By Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News

Inspiration, prayer, reports, future plans, and annual business were all part of the 86th diocesan convention of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada held April 25 at St. Mary Parish, Macklin, SK.

CWL members from across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon joined provincial and national representatives, spiritual advisors and other special guests for the convention after a two-year hiatus caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Reflecting on the national theme of “Catholic and Living It,” presenters and participants focused on new ways forward and a spirit of evangelization, mission and regeneration.

The convention opening ceremonies at St. Mary Parish Hall, Macklin, included the presentation of colours led by bagpiper Margot de le Gorgendiere, who is also chair of organization on the diocesan CWL executive. Nancy Hollman, of St. Mary Parish CWL council was MC, thanking the parish CWL members and those from nearby St. Donatus and Denzil councils for their help in organizing the diocesan convention, attended by some 107 participants.

Saskatoon diocesan CWL President Audrey Zimmerman called the convention to order, acknowledging Treaty 6 territory and the traditional land of Indigenous and Métis people.

Marion Laroque, diocesan CWL chair of spiritual development, and Avis Hardy, resolutions chair, led the opening prayer. “We gather together here today with joy, the true joy of faith in the Resurrection, and with grateful hearts, for it is by Your saving power that we are once again able to meet in person,” prayed the assembly.

St. Mary Parish, Macklin pastor Fr. Binu Rathappillil, VC, brought greetings to the convention, as did Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, Jeff Stang of the Macklin Knights of Columbus, Darlene Kidd of Grace United Church in Macklin, and representatives from sister CWL organizations in the Diocese of Prince Albert (Past-President Helen Kayfish) and the Archdiocese of Regina (President Janette Rieger.)

“I was looking forward to this for many, many reasons,” said Bishop Mark Hagemoen during the opening ceremonies. “The Church has always been very much held up by women, not just in terms of service but in terms of leadership… the world needs the leadership and the example of Catholic women perhaps more than ever.”

The national Catholic Women’s League organization was represented in the keynote speaker for the day: Cathy Bouchard, National Spiritual Development Chair, who brought a message from CWL national President Fran Lucas.

After the past two years that will go down in history for challenges faced, “now you can revel in the fact that things have and continue to change — a return to a more normal life, a more normal way of being a league member,” wrote Lucas. “Take time to reflect on the blessing and pilgrimage of being part of an organization with more than 63,000 members. May the League’s core values of faith, service and social justice help you live out the national theme ‘Catholic and Living It.'”

In her report, diocesan CWL President Audrey Zimmerman also pointed to the challenges of the past two years and the COVID-19 pandemic, and noted that challenges and risks continue. “That does not take away from the joy that we have in being together,” she said.

Zimmerman acknowledged all the CWL councils celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, including those in parishes at Major, Cudworth, and Bruno (95 years); Eston (90 years); and Foam Lake (45 years.)

“Without parish councils there is no Catholic Women’s League of Canada,” Zimmerman said, thanking presidents and councils for their leadership.

“Our diocesan council is here to serve you,” she added, pointing to workshops, including one to be held in Kindersley on May 14 from 10 am to noon, with a focus on prayer and leadership.

“Our theme for the next two years is ‘Catholic and Living It,’ a topic that is dear to our hearts. We love our Catholic faith, we share it with our families and communities, we embrace the call to holiness and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So how do we live it?” she asked, giving examples of outreach and service that CWL councils have provided and continue to provide to those in need or in crisis. “This is part of what we do, what we are, what gives our councils life.”

The Saskatoon diocesan CWL is also proud to be involved in IWIN – “I’m Worth It Now” project of outreach and assistance to assist human trafficking survivors by providing them with backpacks of supplies and by raising awareness about this important issue, she noted. “I would like to thank all the parishes and councils who have contributed financially, and the many CWL members who are keeping these victims of human traficking in their daily prayers.”

CWL member Diane Cote of St. John Bosco, Saskatoon, has accepted a position on the IWIN board, Zimmerman reported.

