Our Mission The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God.
Objects of the League The objects of the League shall be to unite Catholic women of Canada, to: 1. achieve individual and collective spiritual development 2. promote the teachings of the Catholic church 3. exemplify the Christian ideal in home and family life 4. protect the sanctity of life 5. enhance the role of women in church and society 6. recognize the human dignity of all people everywhere 7. uphold and defend Christian education and values in the modern world 8. contribute to the understanding and growth of religious freedom, social justice, peace and harmony.
St. Gregory the Great Catholic Parish CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE Why Become a Member?
Nationally, the Catholic Women’s League of Canada was organized on June 17, 1920 and granted federal incorporation on December 12, 1923. The League is officially recognized by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) as a lay association of women and is affiliated with the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), a worldwide federation holding membership in the conference of International Catholic Organizations (ICO) and having consultative status with agencies of the United Nations. (See ‘History of the League’ - https://www.cwl.ca/our-history/) . St. Gregory Parish Council was formed in 1931.
A former National President of the League, Honourary Member Ann Marie Gorman was quoted as saying, “(since 1920)… from coast to coast through urban and rural communities, women have met in homes, church halls and community rooms, in beautiful as well as humble surroundings. What all members had and have in common is the goal of making Canada and the world a better place through personal and collective spiritual growth, promoting the teachings of the Catholic church, enhancing the role of women, recognizing the dignity of all people, and contributing to the understanding and growth of religious freedom, social justice, peace and harmony.”
Aren’t these powerful tenets to live by? Why wouldn’t every woman in our parish become a member? There are a number of levels of membership including active, inactive, associate. Many of our senior members now offer prayers and support after their many years of active service. We humbly invite every woman in the parish to come to a meeting, meet members and consider joining our sisterhood.
Do you want to grow your faith, serve your community, act on social justice issues and be supported by a sisterhood that embraces these core values? If so...WELCOME to the Catholic Women’s League...you belong with us. Interested in joining? Please contact the Parish Office at 613-476-6276 or [email protected]for further information. Let us know that you are interested in joining the CWL. Leave your name, phone number and email address. Someone from the CWL will contact you and answer any questions you may have.
Organization of the Parish CWL Council (Source: Constitution and Bylaws, National CWL) Executive positions: President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Past President Faith, Standing Committee Chair Service, Standing Committee Chair Social Justice, Standing Committee Chair These positions are for a two-year term. Only the Treasurer may accept a position for a second term. The Organizational Structure of the Catholic Women's League - from Parish to Nation The League shall be composed of parish, diocesan, provincial councils and a national council with the following compositions:
Parish Council: shall be composed of the individual members.
Diocesan Council: shall be composed of officers, presidents of parish councils in the diocese, parish delegates accredited to the diocesan convention, and honorary life members and life members holding a membership in the diocese.
Provincial Council: shall be composed of its officers, presidents of diocesan councils in the province, diocesan and parish delegates accredited to the provincial convention, and honorary life members and life members holding a membership in the province.
National Council: shall be composed of its officers, presidents of provincial councils, honorary life members, life members and provincial and diocesan delegates accredited to the national convention.
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is many things to many people. Whether it’s faith, service, social justice or sisterhood, thousands of women have found fulfilment by becoming members.
The League Prayer We humbly pray You, O God our Father, to bless The Catholic Women’s League of Canada. Bless our beloved country, our homes and families. Send Your Holy Spirit upon us to give light to our minds and strength to our wills, that we may know and fulfil Your great law of charity. Teach us to share with others at home and abroad, the good things You have given us. This we ask, through our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercession of our patroness, Our Lady of Good Counsel. Amen.
Carrying Christ Into the hillside country Mary went, carrying Christ And all along the road, The Christ she carried generously bestowed His grace on those He met. She had not meant to tell she carries Christ. She was content to hide His love for her. But about her glowed such joy That into stony hearts, love flowed. And even to the unborn John, Christ’s grace was sent.
Christ, in His sacrament of love each day Dwells in my soul a little space And then … I walk life’s crowded highway, jostling men who seldom think of God. To these I pray, that I may carry Christ, For it may be Some may not know of Him except through me.
Ruth Mary Fox, from ‘Resurrection to Pentecost’, Robert Moreau, p 41.
Prayer for Homeless People Hear our prayer today for all women, men, boys and girls who are homeless this day. For those sleeping under bridges, on park benches, in doorways or bus stations. For those who can only find shelter for the night but must wander in the daytime. For families broken because they could not afford to pay the rent. For those who have no relatives or friends who can take them in. For those who have no place to keep possessions that remind them who they are. For those who are afraid and hopeless. For those who have been betrayed by our social safety net. For all these people, we pray that you will provide shelter, security and hope. We pray for those of us with warm houses and comfortable beds that we not be lulled into complacency and forgetfulness. Jesus, help us to see your face in the eyes of every homeless person we meet so that we may be empowered through word and deed, and through the political means we have, to bring justice and peace to those who are homeless.
Copyright, with permission, Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com
Mary takes us Through the Stations of the Cross Click on the PDF icon to join Mary for a reflection on the Stations, as she guides us through each Station through her eyes then, and through her eyes now.
