By Luke Mandato, The Catholic Register
[Toronto – Canadian Catholic News] – Some 450 Catholic women from across Canada are gathering in Toronto Aug. 10 to 13 for the 105th CWL national convention.
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) will unite attendees in both faith and country-wide fellowship, joined by various clergy and guests, to celebrate a shared mission of social justice-driven service in the spirit of the ongoing 2025 Jubilee Year.
The national convention will kick off with a session hosted by the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) — which Catholic Women’s League members in Canada belong to — with Dr. Josephine Lombardi as the premier keynote speaker. WUCWO president general Monica Santamarina will also deliver a report.
Catholic Register columnist and St. Mark’s and Corpus Christi College president and vice-chancellor Dr. Gerry Turcotte will also be a speaker during the CWL convention Aug. 11. He will address mental health and social justice-related topics.
“That’s something we are looking forward to, as the league is focusing a lot on mental health awareness and acceptance. We have been working on not solely tolerance, but acceptance, on how we can best help people who have mental health issues as well,” said Glenda Klein, life member of the CWL and planning committee member in charge of media and publicity for the national convention.
Delegates will have faith opportunities such as opening and closing Holy Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica as well as various breakout, business and discussion sessions over the three-day event, complete with resources they can bring back to their local councils.
One of the biggest features of each national convention is the resolutions that come in from all across Canada. As standard, resolutions will be debated among delegates and, if passed, presented to legislators, with this year’s resolutions hinted to focus on issues like pro-life advocacy and overall social justice.
Even more anticipated is the fellowship and communion among those in attendance.
“This is a real occasion to make new friends and visit with seasoned friends, a chance to meet the national officers and the provincial presidents, which is important for when it comes time to vote and put forth a new executive,” Klein said.
“There is also the opportunity to attend Holy Mass where there is more than one bishop and many clergy, with many women not ever having that experience elsewhere, and that brings the majesty of hearing over 400 female voices joined together in song.”
In addition to the 450 registered attendees in person, more are expected to attend virtually via Zom, further communicating the event’s far-reaching appeal.
Klein said whe hopes the shared purpose of a renewed and empowered league will continue to live out its mission of uniting Catholic women through service.
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