upheld the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s policies regarding the requirement that physicians who have ethical objections to certain acts, including euthanasia and abortion, must refer patients to healthcare professionals who will provide the act, even though the court recognized that this violates the physicians’ rights to religious freedom. If this can happen in Ontario, it can happen in all provinces.”

“Bill C-38 An Act to amend An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons):
This bill is in second reading in the House of Commons (1st reading February 9, 2017) This enactment amends An Act to amend the Criminal Code (exploitation and trafficking in persons) so that certain sections of that act can come into force on different days. The act received royal assent on June 18, 2015 yet has not come into force since presently the act states that it will come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. If Bill C-38 passes, it would allow the act to come into force on the day of receiving royal assent, thereby expediting the justice system for those who have exploited and trafficked persons.”

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2017 Legislation memo - Nancy Simms, national chairperson of legislation:

I send you greetings from British Columbia. As the days get shorter and the fall rains begin to spill out over our country, I would like to thank all of you for your prayers for those affected by wildfires. It has been quite the summer!

Along with the wildfires, over 900 members and guests were once again lit on fire through the Holy Spirit, and with the love of the League at the 97th annual national convention in beautiful Prince Edward Island. Four resolutions were adopted at the convention and two of them fall under the standing committee of legislation. They are Resolution 2017.04 Protection from Coercion of Conscience for Healthcare Professionals and Resolution 2017.03 Zero-Rated Status Under the Goods and Services Tax Provisions of the Excise Tax Act for Child Safety Products. Also, three motions related to Bill C-16 An Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, which adds gender identity and gender expression to the list of prohibited grounds of discrimination, were carried under the standing committee of legislation. All of these were printed in the fall 2017 magazine.

It is now time to reacquaint ourselves with the days that the House of Commons will be sitting and to research what parliamentary business will be happening this fall. The calendar for the House of Commons can be found at ourcommons.ca/en/sitting-calendar. This website also shows what bills are before parliament and what stage they have reached. It also shows how members of parliament (MPs) voted on a bill. Just click “Parliamentary Business” at the top and you will find all this and more.

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EDUCATION and HEALTH STANDING COMMITTEE

The League’s initial mandate was to help new citizens of Canada – a country that is honoured as one of the best countries in which to live.
Health care and education are but two of the reasons Canada is held in such high regard.

Education and Health memo (2017): Fran Lucas, 1st vice-president and national chairperson of education and health

DUTIES of the CHAIRPERSON
The duties of the chairperson are:
• Catholic education
(i) Catholic schools and catechesis
(ii) rites of Christian initiation
• literacy and continuing education
• scholarships and bursaries
• wellness and sickness/disease
• environment
• genetics

The chairperson should:
• refer to communiqués and/or annual reports from all levels
• study and act on League resolutions adopted at each level pertaining to this standing committee
• file with the recording secretary a copy of monthly and annual reports

RESOURCES and REFERENCES

The following are available from national office:
• National Manual of Policy and Procedure
• Constitution & Bylaws
• Personal Letter Writing Guide
• Resource List

Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC)
CHAC Phone: (613) 562-6262 (ext. 2164)
Annex C, St-Vincent Hospital Fax: (613) 782-2857
60 Cambridge St. N
Ottawa, ON K1R 7A5
Web site: www.chac.ca

Coady International Institute
Coady International Institute Telephone Toll-free: (866) 820-7835
St. Francis Xavier University Fax: (902) 867-3907
P.O. Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
Web site: www.coady.stfx.ca