She also pointed to the opportunity of the upcoming 2024 National CWL Convention, which will be hosted in Saskatoon in August 2024, and which will require support and assistance from councils and CWL members across the diocese and beyond. “If you can volunteer, contact myself, Margaret (Schwab), Marion Laroque,” Zimmerman said.

Later in the convention program, Margaret Schwab of Holy Spirit CWL council in Saskatoon described a project for CWL members to take on in support of the 2024 National Convention in Saskatoon: crafting of 15-inch by 15-inch tote bags in CWL colours as a gift for an expected 700 convention delegates.

The struggle to find leadership and attract members is another reality that councils are engaged with, Zimmerman noted. For some CWL councils, the inability to find leaders leads to disbanding a council. “Taking a leadership role in the CWL is demanding, but the rewards are very great, and Our Lady walks with us every step of the way,” said the diocesan CWL president in her report on the eve of the feast day of CWL patron Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Saskatchewan Provincial CWL President Chantal Devine brought greetings to the Saskatoon diocesan convention, and a report.

In her report, provincial CWL President Devine pointed to a need to promote membership in the Catholic Women’s League, and to call forth leaders. “Have you shared the gift of the league with someone?” she challenged. “We should not be afraid, not feel ashamed. We should be proud and so willing to share the gift of the League,” — the largest Catholic women’s organization in Canada whose main objective is to grow in faith.

“Taking on the role of a leadership position is an act of charity in fulfilling volunteer work.. love God by serving others and step up to the plate,” Devine urged. “Don’t be afraid to make a commitment. One very good way of growing is by serving others.”

She invited CWL members to attend the 74th Provincial CWL Convention June 5-6 in Swift Current, SK, featuring guest speakers national CWL President Fran Lucas and Hon. Russell B. Mirasty , the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.

The program also included a message from Provincial CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. Peter Nnanga, MSP. Later in the program, diocesan CWL Spiritual Advisor Fr. John Abban-Bonsu also delivered a message to the convention.

“Times and situations have changed, but the mission and purpose of the Catholic Women’s League has never changed, and that should be our hope,” said Abban-Bonsu. “Our gathering here today is a victory of hard work by the executive and all of you…. a victory of perseverance, a victory of patience — it is a victory of prayer.”

In her keynote address “Catholic and Living It,” National Spiritual Development Chair Cathy Bouchard reflected on the gift of living “our sacramental lives.” Each baptized person is grafted onto Christ, called to live out the baptismal role of “priest, prophet and king” in the world, she said, breaking open the meaning and richness of those marks of our baptism.

Bouchard urged CWL members to bring themselves to the Eucharist as their offering to God, “carrying out the work of Jesus, bringing justice, love and tenderness to the world,” she said.

“It is impossible to be a prophet and to share God’s Word if we don’t know it ourselves,” said Bouchard, urging CWL members to deepen their faith by prayer and study, as well as by serving others. “Let us live our lives witnessing to our faith and being gracious.”

The convention’s afternoon program included a presentation on “Poverty: What Can We Do?” by Myron Rogal, coordinator of Justice and Peace for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, exploring the issue of homelessness and possible grassroots responses, food supply issues and responses to hunger, and increasing support for those suffering from addictions, abuse and violence, including human trafficking.

He described how parishes, CWL and Knights of Columbus councils have an opportunity to partner with community agencies to build relationships and find ways of addressing the largest needs in their areas, including providing volunteers and assisting with existing projects — as well as simply raising awareness.

“Who are the poor in your midst?” challenged Rogal, noting that every parish in the diocese, rural as well as urban, is seeing increased levels of need and suffering.

The annual convention also included financial statements, correspondence and reports from various executive members responsible for organization, spiritual development, Christian family life, communications, community life, legislation, resolutions, health and education, archives, the Our Lady of Grace region, and the CWL Clothing Depot. Instructed votes by convention delegates dealt with a per capita fee increase and amendments to the League constitution.

There were no convention resolutions brought forward for consideration this year.

The diocesan CWL convention concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Abbot Peter Novecosky, OSU, and priests from the area, followed by a banquet. The present diocesan CWL executive was affirmed in their roles for another year.

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